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My McKain connection is through my paternal Great Grandmother, Ellen Louise McKain, who married George Edwin Middleton in 1901. From Ellen, I have traced my McKAIN ancestry back to my 6 x Great Grandfather, Archibald McKain, who was born in 1717. Archibald was a shoemaker and Burgess of Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland and, according to Clifford Mackain in his "History and Genealogy of the Ancient House of Ardnamurchan", was the 15th Chief of the MacIains of Ardnamurchan. If this is correct, then my McKain family tree can be extended back a further 11 generations, to John Sprangach (1260-1306), progenitor of the MacIain clan.
Certainly Archibald's status is supported by the Grant of Arms to his 2 x Great Grandson, the Reverend William James McKain (my 2nd cousin 4 times removed), in 1905, viz:- Or, a lymphad, sails furled, oars in action Sable, flagged Gules, an eagle displayed of the Last, beaked and membered of the second and a buckle of the third, in the dexter and sinister fess points. In 1913 William James was recognised by the Society of Clan Donald as Chief of Clan Iain of Ardnamurchan (Clifford Mackain's "History.." shows him as the 20th Chief)
IN HOPE I BYDE
Archibald McKain married Elspet Leslie of Glen Rothes and their eldest son, James (my 5 x Great Grandfather), left Elgin in 1776, married in London in 1779 and by 1780 was settled in Bungay, Suffolk with his wife Ann (nee Honeywood). The story of this branch of my McKain family thus moves to England with subsequent generations in Suffolk, Kent and London.
