Preface to the Introduction:

It is with great pleasure that I bring to you, dear family, the following family history, originally compiled by Cousin John Duncan, which he had delightfully entitled:

John conceded that he was not a professional genealogist, but he is noted as having been a wonderful writer and a devoted family man, who had compiled notes on our families for years and who had graciously shared those notes, with all who bore interest, in our Scottish roots.

We all owe John Duncan, our heartfelt gratitude, in both his efforts to compile the families' histories and in his genuine joyful willingness to share those efforts, for the benefit of all our descendants.  Thank you, dear Cousin John Duncan of Melbourne, Australia!

To avoid potential confusion, it is also noted that John originally entitled his compilation:

The reasons for the original title and re-naming, shall both become evident, when you read his fine works.

I am, by the way, Colleen Cahoon, Daughter of Edward S. Cahoon and Elizabeth A. Clements; Grand-daughter of Mary Moss McMillan Stewart, of Glasgow, Scotland and Louis A. Cahoon, of Bourne, Massachusetts; Great-grand-daughter of Edward Archibald Stewart and Jessie Smith Young; Great-Great-grand-daughter of John and Mary (nee McMillan) Stewart; Great-Great-Great-grand-daughter of Charles and Margaret (Haldane) Stewart. Grandmother Mary, arrived in the United States in the year of 1914, followed by many of her siblings and her widowed father.

Following is a family history, initiated by my cousin, John Duncan; Son of Dugald McMillan Duncan and Annie Moore; Grand-son of Isabella Napier Stewart and Malcolm Duncan; Great-Grand-son of of John and Mary (McMillan) Stewart; Great-Great-grand-son of Charles and Margaret (Haldane) Stewart.

It was John's hope that his work would evolve, throughout generations to come, each in turn adding their updates and sharing them with their many cousins.  I offered John a permanent home for his work, here on Jezzmo, because I whole-heartedly share both, his enthusiasm and his desire, that our descendants have access to this knowledge and that they carry on, after we inevitably evolve to new heights, as Ancestors, ourselves.

I can not impress enough, that the notes of John Duncan's were amazing and can well serve the curious and avid genealogists within our family, both present and those to come, as inspiring encouragement to develop the project, to its fullest potential.  

It should be understood to all readers, that when in doubt regarding certain details, one should never fear conducting research on their own, to either clarify or lend support to that in question, and to submit updates as deemed necessary or appropriate, to these initial findings; the bequest of a wonderful Scotsman, our Cousin John Duncan.

This online version of "We Are All Margaret Haldane's Bairns," now includes an updated section for the Cahoon/Stewarts, which had been rather scanty, through no fault of John's.  Also included are updates for some of the Nicholson/Stewart descendants, such as the McAdoo family.  Updates are encouraged by John, so please submit your updates, so we can include your family, properly and proudly.

At the present, much of the updated data regarding these living families will be censored, for privacy issues, unless otherwise encouraged to post here.  All of the details will be freely made available to actual family members, who request copy of the original file of John Duncan's Bairns.  In the future, it is my hope to be able to have a password protected portal, that would grant access to family only, where the details and events of the living could be posted with security. U ntil then, I have taken the stand that if information is presented elsewhere on the internet, such as on Facebook or other public places, then I can post the same, here within, as 'public information'.

The ultimate objective of this site is to serve as provision of perpetual opportunity to bring the entire family cyberly together, no matter where they geographically abide, in order to share and to maintain, both our common and our extended families' histories.

Until then, there is much to be learned and appreciated, in reviewing the past and exploring the lives and times of our ancestors.

In closing, sadly, it is my duty to note the following, published in Herald Sun on March 15, 2010:

"DUNCAN. - John. Passed away peacefully at Goonawarra Nursing Home on Friday Mar. 12, 2010 aged 83 years, Loved husband of Matilda. Much loved father of Alan and Dorothy, father-in-law of John. Devoted Poppa of Natalie, Andrew and Jenna. Always Remembered."

The Herald Sun had no way of knowing how many lives John Duncan had enriched via the internet; I and countless others shall miss his witty emails and endearing tales of Scotland, land of his birth, which was ever a part of him and his spirit, which lives on.