Margaret Ann McKernan

b. 5 Feb 1840, Harpers Ferry, Jefferson Co., VA (now WV)

d. 8 Sep 1890, Washington, District of Columbia

m. 03 Jun 1864, Washington, District of Columbia

to John Robertson

Note:

* McKernan has many varied spellings

McKiernan

Kernan

Kiernan

and more

According to his family bible, John Robertson embraced the Catholic Religion in 1864; and he was baptized by the Revd. B. A. McGuire of St. Aloysius Church Washington DC on May 26th 1864.

Note: In the late 1980s, I visited St. Aloysius Church in Washington, D.C. to review their records concerning John Robertson. At that time I examined the Baptism Record of John Robertson, the Baptism Application (not sure of the exact title) of John Robertson, and the Marriage Record of John Robertson. There was no Marriage Application that could be found. This Parish was particularly poor. There was no copy machine available. I took hand written notes. The Baptism Record revealed that John Robertson was the son of John Robertson and Margaret Stewart of Comrie, Scotland. The Baptism Application revealed the same names. In 2012, St. Aloysius Parish was closed and merged into nearby Holy Redeemer Parish. The parish records were moved to Holy Redeemer Parish. In 2016, I contacted Holy Redeemer Parish and sought copies of the Baptism Application and requested a renewed search for the Marriage Application. I was informed by the Parish Secretary that neither could be found. At my request, the Parish Secretary sent to me a Certificate of Baptism and a Certificate of Marriage of John Robertson. David Robertson, 2^nd Great Grandchild.

Note: Family Tradition is that Margaret Ann McKernan was adopted. It should also be considered that she may have been simply orphaned and was never adopted, especially considering the social turmoil of that time period leading up to and during the War Between the States. The only hint we may have as to her other surname, either before or after her adoption is the name of her second born son James Parker Robertson. David Robertson, 2^nd Great Grandchild.

Note: St. Peter’s Catholic Church, built in 1833, was the first Roman Catholic Church in Harper’s Ferry, WV. I contacted the parish priest and was advised that they have no records prior to 1861. I also have looked high and low for Margaret Ann McKernan in the 1850 and 1860 Census records for VA, DC, MD and PA with no luck whatsoever. Lastly, I research Ireland records for her baptism record with no luck. David Robertson, 2^nd Great Grandchild.

Note: Going forward, the only thing I can think of is a search of St. Vincent's Home and School for Girls records, including Case Files, Registers of Children, sacramental records under the surnames of McKernan, McKiernan, Kernan and Kiernan, as well Parker (just to be thorough as her second born son’s middle name was Parker.) If there is a separate list of adopting parent, that list should also be checked.

David Robertson, davidhr@hushmail.com, 404-791-6175