History of the McNeill family in Lisnagunogue in the early 19th century?
~~My interest lies in a branch of the McNeill family who lived in Lisnagunogue in the early 19th century, specifically in my great-grandfather John McNeill (known to have been born in 1822). A preliminary search suggests that this John was born and baptized 26 March 1822, that his parents were John McNeill and Margaret Alexander (dates unknown, but who lived in Lisnagunogue) and that he had at least two siblings, David (born 1 August 1825, baptized 25 September 1825) and Joseph (born 18 November 1826, baptized 29 March 1827).
This John worked as a quarryman in Lisnagunogue until he moved to Houston, Renfrewshire, sometime before 1851, where he also continued as a quarryman. A deeply religious Presbyterian, he married Catherine McTaggart (Houston, 23 September 1851). They produced six children one of whom, John (1854-1933), became a world-famous Presbyterian minister, and about whom I have a great deal of information.
My research objectives are to learn more about
(1). Johns parents (John and Margaret) as well as their forebears.
(2). When, as seems very likely, this McNeill line and other McNeills in the Lisnagunogue area moved from Argyll to Ulster.
(3). Much more about the lives of these McNeills (both before and after the early 19th century) including where they actually lived and earned their livings in the Lisnagunogue area.
A tall order!
I am a beginning researcher and I would be very, very grateful for any assistance with any of these objectives.