Press Release
24th November 2005

Do you Remember John McNeil?
MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, is asking for help in assisting a Californian family find out more about their – and perhaps his – family history.

Patricia Maynard, a Project Analytics Manager from Thousand Oaks, California, visited Inverclyde in July with her family when their cruise liner docked in Greenock.  While walking through the town’s west end, she noticed Mr McNeil’s constituency office and called in to ask if he was related to her paternal grandfather, John McNeil, who had emigrated from Greenock to work on the American railroad.

“After checking with my older relatives and their friends, I’m afraid I’ve drawn a blank,”  said Mr McNeil.  “But I wonder if any Telegraph readers can help Mrs Maynard find out more about her family history.

“There’s not a lot to go on, but there are some photographs and details about John’s life which might jog someone’s memory.  He was born on 25^th March 1883 to John and Elizabeth (nee Scanlon, according to records), near what is now the derelict Cartsdyke Parish Church.  After emigrating to America, where he was employed as a train engineer on the railroad, John married Clara Leiva, a 3rd generation Californian from the Spanish deLeon family with whom he fathered 6 children.

“If this rings any bells, or sounds like a story your older relatives used to tell, I’d be really grateful if you could get in touch so that I can pass any information on to Mrs Maynard and her family.”

Any information can be sent to Mr McNeil (the younger) at his constituency office: 20 Union Street, Greenock, PA16 8JL or emailed to him. He will ensure all information is passed on to Mrs Maynard.
ENDS

Notes
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