www.clanlivingstone.info

As we all know, the 'Account of McLea' has some great information which has greatly influenced our scholarship on the McLea family. http://www.macleay.cncfamily.com/account_of_mclea.htm I have never been able to determine what relationship, if any, my family might have to this group, the Revs. Duncan and Archibald McLea, et al.

Kyle, A very promising lead. Good luck. Niall

Thanks, Niall! Indeed, it's an exciting possibility!

Kyle, I've researched these folk, and this is the family from which I descend in a cognatic line. The son's of the old Baron of Linsaig followed the Earl of Argyll, in the service of Philip of Spain. Argyll never returned to Scotland and the three son's of Linsaig are said to have taken refuge in Ulster, these folk represent the senior line. One of the brothers is held to have settled in Donegal, another is recorded on service in Antrim as Ensign McClee. My Clee family are from an area near Lough Swilly in Raphoe Barony, Donegal. Where the family are also recorded as Clea and Clay. From the records in Donegal I see only two related families being a few farms away from each other in the 'valuations'. Suggesting a small kinship group. My understanding is that the later Earl of Argyll, son of the above, gave a charter to the lands of Linsaig to a son of the old Baron's, younger brother. This represents the later McLeas of Linsaig. I also note that as early as 1478, Ewen M'Clee is recorded as witness to the sasine of the Castle lands belonging to the Chief of the Lamonts. You may recall that the MacLeas are considered to be related to the Lamonts. The lands of Linsiag are on the shores of Loch Fyne and this was absolutely within the Lamont orbit. I believe this information provides sound evidence that the Linsaig gelfine have used the 'clee' pronounciation over hundreds of years. All the best cousin! Grant South

Indeed, Grant, your message is what got me going on this whole trek! I think this is further encouraging news!

Hi Kyle, Whether or not one agrees with the original Dhunsliebhe/MacLea theory suggesting our ancestors were in Cowal and Knapdale before Argyll, it certainly seems plausible that "other Macleas" may have a distant connection to the Isle of Lismore/Morvern McLeas/Maconleas such as those from Bute. Obviously comparative DNA testing of other MacLeas whom you have identified as having originated from Bute would be helpfull to you for starters. regards Donald

I was thinking about that -- I think it would be very helpful to try to find some McLeas of Bute and descendants of the Rev. Archibald/Duncan McLea, if any exist in the male line, to test. Any ideas on where to find them?

Hi Kyle, No MacLeas in Bute are jumping out at me in my initial search, but the folks in Bute are keenly interested in genealogical research and in helping people locate information on their ancestors. You might want to contact some of the sites dedicated to Bute family history research such as Sons and Daughters of Bute where they may reply to an e-mail query about McLeas. regards Donald

Hello Kyle, Yes, cognatic as bilateral descent. Clans and indeed the old Cenel of Ireland were bilateral kindreds grouped around territorial agnates. My own maternal line is a plaid of cognatic descent from the Ui'Neill clans of Tir Conaill {Donegal}, a line of our Mc'Clees from the House of Linsaig, and McSweeneys, a gallowglas clan, once from Castle Sween in Knapdale, Argyll. I'll write a wee something regarding the information I have. All the best! Grant.

29/11/o6 Have been doing some research on bute and noticed that there is a GMB maritime posted to Rev Archibald Mclea for sale on ebay n.b. I have no connection with this at all but as I am interested in geneology and thought that this might interest you.