About Ian Hadden

I was born, raised, and educated in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. My wife, Ellen, and I currently live in Pickering, Ontario, which is located just east of Toronto.

As a young man, I was puzzled and curious about my family’s roots. I knew my family origins were Scottish on my father’s side and Irish on my mother’s. All of the Hadden families listed in the Toronto telephone directory were related to my family but what of other family members, particularly those left behind in ancestral lands? I knew that all families have a story to tell but I didn’t know mine. And so began my now 35-plus year quest to discover my roots.

 

I have discovered acts of heroism, struggles through tough times, tragedies, and the occasional ‘skeleton in the closet.’ I have expanded my research to include the richness of my wife’s family history and discovered along the way ancestral connections between us that continue to amaze.

I am a professional genealogist, and a member of the Ontario (Canada) Genealogical Society, the Aberdeen and North-East Scotland Family History Society, the New England Historic Genealogical Society, in addition to being a former member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Ontario (Canada) Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists.

 

Genealogy is not a hobby – it is a passion!

Thanks you for taking the time to stop by my blog. Please do so often and please feel free to share your thoughts, comments, ideas, questions and experiences leaving a comment.

Please feel free to contact me directly at ian.hadden@rogers.com. You can also connect with me through Facebook and Twitter!

11 thoughts on “About Ian Hadden”

  1. My name is Angela Faulkner. I have been researching my husbands genealogy and found that he and Ellen share a relative in common. I found a picture of her standing by the gravestone of Edmund Faulkner in Andover, Massachusetts. Just this week I took that same picture of my husband. I would really love to talk to you about the Faulkner line that goes back to England. They were obviously well-to-do landowners in Kingsclere but left shortly before the English Civil War. Makes me wonder if the Faulkners found themselves on the wrong side of the king. Interesting to speculate about. Any information you may have would be helpful. Thanks!

    Reply

  2. Ian
    I am a newbie to Ancestry.ca. My wife came across your blog. I am the grandson of Alfred Michael Shaughnessy who passed away in 1973. He was a son of William Shaughnessy and Catherine Foley. Alfred Shaughnessy married Stella Jacob in 1920. They had 5 children. Stella died in 1931 at Age 35 of tuberculosis as did one of her sons, Paul, at age 1 year. One of her sons was my father John Edward (Jack) Shaughnessy born 1922 and died February 2013. I am 68 years old and I live in Oshawa Ont.
    The history of the family is that my grandfather and his brother D’Arcy had a falling out which never healed. I would very much like to find out more about William and Catherine Shaughnessy .

    I was completely unaware that D’Arcy had a son who was tragically killed in the War.
    With your permission I would like to sign up for your future postings.

    Bryan Shaughnessy

    Reply

  3. Hello Ian
    I was sent a message from Family Tree and I saw we share an ancestor but not sure how your related and I have not looked to see if we have a DNA match. I was surprised that you share my 2x Great Grandparents John Ludlow Johnson and Parthenia Farmer and their son Dallas D Johnson. May I ask how your related?

    Thank you

    Jacqui Server Garcia

    Reply

    • Janice,

      The relationship is not direct but rather Stella Merner, the wife of Dallas Johnson, is my wife’s second cousin, twice removed. Happy to share more detail and family information if you are interested. I can be contacted directly by email at ian.hadden@rogers.com.

      Reply

  4. Hello Ian

    Can I contact you RE Little family Greenock Scotland

    Your grandmother Agnes was my great aunt as brother of James

    May have additional info to help you

    Chris

    Reply

  5. GORDON, Alexander Garrow Duncan

    This was my great great uncle. Enjoying going through your page. Unsure if he had a second child. I can see maragaret who passed away in 1998 but believe there was another child of his named “willie” but trail runs cold there. If you have any idea please let me know

    Reply

  6. Hi Ian
    My grandmother Dorothea Carson Terry née Triggs was sister to Philip and James Little Triggs. I have a few photos of the twins if you’d like a copy. I don’t however have any photos of their other brother Francis (Frank).

    Reply

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