The Wallace Family

Where do you live?

Doug Baldwin here. I live in Saginaw, Michigan. I am related to the Wallaces on my father’s side.

Regarding your ancestors, what was the date of arrival to America or, if known, the date of arrival to the Scottish Settlement in Michigan. Also, include the travel route and transportation details if these were known.

David Wallace came with his new bride Catharine McEwan in 1852. They came into New York City. I don’t know their travel route from there, but I am quite sure they came directly to Michigan and to the Scottish Settlement because they had relatives and friends there. 

What county (Macomb, Lapeer, St. Clair) did your ancestors go to when they first arrived? Where did they settle?

They stayed beside David’s uncle William Wallace and his large family, who lived in Metamora Township at the time. David and Catharine lived in Goodland Township, Lapeer County, the latter part of their lives. They raised their kids there and are buried there.

What are some of the surname (spelling) variations you have discovered.

Not many unless we go back long into the past. Wallace is a fairly stable surname and not easily confused even when accents were strong. Catharine’s surname, however, was McEwan and it is spelled many different ways on historical documents.

Letters and documents. 

I have nothing. This was especially frustrating and was the main reason I decided to study the entire Scottish Settlement.

What religion did your relatives follow?

They went to the Presbyterian church. However, I suspect there is some connect with the Swedenborgians.

Who were the neighbors of your Settlement ancestors (taken from census records and land plats)?

The neighbors in Scotland clustered around Mauchline, Tarbolton, Riccarton, Craigie, and Galston. In Michigan, David and Catharine lived near friends and relatives. I know they started in Metamora, but they also were in Lapeer, Goodland Township. There is more to discover here.

What schools did your ancestors attend in Michigan and in Scotland?

I don’t know where David and Catharine sent their kids. I am mostly interested in my great grandmother’s education (Sarah Wallace).

Did your ancestors come through Canada? Do you know where they stopped along the way?

No. They came through the eastern states to Michigan.

When you trace your ancestry did you discover Intermarriages between clans?

The surname Wallace turns up surprisingly often as a middle name, suggesting numerous family ties. There were many Wallace kids in the Settlement who were descendants of William Wallace and Janet Bowes. I have seen many instances connecting the Wallaces with other families in the Settlement (and in Scotland).

Were you able to verify political, social, and educational groups associated with your ancestors?

I have no information.

What occupations did your relatives have?

David was a farmer. Catharine was a weaver. There is a story here somewhere because Catharine was a special kind of weaver.

Land Ownership:

I know very little. 

Do you have family tree and is it online, on a site like Ancestry.com., for example?

I have an extensive Family Tree on Ancestry.com, under my last name Baldwin. All my Wallace ancestors are there.

Do you have a family Bible?

There is a Wallace Bible, and I was sent photocopies of ancestral information from a distant cousin.

Cause of death?

David hit his leg with an ax, which became infected. They had no antibiotics, so infections often killed our ancestors.

Have you researched Naturalization Records? Not everyone registered for citizenship. Some went through the initial steps but did not follow through.

I did search but found nothing. I should have another look because more records have been digitalized.

Do you have photos?

Sadly, no.

Do you have a list of research problems, brick walls, unresolved issues, ideas for future research?

Lots to say here. David was born in Tarbolton and his uncle William’s family was from Mauchline. This is Robert Burns country. I would love to know if the Wallaces knew Burns. There is some family connect with Galston but I have never been able to sort it out. David and Catharine left in 1852, the same date that the Paton and (a branch of) Hamilton families sailed. The Patons were from Galston. I think there is more to learn about this connection.

Do you have a Family crest or Coat of arms?

Yes, but it is dubious. The Wallaces were lowland Scots, so they didn’t have tartans, arms, and crests. Later relatives made stuff up.. 

Who, besides you, were the family genealogists who helped with research?

Just me.

What ships did your ancestors sail on when they crossed the Atlantic?

Catharine and David came on the Mortimer (something) in 1852. I'll look it up.

What family stories have been handed down through the decades?