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One last random guess. ;)

Might there have been another Mary Cromar in the family at that point?

In that case, "the Donald" might have been added to distinguish them.

Still not helping with what it means, but possibly why it's there.

Cheers - as far as I know its fairly clear cut relations.

Mary Cromar (the Donald) was the first born in 1843 of George Chalmers and Mary Cooper in Aberdeen (St Nicholas). The record I have also includes her brother George and sister Susannah.

George C and Mary Cooper were married at St Nicholas , Aberdeen in 1841.

The 'only' added interest is Mary Cromar 'the donald' was married to an Alexander Gordon before William Cromar. Alexander died as a shipmaster I recall it was at sea.

I do have a photo of mary and have discounted that her facial likeness would have led to an association with the duck of Disney fame !

the search goes on !

J

You've exhausted my Scottish expertise. ;)

Any chance she was actually a Donald by birth, i.e. born before her parents' marriage? or to a previous marriage of her mother? If you have her birth and parents' marriage dates / records, that wouldn't work ...

Cheers Folks !

Devon by current location - alas not ancestry but I have another question on that for you Janey !

I didn't say but Mary and William Cromar have a son called Douglas. 2 of his son's are christened with 'Macdonald' as their middle name. I didn't mention as assumed at time it was a clan flight of fancy ! But then when I saw Mary Cromar 'the Donald' in the will it made me wonder. It is very def 'the Donald' no Mac and is repeated a few times throughout the will.

hmmmm.

J

Just bumping this up - I'm curious to see if anyone knows the answer!!

Does seem a bit odd - I know that us Scots women keep our maiden surnames all our lives on official documents like wills, second marriage certificates, death certificates etc.

That one fails.

A random google result:

http://www.dgnscrn.demon.co.uk/

"The arms and tartan are that of Clan Cameron - Chalmers is a sept of Clan Cameron"

Sept, that's what I was trying to think of. So Chalmers isn't a sept of Donald.

Nor is any of the other surnames:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_Donald#Clan_septs

DevonJon - and your question is about Scotland?? No fair! I live for Devon questions. I've been cheated. And even my Coopers are from Nottinghamshire.

You need a Scottish expert. We have one, the ever generous Thomas. If he doesn't see your thread and drop in within a day or two, add something to it to bump it up and I'll see whether I can rustle him up.

My clueless guessing might be that "the Donald" is a reference to clan membership.

Are you sure it's "the" and not some form of "Mac"?

Hi
Above is daughter of John Cooper of Aberdeen. She is born in Aberdeen and marries a shipmaster called George Chalmers. She has a daughter called Mary who marries a William Cromar.

Mary Chalmers grandparents are thus Chalmers, Thomson, Cooper and Reid. All Aberdeenshire.

So.

Why in 1868 (1st draft!) and again in 1883 (thats it I've gone) does Mary sign herself on William Cromars will as Mary Cromar 'the Donald'.

Where does Donald come in?? Anyone know of those surnames connected to Donald??

Mary 'the Donald' is my wifes gg grandma. (aka I'm not a consultant !).

Cheers
J