The Lee MacLellan Family Story
Emigration to Canada
So once my ancestors decided to leave Scotland, they followed the path of previous emigrants from other European countries, and set sail for the new world, landed in New York, and were processed through Ellis Island. Right?
Wrong. My ancestors set sail for Canada, and they weren't alone.
A number of factors forced or encouraged people to leave Scotland. The Highland Clearances and competition for land, jobs and housing caused thousands of Scots to travel to the New World. Why Canada? It was probably due to the free land the Canadians offered, plus the other reasons shown in the picture to the right.
The Scots emigrated to Canada in steady and substantial numbers for over 200 years. The connection between Scotland and Canada goes back to the 17th century, when Sir William Alexander was granted a charter for Nova Scotia (which means New Scotland).
Our Duncan McLellan and his wife Flora were the first of our MacLellans to emigrate, reaching Ontario Canada in 1819.
The Highland Clearances were a forced emigration of Scots by the English, who wanted their land to raise sheep.
A group of immigrants traveling to the New World. Note that they are on a steam ship, not a sailing vessel.
A Scottish mother and her children emigrating from Scotland.