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Right now, 3 researchers on YourRoots have Matthew in their trees. The ancestor migration map traces 2 generations of this lineage.

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Matthew McDowell 1786–1859

Public Tree Person

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A Public Tree Person is an ancestor documented independently by multiple YourRoots tree owners. When several researchers' family histories converge on the same person, we publish a shared page that combines what they've documented.

Why this is a Public Tree Person

Full name consistent across 3 independent trees

Birth year and location consistent across 3 trees

Death year and location consistent across 3 trees

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A Reliability

Reliability Score: A

Strong — based on the source tree

Grade scale

A 3 criteria (Strong)
B 2 criteria (Medium)
C 1 criteria (Basic)

Verification checklist

Record available
Descendant's record available
Star tree owner

3 researchers on YourRoots have Matthew McDowell in their family trees — each with their own records and documentation. Trace the migration path across 2 generations. If this ancestor is in your tree too, you can compare what you've found and fill in the gaps together.

Last updated: August 25, 2026 · Reliability: A — verified across 3 independent trees, with linked records

Born 5 Apr 1786 · Pennsylvania, USA

Died 11 Sep 1859 · Mount Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa, United States of America

Father Mathew B Mcdowell

Mother Jane Borland

Spouse Margaret Kerr

Children Janet Mcdowell

Siblings Allen Mcdowell, Catherine Agnes Mcdowell, David Mcdowell, James Mcdowell, John Mcdowell, Joseph Mcdowell, Mary Polly Mcdowell, Nancy Anne Mcdowell, Polly Mcdowell, Robert Mcdowell

Records

Pennsylvania and New Jersey, U.S., … U.S., Find a Grave® Index, … Iowa, State Census Collection War of 1812 Pension Application …

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Researchers connected through Matthew McDowell 1786–1859

and 2 more tree owners connected with Matthew McDowell 1786–1859

Immediate Family

Parents

Spouse(s)

Children

Biography

The story of Matthew McDowell began in 1786 in Pennsylvania, USA. In 1856, Matthew McDowell resided in Center, Henry, Iowa, USA. Matthew McDowell married margaret kerr, sarah porter, and had children including janet mcdowell. Matthew McDowell passed away in 1859 in Mount Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa, United States of America.

Sources

1

Church Records Pennsylvania and New Jersey, U.S., Church and Town Records, 1669-2013
2

Burial Records U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
3

Census Iowa, State Census Collection
4

Military War of 1812 Pension Application Files Index

Life Timeline

1786

Birth of Matthew McDowell in Pennsylvania, USA

Birth

1856

Matthew McDowell resided here in Center, Henry, Iowa, USA

Residence

1859

Death of Matthew McDowell in Henry, Iowa, USA

Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from Matthew McDowell

This ancestor line traces from Franklin County, Pennsylvania, United States of America (1758) to Pennsylvania, USA (1786) across 2 generations.

Direct Lineage

generations

Frequently Asked Questions

: Matthew McDowell (1786–1859) was born in Pennsylvania, USA and died in Mount Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa, United States of America. 3 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees, each with their own records. This page combines what they've independently documented and assigns a Reliability Score (A) based on cross-tree validation.
: Right now, 3 researchers on YourRoots have Matthew in their trees. They're working independently, so connecting with them is a good way to cross-check your records and find things you might have missed. You can also explore the ancestor migration map that traces 2 generations of this lineage geographically.
: It varies by researcher — some have census records, others have marriage certificates, parish registers, or family Bible entries. Scroll up to see exactly what each person has cited.
: Use the "Compare Tree" button on any researcher's profile above. You can compare your tree side by side with theirs, see where your records overlap or differ, and collaborate to fill gaps.

Related Records

Matthew McDowell's Ancestors

Pedigree chart — 3 generations on record

Self

Matthew McDowell PTP

1786–1859

Pennsylvania, USA