In 1790 George Cruickshank (1765-1842) married Jean/Jane Stewart (1776- 1854) in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The couple lived in Gordonsburn (Longhill) where they had fifteen (known) children including two or more sets of twins. At least two of their children emigrated to Canada.

Their youngest, Alexander (1810-1869), appears to have been the first to arrive in Upper Canada - somewhere between 1835 and 1839. He eventually settled in Lower Canada near what is now Brennan's Hill, near Low, in Gatineau, Quebec. He married Elizabeth McKinzie in Scotland in two separate ceremonies. The first was in December 1833 in her home parish of Drainie, Moray, Scotland. The second was in January 1834in his parents home parish of Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Family history states that Elizabeth was a cousin of "the rebel" William Lyon MacKenzie who was the leader of the Upper Canada Rebellion in the late 1830's. We know from census records that Alex and Betsy had children born in Upper Canada around 1839 to 1841. There is some speculation that it was the connection to the rebel that resulted in the decision to move to Lower Canada. In the 1851census he appears as a pioneer blacksmith with 400 acres. Most of Alexander's descendants dropped the middle 'C' in the name and spell it Cruikshank.

Alexander's nephew, James, appears to be the second to arrive, around 1850. James was the first descendant to marry in Canada - he married Anne Wallace at St James Cathedral in St. Andrews, Ontario in November 1852. James founded the Cruickshank Carriage Works in Weston, reportedly had an undertakers establishment, was the first Justice of the Peace for Weston, and was also the town's first librarian.

James' father, Lewis/Louis Cruickshank (1797 - 18…) followed his son in 1855 with several more of his children. While some of his children remained in Scotland others brought spouses and families to Canada.

Another of Lewis' sons, George eventually moved to Heathcote, Ontario near Georgian Bay. Like his brother James, he founded a carriage works and also operated as an undertaker. He was secretary to the school board and was also the Postmaster for the area.

The descendants of these individuals have varied stories. Some became doctors, some teachers, some were priests. One is even reported to have stolen a car from the front of Union Station in Ottawa. Turns out it belonged to C.D. Howe , a prominent Canadian politician in the cabinet of PM William Lyon MacKenzie King - who was the grandson of "the rebel ".

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