McClain Family Genealogy

I have been researching information about the McClain family recently and have encountered a number of roadblocks that you may be able to help me overcome. Your input will assist in compiling a more complete record of a branch of our family that I know so little about. I will begin by sharing what I have learned about the McClains and then describe what types of information would be helpful. The search began with my great grandmother Elizabeth/Eliza McClain McAdoo (1863-1954). I have not located any information about her parents and family, or where they lived, although it was probably in or near Port Kennedy. Her parents were born in Ireland, and Elizabeth and her siblings were born in Pennsylvania. Elizabeth married my great grandfather James McAdoo, son of William and Sarah Menow McAdoo about 1884. I have gathered census information about Elizabeth and James and their family from the 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 censuses. They lived in East Whiteland and Tredyffrin, Chester County. I first learned that Elizabeth had a brother James from the 1920 Census. James McClain, listed as a brother-in-law was living with my great grandparents. The 1880 and 1910 censuses showed James living with the Oram A. Bleacher family. He was listed as a brother-in-law, so I assume that Oram’s wife, Mary J. was James’s sister. The 1900 Census showed a Robert E. Law family living with James. Law’s wife, Clara E. was listed as James’s sister. Therefore, it appears the Elizabeth had three siblings, Mary Jane, b.1857, James, b. 1861, and Clara E., b. 1874. As I have mentioned, I have not been able to match parents to Elizabeth and her siblings. The closest I have come is in the 1860 Census where I found a John McClain, b. 1829, Ireland, his wife, Mary Ann, b. 1834 Ireland, and daughter, Mary, b.1858 PA., living in Upper Merion (Port Kennedy), Montgomery County. I cannot find any reference to the McClain family in the 1870 and 1880 censuses. I am particularly interested learning about Elizabeth’s parents and family prior to her marriage. Dates of births, deaths, and marriages, residences, etc. would be very helpful. Likely places to find such information are birth, baptism, and death certificates, wills, newspaper obituaries, marriage licenses, property deeds, etc. It is amazing the information contained in old family records. Finally, if you know of a family member who may have some information to share, but is not on this mailing list, please forward this message to them or send me contact information.