Catherine Mc/MacDonald Crosby: 1st generation (U.S.) American

Catherine Mc/MacDonald was my grandmother on the Crosby side. She immigrated to the United States around 1926 from Nova Scotia Canada.

Catherine Florence was born August 12, 1905 in Sydney Nova Scotia and died October 20, 1966 in Trenton New Jersey. There is confusion over the spelling of Catherine’s maiden name. Every document found, at least so far, that was completed in the United States list Catherine’s  last name as MacDonald. According to family lore, Catherine’s parents last names were McDonald and MacDonald.  However, documents from Canada show McDonald was the last name of both of her parents. Nowhere does the prefix “Mac” appear in any Canadian documents bearing Catherine’s ancestors names.

Catherine’s father, Angus John McDonald, was born  June 18, 1876 to Roderick and Mary (McInnes) McDonald. No vital record or Canadian Census has been found where the “Mac” prefix was used.

Catherine’s mother, Flora Belle McDonald,was born January 5, 1883 to Lauchlin and Isabella (MacDonnell) McDonald. Like Catherine’s father the “Mac” prefix does not appear on any records, outside of her mother’s maiden name MacDonell.

In talking with my aunts and father it has been said that the “Mc” side of the family was Irish, while the “Mac” side was Scottish. It is also been said that one prefix indicated Highlanders and the other Lowlanders. Research on the Internet has shown both of these stories regarding Mc/Mac usage are not founded and that “Mc” and “Mac” are often used interchangeably.

The prefix confusion makes researching vital records in Nova Scotia very difficult. Each search must be done using both prefixes. adding to the difficulty is the frequency of first names like Roderick, Mary, Angus, John, Flora, Catherine and Laughlin. Although many possible ancestors have been found there is no way to say, with any certainty, that they are actually my ancestors.  Until new information is found, the likelihood of tracing my ancestors back to Scotland is small.