William Gilbert Maclaurin was born on 23rd October 1862 in Sandsting, Shetland, a son of Robert Campbell Maclaurin and Martha Joan Spence.

He emigrated to New Zealand and married Catherine Cochrane (Cassie) Macky on 23rd October 1887. Cassie (b. 7th June 1866, Auckland) was the daughter of William Macky and Anne Goodfellow. Cassie's younger sister, Dorcas Macky, married William's younger brother, James Scott Maclaurin six years later.

• Elizabeth (Bessie) Macky Maclaurin b. 3rd January 1888 who married Bertrand C (Kenneth) Watkins on 13th October 1915. Bertrand was an artist. Bessie and Kenneth had one daughter. Bertrand died on 27th January 1970 and Bessie on 19th January 1973.

• Robert William Maclaurin b. 26th May 1899 who married Edith Gwendoline Jessie Creach on 26th November 1947. Robert was an architect. Robert and Edith had one daughter. Robert died on 24th February 1966. Edith subsequently married Robert's cousin Sir William Goodfellow (son of William Goodfellow and Jane Maclaurin) in Auckland on 1st June 1971.

• James Spence Maclaurin b. 12th November 1893 and died on 7th March 1932.

• Wilfred Maclaurin b. 22nd October 1897 who married and had family. Wilfred died on 21st March 1947.

• Catherine Anne (Nancy) Maclaurin b. 16th June 1906 who married John Dow Williams on 30th March 1932. The had family. John died on 27th July 1975 and Nancy on 24th April 1987.

William was a farmer. He and Cassie were at Mangatunam, near Gisborne, New Zealand and subsequently Hexton. He died on 16th May 1933 and Cassie on 9th November 1948, both in Paterangi.