"Our first Purdon family member to arrive in Canada was Robert Purdon who sailed from Glasgow, Scotland in 1821 with his wife, Jane Ferguson, and their four young children. They came with the hope of a better life to the unknown and wilderness of Upper Canada. The subject of this book is to provide information about his Scottish ancestry and to continue with information on his seven children, sixty-six known grandchildren, and their descendants"--Intro. Descendants have resided in Scotland, England, Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia, Alberta and elsewhere.

Thomas Quirke was born 3 September 1808 in St. Mary's, Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland. His parents were Michael Quirke and Mary Keating. He married Catherine Morrissey 6 February 1826 in St. Nicholas Parish Church, Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, Ireland. They had eight known children. Thomas died 14 January 1886 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland. Descendants lived mainly in Ireland, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India. Descendants in the United States lived mainly in Illinois, Texas and Colorado.

James Bullock was born 16 November 1806 in Kirkintilloch, Scotland. His parents were Thomas Bullock and Janet Boyle. James married Mary Hill, daughter of Alexander Hill and Elizabeth Currie, on 28 March 1836 in Simcoe, Canada. Mary was born 9 August 1817 in Johnston, Scotland and died 3 January 1871 in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory. James died 10 August 1850 in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory.