I am so very pleased and proud to welcome you to your family
website.
From as far back as I can recall, the family and our somewhat mysterious history, have played
a major role in my life. My first trip to Ardler, Scotland back in 1959, was with my father Ian Graham MacLeod-Stuart (1911-1971).
It was the only time I would ever meet his sister Anne Bruce Mackenzie-Stuart 1901-1979, and my father's nurse, Ms. Bella
Dargie. From that moment forward, I was "hooked" on my ancestry and always felt that Scotland
was "ma tru hame".
The search for my brothers John Graham MacLeod-Stuart (1944-) and Hamish
Graham MacLeod-Stuart (1949-) was where my journey began back in 1983. Since that time, I have managed with the help
of many societies, organizations, websites [see Useful Links] and some remarkable
individuals, to accumulate a large amount of information, documentation, pictures and commentary, regarding our family from
its early roots in Campbeltown, Argylshire, Glasgow, Lanarkshire and various counties in England, to the present day.
25 years later, in March of 2008, I received an e-mail from Edwin "Bruce" Morley (1942-) who
spoke of his late mother. Her name was Sheila McLeod-Stuart (1907-2000). Sheila was the daughter of my great uncle John Stuart
1870-1937 (see above) and was the youngest brother of my grandfather Archibald 1866-1936 (also above).
In August of 2008, I also connected with three cousins
who live in Utah, Georgia, USA and Alberta, Canada (Hugh Stewart, Cari Crane and Melonie Stewart-Crnich).
The month of September 2008 introduced
me to Donald Stewart, who lives in Lanark, Scotland and is a great grandson of Andrew Stewart and Barbara McVicar. Andrew
Stewart was a brother to our great great grandfather Alexander Stewart, the father of John Kelly-Stuart. In October
of 2008, I was introduced to Alexander Stewart (via Donald in Lanark, Scotland) also a fourth cousin, who lives only
one mile from my home in Oakville, Ontario! Alexander is the g.g. grandson of my g.g.g.grandfathers brother Andrew Stewart
and Barbara McVicar.
Also this October (2008) I was in contact with Jane Belair of Kenora, Ontario,
Judy Noel of Barrie, Ontario and Elizabeth Kitching of Dorset in England all three of whom connect to the Stewart
family via the Bowie marriage to Cathrine Stewart and Archibald Bowie (often found as "Buie") 31 March
1814 They had (9) nine children including: Lachlan Bowie b. 1820 via whom Jane, Judy and Elizabeth connect.
In
November I discover via my DNA a branch of Stuarts' who live in South Carolina. Cousins Elam, Frank and James Stuart are avid
anglers, so expect a lot of fishing pictures to be posted! I also met Terry Stewart who is also a cousin from the Carolina's!
Back here in Ontario I have met yet another Alexander (Alec) Stewart who lives in downtown Toronto.
A talented musician, we hope to keep in touch as we research additional information concerning our heritage.
January
2009.
I receivied the Stewart family book written by Paul and Michael Jackson and made contact
with the Stewart's of Massachusetts (Abby Hafer, daughter of Mary Stewart-Hafer) and was thrilled to discover that Stewart
International Airport in Newburg New York was named after our family relatives who donated the land to the region (see the
new pages added this month). I also met via the Internet with Edward Stewart of Ohio. After consulting with Donald Stewart
in Lanark, Edward is a g.g. grandson of one of the Stewarts who left Campbeltown circa 1820 and was never heard from again!
With thirty three new relatives located in 2008, I am beginning to wonder what 2009 has in store for us all!
February
2009.
After Charles' DNA results had been tested to the 37/37 loci,it has been discovered that our family
is of royal descent. Charles is currently working with two gentlemen in England to determine the connection. This has
been made possible by matching yDNA from the living decendents of; the Duke of Richmond, the Duke of St. Albans, the
Duke of Monmouth, the Earl of Euston and Lord Montague of Beaulie.
Please click on the page links (left
side of your screen) to read the details. If you are a direct line male decendant of the Stewart/Stuart line, I highly recommend
that you test your yDNA (male only at this time) with the services of Family Tree DNA , who have been approved by the Stewart
Society. (Ms. Muriel Walker)
Please visit them at:
www.FTDNA.com
For those who may be interested, membership to the Stewart Society can be found here:
www.stewartsociety.org
June 2009.
Another Stewart connection has been found in Australia, this time with
our cousin Helen Stewart, who decends from Donald Stewart (1789-1855), who left Kintyre in the early 1800's for the promise
of a new life in Australia (See Australian Stewarts' page). Another great day for the Stewart's!
August
2009
August 25th and 26th, 2009. During their vacation, I was able to meet with Stewart Gray and his charming
wife Del, here in Ontario, Canada. Stewart is a "Stewart family" cousin (his mother was a Stewart). He still owns
and operates the family farm that began back in 1881. It was an honour to meet them and we shared two wonderful evenings
together, talking about family and our lives. Now I HAVE to go to Australia!
I discovered that my maternal
grandmother was a orphan in the Foundling Hospital in London. Her records were released to me after a 110 year waiting period!
Her real name (Lillian Rush) was changed to Isabel Ida Portal, so that she would never know her origins. How sad this news
has made me feel.
On a brighter note, a large group of Mackenzie's (my paternal grandmothers family) have
been discovered in South Africa. I have been sent pictures of my great grandmother and have posted them under the `NEW Mackenzie
page. The pictures are amazing!
September 2009
Located Andrew Alexander Stewart in Lanarkshire,
Scotland. His family stems from Archibald Stewart who married Mary McLean. His tree can be seen on the site.
Located
Deborah Devlin-Adams in Ontario, Canada,who is a cousin from the Stewarts of Refluich.
Located David Rickhard
(thanks to Cousin Helen Stewart) in Australia. He is a 2nd Stewart cousin to Stewart Gray.
October 2009
Met face to face with Edward Stewart in Buffalo, New York (see January 2009). Also met his lovely wife
Heidi (nee Fyfe) and daughter Heather!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After so many years of searching for living family, my joy is still beyond words. The continuous
stream of news, has re-kindled the flame which has burned in my heart for almost 50 years and gave me the incentive
to continue growing this website.
Charles G MacLeod-Stuart.
DEDICATIONS:
This site content is dedicated to
two young Stuart women who lost their lives under very tragic circumstances.
Arabella Laura MacLeod-Stuart (1974-2001).
"Bella", sister of Kate and daughter of John Graham MacLeod-Stuart 1944-,and Margaret (nee Wood). Arabella
was just 26 years of age when she was taken from us in a car accident while driving in Australia.
Those of us who were privileged to have known her, will always be reminded of the love that flowed so
freely from her and the joy that filled our hearts whenever she was present.
AND
Frances Margaret Stuart (1957-1989) who is pictured here, the sister of Barbara Maud and daughter of John Alexander Stuart 1918-1981
and Joyce Florence 1925-.
Frances was taken
from us at 32 years of age in a car accident, while driving near Lagos, Nigeria on February 6th,
1989. Frances was working for the VSO on a two year mission at the time.
Keeping their memory alive in words and pictures, will keep
them with us always.
They will never know old age and their faces will remain
forever young whenever we think of them.
This is a constant "work in progress". Our children
and their children must keep this record of our family "alive" for future generations and for those who
will forever ask the question:
"What is your name"?
"Dè an t-ainm a tha oirbh"?
We may reply;
"We are the Stewart's of Campbeltown"!
