I am upgrading from a Macbook 3,1 running Snow Leopard (single user) to a Macbook Pro that has Yosemite. The new machine just has the system on it and a new user account that I set up but no other files.
Can I reinstall or transfer the Home Folder from the old machine using a Time machine backup even though it was 'created' in Snow Leopard?
Any thoughts appreciated?

I believe you can do that with either Time Machine or Migration Assistant.

In order for you to be painlessly successful, though, your new account should have the exact same name as your old account.

Whether you are copying from a Time Machine backup or the original computer the tool to use is Migration Assistant and amen to artie505's comment about the account name.

Ok thanks for that