McDowell One Name Study Now on WikiTree

Question

Are you a McDowell, or MacDowell, or McDowall, or MacDowall, or McDuell, or MacDuell, or other variant? I've just set up the McDowell Name Study project, and I hope you'll join me on this project to untangle the various McDowell lines that are found across the globe. Are we all related? Most likely not. Can shared research help us figure out our tangled roots? Most certainly. Let's gather together in this virtual space to share stories, research, questions, ideas, frustrations, brick walls, DNA, and anything else to help us on our genealogical journey. I hope to see you soon!

Answer 1

Congratulations on establishing the McDowell Name Study!

Comments

Thank you Jacqueline 'McDowell'. I appreciate the star; however, the real accolades belong to you. I know what a challenge the ONS can be!

Answer 2

Hi, My mom was a MacDowell/McDowell. The family was in Portadown, Northern Ireland for generations - but of Scottish heritage. They spelled their name McDowell. When my great grandfather came to the U.S. and married, they changed the spelling to Mac to better clarify their Scottish rather than Irish heritage. (not cool to be Irish in America in those days). The rest of the family in Northern Ireland and emigre siblings to Jamaica and New Zealand kept the Mc spelling.

Comments

Hi Nancy,

If you're interested in joining the McDowell Name Study and adding research topics, I'd love to have you on board. As of yet, I can't get my McDowells back to Ireland or Scotland—they were in Virginia by the early 1700s, but they're a brick wall before then. This is a new group, and it would be great to see more folks join!

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Hi - I'm not sure what I can add. I too have hit a brick wall. I know a lot about my great great grandfather who ran a store in Portadown, County Armagh. He was born in 1827. The only thing that I know about his father was his death date - not even sure about his name! I too have no idea for how many generations they were in (Northern) Ireland. I assumed their ancestors came with the Plantation of Ulster in the 1600's - but I have absolutely nothing to back that up. Good luck with this project. Maybe when I have a bit more time - I'll join up and roll up my sleeves to do some detective work!