The McLeans of Lesmahagow and related Families

Welcome to the Family History page of Donald McLean. I have been researching my Family History for over Seventeen years.Although my interest was first aroused by my Grandfather,James Dalzell McLean ,when he took me to the Glasgow Museum,as a small boy, To see the wooden bicycle that his own Grandfather, Gavin Dalzell, had made circ.1844.

Since starting my research into the Family History, I have been able to add "flesh to the bones" having found out and now having written about my ancestors.

Gavin Dalzell was born in Glenbuck ,Ayrshire and around 1835 moved to Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire. Here he set up a business, in Cloth and Tea. Having a Shop in Abbey Green, the centre of Lesmahagow. He was'nt content to sit and wait for his customers. He went out to the outlying Farms and villages with his Goods. He ran a credit business to those customers, which, when he died in 1863,proved very expensive to his family.

His son James Dalzell ,became a Missionary of some note, in Natal, South Africa. between 1870 and 1901.
Another son John Brown Dalzell, who went into partnership with my Great Grandfather Andrew McLean (1825-1892) as Coal and Lime Masters, takes his name from John Brown "The Christian Carrier".from whose line was descended. John Brown was a Covenantor ,shot by Claverhouse, 1st May 1683.

My research has lead me to far flung parts iof the Globe, where the family have emigrated to. I would be pleased to hear from anyone, who has connections ,with the Family or Lesmahagow.

In June 2002 it is hoped to hold a Family Gathering in Lesmahagow. An Australian branch of the McLean's will be over then for the International Gathering of MacLeans at Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull.