Once established, James brought his fiance', J. Spittal, of Clan Buchannan, to America and they were then married. The majority of the immediate family also immigrated to North America at this time, most settling in Cleveland, Ohio. By the outbreak of WWII, James Connell was an established engineer and family man, father of William Ferguson Connel ( eldest ), Lilly Jean Connell, and Isobel Joan Connell ( youngest ). He was far more valuable to the war effort at home, and did not serve in the Armed Forces during WWII. His expertise contributed to the development of the turret mechanisms of the M4 Sherman tank, and the B-25 Mitchel Medium bomber. His brother, William, sailed the Merchant convoys from New York to Murmansk and Archangel, Russia.
James' son, William F. Connell graduated the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in time for the American entry into the war and served as an Comissioned Officer aboard a Navy supply ship, sailing part of the same " Great Circle " convoy routes as his namesake Uncle.
After the war, the children married and had children of their own. James and his wife Lynn Connell, had three children, Glenn, Lorie, and Scott. LillyJean married John Theobald and had four children, Douglas, Russell, Bruce, and Cynthia. Isobel married Merle Baumgardner and had one child, David.
And the children now have children. Glenn Connell has two sons. Douglas and Bruce Theobald both have two children, David Baumgardner has three, Jeremy ( eldest ), Ian, and Jennifer. Lorie Connell, Russell and Rev. Cynthia Theobald, have no children.
Douglas and Bruce Theobald have both served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service, and David served in the U.S. Navy surface fleet. Colin is in there somewhere too. But, enough Family History. On to what the Lord and Lady of the Laire know about Scotland! ( Which really isn't much yet.).
