Research checklist Records that would confirm or extend Helen McClure's side of the tree, in the order they are most likely to help. Ticks are saved in this browser only.
See the same list grouped by where each record is held
1. Helen's own household Nothing on the site yet for Helen's parents' generation beyond the 2011 archive and the headstone.
William McClure's Royal Navy service record His photos show HMS Jupiter, HMS Cockade off Korea and Hong Kong in 1951. A service record would give his dates, ships, rank and any medals. Next of kin can apply to the Ministry of Defence. The National Archives holds ship logs. Next Ministry of Defence (next of kin request), The National Archives Agnes (Nancy) Gavigan's birth, 12 October 1926, Calton Exactly 100 years old, so it may have just been released. Search under Agnes Wood Gavigan, the name on her 1948 marriage. Confirms her parents and exact address. Next ScotlandsPeople (births open after 100 years) Helen's own birth entry, 1955 Closed to the public, but a family member can order a certified copy. Later NRS copy order 2. Fix gaps and puzzles in the tree Records that settle things the tree currently has blank, wrong, or flagged.
George Finlayson's death (before 1926) The 1926 marriage calls him deceased. The tree has no death date for him. His death entry would give his age, address and cause. Do first ScotlandsPeople (deaths, 1901 to 1925) Helen McKechnie's second marriage to a Mr Johnston The 1926 marriage names her as Helen Finlayson, now Johnston. Neither the marriage nor Mr Johnston is in the tree. Her daughter Helen Donald (who reported the 1950 death) is also missing. Do first ScotlandsPeople (marriages, 1901 to 1925) Hugh Gavigan's death (born about 1875, Glasgow) No death date in the tree. Search Glasgow deaths from 1900 to 1975. Next ScotlandsPeople (deaths) Colin McKechnie's birth, 23 May 1859, Govan The 1861 Colin McKechnie file in the folder belongs to someone else. This entry would name his parents and settle the Daniel McKechnie link. Next ScotlandsPeople (births) Check Margaret Cairns is William John McClure's mother The tree has her born about 1828, which would make her 43 at his birth in 1871. The 1871 birth entry and the 1881 census should show who the mother is. Next ScotlandsPeople (1871 birth, 1881 census) Remove or prove the James Hendrie 1664 link The tree makes James Hendrie (born about 1812) the son of a James born in 1664, which cannot be right. The older generations above him are unreliable until this is resolved. Next Check the Ancestry source, then Gorbals baptisms Margaret Doyle's first husband and Maureen's birth date Both come from family information only. A 1951 to 1952 Glasgow marriage entry for Hugh Joseph Gavigan and Margaret Doyle would name her first husband. Later Family, then NRS copy order Margaret Galloway (née Gavigan): her 1932 birth, 1953 marriage and 1983 death certificates Her parents come from family information (Colin's mother and John Galloway Jnr), and the death index backs the mother: Margaret Brock Galloway, aged 51, mother's maiden name Finlayson, Leith 1983. The ScotlandsPeople indexes have all three events with no images: born 1932 in Calton, Glasgow (644/3/802), married 1953 at Leith to John Gray Galloway (685/8/347) and died 1983 at Leith (732/798). The birth entry would name both parents, the marriage entry would give ages and both sets of parents, and the death entry would show who reported it. All can be ordered from ScotlandsPeople or seen at their centre. The 1950 electoral register lists a Margaret B. Gavigan at 19 Orr Street, who would have to be 21 or older, so the 1932 birth year is not certain. Next ScotlandsPeople (order birth 644/3/802, marriage 685/8/347, death 732/798) Mary-Anne (May) McClure's marriage to Mr McLean May is William McClure's sister and Moira McLean's mother. Her husband's first name is not known. A marriage entry would name him and both families, and the 1921 and later censuses may show May with her parents. The Ancestry tree gives May's birth as about 1927 and lists a younger sister, Margaret, born about 1929. Later ScotlandsPeople (marriages open after 75 years), family 3a. McClure line (Ireland) Joseph McClure was born in Ireland in 1838 and the tree has no county for him.
3b. Speirs and Hendrie line Maggie Hendrie's death, 18 January 1918 Would name her parents and confirm whether they are James Hendrie and Christina Cochrane. The tree has her born in Ireland but her parents born in Scotland, which is unusual. The 1915 marriage of her daughter Hannah names her as Margaret Duff, formerly Spiers, so look under Duff as well as Hendrie and Speirs. Do first ScotlandsPeople (deaths) Marriage of Robert Speirs and Maggie Hendrie, around 1870 to 1872 Would name both sets of parents and show whether they married in Scotland or Ireland. Next ScotlandsPeople or Irish civil records Robert Speirs's birth, about 1852, Ireland Parents are Joseph Speirs, farmer, and Hannah Johnston, confirmed by his 1892 death. The death gives his age as 40, so about 1852. The county is still unknown. Later registers.nli.ie Maggie Hendrie's second marriage to a Mr Duff, 1892 to 1915 Her daughter Hannah's 1915 marriage record calls her Margaret Duff, formerly Spiers, maiden surname Hendry. She therefore remarried after Robert Speirs died in October 1892. A marriage search for Duff and Speirs (or Spiers) in Lanarkshire, probably the Airdrie or New Monkland district, would find it. Next ScotlandsPeople, statutory marriages 1892 to 1915 3c. Ward and McCaffery line (Ireland) Both families came from Ireland to Glasgow. The marriage and death records already on the site may name the townland.
Re-read the Ward and McCaffery certificates for the Irish townland The marriage (Francis Ward and Mary McCaffery) and Francis's death are already attached. Check them for an Irish place before searching Irish records. Update: the Cavan records now on file place the Wards at Tievenanass, and Margaret Cusack's baptism at Lyure in Knockbride parish, so a townland to look for now exists. Do first Already on the site Francis Ward's baptism, about 1863, Co Cavan Civil registration started in 1864, so he is more likely in the Catholic registers. Parents given as Phillip Ward and Margaret Cusick. Update: Philip Ward and Margaret Cusack lived at Tievenanass, Co Cavan (petty sessions 1873 to 1881 and the 1899 and 1900 deaths), so search the Knockbride and neighbouring Roman Catholic registers on Roots Ireland for a baptism around 1862 to 1864. Next registers.nli.ie Mary McCaffery's birth, about 1865, Ireland Civil births are indexed for free from 1864. Parents given as Thomas McCaffery and Sarah McPake. Next irishgenealogy.ie Marriage of Thomas McCaffery and Sarah McPake, around 1860 Sarah has no records on the site. Her parents are unknown. Note: the 29 October 2026 export of the Ancestry tree has a Sarah McPake marrying a Thomas Currie at Bridgeton on 11 November 1869. That cannot be this Sarah if she was already with Thomas McCaffery (daughter Mary born about 1865, and she was his widow in 1897), so it was not added. It may be a different Sarah McPake. Later registers.nli.ie or Scottish marriages if after emigration Philip Ward at Tievenanass in the 1901 and 1911 Irish censuses Philip died in 1900, but his household may still be listed in 1901 under his daughter Margaret Feeney or the Bernard Ward named in his probate, and the 1911 census may show who stayed on the farm. The Irish censuses are free and searchable by townland. Next National Archives of Ireland census site, Cavan, Tievenanass townland Margaret Ward's marriage to Mr Feeney, and who Bernard Ward was Both Cavan death entries were reported by their daughter, Margaret (Maggie) Feeney. Her marriage should be in the Cavan civil or Roman Catholic registers around 1870 to 1895. The 1900 probate names Bernard Ward as the beneficiary but not his relationship, so the full Calendar of Wills entry (executor, address) is worth reading. Later IrishGenealogy.ie civil records, Roots Ireland, National Archives of Ireland wills calendar Marriage of Philip Ward and Margaret Cusack, about 1860 to 1863 Margaret Cusack's 1843 baptism at Lyure, Knockbride, is the best match on file but no husband is named. Their marriage in the same parish would tie her to Philip. Civil registration of Roman Catholic marriages in Ireland began in 1864, so a marriage before that date is a church record only. Next Roots Ireland, Knockbride and Cavan area parish registers Baptisms and families at Dromore, County Tyrone Thomas McCaffrey and Sarah McPike married at Dromore in January 1864. The Dromore Catholic registers should have the baptisms of their first children (Mary about 1865 and others) and perhaps of Thomas and Sarah themselves, with Andrew McCaffrey and Isabella Corr, and James McPike and Bridget McGraw as the parents. Later Irish Catholic parish registers, Dromore (Tyrone), via the National Library of Ireland 3d. Gavigan line (Donegal) Hugh Gavigan's baptism, about 1837, Ballyshannon area Parents are Peter Gavigan and Mary McGonnigal. Peter is known only from a valuation record. Next registers.nli.ie (if the Donegal parish is covered) Florinda Elliot's baptism, about 1844, Co Donegal Parents are George Elliot and Nancy Murray. Elliot suggests a Protestant family, so also check Church of Ireland records. Later registers.nli.ie, PRONI Hugh Gavigan's birth entry, Glasgow about 1875 or 1876 The tree now shows a Glasgow birth about 1875 or 1876, from four censuses (1881, 1891, 1901, 1911). Look for a Gorbals or Calton birth entry to Hugh Gavigan and Florinda Elliot, and for a death entry for a Hugh Gavigan in Ballyshannon or Glasgow around 1870 to 1875, which would explain the Hugh baptised in June 1870. The army papers now give Govan as his parish of birth, so search the Govan parish births around 1872 to 1876. They also give ages that point to 1871 to 1874. Do first ScotlandsPeople (statutory births, Gorbals district) Hugh Gavigan junior's death, after 1950 Hugh junior, the soldier, is on the electoral register at 19 Orr Street at about the age of 74 and had a Black Watch and Royal Scots Fusiliers record. Look for his death in the Glasgow indexes from 1950 to the early 1960s, probably at Orr Street or the Bridgeton or Calton district. His wife Agnes died there on 1 April 1953. Next ScotlandsPeople statutory deaths index, Bridgeton and Calton districts Michael and Matthew Gavigan of Legaltin Michael Gavigan gave the information at the death of Mary Gavigan in 1867 and Matthew Gavigan did the same for Peter in 1880. Both are householders. They are probably Hugh's brothers. Griffith's Valuation and the Ballyshannon baptisms for Peter and Mary Gavigan would show the whole family. Later Roots Ireland (Donegal), Griffith's Valuation, Ballyshannon parish registers 3e. Wood, Seaton and Macmillan lines Thomas Wood's baptism, about 1801, Cadder Father of John Wood (b. 1821). Only his marriages are on the site. Next ScotlandsPeople (old parish registers) Euphemia Robertson's birth or baptism, and her 1817 marriage to Thomas Wood Her 1879 death entry is on the site (Evie, Orkney) and names her parents, George Robertson and Rebecca Anderson. Still to find: her baptism, which may be in Orkney, and the 1817 Dundee marriage. Next ScotlandsPeople Marriage of William Seaton and Mary Close, 1820s, Glasgow Susanna Seaton's parents have no records. Susanna was born in 1829. Later ScotlandsPeople (old parish registers) Marriage of Hugh Macmillan and Mary Anne Millan, around 1850 Hugh was born in Ireland and Mary Anne in Argyll (the place is spelled "Cringrich" in the tree). Mary Macmillan was born in Johnstone about 1851. Later ScotlandsPeople (old parish registers) John Wood's birth and the name of his wife (Susanna Seaton or Jane) The censuses have John Wood born in Glasgow about 1824 or 1825, not Dundee in 1821, and call his wife Susanah in 1861 and 1881 and Jane in 1871. A 1848 Girvan marriage entry and the children's birth entries would settle both. Duncan Wood (aged 2 in 1871) also needs a birth or death entry. Next ScotlandsPeople (Girvan marriage 1848; Glasgow births) 3f. Finlayson, McKechnie, Rennie and White lines Daniel McKechnie's baptism, about 1837, Kilmarnock Would confirm or reject Alexander McKechnie and Mary Campbell as his parents. That link is currently marked unconfirmed. Do first ScotlandsPeople (old parish registers) Marriage of George Finlayson and Mary Stuart, probably 17 November 1866, Edinburgh His 1873 birth entry gives the parents' marriage as 17 November 1866 at Edinburgh, with her maiden name read as Fraser or Turner, while his 1901 marriage says Stuart. The marriage would settle her surname and name her parents. She was born in Castleton, Caithness. Next ScotlandsPeople Marriage of Thomas White and Sarah McDougall, around 1838 to 1840 Christina White was born in Govan around 1841. Thomas is recorded as born in Ireland in the 1841 census but in Glasgow in the 1851 census (Govan), so his birthplace needs settling. Both census entries are in the old Ancestry research and should be re-checked. Later ScotlandsPeople Earlier Rennie and Inglis baptisms at Kinghorn, and the Dixon family of Leith John Rennie and Margaret Anderson married at Kinghorn in 1801 and their son George married Marion Inglis in 1827. Baptisms for John and Margaret, for Marion, and any older siblings of George would take the line back a generation. Andrew Dixon and Elizabeth Young, the bride's parents in 1856, have no records yet. Later ScotlandsPeople (old parish registers: Kinghorn, Fife; and Leith) 4. Census and wider sources The site only has census records for the Gavigan and Wood lines.
5. Things to ask the family or look for at home Photos, funeral cards, wedding certificates and anything with writing on the back Scan both sides. Funeral cards and order of service sheets often give a cemetery and sibling names. Next Family Where Hugh Joseph Gavigan is buried (the Karmiel claim) A web search turned up an unverified claim, probably from an old public MyHeritage tree, that he is buried at Karmiel Secular Cemetery in Israel. His headstone photo shows no cemetery name, so it is neither confirmed nor ruled out. Ask the family which cemetery the stone is in. Later Family Which John Ferguson is in the 1911 census? The 1911 household on file (Lizzie Ferguson, a widow of 49, with sons Robert 17 and John 14, Franklin Street, Dalmarnock) fits John Ferguson born 22 December 1896, but the Ancestry tree has him with brothers Malcolm, James, Allan and Archie and no Robert. His marriage to Thomasina Ward at Sacred Heart in 1920, and a birth entry for 1896, would show his parents. Later ScotlandsPeople birth 1896 and marriage 1920 (Glasgow) Elizabeth McPherson or Elizabeth McIntyre? The tree has Betsy McIntyre of Daviot with Macdonald children, but the 1864 Inverness marriage is of an Elizabeth McPherson of Daviot, aged 25, to a ferryman at Knockbain. Check the 1871 and 1881 census households at Knockbain for Jessie and Lauchlan Macdonald and who their mother was. Next ScotlandsPeople census 1871 and 1881 (Knockbain), OPR baptisms