Thompsons of Collow (continued)
We have established that two of the brothers of my 2G-aunt Ann Thompson Buchanan came to America, Robert and William. In the 1960s, a leading Buchanan family historian, Annie Brae Buchanan McMane, was planning to go to Michigan to meet some of her Thompson cousins in Michigan and find out more family history. I don't know whether she went or what she found out. Who are these Thompsons in Michigan? An obituary sent to me by Helene Herd, may lead to an answer.
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Obituary sent to me by Helene Herd, hoping that this is the right family.
JENisirish added this to Nancy Stewart on 3 May 2010.

"Mrs. Nancy Thompson died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. John Caldwell, Wednesday fornoon, July 29th, 1896 in the 77th year of her age. She was born in the County of Tyrone, Ireland in the year 1819, her maiden name being Stewart. At the age of 16 she united with the Presbyterian church and held with that faith. In the year 1841 she was married to Robert Thompson, and one year later immigrated with her husband to America, landing in Quebec and resided in Canada until 1865, when they removed to Michigan, settling on a farm in North Branch township, where she has since resided. She was preceded to the silent shore by two little daughters who died many years ago, and her husband, who died June 27th, 1893. She was an ideal mother, self sacrificing and devoted to her home. She lived for her family and was ever ready and willing to give her assistance in times of sickness or need, near and far. There being no church in her denomination in this locality, on July 5th 1879, she united with the Free Will Baptist church and lived a consistant life, adorning her profession. She leaves ten children to mourn: James, John, Robert, William, Alexander, Jared, Mrs. John Dennis and Mrs. john Caldwell, of North Branch; Mrs. William Baldwin of Goodland, and David of Schuyler county New York. Her funeral was held from St Johns Church on Friday July 31st, at 2 PM and was largely attended. The services were conducted by Rev. Rosenburger, of Danville, assisted by Rev. A. Smith of North Branch, and her remains were then laid to rest in St johns Cemetery. ___ Six eldest sons, who acted as pall bearers..."
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Born in County Tyrone in 1819, and married to a Robert Thompson in 1841 seems good. Settled in Canada is also a match. However the Buchanan group came to Canada in 1847 not 1842, so they could not have traveled in the same group. The Buchanan group stopped at Esquesing for a short time before proceeding to North Easthope where they stayed with Irish friends. Possibly Robert and Nancy were among these earlier arrivals.

Among other places, my research led me to Google Books http://books.google.ca/books, where I found the following in "History of Lapeer County"
"Robert Thompson was born in County Tyrone, Ireland in 1819. Settled in 1842, and in North Branch, Lapeer, Michigan in 1865. Now lives on Section 10. He was married in 1841 to Nancy Stewart, who was born in 1819. Twelve children: Isabella who died in 1845, James, John, Robert, William, Margaret, Jane who died in Canada, Alexander, Jared, Mary, Ann, Jane, David."

OK, this is useful information, confirming what is said in his wife's obituary. Born in 1819 seems a little late for my Robert, who is shown as born about 1811. Still, it allowed me to find Robert and Nancy in the free 1880 US census:
1880 United States Census 
Name  Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
 Robert THOMPSON   Self   M   Male   W   60   IRE   Farmer   IRE   IRE 
 Nancy THOMPSON   Wife   M   Female   W   60   IRE   Keeping House   IRE   IRE 
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Source Information:  Census Place North Branch, Lapeer, Michigan
  Family History Library Film   1254589   NA Film Number   T9-0589   Page Number   393D

[and the sons Alex, Jared, David and daughter Jane ]
1880 United States Census 
 Name  Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
 Alexander THOMPSON   Self   S   Male   W   24   CAN   Farmer   IRE   IRE 
 Jerone THOMPSON   Brother   S   Male   W   24   CAN   Farmer   IRE   IRE 
 David THOMPSON   Brother   S   Male   W   17   CAN   Farmer   IRE   IRE 
 Jane THOMPSON   Sister   S   Female   W   19   CAN   Keeping House   IRE   IRE 
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Source Information:  Census Place North Branch, Lapeer, Michigan
  Family History Library Film   1254589   NA Film Number   T9-0589   Page Number   392B

I also found their son Robert's family nearby, but more interesting is a brief bio for this son.

http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mi/county/lapeer/bios/n-z.html
ROBERT THOMPSON born 13 Aug 1848 Perth Co. Ont, at age 17 [came] to North Branch Twp. Married Asubeth McArthur. they had at least two daughters and a son. Lapeer Co. Birth records
Interesting!!! This establishes that Robert's parents, Robert Thompson and Nancy Stewart Thompson were living in Perth County, Ontario in 1848. I spent a few hours on http://www.familysearch.org/ doing a search for all Historical Records for people named Thompson in North Branch, Lapeer, Michigan, USA. What a wealth of information on the generations of this family!!!

I cannot find this family in the 1852 census of Canada West. Perth County was not organized until 1850, and some parts of the county were still not organized into townships, but it should be in this census. North Easthope is in Perth County.

So, is this my missing Thompson family in Michigan?  I can't be sure, but I consider it highly probable.