Hi. My gr-grandfather Robert J. Aird was born in Chicago in 1857. His parents were from Scotland (presumably Glasgow). Because of the Chicago Fire, I've had trouble identifying who his parents or siblings were. His death certificate claims his parents were John Aird and Mary Bell - both listed as from Glasgow, Scotland). My cousin and I both found records of a potential family where the parents were Archibald Aird and Jane(t) Aird (nee Bell). While I know his death certificate could show the wrong parents due to bad information of the informant, the Robert Aird belonging to Archibald appears per the 1860 and 1870 US census was born in 1854 while my gr-grandfather was born in 1857.

If you've done research on Airds that came to Chicago from Glasgow in the mid 1850s, I'd love to compare notes with you.

Thanks much!