McDonalds and Hills

Home | Smith Photos | Family Stories | Ryan Data | Smith Data | News Center | SITE MAP | Contact Us

Below are the homestead patents surrounding Kimball, South Dakota, for the Ryans and Margaret Hill.  The Batt Ryans were in Kimball in 1881, as reflected by the birth of their son, Edward, in that year.  James Ryan, Batt's oldest brother, had arrived in Kimball by at least by 1887 as noted by the birth of his son, Joseph Francis, in that year.  While we can't tell which James Ryan, on this list, is Batt's brother; it most likely may be the one whose patent was dated 12/10/1894.  If so, it would suggest that Margaret may have accompanied James and her daughter Bridget to Kimball.

As we have seen, our families originated from the Newport, Tipperary, area.  Earlier we had received two baptismal certificates for "Margaret McDonald", and while both were born around the year she reported as her birth year, it left some question whether either of them was our ancestor.  See Tipperary McDonalds and Baptismal Records for Margaret.   There is also the possibility that Margaret may have been baptized as Bridget, as we see this is how she is listed in the 1850 U.S. Census in Vermont (See Historical Hill Family).  We will need to obtain the U.S. immigration records to verify how she listed herself for passage to America.  The Tipperary Family History Research Center has pointed out that the name on Catholic Church records is how the parish priest would have known the person.  For example, if Margaret's name was "Bridget Margaret", she may be reflected as Bridget on the baptismal records, but if she was called Margaret in later life, her marriage records would have shown "Margaret".

In response to my question about Margaret, specifically, did they check all known records of McDonalds, McDonnels, etc.; the Tipperary Research Center wrote back and said they checked all known Margaret McDonalds and variations around the year 1820.  But she also provided a short history lesson as well.