"The MacDonald Missing Link" or lineage.......
The Whole Story
The descendants of William James MACDONALD are trying to locate any information on his ancestors. On his application for a Social Security card, William stated that his birth was 19 Jan 1883 in San Francisco, and that his parents are William Angus MACDONALD/McDonald and Virginia M. SMITH. (Family members recall her name as Matilda or Mina.)
Oral family history states that William's father (William Angus) was born in Scotland around 1858 and immigrated to the New England area before traveling to San Francisco during the gold rush. He may have worked for the railroad at one time, possibly on his way to California. In the San Francisco area, he was a canvas manufacturer who made tents for miners.
Little is known about Virginia M. SMITH, except that she was a competitive swimmer and probably also born around 1858. Family stories mention the Olympics, but as you know family stories tend to get distorted and this could mean that she was in the Olympics, or that she simply wanted to be in the Olympics.
William Angus MacDonald/McDonald and Virginia M. had approximately 11 children, including William James MACDONALD (the younger) and a daughter named Virginia. Virginia is the only sibling that William had any contact with after he left his family at the approximate age of 12 due to a mysterious family conflict. Virginia worked at the Detroit Free Press during the 1920's/30's. William was also living in Detroit, Michigan by 1920. During the years in between, the story goes that he sailed to England as an apprentice electrician aboard the ship, then toured Europe as an electrician for the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show. When he returned to the San Francisco area, he joined the Merchant Marines. After that, he settled in Detroit.
We are hoping to contact other descendants of William Angus MACDONALD/McDonald and Virginia M. SMITH who may know more about the family history. Little was passed down through our line due to William James separation from his family. It is said that we are direct lineage of Sir John A. MacDonald, but are unable to show as such being that my grandfather was the "Black" sheep of the family.
We are seeking any and all info.........................
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