A quick update. I am not sure if it is because I blogged about it (just this week – The Elusive Potters of Goulbourn) but I seem to have made a breakthrough researching my Potter family.
I logged into my mother’s DNA at Ancestry today and using the search feature, typed in the name Potter. I quickly scanned for matches that had their trees unlocked, after clicking into one a name caught my eye. And no, it wasn’t Mary Potter, but Rachel Allen. I had traced Rachel Potter who was a witness to Mary Potter’s marriage in 1834 to George Mordy, and guessed she was the person who married Clark Allen. This was all conjecture and until I could prove it I had left alone.
Further looking through the tree that was posted I saw Margaret Potter. I clicked and low and behold Margaret was listed as living in Renfrew. Intrigued I clicked into the tree for more information.
And I have been lost ever since. I found Margaret Potter and Spencer Allen lived in Ross, Renfrew Co., and a wonderfully done Allen tree with pictures. They even had a William Potter who appears to have lived with his sister Margaret.
A Google search brought up this marriage record between Margaret & Spencer located on a Rootsweb message board –
“On the thirty-first day of December one thousand eight hundred and thirty three Spencer Allen of the Township of Ross in U. Canada, farmer and Margaret (Potter?) – looks like “Patten” of the Township of Huntley in U. Canada spinster were married together under the authority of a Special Licence from under the hand and seal of the Governor in Chief of (illegible) Canada by me A.H. Burwell Clerk.”
Witnesses John Fraser and (illegible) Burnham.
Huntley!!! Another key piece of information.
The best part is they have Rachel Potter who married Clark Allen and later John Dennison. Oh and if that wasn’t quite enough – the Hon. Lorna Milne descends from Rachel Dennison. It just doesn’t stop.
Spencer Allen and Margaret Potter are buried in the Spencer Allen Cemetery in Cobden, Renfrew Co.
There are paper trails to follow-up with but a lot of things point to my now Not So Elusive Potters!
My Genealogy Life 
Patricia, you are really good, and patient with your work in Genealogy!
I’m glad for you that you are able to find a lot of info’s!! I cannot wait to see how we are related!! I am proud anyway to be related to you even though it would be distant relation!!
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I love when these kinds of things happen. It’s one of the wonders of doing genealogy work in this day and age – new records and information become available weekly. It’s why we’ll never, ever be “done” our family tree. I’m so glad you have found new leads to follow to track down Mary Potter! I hope you find her soon 🙂
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Hi Patricia!
I was reading your blog about the name McMahon! I have some McMahon with FTDNA but distance cousin! I have two, their names are: Melissa McMahon, and Nancy McMahon! They are 3rd to 5th cousin! I’ll check with Ancestry if I have that name as well.
Have a good day, Nicole
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I don’ think those names show up as matches to me. Can you give me your Gedmatch again and I will go in and see if I can figure something more out about our match.
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