The Brantford McClungs

The genealogy is followed by a narrative and maps.

Genealogy

David McClung was born abt. 1855 in Killyfaddy, Armagh, Ireland. He was baptised on 24 Jan 1856 in Tassagh, Keady, Armagh, Ireland. He died 29 Jul 1898 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland.

Margaret "Maggie" Freckleton (Frickleton) was born 8 Oct 1858 in Airdrie, Scotland. She was baptised 05 Dec 1858 in Keady, Armagh, Ireland. After the death of David McClung in 1898, she returned from Belfast to Armagh with all her children except James 1, who took over the cooperage, and perhaps Margaret 2. She married William Bain 10 Apr 1907 at the Armagh Registry Office. She died in Brantford, Ontario 24 Jan 1939.

David McClung and Margaret "Maggie" Freckleton were married 17 Jul 1879 in Keady, Armagh, Ireland at First Keady Presbyterian Church. They had 9 children, 8 of whom survived into adulthood.
  1. James McClung was born 15 Feb 1880 in Keady, Armagh, Ireland. He married Margaret Elizabeth "Maggie" McClean (McLean) 08 Apr 1901 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland at Agnes Street Presbyterian Church. He died 05 Jan 1964 in Belfast.

    Margaret Elizabeth "Maggie" McClean was born 18 Mar 1882 in Ballyboley, Antrim, Ireland. She died 27 Sep 1928 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland.

    James McClung and Maggie McClean had 8 children.

    1.1David McClung was born 10 Nov 1901 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. He died 25 May 1905 in Belfast.
    1.2William Hamilton McClung was born 29 Sep 1903 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. He died 26 Jan 1905 in Belfast.
    1.3Winifred "Winnie" McClung was born 6 Sep 1905 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. She married William John McCreight 26 Jun 1929 at Spamont Congregational Church in Belfast. They emigrated to Canada in 1939. They had no children. She died 17 Mar 1986 in Toronto, Ontario.
    1.4Adaline "Addie" McClung was born 9 Apr 1907 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. She emigrated to Canada arriving 12 Apr 1930 aboard the SYTHIA with her youngest sister, Margaret. She married Godfrey Courtland Hill Rodgers 30 Apr 1930 in Toronto, Ontario. They had 1 child: Brian. She died 24 Oct 1984 in Brantford, Ontario.
    1.5Irene McClung was born 17 Apr 1909 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. She married Nathanial Bickerstaff Hoey 28 Mar 1930 in Belfast. They lived in Glasgow, Scotland where they had 2 children: Thomas and Brian. After Nathaniel's death, she emigrated to Canada in Oct 1939 aboard the DUCHESS OF RICHMAND. She died 19 Aug 1969 in Brantford, Ontario.
    1.6Sarah "Sadie" McClung was born 7 Jun 1913 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. She married Peter Gillespie in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. They had 3 children: Peter, Winifred and Irene. She died 22 Nov 1985 in Belfast.
    1.7James "Jimmy" McClung was born 28 Apr 1916 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. He married Mary Elizabeth Moore 14 Aug 1937 at St. James Church of Ireland in Belfast. They had no children. He died 22 Feb 1941 in Belfast
    1.8Margaret "Peg" McClung was born 21 Jan 1918 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. She emigrated to Canada arriving 12 Apr 1930 aboard the SYTHIA with her older sister, Adaline. She married William James "Jimmy" Chipperfield 6 Jun 1940 in Toronto, Ontario. They had no children. She died 15 May 1953 in Toronto, Ontario.

    James McClung married Isabella "Belle" Montgomery (née McDowell) 11 Jul 1929 at St. James Church of Ireland in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland.

    Isabella "Belle" McDowell was born 8 Jul 1898 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. She died unknown date in Belfast.

    James McClung and Isabella Montgomery had 3 children

    1.9Edward McClung was born in 1931 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland
    1.10Isobel McClung was born in 1933 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. She married Arthur Love in Ireland. They had 2 children: Karen and Michael
    1.11James Ivor McClung was born in 1935 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. He married Mary Therese Unknown in Ireland. They had 2 children: Allison and Denise

  2. Margaret "Cissie" McClung was born 13 Sep 1881 in Keady, Armagh, Ireland. She married William Kirkpatrick 25 Nov 1904 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland at Agnes Street Presbyterian Church. They emigrated to Canada Jan 1921 aboard the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN. They later emigrated to the USA arriving 24 May 1927 in Detroit, Michigan. She died Jan 1967 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

    William Kirkpatrick was born 10 Sep 1881 in Barrow in Furness, England. He died Jan 1972 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

    Margaret McClung and William Kirkpatrick had 3 children.

    2.1William J. Kirkpatrick was born 5 May 1905 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. He emigrated with the family first to Canada and then to the USA. He married Mary Elizabeth McMullen. They had no children. He died 23 Jun 1993 in Broward, Florida.
    2.2David Kirkpatrick was born 13 Jan 1907 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. He emigrated with the family first to Canada and then to the USA. He married Margaret Gillespie. They had 3 children: Margaret, Judy and Heather. He died Sep 1962 in Detroit, Michigan.
    2.3Sidney Kirkpatrick was born 24 Apr 1910 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. He emigrated with the family first to Canada and then to the USA. He married Lillian Andrews. They had one daughter, June. He died 16 Oct 2000 in Franklin, North Carolina.

  3. Martha McClung was born 13 Aug 1884 (alternate 21 Aug 1984) in Portadown, Armagh, Ireland. She married Thomas Morrow 04 Jul 1907 in Armagh, Ireland at Armagh Third Presbyterian Church. They emigrated to Canada arriving 14 Aug 1910 aboard the LAKE MANITOBA. They later emigrated to the USA arriving 04 Nov 1927 in Detroit, Michigan. The family did not stay and returned to Canada. She died 19 Feb 1977 in Brantford, Ontario.

    Thomas Morrow was born 18 Feb 1882 in Armagh, Armagh, Ireland. He died 8 Jul 1965 in Brantford, Ontario.

    Martha McClung and Thomas Morrow had 4 children

    3.1Eliza "Lila" Morrow was born 7 May 1908 in Milford, Armagh, Ireland. He emigrated with the family first to Canada and then to the USA but returned to Canada. She later emigrated again to the USA, probably abt. Aug 1932. She married Raymond S. Popp. They had 2 children: Gregory and Brenda. She died 12 Apr 1993 in Miami, Florida.
    3.2Thomas James Morrow was born in Jun 1910 in Milford, Armagh, Ireland. He emigrated with the family first to Canada and then to the USA but returned to Canada. He married Irene White. They had 7 children: Gail, Kenneth, Philip, Ralph, David, Tony and Donna. He died 13 Jan 1975 in Paris, Ontario.
    3.3Harold Cecil Morrow was born 3 Oct 1911 in Brantford. He died 14 Sep 1913 in Brantford, Ontario.
    3.4David Richard Auckland "Dick" Morrow was born 16 May 1920 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. He emigrated to the USA with the family but returned to Canada. He married Helen Orla Frosh in 1940 in Ontario, Canada. They later emigrated to the USA. They had 4 children: Linda Eileen, Brenton Thomas, Peter and John. He died 12 Aug 2007 in Fort McCoy, Florida.

  4. Eliza "Lily" McClung was born 27 Dec 1886 in Keady, Armagh, Ireland. She married Samuel Murdock 11 Jul 1912 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland at Agnes Street Presbyterian Church. They emigrated to Canada in May 1923 arriving aboard the MARLOCH. They later emigrated to the USA arriving 22 Feb 1926 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. She died 05 Jun 1979 in Boone, North Carolina.

    Samuel Murdock was born 10 May 1887 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. He died 12 Mar 1960 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

    Eliza McClung and Samuel Murdock had 2 children

    4.1Muriel Eliza Murdock was born 14 Jul 1915 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. She emigrated with the family first to Canada and then to the USA. She married Joseph Drewek. They had 2 children: David and Patty. She died 2 Feb 1996 in Detroit, Michigan
    4.2Kathleen Jane McGibney Murdock was born 15 Jun 1920 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. She emigrated with the family first to Canada and then to the USA. She married Kenneth Alvin Anderson 14 Jul 1943. They had 5 children: Tim Elaine, Leslie Lane, Robin Kaye, Christina and Kenneth Alvin.

  5. Frances Jane "Fanny" McClung was born 22 Feb 1889 in Portadown, Armagh, Ireland. She married William McKinley 13 Jul 1914 in Armagh, Ireland at Armagh Third Presbyterian Church. She emigrated to Canada arriving 24 Nov 1920 aboard the EMPRESS OF FRANCE. She died 25 Sep 1967 in Brantford, Ontario.

    William McKinley was born 22 Mar 1893 in Clougher, Down, Ireland. He emigrated to Canada arriving 30 Oct 1920 aboard the MELITA. He died 13 Jan 1968 in Brantford, Ontario.

    Frances Jane McClung and William McKinley had 2 children.

    5.1Margaret "Madge" McKinley was born 25 Oct 1915 in Milford, Armagh, Ireland. She married Joseph Frank Amy Jan 1939 in Brantford, Ontario. They had 2 children: Dennis and Margaret. She died Jan 2004 in Brantford, Ontario.
    5.2William Herbert McKinley was born in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. He married Kathryn Burrill Jul 1953 in Brantford, Ontario. They had 1 child: Martin

  6. Agnes McClung was born 30 May 1891 in Portadown, Armagh, Ireland. She died 23 Nov 1892 in Portadown, Armagh, Ireland.

  7. Ellen "Nellie" McClung was born 01 Mar 1894 in Portadown, Armagh, Ireland. She married John "Jack" Darnbrook 1917 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. They emigrated to Canada arriving 24 Nov 1920 aboard the EMPRESS OF FRANCE. They later emigrated to the USA arriving 06 Apr 1928 at Detroit, Michigan. The family did not stay and returned to Canada. She died 3 Aug 1988 in Brantford, Ontario.

    John Darnbrook was born 13 Jul 1892 in Keighley, Yorkshire, England. He died 1952 in Brantford, Ontario.

    Ellen McClung and John Darnbrook had 3 children.

    7.1Tom Darnbrook was born 12 Apr 1919 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. He emigrated with the family first to Canada and then to the USA but returned to Canada. He married Joyce Frew. They later emigrated to the USA in 1953. They had 3 children: John, Paul and Edward. He died 30 Jan 1992 in Livonia, Michigan.
    7.2Joyce Darnbrook was born 1927 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. She emigrated with the family to the USA but returned to Canada. She married Donald Sparks in Brantford, Ontario. They had 5 children: Janet, Sandra, Norman, Dianne and Mary Ellen. She died May 1993 in Brantford, Ontario.
    7.3Sharon Darnbrook was born abt. 1942 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. She died abt. 1946 in Brantford, Ontario.

  8. Anna "Nan" McClung was born 01 Mar 1896 in Portadown, Armagh, Ireland. She married Joseph McKinley 12 Jul 1915 in Armagh, Ireland at Third Armagh Presbyterian Church. She later emigrated to Canada with her sister Mary Evelyn arriving Dec 1919 aboard the SCANDANAVIAN. In Canada she married Melvin Wesley Gilmore. She died 29 Dec 1996 in Paris, Ontario.

    Joseph McKinley was born 13 Jan 1889 in Clougher, Down, Ireland. He died unknown date and location.

    Melvin Wesley Gilmore was born 21 Jul 1877 in Onondaga Township, Brant County, Ontario. He died 2 Sep 1954 in Onondaga Township, Brant County, Ontario.

    There were no children from either marriage

  9. Mary Evelyn "Minnie" McClung was born 16 Dec 1898 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. She emigrated to Canada with her sister Anna arriving Dec 1919 aboard the SCANDANAVIAN. She married Alfred Clarence Sussex Heath 04 Oct 1920 in Brantford, Ontario. She later emigrated to the USA to join her husband arriving 23 Jul 1922 at Detroit, Michigan. They did not stay and returned to Canada by 1923. She died 1987 in Brantford, Ontario.

    Alfred Clarence Sussex Heath was born 18 Jul 1896 in Plymouth, Devon, England. He died 14 Aug 1972 in Brantford, Ontario.

    Mary Evelyn McClung and Alfred Clarence Sussex Heath had 3 children.

    9.1Anna Noreen Heath was born 1923 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. She married John Raymond Gibbons 17 Aug 1942 in Brantford, Ontario. They had 3 children: Terry, Allan and Richard.
    9.2Sheldon Heath was born 1931 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. He married Iris Crossland. They had 3 children: Susannah Mary, Jane and David.
    9.3William Heath was born 1935 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. He emigrated 1952-1958 to the USA.
Narrative

Of David McClung's and Margaret Freckleton's children, only James 1 stayed in Ireland. The 7 sisters emigrated to Canada. The first to emigrate was Martha 3 and her husband Thomas Morrow, arriving 14 Aug 1910. They settled in Brantford, Ontario. The remaining sisters emigrated to join her. Anna 8 and Mary Evelyn 9 arrived in 1919. Ellen 7 and Frances Jane 5 arrived in 1920, Margaret 2 in 1921, Eliza 4 in 1923. In 1934, their mother Margaret Frickleton emigrated to Brantford where she lived until her death in 1939.

The later emigrations to the USA began with Mary Evelyn 9Eliza 4 in 1926, Margaret 2 in 1927, Martha 3 in 1927 and Ellen 7 in 1928. As noted, Martha and Ellen did not remain in the USA but returned to Canada.

However, emigrations to the USA did not stop with the older generation. Lila Morrow 3.1, abt. 1932, David Morrow 3.4, in 1958, Tom Darnbrook 7.1, 1953, and William Heath 9.3, between 1952 and 1958, continued the trend.

The second stage of McClung emigration was the daughters of James 1.

Adaline 1.4 emigrated to Canada in 1930 to marry Godfrey Rodgers who was also from Belfast. They had become engaged prior to his emigration in 1928. By the time Adaline left Belfast, her mother Maggie McClean had already died in 1928 and James had remarried. It was decided that the youngest daughter, Margaret 1.8 at that time 12 years old, would live with Adaline and Godfrey.

Irene 1.5 emigrated from Scotland with her son, Thomas, in 1939 after her son Brian and husband Nathanial had died. They joined Adaline who at that time still lived in Toronto.

Winifred 1.3 and her husband William McCreight also emigrated to Canada in 1939, moving first to Ottawa, Ontario and subsequently to Toronto.

In 1942, Adaline and Godfrey moved to Brantford where Godfrey worked at Cochshutt Farm Equipment which had converted to the manufacture, first, of the Avro-Anson bombers in 1942 and, later, of parts for the Mosquito and the Lancaster bomber. Irene and her son also moved to Brantford some time in the 1940's.

The relationship among the 7 sisters remained strong with frequent visits between Detroit, where Margaret 2 and Eliza 4 lived until the early 1950's, and the Brantford area. In particular the Labour Day weekend was often spent at Anna's 8 farm near Caledonia, Ontario; a practice that continued into the early 1950's. Their children also maintained connections to Brantford and area. For example, Sidney Kirkpatrick 2.3, Margaret's youngest son, married Lillian Andrews who was from Brantford.

This relationship among the McClung sisters with the addition James' daughters essentially meant there was an ongoing family reunion in Brantford for decades through to the 1980's. Unfortunately as the sisters died the bond weakened among their children. With the ensuing deaths of most of this second generation, the McClung cousins, there is less contact among their children.

My Ancestry.ca site contains much more information on all the individuals listed

Brian Rodgers - June 30, 2008
Last revised - December 4, 2009
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County Armagh, Ireland - Click for larger image


Brantford, Ontario and Area - Click for larger image