Our family's big brick wall are the unknown parents of [[McDonald-6807|Patrick McDonald (abt.1823-1910)]]. The story goes that he and his parents immigrated to Pittsburgh, PA from Ireland when he was about 4 years old (ca. 1827). Patrick's parents died while he was young and Robert Black, the brother of Covenanter pastor, Rev. John Black, took Patrick in and raised him. His death certificate lists his mother's maiden name as GILMARTIN, but it's not confirmed.
Our Ancestry DNA regions include Co Donegal and Northern Mayo. Recently, I've found a group of DNA matches from the Letterkenny, Donegal and Ballycastle, Co Mayo area HEGARTY - MERRICK family that we match in the 4C-6C range.
In addition, an unknown McDonald family member named Alexander J McDonald (b. 1857 Carluke, Lanarkshire, SCOT - 1923 Bellaire, OH), was buried in a grave owned by two of Patrick's sons. I researched this McDonald and his family back to Alex's grandfather, Alexander McDonald (b. ca. 1793 IRE or SCOT d. 1883 Glasvey, Ballykelly, Londonderry, N. IRE). Not enough to make a connection to Patrick.
Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated, as I feel like I'm so close to solving, but yet so far. Much thanks in advance.
