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McKean/McKain/Cain

Where it all began: Northern Ireland, possibly Donegal in the 1800’s. At least two brothers (it is rumored that there were at least two more) left Ireland for the United States. Samuel arrived about 1835 and William about 1837. They brought with them their wives and children.

In the 1850 census both families are living in the Cedar Ward of Philadelphia,Pa: Saml McKean and Wm McKean…note the spelling. It was to change different times. Samuel’s first wife was Nancy (Ann, Annie) Bovard. They had five children: John, born in Ireland and Sarah, Jane, James & Catherine, all born in Philadelphia. William was married to Catherine Burney. They had six children: William was born in Ireland; Catherine was born “on the sea” abt. 1837. John, James, David and Hester were all born in Philadelphia.

Catherine, daughter of Samuel, and David, son of William, would later marry.

William’s family would eventually use the McKain spelling……….EXCEPT for the oldest son, William, who changed his last name to Cain.

Samuel bought a farm in Washington Twp., Butler Co., PA in 1854 and he and his first wife, Ann, moved there. His son John bought a farm in Venango Twp., Butler Co. Sarah married and lived in Emlenton, Venango Co., but died young. Jane married and stayed in Philly. James married and lived in Scrubgrass Twp., Venango Co.; but, later moved to Washington, Washington Co., PA where he died. Catherine married David McKain, son of William McKean/McKain and Catherine Burney. They lived in Washington, Washington Co., PA.

Samuel’s first wife died not long after they moved to western PA. In 1857, he married Mary Ralston; and, they had three children: Margaret, Samuel and Mary……..I am descended from Samuel.

William B. Cain, son of William, Sam’s brother, had six children. The youngest, Elwood Cain moved to Beaver Co., Pennsylvania, married Ellen Mary Shannon, and they raised their family there. They had three children. My “cousin”, Lois Butler Cain and I are working on this project together. She is descended from Elwood and Ellen’s youngest son, James Shannon Cain.

Carol at:carol.joyce.bellis@gmail.com

Lois at: lois223b@yahoo.com

 

We are looking for anyone who knows anything about other McKean/McKain’s who could be brothers of Samuel and William………..and………….anything about where they came from in Ireland.

Sunday 15th Apr 2012, 10:56PM

Message Board Replies

  • Hi there,

    Thank you for your email to Ireland Reaching Out. Can I ask why you have posted the message in County Derry? Could you please post your message in the County Donegal profile page here: http://www.irelandxo.com/group/county-donegal

    It is very difficult to really start your research without a more precise place of origin. What you could try doing is try searching for the surnames in some of the main sources. It might give you some indication of where the name appears most frequently, or where their relatives might still be living. Here are a number you could start your research in:

    Hopefully someone living in the local area will be able to shed some more light for you.

    Please make sure you link anyone else in your family who is interested in their Irish heritage to our site - and indeed anyone else you know of Irish heritage.

    Kind regards,

    Sinead Cooney

    Genealogist (Ireland XO)

    Tuesday 17th Apr 2012, 02:33PM

  • Carol and Lois,

    I live near Lifford in County Donegal and know of both McKean and Boviard families living within a few miles of me here.  It is very uncommon for people in the 19th century to go beyond the parish to find a marriage partner.  I would probably not mention this if the names were Doherty or Kelly but both McKean and Boviard are very unusual names.  To find both in such close proximity must be significant.

    Spellings are of no consequence, btw, as most of these people were illiterate and spellings change depending on which official or clergymen wrote their names down.

    Us the online Griffiths Valuation as suggested by Sinead to find these families in the 1850s.  

    Regards,

    Boyd

     

     

    Tuesday 2nd Oct 2012, 11:41PM

  • Sinead Cooney

    Thank you and reason for posting in Co.Derry,we know they came from Argyll,Scotland to Ireland.....some to eastern Co.Derry

    and others to border of Co.Derry and Co. Antrim, possibly Ballywatt.  Not sure if Ballywatt is a parish/townland?

    Although we have male dna for the McKain/McKane/McCain and variants, we having trouble separating due to records not

    available in the 1700's......so we're looking for possibly families in those areas in Ireland. Thank you Lois

     

    Bodygray26

    Thank you for your information you posted....we'd like to check on this,also. Thanks Lois

     

    Sunday 4th Dec 2016, 02:55AM

  • Sinead Cooney

    Thank you and reason for posting in Co.Derry,we know they came from Argyll,Scotland to Ireland.....some to eastern Co.Derry

    and others to border of Co.Derry and Co. Antrim, possibly Ballywatt.  Not sure if Ballywatt is a parish/townland?

    Although we have male dna for the McKain/McKane/McCain and variants, we having trouble separating due to records not

    available in the 1700's......so we're looking for possibly families in those areas in Ireland. Thank you Lois

     

    Bodygray26

    Thank you for your information you posted....we'd like to check on this,also. Thanks Lois

     

    Sunday 4th Dec 2016, 02:55AM

  • Sinead..apologies..they came from Scotland to eastern Co. Donegal and some to Co Derry and Co Antrim....Lois

    Sunday 4th Dec 2016, 02:59AM

  • Sinead..apologies..they came from Scotland to eastern Co. Donegal and some to Co Derry and Co Antrim....Lois

    Sunday 4th Dec 2016, 02:59AM

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