Sutherland People

Mackay Family in Acheilidh & Laid, Rogart

2010-01-11T13:13:00.001Z

The above photograph shows the old Mackay family croft at

Acheilidh, Rogart.

JOHN MACKAY [1799-7/4/1875] married CHRISTINA SUTHERLAND [1795-23/11/1857]
John, a tenant in Achillie (Acheilidh/Achvellie) Rogart, son of Donald Mackay and Margaret Sutherland married Christina (Christian) daughter of Hugh Sutherland and Mary Macleod.
In 1834 John Mackay in Achvellie paid two shillings and sixpence to fund for the building of the Duke of Sutherland’s monument.
In 1841 John, a tenant, Christian and their children were living at Achevely.
In 1851, still at Achevely, John was a lotter of 6 acres.
In 1857 John Mackay died at Astall, his usual residence was given as Achillie.
In 1861 Christina, a widow and farming 9 acres was at Achillie with three sons and a three year old grandson, William Mackay.
In 1871 they were all still at Achillie except for grandson William. Now they had a grandson, Daniel, aged 12 with them.
In 1875 Christina died at Achillie (DC).
In 1881 their son Murdoch and his wife, Ann Munro had taken over the croft.
John and Christina are buried in St Callan's Churchyard, Rogart ((RO-B38).
They had the following children:
JOHN MACKAY born 7th March 1820 Rogart (IGI) [died 5 April 1902 Balloan, Lairg aged 78 years] [married Johan Matheson] – 1841 census with parents
DONALD MACKAY born 25th December 1822 Rogart (IGI) [died 13th July 1883 Laid, Little Rogart] [married Henrietta Matheson – see below] (DC) – signed father’s death certificate in 1857 with his x mark
MARY ANN MACKAY born 25th March 1826 Rogart (IGI) [died 1918] [married James Todd, (born 1830 died 1891) in Australia] – 1841 census with parents – in 1852 Mary Ann left Rogart with her brother James for Australia - Mary Ann found employment and after several jobs became engaged to James Todd, a grazier and settled in Geelong - they reared a family of ten, six daughters and four sons
HUGH MACKAY born 28 March 1828 Rogart (IGI) [died 24 March 1875, general labourer, bachelor at Achaillie – brother Murdoch signed the death certificate] (DC) – 1841 census with parents – 1851 census with parents, a weaver - 1861 census with widowed mother, stone blaster – 1871 census with mother
JAMES MACKAY born 1st November 1830 Rogart (IGI) [died 1904 New Zealand] [married Jane Gillanders, (born 1839 died 1916) in New Zealand] – 1851 census with parents - in 1852 left Rogart for Australia - not finding Australia to his liking, continued on to New Zealand where he landed in Wellington in 1856 - he then moved to Christchurch where he settled and eventually bought land at Longbush in the neighbourhood of the Canterbury Settlement - he married and raised a family of twelve, seven sons and five daughters
ANGUS MACKAY born circa 1832 [died 1919] [married Miss Helm – lived in New Zealand] – 1841 census with parents – 1851 census with parents
WILLIAM MACKAY born 11th November 1834 Rogart (IGI) – may have died young – not shown on any census
MURDOCH MACKAY born 21st April 1837 Rogart (IGI) [died 1893 Achillie] [married Ann Munro] – 1841 census with parents – 1851 census with parents - 1861 census with widowed mother, woollen weaver – 1871 census with mother – signed mother’s death certificate in 1875 – also signed brother Hugh’s death certificate just two weeks before his mother died – Murdoch took over the croft on his mother’s death
ALEXANDER MACKAY born 8th October 1839 Rogart (IGI) [died 22nd September 1918 Achillie, crofter, single, Angus Mackay, nephew, signed death certificate] (DC) – 1841 census with parents – 1851 census with parents - 1861 census with widowed mother, ploughman – 1871 census with mother

The Mackay Family at Laid, Little Rogart:
DONALD MACKAY [c1822-13/7/1883] married HENRIETTA MATHESON [c1823-5/7/1886]
Donald was born in Rogart, son of John Mackay, lotter, and Christina Sutherland – see above (DC).
Henrietta (Hennie) was born in Lairg, daughter of Robert Matheson and Ann Ross.
Donald and Henrietta married in Pitfour, Rogart, on 28 December 1849 (OPR).
In 1851 Donald and Hennie were at Little Rogart (Laid) with baby Christy, who was one month old. Donald was an agricultural labourer working for Donald Munro.
In 1861 Donald, a farmer of 7 acres, and Henrietta were at Laid, Rogart. Aunt Henrietta Munro, a pensioner's wife was also living with them.
In 1871 and 1881 Donald was a flesher and farmer of 6 acres at Laid.
Donald died at Laid, Little Rogart, in 1883. He was recorded as a lotter and a flesher (butcher) on his death certificate. Henrietta died in 1886 at Little Rogart. This family are buried in Rogart (RO-B36).
They had the following children:
CHRISTINA MACKAY (Christy) born 1st September 1850 Lead, Rogart (FCR) [died 30th November 1878 at Laid, aged 28 – buried with parents] - 1851 census with parents – 1861 census with parents – 1871 census with parents, general domestic servant
ROBERT MACKAY born 9th December 1851 Little Rogart (FCR) [died aged 30 South Australia] – 1861 census with parents
JOHN MACKAY born 2 November 1853 Lead, Rogart (IGI) [died 1929 Invercargill, New Zealand - emigrated to New Zealand 1874] – 1861 census with parents – 1871 census with parents, farm servant
DONALD MACKAY born 29 September 1855 Rogart (IGI) [died 23 February 1878 at Laid – apprentice blacksmith – single] (DC)
WILLIAM MACKAY born 24 February 1858 Rogart (IGI) [died 4 July 1879, clerk in seed warehouse, single] – 1871 census with parents, herd boy – signed sister Ann’s death certificate in 1871 and Christina’s in 1878
JAMES MACKAY, born 5 March 1860 Rogart (IGI) [died 15th April 1882 Laid, Rogart – farm servant, single] (DC) – 1861 census with parents – 1871 & 1881 census with parents
ALEXANDER MACKAY born 15 May 1864 Lead, Rogart (IGI) – 1871 census with parents, scholar – 1881 census with parents – signed brother James’s death certificate in 1882 – signed father’s death certificate in 1883 – signed mother’s death certificate in 1886 - following the death of his parents Alexander with siblings Henrietta and Hugh, sailed for New Zealand in the ship, Rhapehu, and landed in New Zealand in 1887 to join their brother John, who had settled in West Otago
HENRIETTA MACKAY born 13 November 1866 Lead, Rogart (IGI) - emigrated to New Zealand 1888 – 1871 & 1881 census with parents - following the death of their parents Henrietta sailed for New Zealand with her brothers Hugh and Alexander in the ship, Rhapehu, and landed in New Zealand in 1887 to join their brother John, who had settled in West Otago
MURDOCH MACKAY born 3 November 1868 [died 5 June 1883 Laid, Rogart, brother Alexander signed death certificate] (DC) – 1871 & 81 census with parents
ANN MACKAY born 17 February 1871 Lead, Rogart (IGI) [died 7 March 1871 aged 18 days – brother William Mackay signed the death certificate] (DC)
HUGH MACKAY born 11 June 1872 Lead, Rogart (IGI) – 1881 census with parents - following the death of their parents Hugh with siblings sailed for New Zealand in the ship, Rhapehu, and landed in New Zealand in 1887 to join their brother John, who had settled in West Otago

Mary Bunting, New Zealand, and her sister Judy Diamond, are researching this family.
Carolyn Potter, USA, and Annette Jarrold, Timaru, New Zealand are also researching. Thankyou to Annette for the photograph of Laid croft which she took in 1975 and thanks to her brother for the photograph of Acheilidh croft house which he took in 1984.

If you would like to make contact with the researchers please email me.

Sutherland House, Inchcape, Rogart

2009-09-05T21:24:00.004+01:00

Following on to our article on Inchcape, Rogart, I have received this photograph of the original old Sutherland home at Inchcape from Canada.

Angus Sutherland wrote:
"The James Sutherland you mentioned who had a stone house was my great grandfather, or possibly another 'great' or two in there. There were several James's in my family.
My wife and I were at Inchcape two years ago (we live in Canada) and visited my relative (a much younger cousin to my grandfather, who came to Canada in 1911). The photos attached include the house she lives in (right beside the chalets, which were built, I believe, by her nephew) and 'the old house', (photo above) apparently the place where my grandfather and previous generations were born and raised.
A family tradition says that the same James mentioned above was approached by the factor and told to leave, but he hauled the factor off his horse and told him in no uncertain terms (possibly with a beating) that he had better not show his face around there again. The note that he had a stone house (the one photographed, I am told) was made by the factor as a way of explaining why he had not removed James Sutherland.

My grandfather, Angus Sutherland, was born in 1886 at Inchcape, but was raised in part at Bonarbridge, came here in 1911 and fathered a family of four, not including a still-birth. Those four have between them 16 children and quite a few grandchildren, with a couple of great-grandchildren now. Three of the four still live, aged 86, 84 (my father), and 75. A cousin of mine is working hard on a family tree and is in touch with other relatives still in Scotland or in England. Your website encouraged me to write about my fascination with Inchcape".

Thank you Angus for writing in.

Peter & Elizabeth MURRAY on ROGART MOUNTAIN

2009-03-22T12:12:00.004Z

PETER MURRAY [1778-1875] married ELIZABETH MURRAY [1/12/1795-1898]

Peter (Patrick) at Dalfeasaig, Rogart, is a son of John Murray and his wife Janet of Rogart.
Elizabeth (Elspat) of Rhiske, Kildonan, is a daughter of Alexander Murray and Chirstina Sutherland.

The marriage took place in Kildonan on 3rd November 1814. The Reverend Sage officiated (OPR).

Peter and Elizabeth spent the first years of their marriage in Kildonan before leaving for Nova Scotia in 1819. Whyte’s directory records Peter working as a farmer in Earltown, Colchester County in 1820 (WHY10063). It is known that they settled west of Earltown Village overlooking the community. Peter was a bonesetter and his descendants are known by the nickname ‘bonesetter’.

They had the following children:
JOHN MURRAY, born 6 May 1816 Rhiske, Kildonan (OPR)
ALEXANDER MURRAY, born 15 May 1817 Rhiske, Kildonan (OPR) [died 1890 Nova Scotia] [married Christina Murray]
CHRISTY MURRAY, born 1821 Nova Scotia [married Alexander Mackay]
JANET MURRAY, born ? [died infant] (GM/NS)
JOHN MURRAY, born 1826 [died 1917 bachelor]
DONALD MURRAY, born 1828 [married Jane Sutherland]
ELLEN MURRAY, born 1831 [died 1908] [married John Sutherland]
ANGUS MURRAY, born 1832 [died infant]
male child, born 1834 [died infant]
WILLIAM MURRAY, born 1835 [died 1862]
ROBERT MURRAY, born 1837 [died 1906] [married Lydia Mackay]

See also Rogart Mountain on our main website
above photograph by Glen Matheson
(ref EM0011)

GRIEVE in Ross and Cromarty

2009-02-24T14:24:00.002Z

Hi everyone

Here's my Sutherland-Ross and Cromarty connection.

My Great Grandmother, Georgina Grieve - was born abt 1821 in Kincardine, parents George Grieve and Phoebe Ross.

Georgina married Colin Ross, a shepherd, born 1810 in Eddrachillis, Sutherland, on 2nd December 1839 in Lairg.

They had 6 children while staying in Lairg, Elspet 1840; Phoebe 1841; Thomas 1843; Hugh 1846 and George 1850. They moved to Kincardine, Ross and Cromarty, and had 3 children Williamina 1853; Dolina 1855 and Donald 1857 born there.

They later moved back to Lairg where they had a son Robert in 1860 then moved yet again to Rogart where their youngest son Malcolm was born in 1864.

Georgina died in 1907 in Lairg and is buried in the parish cemetary.

I imagine they moved around because Colin was a shepherd had to follow the work.

I would love to learn more about the Grieve side of the family and if anyone has anything at all they could add it would be just great.

Margaret Smith, Renfrewshire, Scotland

MUNRO in Ross and Cromarty

2009-02-24T14:22:00.000Z

My interest in this list is for Hugh Munro born at Oldshoremore, Sutherland
Mr Hugh Munro born on 4th April 1870 to James & Mina Munro (m.s. Corbett) is interred in lair number K61 in St Duthus Old Burial Ground, Tain.

Hugh passed away on 10th February 1948. Also interred in the lair are his daughter Jeanie McFarlane Munro, born 23rd December 1896 - died 21st March 1926 aged 26, and his wife Mary Munro (m.s. McCulloch), died lst June 1929.

Hugh and Mary were married on 3 March at Invergordon. Mary was born in Creich, Sutherland. Their daughter Jane (Jeanie) was born in Rossal, Rosskeen.

I wonder what took Hugh away from Sutherland and what his occupation was.

Ann Munro, New Zealand

MACGREGOR in Ross and Cromarty

2009-02-24T14:19:00.001Z

I have listed below the first part of my McGregors from Applecross. I have kept to a more or less direct line to me, that part I will show separateley when I have sorted it.

The first name shown as ALEXANDER MCGREGOR m Flora McLennan has not been proven and is still under discussion. ALEXANDER MCGREGOR married Flora McLennan (she married (2) Henry {Harry} Allison Moore 1870 in Victoria. Australia Reg. 4166. He was the son of William Moore and Catherine Allison. He was born 1845 in York, Yorkshire, England and died 1920 in East Melbourne Victoria Australia at 74 years.

KENNETH McGREGOR, son of Alexander McGregor and Flora McLennan, was born 23rd April 1836 in Applecross Ross & Cromarty, and died 1863 in Victoria Australia, aged 26 years. He married ISABELLA ROBINSON LOCKHART who was born about 1841 in Stirling, Scotland. She died 20th May 1904 in Anderson St. Ballarat East, Victoria Australia. Kenneth and Isabella married on 1st January1857 in Wesleyan Mission House, Church of Scotland, Ballarat, Victoria Australia. Kenneth was a goldminer.

Isabella had arrived in Australia with parents on the "Bride of the Seas" from Liverpool, England 26th May 1854 arriving in Geelong, Victoria 11th August 1854. She was employed by Mrs Brinsmead, Parish of Moolop. 16 pounds for three months. Isabella was buried at the Ballarat New Cemetery C/E BB, Sec2, 47 age 63 years.

Children of Kenneth and Isabella:
1) KENNETH McGREGOR born 1858, died 1858 at 5 months old
2) ALEXANDER McGREGOR born 1859 in Gordon Diggings Victoria Australia. He died 31st May 1935 in Benevolent Asylum, Inmate, Ballarat, Victoria aged 80 years, buried at Ballarat New Cemetery. Area OGNK Sct. ½ Location 5.
3) WILLIAM MCGREGOR, Born 1862 in Ballarat Victoria Australia. Died May 27th 1912 in 424 Jones Street Ultimo, NSW. William was a slaughterman and butcher. He married MARGARET LOGAN HILL 2nd December 1885 in St Bartholomews Church Pyrmont. NSW Australia. Margaret was the daughter of Henry Hill and Jane Craig. She was born 28th October 1864 in 208 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia. She died 21st June 1947 at 82 years.

Electoral Roll 1903-William and Margaret McGregor with Jane Hill (her mother) 139 Harris Street, Pyrmont.
Electoral Roll 1906- John (should be William) Slaughterman, Margaret – Domestic Duties, Stella May - 34 Greek, St. Glebe. Also Jane Hill, Margaret's mother.

WILLIAM MCGREGOR was buried May 28th 1912 in Rookwood Presbyterian Sect. 6D, Plot 8692 with Jane Hill his mother in law. Cause of death, Haemorrhage from wounds inflicted to the throat by himself. Death notice for his wife Margaret: Sydney Morning Herald 22nd June 1947
Burial for Margaret Logan Hill, Rookwood Presbyterian Sect. 6D, Plot 8693 with husband
Albert Griffiths.

Children of William McGregor and Margaret Hill:

1. EVELYN ISABELLA JANE McGREGOR born abt. 1887 Riverstone NSW, died 12th November 1944 at 58 years. She married ALFRED CARLYLE BARDSLEY March 16th 1904 in St Bartholomews Church of England Church, Pyrmont NSW, son of Isaac Bardsley and Mary Hodgson. He was born 1883 in Balmain NSW Australia and died June 6th 1947 in St Vincents Hospital, Darlinghurst as result of an accident when struck by a car when crossing the street age 64 years. He was a tram conductor. Evelyn is buried at Waverley Cemetery with Grandfather Henry Layton Hill.

Death notice: Sydney Morning Herald: BADSLEY: Alfred Carlyle, June 6, 1947 (Result of Accident) at St. Vincents Hospital Darlinghurst NSW Australia. Husband of Eva (Evelyn) Dec. Lill, Nita, George Wally Tom and Phyllis, father in law of Bill, Frank, Arthur Peggy & Ken and Grandfather of Francis, Shirley, Kerrie, Alan, Ronnie and Carole. 64 years. Sydney Morning Herald 7th June 1947: Saturday. BARDSLEY Alfred Carlyle, Friend of Lill, Jo (Mrs Gilbert) and Olive (Mrs. Lassen) are invited to attend the funeral of their brother to Botany Crematorium.

2. STELLA MAY McGREGOR, born abt 1889 in Riverstone NSW
3. VIOLET MARGARET McGREGOR, born abt 1890 died 29th November 1977 in hospital, late of Mascot 88 years.
4. KENNETH LOCKHAR McGREGOR born 1892
5. MYRTLE JANE McGREGOR born 1893, died 13th February 1981

If anyone can relate to the above in any way I have more information re branches & twigs.

The above takes the information to my maternal grandparent Alfred Carlyle Bardsley and grandmother Evelyn Isabella Jane McGregor.

Prepared by my 3rd cousin Jan Bevan and researched by both of us.
Details published with her permission.

Paddy Walsh, Sydney, Australia

GRAHAM in Ross & Cromarty

2009-02-24T14:16:00.000Z

Some of my Ross and Cromarty interests are the family of my GGGG Grandfather:
Finlay GRAHAM, born circa 1781 and Isabel McCULLOCH, born circa 1786. Finlay was a Kirk Officer in Balblair, Creich, Sutherland.
They had the following children:
Simon GRAHAM born 1798 - married 18 Dec 1829, Logie-Easter, Ross and Cromarty to Ann ROSS (1807-1861)
Ann GRAHAM born 1799
Isobel GRAHAM born 1802
Eppy (Elspet) GRAHAM born 1804
William Simson GRAHAM born 1806
Catharine GRAHAM born c1811 died 1886 married 25 Jun 1833, Fearn, Ross and Cromarty to Duncan URQUHART born 1796 died 1863
Alexander GRAHAM born 1811 died 1867 married 16 Dec 1837, Fearn, Ross and Cromarty to Catherine FORBES (born c1812)
Andrew GRAHAM born 1811 died 1858 married 11 Feb 1834, Kilmuir-Easter, Ross and Cromarty to Isabella ROSS
Janet GRAHAM born 1813
Hoping there are some connections on the list who can help fill the gaps!
cheers
Shona Mackay
Wellington New Zealand

MACKAYS of Craggan, Inchcape, Rogart

2008-10-02T11:44:00.001+01:00

The first official record I have of my Mackay ancestors at Craggan, Inchcape is the birth of Ann Mackay on 5th August 1832 at Inischape to Robert Mackay and Mary Mackay.

Robert and Mary Mackay were my great, great grandparents. Robert was born about 1776 in Rogart maybe at Inchcape but I have no proof of this. His wife Mary was born at Muie, Rogart daughter of William Mackay and Jane Ross.

On 25th March 1794, aged 18 or over, Robert joined the Sutherland Fencibles. He served with the Fencibles until 27th September 1799, then the following day he joined the 93rd Regiment of Foot later to become the Sutherland Highlanders. In 1805 at the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, Robert suffered a pulmonic complaint which rendered him unfit for further service. However he was not discharged from the 93rd until 9th March 1815.

Robert’s discharge papers in 1815 state that he was a Private and was born in the Parish of Rogart in or near the town of Dornoch. He was said to be 39 years of age, 5 foot 6 inches in height with dark hair, dark complexion and hazel eyes. He was a labourer by trade.

No doubt Robert came back to Rogart probably to Inchcape. The marriage of Robert to Mary Mackay is not registered. After the birth of Ann they had two more children at Inchcape – William born 18th January 1834 (my great grandfather) and Neil born 27th December 1841.

In 1841 Robert is recorded with his wife Mary, daughter Ann and son William at Inchcape but by 1851 Mary is recorded as a widow. Research at The Public Record Office, Kew, London gave Robert’s date of death as 12th May 1846. As he died before 1855 when official registration of births, marriages and deaths began I do not know the names of his parents.

In the 1809 Militia List for Rogart is a Robert Mackay, tenant at Incheap(Inchcape) In the 1812 Statute List for Rogart there is a Robert Mackay, widower, registered at Inchcape – is this my Robert or maybe his father? There is no Robert Mackay listed at Inchcape in the 1824 Militia list.

After her husband’s death Mary continued to croft her few acres at Inchcape until 1864 when my great grandfather, William Mackay married Alexanderina(Lexie) Murray from Fleuchary, Dornoch. Lexie was the daughter of Robert Murray and Margaret Gray. Lexie’s aunt Helen Gray, who was married to Gilbert Gunn, had moved to Inchcape from Fourpenny, Dornoch. Is this how Lexie and William came to meet? In 1861 William was working as a ploughman for Thomas Barclay in Dornoch so maybe that is when they met. I wish I knew!!

After their marriage at the Poles, Dornoch where Lexie’s uncle William Gray owned an inn, William took over the running of the croft at Inchcape. William and Lexie had 10 children, five boys and five girls all of whom lived to adulthood.

My great, great, grandmother, Mary Mackay died at Inchcape on 1st March 1877.

For the last 14 years of his life William was paralysed. I have been told by a current resident of Inchcape that this was caused by his carrying a very heavy sack of meal on his back up the hill to Craggan. There was no road to the croft which is high up on the hill above Dalmore. The croft house was very small with only three rooms. I have been told by the same resident that there was a hook on the ceiling and William was able to pull himself up in bed with ropes attached to this hook.

William died on 12th July 1911 at Inchcape. Hiis death was recorded in The Northern Times as the beloved husband of Alexanderina Murray. This short obituary was also written about him in the local paper.

The death took place at Inchape, Rogart, on the 12th inst., of William Mackay, at the age of 76 years, who for a period of 14 years was confined to bed through bodily infirmity. During his younger days he followed the occupation of farm work, and was considered one of the formest(sic) ploughmen within a wide range, always receiving the premier place wherever he competed. For several years, and during the working of the granite quarry at Dalmore, he was employed there, being an excellent and capable workman. Although confined to bed for such a long period, he being of a cheery disposition, bore his infirmity with great resignation. A large concourse of people assembled at the funeral, showing the sympathy of the district to be united for the widow and large family whom he has left to mourn his loss.

Lexie lived on at Craggan with some of her children until she died there aged 82 years from acute bronchitis on 1st December 1917.

Sheila Mackay
Edinburgh

Lost in Saskatchewan!

2008-09-09T19:52:00.004+01:00

My grandmother's brother, Donald Munro born 1877 in Urquhart, Ross-shire to Hughina Munro (1852-1951) and William Munro (1844-1894) was helping his father, William, and was out on the links (now Golspie Golf Course) checking the sheep. It is said that Donald sent the two sheep dogs home and left Golspie on a coal boat that was docked at Little Ferry. Donald seemingly ended up in Saskatchewan, Canada, however, no definitive records have been found to confirm this. The only evidence that he may have been in Melfort, Saskatchewan was from his brother Duncan's obituary from 1947. The most annoying thing is that I lived in Edmonton, Alberta for 13 years, but had no interest in family history then, although my mother always told me we had relatives in Saskatchewan!!!!!!! He is one of my "must find more information" relatives.

Do you know what happened to William Munro? Any help most welcome.
Shirley, Golspie

Murray & Munro in Dornoch & Renton

2008-03-14T22:09:00.004Z

My MURRAY and MUNRO interests:

John Murray married Margaret Murray (OPR marriage registered Feb 4, 1805) at Dornoch.
They had the following children:
John (1798); Margaret (1805); Mary (1807); William (1809); Donald (1811); Girzel (1813); Robert (1820); Catherine (1822) -married James Fraser of Kirkcaldy, Fife - they ended up in Renton, Dumbarton/Cardross near Glasgow; and my line: Hugh (1825)

Hugh married Euphemia Munro - daughter of Donald Munro & Janet MacPherson of Dornoch Parish - Donald was a stone mason.
Hugh & Effie married March 6, 1860 - Hugh's father was listed as deceased but mother still living. Hugh and Effie left the Highlands after their marriage and went to Renton, Dumbarton/Cardcross. Hugh went to work at the dye works - one company name was "T R Printworks" also referred to as "T R Dyeworks". They raised their children there.

Hugh & Effie's children were: Margaret (Maggie) (1862) - married William Cunningham.
Donald (1864) married Margaret Sim - no children then after her early death married Mary Henderson
Jessie (1867 - 1885)
John (1869) my grandfather - came to Canada and married Mary Helena Maguire
Hughina (1873) married Robert Colquhoun - came to Canada in 1910 with their family

Heather Murray
Saskatoon, SK
Canada

Macrae & Macpherson in Assynt

2007-09-01T16:05:00.001+01:00

My G/G/Grandmother was a Janet Macrae, born 1823 at Assynt, daughter of John Macrae and Isabella Macrae or Macrae. Janet was married to a Hugh MacPherson from Ardmore and she died on 6th September 1899 at Ardmore. In the 1851 census, Janet is shown living with an Alexander and Chirsty Sinclair (both born in Assynt) at Ardmore. She was their niece. A Duncan Macrae 19 years, a nephew of the Sinclairs was also living at Ardmore in the same house. I know that there were another family of Macrae in Ardmore at the same time but I am not sure what the relationship was between Janet and them.

Thanks for any information

Hector Macrae

Bonar Bridge, Sutherland

CAMPBELL, MACKAY, ROSS in Eddrachillis

2007-08-30T07:28:00.001+01:00

My Campbell line goes back to the mid 1700's through John Campbell who married Catherine McLeod. John was a Tenant, though I do not know where, and I do not have any Birth Marriage Death dates for him. However his son James Campbell was born in Grubmore, Farr 1772, died 19.4.1860, Achriesgill, Eddrachillis and was a Sheriff Officer. James married Catherine McIntosh (1786 - 10.5.1868, Achriesgill) and they had seven children that I know of, Ann, Johana, Janet, John, Heny/Henrietta, William and Eric.

William, my G-G-Grandfather, was born 1822 in Strathmore, Durness and died 14.9.1879 in Achriesgill, William was a Shoemaker. William married Hughina McKay (1827, Durness - 18.10.1883, Achriesgill) and they had five children that I know of, John, Hugh, Alexandrina/Lexy, Angus and James. Hugh was my Great Grandfather, born 15.9.1855 in Achriesgill, died 20.8.1934, Achriesgill, and he was a Fisherman. Hugh married Williamina Ross (2.8.1856, Achriesgill - 11.3.1928) and they had 4 children, Hughina, Jamima/Jemima, John and Norman. John was my Grandfather, born 10.5.1890 in Achriesgill, died 12.3.1946, and he was a Crofter, John married Bessie McKay (4.7.1891, Polin - 8.3.1966, Achlyness) and they had 6 children - photograph above shows John and Bessie on their wedding day - Williamina/Winnie, Lena, William Angus, Nora, Una and Cathel. John and Bessie settled in Blairmore, Bessie died at her daughter's home in Achlyness.

The McKay line to my Nan, Bessie, goes back to Roderick McKay, who married Barbara McKay. Their son John McKay was born in 1812, and died 27.10.1895, Polin. My G-G-Grandfather John married Henrietta McKay (1816 - 4.4.1892, Polin, parents William McKay and Catherine McKay) and they had 6 children that I know about, William, Barbara, Catherine, Barbara, Christina and Williamina. William was my G-Grandfather, born 1851, died 30.30.1900 in a tragic fishing accident when he, along with two of his sons and a nephew, all drowned in Shegra Bay. William married Mary McLeod and had 9 children, Hugh, Catherine, Barbara, Mary Ann/Marion, Hugh, Christina, Bessie, William Hugh and John. The latter two sons drowned with their father.

The Ross line comes in with a brother and sister marrying a brother and sister. Alexandrina/Lexy Campbell married Lachlan Ross, and Williamina Ross married Hugh Campbell, my G-Grandparents. This line starts Robert Ross, born 1771 and Janet McLeod, born 1775. They had 7 children, Hector, Angus, George, Angus, John, Lucy and Jane. My G-G-Grandfather was John Ross, born 1809, Eddrachillis and died 18.11.1891, Achriesgill, he was a Crofter. John married Mary Ross (1811, Assynt - 28.7.1881, Achriesgill), and they had 6 children that I know of, Lachlan, Janet, Hugh, Margaret, Williamina and Samuel.

Marie Hembrow

SUTHERLAND, GUNN in Kildonan

2007-08-29T18:51:00.001+01:00

My main Sutherland interest is to trace the parents and history of William Gunn Sutherland born 11th September 1822 in Achintoul Kildonan.
He was married in the Lybster Free Church in 1855, his wife Robertina Gair Mcleod was born 1825 in Roster Caithness.
We know that after their marriage William and Robertina lived in the Latheron area and that William had moved to Glasgow by 1891 after Robertina's death.

Our knowledge of William’s parents is limited. We think they are the James Sutherland and Christian Gunn who were married on the 6th December 1809 in Kildonan.
It says James was from Auchintoul and Christian from Balnavaliach

They had two other children
Margaret Sutherland born 1/4/1811 Achintoul, Kildonan
Donald Sutherland born 11/7/1815 Kildonan

I would be interested in any information about their Sutherland and Gunn families in the Kildonan area.
Les Pearce
Badnaban
Sutherland

GRAY in Golspie

2007-08-27T14:10:00.001+01:00

This photo, believed taken in Golpie about 1895, shows Elizabeth Gray (seated) 1833-1917.
I believe the girl to her right is her grand-daughter Lizzie, whom she spoke of in her letters to the States. Can anyone identify the others in the picture?

Elizabeth was the daughter of Hugh Gray (1781-1872) and Elizabeth Bannerman (1801-1880). Elizabeth married Alexander Sutherland (1840-1893) and had a daughter Jane (1864 - 1951). Jane married Alexander MacDonald (1864-1899) in 1886 and they came to the states shortly after to join the Gray's and MacKay's that settled in Minnesota, USA.

Thank you,
Beth Hunter

U.S.A.

Sutherlands of Clyne, Pronsie etc.

2007-08-27T13:58:00.001+01:00

I am interested in finding out:

1. the paternal origins of my earliest known ancestor Adam Gordon of Griamachary (c.1750-1831), who is believed to be descended from the Gordons of Carroll - but how? Adam's father seems likely to have been the John Gordon who was in Dallagan at least 1750-66 but the latter's father is unknown. There is understood to have been some degree of cousinship with the Gordons of Breacachy and Achnamoine who are descended from the Gordons of Carroll.

2. the maternal origins of Adam Gordon, who is said to have been a nephew of Charles Gordon of Pulrossie (c1719-90) - the link, I would argue, being through a hypothetical sister Marjory of the latter who would thus have been Adam's mother. Adam's 2nd daughter was called Marjory, who one would expect to have been called after her father's mother.The names Charles and Marjory could have come from Charles Mackay of Sandwood (Charles of Pulrossie's hypothetical maternal grandfather) and Charles Mackay's mother Marjory Sinclair.

3. the paternal origins of Besey Sutherland (c.1755-1837 - Adam's wife), whose father (Adam of Kintraid) and grandfather (Donald of Torbreck) are sufficiently certain but I know nothing beyond that or how she connects with the Sutherlands of Clyne or other leading Sutherland branches.

4. My Adam Gordon's connection with the McBeaths of Tomich/Dallagan. John McBeath from there married a Jean Gordon (with children from at least 1792) and my Adam Gordon stood caution for a John McBeath when the latter was had up for dangerously beating Morison Gunn, son of George Gunn in Dallagan. A much younger John McBeath was also living with Adam Gordon's brother-in-law Gustavus Sutherland for some years up to 1820. This fact and the caution make a relationship between Adam and McBeaths very likely.

With best wishes
Alastair Gordon
London, England

MATHESON, MACKENZIE in Dornoch

2007-08-26T22:39:00.001+01:00

I am researching the family of John MATHESON (crofter) and Isabella McKENZIE of Evelix, Dornoch.
Isabella (Isobel) MATHESON born 1787. Baptism 1 March 1787 - born Skelbo, Dornoch. Looking for more information.
John MATHESON born 1789. Baptism 13 July 1789 in Skelbo, Dornoch. Possibly married Ann McKENZIE 12.1.1811, in Dornoch.
Children :
Ann born 4.11.1821 Dornoch
Alexander born 3.4.1818 Dornoch
Other children born to John and Isabella MATHESON:
Margaret c 1782 married Alexander McKAY and had 6 children (Anne, John, Angus, Lilias, Margaret, George)
Anne MATHESON born 6.11.1784 married Lachlin SUTHERLAND s/o Alexander Sutherland and Lillie McIntosh. They had 10 known children (Isabella, Lilly(12.7.1809) , Alex, John, Ann, George, Lachlin( 24.9.1823), Margaret, Muina (20.5.1830), Willina, (20. 5.1830) all born Dornoch.
This family left Scotland for Zorra Township, Ontario, Canada before 1835. (This information from Lynn Munro, Ontario, Scotland)
Alexander MATHESON c 1796 married Marian/Merran MURRAY of Embo, Dornoch (daughter of John MURRAY and Jane MACKAY (19.5.1827). They had 7 children (John (15.8.1828) Thomas(17.2. 1830) Isabel (15.10.1832) Donald (25.11.1835) Alexander (17.11.1836) Betty (14.4.1839), Jean/Jane (10.12.1841);THOMAS married Catherine MURRAY, daughter of Angus MURRAY and Elizabeth (Bessy) MUNRO 15.10.1857 in Dornoch. They emigrated to Dunedin, New Zealand on 28.10.1857 departing from London on the "Palmyra".
Any information would be much appreciated. In particular there is a big gap in the children - ie from Margaret c1782, Ann 1784, Isobel 1787, John 1789 and then 7 years until Alexander in 1796 - wondered if there could be a possibility of there being more children in that 7 year period. Any information most welcome.
Thanks
Zelda Matheson,
Dunedin
New Zealand

FRASER in Eddrachillis

2007-08-21T07:40:00.001+01:00

WILLIAM AND HUGH FRASER
I am trying to find out what happened to two of my great grandfather' s brothers. William was born in 1838/9 in Kinlochbervie, Eddrachillis. In the 1841 census his family are living at Portlevorchy, he is then aged 2. He is still there in the 1851 census. In the 1861 census he is then at Oldshorebeg, Eddrachillis. And from then on he vanishes. I think he has emigrated to either Canada or New Zealand as he had a nephew who emigrate to Dunedin, New Zealand in 1924 (Sandy Fraser 1893-1951) and a niece Catherine, born 1885, who married a Roderick MacKay in Glasgow. They emigrated to Fort William (Thunder Bay) Canada. When, I don't know.

Hugh follows the same path except for age and the fact he appears in the 1871 census aged 29 and still at Oldshorebeg. In 1841 he is 6 months old making his birth date 1840/1.

Their parents were Murdo Fraser 1803-1876 born and died Kinlochbervie and ALexandrina (Lexy) MacKay 1814-1900 born in Lairg and died at Kinlochbervie. Her family were first cleared from Shinness area of Lairg to Altnaharra and further cleared to Kinlochbervie.

Hugh and William had two sisters; Mary 1843-1934 and Johan 1846-1900 and one brother Robert 1848-1920. There is no trace of these two brothers in scotlandspeople. gov.uk or any IGI search I have done.

If anyone has information on these guys I'd be very grateful.

Andy Ross

MACKAY, SUTHERLAND, MURRAY in Kildonan

2007-08-19T09:29:00.002+01:00

My main Sutherland interests are the families of two brothers, John and William MACKAY of Kildonan, sons of John MACKAY and Catherine SUTHERLAND. I would like to identify other siblings if there were any.

John MACKAY and JANET MURRAY: My line descends from John MACKAY who married Janet MURRAY in Tuarie (or Tuaraidh) , Kildonan in 1805. Janet's parentage comes from the following excerpt taken from 'Memorabilia Domestica' p. 99. I have little info on this MURRAY/CORBET family. Can anyone help?

“A family named Murray, lived at the place of Tuaraidh, Kildonan. The head of the family was Alexander (Alister) Murray, one of Captain Baigrie’s sub-tenants, as indeed he had been of his predecessor, Major Sutherland of Midgarty, who held Tuaraidh as a Highland pendicle to Midgarty. Murray’s wife was a sister of Barbara Corbet, my nurse...”.

John and Janet seem to have been uprooted repeatedly as their first seven children were born in Preschon (John 1806, Janet 1807), Achrintle (Alexander 1809, William 1811, Barbara 1812), Learable (James 1813) and Achentoul (Donald 1816) before the 1819 Clearances. At that time they settled in the township of Roster in Latheron Parish, Caithness and had two more sons, Robert in 1820 and Andrew in 1822.

son Alexander m. Catherine McLEOD and died in Latheron
son William emigrated to Canada before 1853, settled in Renfrew, Ontario, m. Johannah CAMERON and became a successful merchant and lumber dealer. The following, taken from William's obituary in the John O'Groats Journal in 1902, gives a brief description of the families plight in the Clearances:
"While the father was away looking for a place in which to settle, their house, along with all their other buildings, was burnt by the servants of the Duchess of Sutherland, and the only shelter was that of a potato pit over which they stretched their blankets, etc."
-daughter Barbara m. Thomas BANNERMAN in 1835 and remained in Sutherland. All but one of their ten offspring emigrated to Canada, eventually settling in Alberta and British Columbia
-son Donald m. Catherine McDonald, had at least two children and remained in Caithness
-son Robert MACKAY (my gggrandfather) m. Janet MCBEATH in Lybster, Caithness in 1852. Janet, born in Halkirk, Caithness was the daughter of Donald MCBEATH and Christina SUTHERLAND. Robert & Janet had four children: Robert, Donald, Alexander and Janet. This last Robert jr.(b.1853), my ggrandfather, m. Agnes LUNN of Camster, Latheron, daughter of Roxburgh shepherd, John LUNN and Mary LIANG. They emigrated to Canada in 1882 and settled near Hawkesbury, Ontario where Robert worked as a stonemason. They had two sons before Agnes died in 1884 following the birth of my grandfather, John Lunn MACKAY. Robert was the only one of his siblings to emigrate.
William MACKAY and Ann MATHIESON: married in Kildonan in 1796 and had 10 children, all but the last born in Ascaig. These were Elizabeth, John, Ann, Euphemia, Catherine, Henrietta, Hugh, Joseph, Edward and Donald (b. Achentoul, 1815). The youngest three emigrated to Montreal and did very well in the wholesale drygoods business, becoming wealthy merchants and philanthropists. Three of their nephews, Hugh, James and Robert MACKAY (sons of their sister Euphemia and her husband Angus MACKAY) went to Montreal to complete their education and enter the family business. Robert MACKAY became Senator MACKAY in 1901 and his daughter, Cairine Reay Mackay WILSON, was Canada's first woman senator.
There is more info on these families on my Tribal Pages website: http://www.ajmaceye.tribalpages.com/
Allison MacKay
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
(ref EM0012)

SUTHERLAND, MACLEOD, ANDERSON in Clyne

2007-08-19T09:21:00.001+01:00

My main interests are descendants of

1.William SUTHERLAND and Ann McLEOD of Ballenladen, Strath Brora, Clyne. (They were evicted from there to Badnellan and West Clynelish -possibly via Ladies Loch.) no dates but earliest recorded child George born 1766

2.William ANDERSON and ANN SUTHERLAND of Badnellan. Oldest child Ann born 1794 (several in group related to this family)

3. ALEXANDER McLEOD and Janet GORDON of Badnellan a son Alexander born c 1781

4. Any families from the eviction townships in Strathbrora.

Most of this interest is confined to Clyne as my lot stayed very local or went to all the way to Canada/USA

Grant Forsyth
Fife, Scotland

MACPHERSON in Ballon, Golspie

2007-08-15T07:21:00.001+01:00

I am looking for are the MacPherson family. George MacPherson married Katherine Sutherland in 1751. He was from Ballon, Golspie. She was was from Sallach, Golspie. She was obviously local, but where did he come from. Could he be one of the MacPhersons who came from the far north of the county. I am also interested in what his occupation was. Their son Donald born 1762 was my 3xg/grandfather who after he left the Sutherland Fencibles became a farmer in Marykirk near Montrose.
Welcome any information.
Jim Gibb
England

MACBEATH, MACDONALD, GRAY, BANNERMAN, MACKAY, MUNRO

2007-08-13T15:52:00.001+01:00

Donald MACBETH (parents Murdoch MACBETH and Caroline MACDONALD) was born 1818 in Farr, Sutherland, Scotland. He died 6th May 1865 in Alsager, Cheshire, England aged 47 years. Murdoch MACBETH, his father, was born c.1791 and lived in Garve. Murdoch is on the Farr Militia List in 1807 and 1809 as a labourer, under 30. He was later a shoemaker and crofter. His brother James married Margaret Mackay in Langdale. Murdoch MACBETH married Caroline MACDONALD in 1812 in Farr. A census says that Caroline was born 1793 in Strathnaver, Farr (parents Alexander MACDONALD and Jane GRAY). She died in Cattlefield, Farr in 1881. She lived there after the family were cleared more than once. Murdoch died before 1841, Caroline is a widow on the census.

I can find nothing about the parents of Murdoch other than there are two Murdoch Macbeths on the 1811 Farr Census. I think the other one was his father, as Murdoch named his first born son Murdoch also. I do not think that the Macbeths were always in Farr, it is not a common name there. Many of the Macbeth children married Mackays, though Alexanderina married James Grant. I am at a brick wall with Caroline’s parents and Murdoch’s.

Donald MACBETH married Janet GRAY in 1848 in Trentham, they both worked on the estate. They may have been at Dunrobin previously. James Macbeth, Donald’s uncle, also worked on the estate, he was a piper. His son-in- law, John Macbeth, also a piper on the estate at a later date, married James’s daughter Flora. They were both born in Farr. I think that they must be related.

Janet GRAY was the daughter of Hugh GRAY and Elizabeth BANNERMAN, Hugh’s second wife. Janet was born in Golspie Tower in 1820 and died in Cheshire, England in 1889. She is buried with Donald in Alsager. They had six children together but Janet had a illegitimate child in 1846 by John Ross, a gardener in Golspie, named Catherine. They did not marry. I think that this illegitimate birth is why Janet may have come to England. Catherine Ross married William Macdonald in Golspie in 1870 and they emigrated to Minnesota, U.S.A. in 1872. Others brothers and sisters in the Gray family had moved there previously - Maryann Gray who married James Duff, Donald Gray, Christopher Gray and Jane Gray who was married to George Mackay.

Hugh GRAY (parents John GRAY and Margaret MACKAY) was born in Dornoch in 1781. He married Janet COSGRAVE in 1799 in Kirkcudbright when serving in the Sutherland Fencibles. She died in 1818. Hugh and Janet had six children. Grace married John Dempster in Edinburgh in 1826 and they emigrated to Canada between 1832 and 1836. James Gray married Mein Mackay in 1830 and emigrated the same year.

Hugh married Elizabeth BANNERMAN (parents Donald BANNERMAN and Catherine MUNRO) c.1819. I cannot find this marriage, but Elizabeth was born in Clyne 1801 and died in Golspie Tower in 1880. Hugh and Elizabeth had nine children. Duncan Gray emigrated to Sydney, Australia in 1854 on the ship “St. Helena”. The list states that he is from Golspie and a carpenter, like James Gray. I know nothing about Hugh’s parents nor Elizabeth’s parents.

Sylvia Mountford, Staffordshire, England

MATHESON, MACKAY

2007-08-12T22:48:00.001+01:00

I continue searching for Alexander Matheson (b 1806) and married Jean Munro (b about 1811) of Creich. Their children were:

John (b 1831); my ggrandfather who married Ellen Caldow in Ayrshire in 1869.
Margaret (b about 1834)
Angus (b about 1837)
Christy (b about 1841)

I think Alexander's parents may have been John Matheson and Marion McKay of Torboll but I have no prove to substantiate this.

If anyone has information about this family please contact me.

Jan Tighe
U.S.A.

CAMPBELL, MACINTOSH, MORRISON, MACKAY & ROSS

2007-08-12T22:14:00.001+01:00

I am researching children of James Campbell and Catherine McIntosh.
Anne Campbell born 19 May 1811 born in Grummore Farr
Janet Campbell born 7 January 1813 in Grummore Farr married Norman Morrison ( I believe they lived in Laird Durness) she died in 1893 - I am looking for any children they had
Johann Campbell born 6 June 1814 in Grummore Farr
John Campbell born 14 December 1816 Grummore Farr
Henry Campbell (daughter) born 1822 Durness Died 1887
William Campbell born 1823 was my Great Grandfather unable to find a birth certificate

Also I am trying to research children of John McKay or McHuesean born in 1791 married Flora Flory Forbes Sutherland born 1792 at Balamhulich married 22 June 1815

Angus Campbell Born 1863 in Eddrachills married Jemima McDonald on 2 June 1887 at Yorkhill Street Glasgow a police constable - they had
William Campbell born in 1888
James Campbell born in 1889
Jeffrey Campbell born in 1891

My Great Aunt Alexandrina Campbell married Lachlan Ross and had 15 children. I would love to know what happened to them all or some of them and their children: Hughina Ross born 1879, Mary Ross born 1880, Wilimina Ross born 1882, John Ross born 1883, Johan Ross born 1885, Hugh Ross born 1886, Jemima Ross born 1887, Christy Ross born 1889, Catherine Ross born 1890, Lucy Ross born 1891, Catherine McKay Ross, Norman Ross born 1894, Donald Ross born 1896, William Ross born 1898, Lexy Ross born 1900 and Margaret Ross.

Christine Lewis
England

CAMPBELL, MACKAY, DUNLOP & MURRAY

2007-08-12T15:18:00.001+01:00

I was born and grew up in Tongue, Sutherland. My mother was born in Talmine, Melness, I had other relatives who lived in the Durness area. I am at present researching my family tree and hope to find others that are looking for members of the same families - Campbell’s, Mackay’s, Dunlope & Murray’s. My Father was born in South Shields but his mother’s side all came from Latheron, Caithness , some of this family ended up in Dalcharn, Tongue.

Penuel Gordon Grant Campbell b: 1880 Durness m Eric Campbell, Talmine, Melness, Tongue on the 18th July, 1913 at the Established Church of Scotland, Durness. (My Grandparents) Penuel's parents, George Mackay b:1837 Durness (Labourer) & Margaret Burke b:1843? Colinton, Edinburgh. Eric's parents..William Campbell b:1834 Durness & Johan Mackay b:1823 Durness. William's parents..James Campbell b:1806 Ireland & Jane Sutherland b:1811 Tongue, Sutherland.

I would appreciate if anyone has any other information to add.
I now live in Canberra, Australia and I think this is a great site to connect me back with my roots at home in Tongue.

Regards
Isabel Griggs
Canberra, Australia.

MACDONALD in Helmsdale, Kildonan

2007-08-12T13:43:00.002+01:00

I am quite new to genealogy and have quite a bit of patchy information about family. Anyway I have discovered my MacDonalds have may have originated from Helmsdale, Kildonan. My gggrandfather was James Charles MacDonald (McDonald) who was born in Helmsdale in 1843, married Elizabeth Tait. His daughter Mary Ann, who is my great grandmother, was born about 1867 in Aster Shetland Islands. I also have a list of a list 6 generations of names that are father to son only including the males in my side of the family no siblings. I am interested in finding more info on my MacDonalds.They emigrated to Southland New Zealand in 1865.

Jenny Hall

Wellington, New Zealand
(ref EM0013)

MACKAY & NICHOLSON

2007-08-12T11:32:00.002+01:00

The two main family names that I am researching are MACKAY/MCKAY and NICHOLSON.

William MACKAY married Marian SUTHERLAND c1790 and three of their children were Donald James born 7-7-1801 (see below), Elspet born 6-2-1795, both at Golspie and Alexandrina born 7-2-1813 at Rogart. There would probably have been other children that I have not yet found.

Donald NICHOLSON married Mary MACDOUGALL and at some stage were at Culag, Assynt, Scotland. Their daughter Margaret NICHOLSON married Donald James MACKAY in 1823. Margaret died at Rogart, Sutherland in 1869.

Donald James MACKAY/MCKAY was a blacksmith and married Margaret NICHOLSON in Assynt, Scotland in 1823.
Their children were:

Christy MACKAY born 1824 marr. Gavan FOULIE in 1856 at Kildonan,Scotland
Jean MACKAY born 1827
Donald MACKAY born 1829 marr.Janet CAMPBEL(Jessie) in 1856, Rogart
Mary MACKAY born 1831 marr.Alexander PORTER in 1856, Rogart,Suth.
Merran MACKAY born 1833 marr. Donald GRANT in 1857 at Clyne,Scotland.
George Levison Gower MACKAY born C1835 marr.Elizabeth HARDIE in 1858, Old Meldrum.
Elizabeth MACKAY born 1837 and died in 1839.
Williamina MACKAY born 1839 marr. Alexander INGRAM in 1859, Rogart
John MACKAY born 1841 marr. Mary MURRAY IN 1877 at Rogart, Suth.
James Norman Nicholson MACKAY born 1843 in Dornoch, Sutherland ( see below )
Hector Gunn MACKAY born 1845
Malcolm MACKAY born 1847

James Norman Nicholson MACKAY/MCKAY, a blacksmith, born 1843 came to Australia and married Margaret MCKEON in Ipswich, Queensland in 1872.

James and Margaret's children as follows:

Norman Vincent MACKAY married Annie Maria THOMPSON
Catherine MACKAY married sylvester LEWIS
Francis MACKAY
Hector John MACKAY born in Calvert, Queensland married in 1902 at Tallegalla, Queensland to Ellen COLLINGWOOD.
Their son
Hector John MACKAY born 1916 in Calvert, Queensland married to Josephine LAWLOR.

Looking forward to hearing from you re any links you may find to our ancestors and any descendants of their siblings.

Regards
Christine Mackay
TOOWOOMBA. QUEENSLAND
AUSTRALIA. 4350

(ref EM0014)

CAMPBELL, MACKAY, MORRISON, SUTHERLAND, WEIR

2007-08-11T16:51:00.001+01:00

I have been researching my father's maternal side for the last year. My ggg grandfather William Weir was a shepherd from Roxburgh who walked north with a flock of sheep to Durness around 1800. His family married into the Grange Campbells and also the MacKay Chief's of Sutherland. I was fortunate enough to find a cousin in Australia who had researched this line right back to Robert the Bruce. I went to Inverness Library to have this verified by their genealogist and he was thrilled to bits to be able to work on this research, as he had studied the famous MacKays in great depth, saying that I should be honoured to be connected with such "gallant and formidable men".

I am still trying to trace 2 granduncles both born in Assynt. I know that their brother John Spence Weir emigrated to the Falkland Islands in 1875 and then onto Australia in 1879. I got this also from a cousin. I cannot trace Hugh Weir born 1845 and William Weir born 1847. I think they might have emigrated with brother John. I can find them on IGI as born in Assynt and they are mentioned in IGI under South West Pacific in Wellington. Does any one on list know of some of the boats that sailed to New Zealand around 1875-1885.

I am now turning my attention to my father's paternal side. My grandfather John Morrison was born in Badcall Inchard, Eddrachillis, in 1868 and had a brother John Sutherland Morrison born 1870. They were the sons of Murdoch Morrison (who I believe was blind) and Jane Sutherland. Any help gratefully received.

Many thanks to Christine for her wonderful cemetery list. I believe most of Balnakeil Cemetery in Durness is full of my relies.

Muriel Vass

Alness, Ross-shire

MACKAY & MACDONALD

2007-08-11T07:08:00.001+01:00

I have two main families in Sutherland County: MacKay and McDonald.

My first known ancestor in the MacKay family was William MacKay born ca 1789/90 and married Barbara Macpherson b ca 1792 d/o Robert Macpherson tenant in Islandrier who married Janet Calder d/o John Calder. William and Barbara lived at Alt na Calliche in Durness.

William and Barbara were evicted ca 1820 and made their way south to Rogart parish. Their children were: Neil, Robert, Alexander, John, William Barbara and Jesse.

Neil married Marion /Merrion Macdonald of Blarich and they lived at 24 Ardachue, Rogart parish. These are my ancestors. Alexander 1824-1902, married May/Mary Robb 1833-1911, their daughter Barbara who also married a MacKay, George, who was a porter at the Rogart railway station and their family emigrated to Edmonton, Alberta. Their daughter Barbara found me on the internet and now I have additional 'Mackay family' to add to the already rather large lot of people of Sutherland County.

For the McDonald Family, Peter Dillon of New Zealand is active in searching for (and finding) and correcting our past findings. He has a great website devoted to this family...... We still do not know who Ann(e) Ross was that married Angus McDonald sometime in or around 1771 nor Elisabeth Anderson who married their eldest son, Finlay/Phillip b 1774 and begat a rather large family.... The most recent mystery revolves around the baptism of some of the children: of Ann and Angus -- their first is listed as Margaret McDonald McCoirl christened 17 Nov 1771 in Auldebreck, Lairg parish. She died 12 Nov 1856 at Rhianbreck, Lairg and another daughter Catherina (Kett) McDonald or McCoirl was christened on 26 Sept 1787 in Brecklead, Lairg. Then Hugh McDonald or McCoril christened 19 April 1791 in Brecklead and died 23 June 1867 in Nova Scotia, Canada. The rest are plain McDonald. The McCoirl is a big mystery to everyone.....

Any ideas?

For now, best wishes

Florence Pelton Patterson

Stratford, Ontario, Canada

SUTHERLAND, MURRAY in Clyne & Kildonan

2007-08-10T21:37:00.002+01:00

Greetings from New Zealand. I very much value this group as it has facilitated a connection with a descendant of my Helmsdale family who lives in Australia. I have also had a number of important links completed with advice and information from other members. Thank you so much everyone, it gives me a wonderful sense of belonging to this distant place – home of many of my ancestors. I have a deep sense of yearning to visit the places that “my people” walked and am looking forward to visiting Scotland in the near future.

My interests are

William SUTHERLAND born abt. 1768 – Clyne and his wife Anne MURRAY (nothing known)

Their son – Hector SUTHERLAND born 17 Apr 1808, Ardochie, Clyne – died 15 Aug 1887, Helmsdale
Hector’s wife – Jane McGREGOR born abt 1816, Wick – died 29 Mar 1899, Helmsdale

Hector and Jane had 10 children.
My family line is descended from Alexander Sutherland born April 1841 in Helmsdale – died in NZ – has zillions of descendants
He maintained contact with his brother William McGregor Sutherland who died rich and famous in Australia but whose line has died out.

I am very keen to follow the rest of the family and particularly would like to know whether some of this Sutherland line remain in Helmsdale.
Charlotte Sutherland born 11 Jun 1836 in Helmsdale – looking for more details
John Sutherland born 6 Sep 1842 in Helmsdale – looking for more details
Anne Sutherland born 1845 in Helmsdale – unmarried in 1891 so probably died without descendants
Margaret Sutherland born 1851 in Helmsdale – looking for more details
Donald Sutherland born 1853 in Helmsdale – looking for more details
Three of the other siblings died without descendants

Thank you again to all of the members and the wonderful contribution made by Christine Stokes. You’re fantastic!

Christine McDonald
New Zealand

(ref EM0015)

FRASER, MACKAY, MACINTOSH, MURRAY, Dornoch

2007-08-10T11:58:00.001+01:00

I am researching the family of Kenneth and Isabella Fraser of Embo, Dornoch.

Kenneth Fraser (son of Thomas Fraser and Marion MacKay) was born May 05,1800, in Tain, Ross and Cromarty: died January 19, 1883, in Embo, Dornoch. His wife; Isabella MacKay, (daughter of William MacKay and Anne Grant) was christened September 01, 1804 in Embo, Dornoch and died December 08, 1881, in Embo, Dornoch.

I am also interested in the MacIntosh and Murrays of Torboll, Dornoch.

Thank-you,

Loretta Souter

Canada

McDONALD & BAILLIE in Dornoch & Golspie

2007-08-10T11:44:00.002+01:00

My current brick wall is Halket McDonald and Jane Baillie. The couple are recorded in both the Dornoch and Golspie Parish Records as being married 11 Dec 1830. Halket is listed as being from Skelbo Moor, Dornoch Parish and Jane is listed as being from Iron Hill/Kirkton, Golspie Parish. In 1831 they emigrated to Zorra Township, Oxford County, Upper Canada, as their first born, Angus, was born there. According to his headstone, Halket (called Hacket in Canada) died 10 Jul 1837 aged 36 years. My primary interest is in determining the parents and siblings of both Halket and Jane.

Larry McDonald
Ontario, Canada
(ref EM0016)

SUTHERLAND, MACKAY & others in TONGUE

2007-08-10T11:01:00.000+01:00

The photograph on the left was taken outside No.168, Scullomie. Centre: Lexy Macintosh (1873-1963) wife of Murdo Sutherland. Left, daughter-in-law Hughina Mackay (1905-1982) wife of Hugh Sutherland. Right: daughter Johan Sutherland, wife of (1) Alexander Young; (2) Andrew Colin Munro Mackay.

My research centres on my husband Murdo's gr-gr-grandparents in SCULLOMIE, Tongue parish: John SUTHERLAND (b1794 Scullomie) & Mary MACKAY (b1809 Island Roan). Especially looking for information on their son, Robert SUTHERLAND b.1836, who migrated to New Zealand around 1863.

Murdo's gr-grandmother, Johan MACKENZIE from Gartymore (Loth), married (1) Duncan MACKAY from Melness (Tongue) and (2) Alexander MACINTOSH. She had two boys from her first marriage, and two girls from the second. Sadly she was widowed twice and died young in 1883. Her children Donald and Adam MACKAY, and Alexandrina MACINTOSH, were brought up in Melness by Duncan Mackay's siblings.

Alexandrina (Lexy) MACINTOSH married Murdo SUTHERLAND from Scullomie. Lexy's elder sister, Jane MACINTOSH (bc1869) was at home in 1881 with her widowed mother and sister, but I can find no trace thereafter.

I have many transcripts of Tongue Parish post-1855 BMDs, also information on the Tongue folk elsewhere in Scotland at 1881 census. So if you are researching roots in Tongue, please contact me scullomie168@yahoo.co.uk

For snippets of Tongue research and some Tongue burial ground photographs, visit my website

http://www.cmy.org.uk/

Mary Young

Edinburgh

MUNRO, CAMPBELL, CORBETT, FRASER

2007-08-09T22:49:00.001+01:00

My Sutherland researching is on my husband’s side. My ancestors hailed from Ayr ( Kirkland ) and Ardnamurchan (Cameron).

MUNRO LINEAGE
Murdoch 1674 Donald 1699 Angus 1724 Issue: Donald m Margaret Campbell
Donald b 24/11.1793
John of Iverhole 1768 m Elisabeth Nin Nish, issue:
Ephie
James born 29/1/1774
Angus born 1779
James Munro of Freisgill born 29/1/1774 m Mary Munro *1 in Freisgill 1785/86 – 1857
And their issue:
James c or b 2/8/1825, d28/1/1909, m Williamina Corbett 1/1/1857
Mary b 1814, d 24/5/1892 m George McCasgill d 1855
Catherine b1819, d 15/7/1867 – unmarried
John b 1819 McKay b 1825
Donald (Dany) b1827

James Munro and Williamina Corbett – their issue:
Donald b18/10/1857
James b 19/9/1860 d 24/9/1877
John b 5/12/1863

Hugh*3 b 16/1/1866 d24/11/1934, m Liza McIntosh 18/11/1904
Hugh b 4/4/1870
George b 6/2/1875 d 13/2/1936 NZ, m Angusina Fraser 10/6/1903, issue:
Mina Munro*4 b 20/4/1904
Janet McKay Munro b7/7/1905
Thomas Fraser Munro b 13/12/1906
Jemima Agnes Munro b 5/6/1909
Georgina Fraser Munro b 17/3/1912
Iain Fraser Munro b 20/11/1917
Donald 1699 Murdoch issue:
James b1789 m Janet McKay - had children
Donald 11/10/1790 and Marion 25/8/1792

Donald*2 m Christina McIntosh – issue:
Mary*1 1785/86 – 1857
Murdoch 1787

John 1789

*2 = Donald Munro alias Macmhorachia – Erribol, tenant miller and late soldier Sutherland Fencibles, died at Oldshoremore

*3 Hugh Munro – Nancy Gunn’s line

*4 Zelda’s in-law

We cannot find Donald born 18/10/1857; James born 19/9/1960, d 24/9/1860; John b 5/12/1863 or Hugh b 4/4/1870. It was thought that Donald and John went to Canada from Laxford. James Munro, b 1825, was a fisherman and crofter.

Angusina Fraser is descended from Robert Fraser b about 1781 or before,a crofter who died before 1841. He married Mary Mckenzie who was born 1781.
Thanks to Carol Fraser in Canda and others have much information which I am happy to share.

Thomas Fraser, Angusina's father married Janet McKay b 1846, a daughter of Angus McKay and Jane Ross who married on 30/02/1834 at Achriesgall. She died 05/12/1924 at Achlyness. I believe that Janet Mckay had at least two other siblings.

Photograph above shows George Munro & Angusina Fraser with their children just before leaving Scotland for New Zealand .

Ann Munro
New Zealand

GRAY & MACKENZIE in Creich & INNES in Dornoch

2007-08-09T22:10:00.002+01:00

Parents and grandparents of Rev. Thomas GRAY 1818-1867, all from Creich:
Thomas's Father: Alexander GRAY (no dates, but his brother, Peter GRAY, d. 1857 aged 86*). Alexander & Peter's father was named Robert GRAY (no dates), wife unknown.
Thomas's Mother: Elizabeth/Lizy/Lucy MACKENZIE (d. 1859 aged 77*) Elizabeth's parents were named Robert MACKENZIE and Margaret ROSS (no dates).

* The informant for both these deaths was Thomas's brother, Peter jnr., who, according to family tradition, was 'a bit simple'. Certainly the ages at death of Peter snr. and Elizabeth do not match the 1841/51 census information.

William INNES, Pitgrudie, Dornoch
Any information about the family of the above gratefully received. He was born in 1689 and died in Pitgrudie in 1761. His son, Alexander INNES, was the Parish Schoolmaster in Logie Easter, Ross-shire.
Any further information most welcome.
Sara Thomas,
Cardiff, Wales

MUNRO, MACKAY & MACINTYRE in Dornoch & Clyne

2007-08-09T19:08:00.001+01:00

Alexander MUNRO, born 1817 in Dornoch, son of Donald Munro (Achintresalich, Embo, Dornoch) and Catharine Mackay (Evelix) married in 1791. Moved to Brora, Clyne (Gower Street) as Cartwright, Fishcurer, General Merchant. Married Harriet Macintyre (Drum****, Golspie) 1861. Younger daughter Henrietta was my grandmother.

Alexander’s siblings in Dornoch included 1794 Donald, 1796 John, 1801 William, 1805 James, 1806 Joseph, 1810 George, 1814 Marion and 1820 Joseph. Information to share but need help with gaps pre 1791 ancestors and also Donald, Joseph and George.

Ross Dawson

Edinburgh

MACKAY in Farr

2007-08-09T18:32:00.002+01:00

Still working on my Mackay families in Farr. Have them right through to Sydney, Australia and would be happy to share.

At the moment I am hunting for William Mackay with a wife Sophie or Sophia. They had one known son, Donald. His birth certificate states he was born in Bettyhill, Farr. Donald emigrated to Vancouver, Canada. He married and they had three daughters. I do not know if his first marriage took place in Sutherland or in Vancouver. I do not know the names of his daughters.

Donald later married for the second time to Jane (Jean) Mackay, born 1897. Jean emigrated to Vancouver to marry Donald, a widower with three children. This was in the 1930s, pre World War Two.

Can anyone help with any of the above?

Many thanks

Paddy Walsh

Sydney, Australia

CORBETT, ROSS

2007-08-09T11:26:00.000+01:00

My gr. gr. gr. grandparents were George Corbett (b. abt. 1764) and Barbara McKenzie.

My gr. gr. grandparents were Murdoch Corbett (b. abt. 1786) and Georgina McKenzie.

My gr. grandparents were John Corbett (1824-1896) and Lexy Ross (1830-1906).

I am trying to trace their date of marriage and date of emigration to Canada. (I know that they immigrated to Canada around 1847 with parents, George and Johana Ross, and five siblings of Lexy Ross.)

I have been thrilled to have made contact with several Corbett and Ross descendants - would enjoy hearing from other very-distant cousins!

Mary (Corbett) Kress

Ontario, Canada

McBEATH, MATHESON, MACKAY, PAUL, FORBES

2007-08-09T11:23:00.000+01:00

My McBEATH line start in Kildonan and ends up mainly in Dornoch, from the early 1800's. Other names include MATHESON from Clashnagrave, Dornoch. This line has Alexander who was married to Marion Murray.

The MACKAY's also came from Dornoch, George Mackay and Elizabeth Sutherland are as far back as I have so far for this family.

Other family names include the PAUL's from Golspie and the FORBES family from Dornoch. You can check out all the names on my web-site

http://uk.geocities .com/mcbtree/ index.htm

Carole McBeath
Glasgow, Scotland

DOUGLAS & MACKAY, Rogart & Lairg

2007-08-08T08:08:00.001+01:00

Here are my ancestors:
Great Grandmother, Hannah DOUGLAS born c.1826 Rogart married John Ross, Aberdeen 1852, died Aberdeen 15 03 1858
Hannah and John had 2 sons born Aberdeenshire, John Murray Ross 1852 and James Douglas Ross 1855.

Hannah parents;
James DOUGLAS born c 1769. IGI records show a JAMES DOWGLASS born Rogart, father William Dowglass - this could be the James above but I have no records to prove that.
Mother BARBARA MACKAY born 15 06 1779, died Aberdeen 02 09 1863.

James and Barbara married 02 01 1802 at Lairg. James was living in ACHNALUACHRACH Rogart at the time of the marriage.

Barbara's parents were:
Adam Mackay born c 1746 Pitaiksie, Lairg, father Hugh Mackay and Mary Murray born c 1750 - as yet no more information. Adam was stated as being from Gruids Lairg, they married 1769 I believe.
Their children all born Lairg were:
Ann born 1770 - married William Ross - died 1862 at Birichen, Dornoch
Isabel born 1772
Christian born 1775
Janet born 1777
Barbara born 1779
Hugh born 1782 - married Janet Ross - died 1862 Gruids

Barbara and James Douglas had the following children all born Rogart:
Marrion born 1803 - died Aberdeen a spinster
Mary born 1806 - married George Sutherland from Golspie 1830 in Aberdeen - died Aberdeen 1901. I have a fair bit of their history if anyone is interested, from an ancestor, Alex Wood. It was stated on their marriage certificate that Mary's father James was deceased. I have not found his death certificate as yet.
Alexander born 1810 married Agnes Clark Aberdeen 1839. I have many census records of Alex. They did not appear to have children. I don't have his death date as yet. He died between the 1891/1901 census. Alex was witness on his mother Barbara's death certificate.
Ann born 1812
Isobel born 1814
Christian born 1816
Dorothy born 1818
John born 1821
Hannah circa 1826

I have numerous census of Barbara and some of her daughters. All living in Aberdeen. It appears this family either together, or after one another moved, to Aberdeen from 1827 onwards. I found most of them in the 1841 census there.

This seems to be a lot of information to plod through but hopefully someone sees something that is familiar and I too, can move on. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Christina Ross, Victoria, Canada

MATHESON, SUTHERLAND, GORDON, MACKAY

2007-08-08T07:51:00.002+01:00

My great grandfather was Alexander Matheson born Skelbo Moor, Dornoch, 1803, son of Thomas Matheson and Janet Sutherland.
Alexander’s siblings are:
John Matheson b1789
William Matheson b1795 - married Catherine Gordon 14.2.1824
James Matheson b1799 - married Isobella Mackay 10.6.1826
Margaret Matheson b1800 married Donald Sutherland 4.1.1822

I would like to know more about them and their families etc. Can anyone help?

Kindest Regards to all list members.
Ray Mackay
Scourie, Sutherland

MACINTOSH, SUTHERLAND, GUNN, MACKAY

2007-08-08T07:24:00.001+01:00

My Sutherlandshire connections include:
Tongue
George McIntosh and Margaret Sutherland of Inchverry

William Sutherland, originally of Creich, and lived Tongue. Two wives Catherine MacKay (Margaret Sutherland McIntosh's mother) and Christina McLeod. He had a brother Robert Sutherland.
Farr

John McIntosh and his wife Cattherine MacKay with sons Donald married to Janet MacKay, Robert, and George married to Margaret Sutherland at Inchverry, Tongue

Angus McDonald married Betty Urquhart, and then Isobel McKay. Three sons and one daughter - Hugh, Hector, Elizabeth married Donald Gunn,and William.

Robert Gordon married Barbara MacKay. At least 2 daughters, Barbara Gordon married George Gunn and lived Camster, Caithness. Daughter Barbara Gordon immigrated with her niece (Barbara Gunn married to Alexander McIntosh, son of George McIntosh and Maragaret Sutherland of Tongue - see above)
Melvick

John Gunn married Janet Murray in Glasgow. Later moved to Melvick (maybe back to Melvick) Daughter Flora married John McKay of Sandside, Reay, Sutherlandshire
Reay

John McKay married Catherine Elder, Son John married Flora Gunn of Melvick

I haven't begun to sort the McKays in these families. I don't know if it is possible. I do have information on all the above families but always looking to make more connections.

Carol Small

Canada

HENDERSON, MURRAY & MACKAY

2007-08-07T07:09:00.001+01:00

George Alexander Henderson, born 20 Oct 1813 in Helmsdale, Kildonan, died 06 Apr 1888 in Kingsley, Manitoba, Canada. He was a blacksmith by trade. He married Christina MacKay 1836.

Christina MacKay, born 26 Mar 1808 in Kincardine, Ross & Cromarty, died 24 Jan 1887 in Kingsley, Manitoba. She was the daughter of William MacKay and Isabella (Sibblia) Murray.

William MacKay, born 1783 in Kincardine, Ross & Cromarty, died 1861 in Central Earltown Nova Scotia . He married Isabella (Sibblia) Murray 10 Dec 1807 in Kincardine, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland. Isabella (Sibblia) Murray, born 1780 in Parish of Rogart, Sutherland; died 1862 in Central Earltown , Colchester, Nova Scotia. She was the daughter of George Murray.

Children of William MacKay and Isabella Murray are:
Christina MacKay, born 26 Mar 1808 in Kincardine, Ross & Cromarty, died 24 Jan 1887 in Kingsley, Manitoba, married George Alexander Henderson 1836.
Kenneth MacKay, born 02 Jan 1811 in Parish of Kincardine, Ross, died 12 Jan 1846 in Earltown, Colchester Co. NS; married Margaret ?.
George MacKay, born 07 Jul 1813 in Parish of Kincardine, Ross, died 1899 in The Falls, Colchester Co. NS; married Johanna MacKay; born 1821 in Earltown, Colchester Co. NS; died 1907 in The Falls, Colchester Co. NS.
John MacKay, born 28 Jul 1817 in Parish of Kincardine, Ross, died 1895 in Central Earltown, Colchester Co. NS; married Marion Matheson; born 1827; died in Central Earltown, Colchester Co. NS.
William MacKay, born 1819 in Parish of Kincardine, Ross, died 1905 in Balforn, Colchester Co. NS; married Catherine MacKay; born 13 May 1833 in West Earltown, Colchester Co. NS; died 1920 in Balfron, Colchester Co. NS.

George Murray, born 1748 in Clashnashinag, Creich; died 1843.

Children of George Murray are:
Isabella (Sibblia) Murray, born 1780 in Parish of Rogart, Sutherland; died 1862 in Central Earltown, Colchester, NS; married William MacKay 10 Dec 1807 in Kincardine, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland.
Alexander Murray, born Abt. 1784 in Rogart; died Abt. 1855; married Margaret Murray.
Christina Murray, died Bef. 1862; married Alexander Bisset.
Robert Murray, died in Nova Scotia .
George Murray, born Abt. 1785 in Creich; died 1867 in Nova Scotia .
Elspet Murray, born 1783 in Rogart; died 15 Apr 1871.

Ken Henderson

Canada

MACKENZIE, SCOBIE, MACKAY

2007-08-07T06:55:00.001+01:00

Many thanks Chris for allowing me the opportunity to include my Sutherland interests on the website and acknowledge the wonderful assistance given to me by other members of this list over the years in piecing together the my Sutherland connections.

My gg grandfather Kenneth Scobie MACKENZIE arrived in Australia with his elder brother Alexander in about 1853 as Victoria's Gold Rush excited the world. Kenneth had been born in probably May 1836 in Georgetown British Guiana [now Guyana] but raised by his childless aunt Elizabeth GAIR [nee SCOBIE] in Tain R & C and his mother's cousin Captain Boyce MACKENZIE in nearby Creich House, Creich. Kenneth's parents Mary Ann SCOBIE and Roderick MACKENZIE were married in Inverkirkaig, Assynt in 1829 but left immediately to return to Roderick's sugar plantation in Demerara.The loss of several children to tropical diseases prompted Mary Ann to send her two boys back to Scotland to be raised by other members of her family.

Mary Ann's parents were Capt Kenneth SCOBIE RM and his wife Elizabeth Henrietta NOBLE whom he met and married in Lisbon. Captain Kenneth initially served in the Reay Fensibles in Northern Ireland alongside other family members and with his father Major John SCOBIE a tacksman of Melness. Major John's wife Barbara MACKAY was a daughter of John MACKAY of Strathy, whilst Major John's parents were Rev William SCOBIE of Assynt and his wife Jane MACKAY, a daughter John MACKAY of Kirtomy. I have found in my research that most if not all of the Scobie's are descendants of Rev William SCOBIE who came to Assynt as a recently ordained minister in 1728 and served there until his death in 1763.

My interest in the family prompted me to develop a website to publish some of my research findings and hopefully establish more connections with what became a very far flung family. It is definitely a "work in progress" :) http://www.tribalpages.com/tribes/judym3

My biggest stumbling block has been trying to find Roderick MACKENZIE's family. His parents were supposed to be Alexander MACKENZIE and Isabella [?] and I know that his father died in 1843 and that there is a Scotsburn, R & C connection there somewhere.Unfortunately Roderick died in 1850 in Guyana. I have no death record for him.

Judy Meibusch

Hampton, Queensland, Australia

SUTHERLAND & MACKAY in Rogart

2007-08-05T21:40:00.001+01:00

I'm researching my g-g-grandparents John "Ballem" and Jane (MacKAY) SUTHERLAND. John was born in Rogart in 1789 and died in Earltown, Cumberland, Nova Scotia on April 6, 1852. Jane was born in Clyne in 1778 and also died in Earltown on Feb 8, 1875. They are both buried in MacKenzie Cemetery, Earltown Nova Scotia. They arrived in Earltown in abt. 1819.

John's parents were John "Ballem" SUTHERLAND, b. Rogart, and Catherine (Kate) REID.

Jane's parents were Donald MacKAY, b. Clyne, d. Rogart, and Catherine M .

Tom Clark

Beverly, MA, U.S.A.

MACKAY, MACDONALD, CALDER

2007-08-05T19:19:00.000+01:00

Half my father's family originate from Lairg/Creich - McKay/McDonald and half my mother's from Achriesgill/ Durness/Lairg - Calder/McKay.

The Lairg/Creich family I know of go back to Hector McKay (1815 Dola, Lairg-1899) shoemaker in Lairg m Julia Grant (1819 Torroble, Lairg- 1880) and her parents Donald Grant, crofter (b1787) and Elspet Gunn (1788-1876).

Hector McKay's daughter Christina (1857-1906) married Dugald McDonald (1848-1914), a butler. He was born in Newton , Creich. They came to Glasgow via Portobello, Midlothian . They were my great grandparents.

Dugald McDonald's parents were Kenneth McDonald (b 1804 in Skibo, Sutherland), a forester on the Skibo Estate, and Margaret Mackay (b 1809 in Ospisdale, Sutherland). They had at least 12 children and Dugald was probably the third youngest. Kenneth McDonald died in 1856 and the last I have found of the family is in the 1861 census in Auchlach, Dornoch - Margaret aged 52, a pauper, with 5 of her children. I know that one of her daughters Hellen/Ellen McDonald (c1842 Creich - 1913) moved to Glasgow and then to Newcastle (m Charles Fraser), but I have no idea what happened to the rest of the family and particularly Margaret herself (my gggrandmother), but this is what I would really like to know. I know that Margaret seems to have been still living in 1868, when her daughter Ellen McDonald married Charles Fraser. I have recently found that most of Charles Fraser's siblings went to Australia, and I wonder if the McDonalds emigrated too, or if they just went south to the cities.

Kenneth McDonald and Margaret MacKay's family were: Christy b1832, George b1833, ?Ellen b1835, Isobell b1837, Johanna c1840, Hellen/Ellen b1842, Janet b1842, Catharine b1844, William b1846, Dugald b1848, Jane c1852 and Andrew b1854 (Kenneth McDonald had a brother William McDonald (c1821 Creich -1907) a farmer in Swordale, Bonar, married to Isabella Grant(1829-1902). Kenneth and William's parents were John McDonald (c1780 Creich -1862) and Christy Ross).

The Achriesgill/ Durness/Lairg family are descended from Angus Calder (c1776, Durness) and Catherine McIntosh (c1776, Durness) and from Hugh McKay and Kate McKay who came from Lairg. (ggggrandparents) I presume they all ended up in Achriesgill due to the Clearances from Lairg and from Durness.

Hugh and Kate McKay had at least 8 children:

Margaret McKay (b1804 Dalvichie, Lairg),

Hugh McKay (b1806, Lubghorn, Lairg -1899),

Barbara McKay (b1807 Midpenny, Lairg),

Katy McKay (c1812, Lubvrec, Lairg - 1889) m John Calder (b1810, Dalinduin, Strathmore, Durness - 1877),

Alexanderina McKay (c1813, Lairg - 1900) m Murdo Fraser (c1802 Kinlochbervie -1876),

Angus McKay (c1816, Lubvrec, Lairg - 1907) m 1. Barbara MacCallum (c1825 Durness) m 2. Christina Ross (c 1831 Assynt),

David McKay (b1818 Lubvrec, Lairg),

Johanna McKay (c1821, Moudale, Farr - 1910) m William McIntosh (c1822 Rhuvoult - 1905).

I also know that in Achriesgill there was a Barbara Calder (d bef 1881) (parents James Calder and Barbara ?) m (in Durness 1799) George Morrison with a lot of Morrison descendants in Kinlochbervie; and an Elizabeth Calder (d bef 1877) m George McKay with a son Angus McKay (c1804 Durness -1877)m Jane Ross (c1813 Eddrachillis - 1900) and McKay descendants in Kinlochbervie.

I wonder if and how these last two Calders were related to Angus Calder and where in Durness they all originally came from.

Susan McKean
Paisley, Scotland

KERR in Assynt & MACKAY in Farr

2007-08-05T19:16:00.000+01:00

My main interests in Sutherland are Kerrs in Assynt - one of the sons of Cathel Kerr and Anne McLeod married one of my 3rd 2X removed cousin Margaret Begg. They had their own family in Olrig in Caithness. 2 of three sons died in WWI. They were both married but I have no idea if they had children.

Cathel's parents were John and Annabella Kerr. Anne's parents were William McLeod and Isabella Mckenzie.I am also interested in Mackays in Portskerry. George Mackay c 1816-1887 and his wife Elizabeth Mackay 1820-1892 had 8 children that I am aware of Hetty, Angusina, William, Barbara, Hughina, Colin, Georgina and Hugh. Barbara and Hughina (married a great granduncle William Matheson) emigrated to the USA in the 1880's. Would love to know what happened to Hetty, William and Georgina (found on 1891 census)?

George's parents were Angus and Catherine Mackay, Elizabeth's parents were William Mackay and Janet McDonald. Most of my ancestors in Scotland were from Caithness rather than Sutherland and I do have Swedish and Norwegian relatives to research as well which is mostly what I have been working on this summer as I have a subscription to Genline which expires at the end of August lol.

Maryann Rosie

Alberta, Canada

MACGREGOR, ROSS, GRAHAM

2007-08-05T19:12:00.001+01:00

My ancestors Alexander McGREGOR (b.1818) and Isabella McGREGOR (b. 1816) emigrated to New Zealand from Dornoch in 1850. Alexander was son of Alexander McGREGOR, who from 1821 was innkeeper at Inchnadamph, Assynt. Isabella was a distant cousin, from Laggan in Inverness-shire.

Alexander senior (b c1760) was married to Ann ROSS (b. c1785) of Rosehall, Creich. Their children were as follows:

Bess b. 1809 Plaids, Lairg, d. 1850 Dornoch, married Alexander GRAHAM (b. Creich c1793), builder, Dornoch - 6 children

Isabell b. 1810 Plaids, Lairg, d 29/121888 Wick, Caithness, married Duncan McDIARMID (b. Kincardine 1811) shepherd, Assynt, 8 children

David b.1812 Plaids, Lairg, died young, some time after 1822

Malcolm b. 1814 Plaids, Lairg, death unknown but after 1871 married Annabella McLEOD (b c1824), of Inchnadamph - 4 children

Alexander b 1818 Broa?, Kincardine, Ross & Cromarty, married Isabella McGregor and emigrated to NZ 1850 - 9 children

John b. 1820, Broa?, Kincardine, Ross & Cromarty, d 1875 in Rosskeen, was veterinary surgeon in Invergordon, Rosskeen, married Ann CAMPBELL of Dingwall - 10 children

Ann b. 1822, Inchnadamph, Assynt, nothing known of Ann

Margaret/Peggy b.1826, Inchnadamph, Assynt, married late in 1869 to Donald CAMERON of Kilmonivaig, Inverness-shire, no known children

According to family history, there was also a William, who emigrated to Canada and had something to do with getting the railway through Winnipeg, and Alpin, who went to Constantinople as a blacksmith. I haven't found birth records for these two, but later census records show an Alpin McGregor, blacksmith, born Creich c. 1803, with common family names among his children. This Alpin's daughter went to Alexandria, Egypt sometime after 1861 and as ships that called in there sometimes went to Constantinople I feel strongly this is my Alpin.

Alexander senior died in 1848, aged 88. I would very much like to know where he came from, as McGregor is not a common name in Sutherland. I believe he was related in some way to a Gregor McGREGOR, who was married to Janet McGREGOR. This couple lived in Plaids at the same time, then Kincardine at the same time, but remained in Ross & Cromarty when Alexander went to Inchnadamph. The two families appear side-by-side in the baptismal registers at births of three children.

Neither Gregor nor Alexander were born in Sutherland, but I don't have dates or places for either of their births. Another McGREGOR man by the name of James also lived in the Lairg area, married to Bel Ferguson. Their only child Janet may have been Gregor's wife. James lived long enough to leave proof he was born in Comrie, Perthshire in 1767. I'm still trying to find links between James, Gregor & Alexander, but it is made harder by the fact they were all born in the era of proscription against McGREGOR, when the name could not legally be used.

Alexander, James and Bel all appear on the list of Lairg People Christine has posted on her website. A William and Donald McGREGOR also appear.

So, apologies for the long-winded account - it's so hard to be succinct!

Anna Hunter

New Zealand

GRANT, FORSYTH, MACKAY in Dornoch & Creich

2007-08-05T19:07:00.001+01:00

I am researching the family of Roderick GRANT b abt 1889 at Dornoch, Sutherland. (perhaps the son of Robert GRANT & Isobel FORSYTH - perhaps the daur of Roderick FORSYTH).

He married Elizabeth MacKay July 27, 1820 (Dornoch). Elizabeth MacKAY was born abt 1800 (1851 Canadian Census).

Their sons:

Alexander GRANT b 1824 - CREICH

Robert GRANT b1828 - DORNOCH
Wm GRANT b 1829 - DORNOCH
Roderick GRANT b 1837 - Ontario, CANADA

In 1830, this family immigrated to Canada. They settled in Eldon TWP. Victoria County, Ontario. Many GRANT family graves are in Kirkfield cemetery (Eldon Twp) also the Old Stone Church - Beaverton. Roderick was listed as a Yeoman on the 1851 Canadian census. I am interested in history about Roderick's ancestry and anyone who may be related to the Eldon GRANTs who immigrated.

I have been in touch with a person who is a descendant of Mary GRANT, sister of Roderick GRANT - children of Robert GRANT & Isobel FORSYTH. Mary GRANT remained in Scotland while Roderick emigrated to Canada.

Michele Crawford
Kirkfield, Ontario

MACKAY, MACKENZIE, SUTHERLAND, Rogart

2007-08-05T18:51:00.001+01:00

Kenneth McKenzie married Elspet MacKay sometime around 1800 (can find no record), they went on to have seven children. From Malcolm's list from the Sutherland Estate papers for 1830 it lists under MacKenzie, Widow, Brachu of Morness, (Rogart) left in party of seven 1830, so Kenneth died between 1819 and 1830.

On the 1901 census a daughter Margaret is listed as emigrating in 1830, she was born 1819 in Morness, as were all the children. On the 1851 census for her son Alexander and his family, she is listed as widow age 80. There is a burial for the Old Log Church cemetery (Ontario), In Memory of Elizabeth wife of Kenneth McKENZIE who died July 14, 1856 aged 69 years. Now that age sure isn't correct, but wonder how long it was after her death that a stone was put up. There is an Alexander McKenzie buried beside her which I believe to be her son. I have no information on these two prior to 1800 in Rogart.

NOW - the Sutherland side - know even less. Alexander Sutherland married Elspet MacKay (yes they each married an Elspet MacKay) can find no marriage. I have a Catherine born 1795 in Torised, nothing more on her. Weymess born 1800 in Torriside. I don't know if this one belongs or not as Janet was baptised Nov 8 1804 in Rovy but on the same page of the OPR their is a son not named (believed to be Hugh) Dec 26th at Torsaid. Were there two Alexander Sutherlands that each married an Elspet MacKay? Quite possible.

We know that Weymess and Hugh came on to Canada, Weymess now being called William W. Hugh Sutherland (unnamed Sutherland) married Christina McKenzie somewhere around 1830 and had at least one son born in Melness in 1831, wonder if they took over the croft after Elspet and family headed to Canada in 1830.

This may/may not be the same Hugh -

taken from the Sutherland Estate Papers for Rogart - List of Emigrants - thanks to Dr. Malcolm Bangor-Jones, SUTHERLAND Hugh, Craggybeg, left in party of ten 1831. If this is the same Hugh then why does it say Craggybeg? A daughter Margaret was born to the above Hugh and Christy abt. 1832 in Canada. Taken from correspondence from John MacDonald to Jean Hammond. Craggybeg, Morness, West Langwell are all districts of our upper parish, still lived in. West Langwell was not touched by the evictions, not being under the Sutherland estates. Craggy became very heavy populated when people were cleared of strath Brora. Morness was something like Langwell, left alone.There were a lot of Sutherlands in these places.

Now for a stretch of the imagination on Alexander Sutherland. I have found an Alexander Sutherland married to an Isabel Grant from Golspie, again cannot find any marriage. They turn up in the 1841 and 1851 census with a family living around Achnaluachrach on one and West Langwell on another, but both areas are on the same page. By 1861 Alexander is not there, and can find no death for him from 1855. Bell died in 1881 age 86 at West Langwell widow of Alexander, with parents of Robert Grant, dec and Catherine Grant, MS Grant, dec. Now my question. Could this be the same Alexander that was married to Elspet MacKay, and he fudged his age a bit? Am wondering if the first wife died and he found this Isabel Grant (Golspie according to census) to help with the children. We know that Hugh and Christy's fifth daughter was called Grant - maybe after her.

On the death certificate of one of Grant's sons her name is listed as Mary (Grant) Sutherland, and the informant was my grandmother and the doc was her nephew, but that is the only reference to that name and everything else just lists her name as Grant. I know this is a stretch of the imagination, but welcome any thoughts.

Eleanor Haggarty

Ontario

SUTHERLAND, FRASER, MURRAY & MACKAY

2007-08-05T18:46:00.000+01:00

In the 5 years I have been associated with this list I have been thrilled to find many distant relations among our members. Through their help I am researching the following families;
John SUTHERLAND (Colin) & Eppy BRUCE( b.1767 Strathbrora) of Kildonan, Gartymore, Loth & some descendants (namely Donald my ggg-grandfather) eventually settled in Doll,Clyne;

Oliver FRASER b.c.1755 & Barbara MACAULEY of Helmsdale, Loth;

William SUTHERLAND, Miller of Clyne & Margaret SUTHERLAND of Doll, parents of Margaret b.1790, Clyne (my ggg-grandmother);

William SUTHERLAND (Deuchary) & Betty MACKAY of Clyne, parents of Helen b.c.1826-1829 who married...John MURRAY (Bonesetter) of Doll,Clyne, born between 1828 -1831 illegitimate son Jane MURRAY d/o Alex MURRAY and a George MURRAY (cannot find him);

John SUTHERLAND married in 1846 Janet MURRAY, d/o Hugh MURRAY and Louisa MCLEOD;

George MURRAY & (not married) Ann ROSS, b.1825 d/o John ROSS, of Creich-parents of David MURRAY b.1853;

Alexander MACKAY b.c.1766 & Esther MURRAY of Dalchalm, Clyne;

Donald MACKAY & Helen MCANGUS b.1783, and his sibling Janet and William MACKAY of Fearn, Ross moved to Portgower Loth circa 1830.

Thanks to all for your help and companionship over the years.

Eileen Jefferies
Ontario

ROSS, MACKAY, CLARKE & others

2007-08-05T17:57:00.002+01:00

I am researching the ROSS family from Lairg, mainly, however, once a family starts being researched it enlarges and many other names come along too.

Jenelle's POLSON family is one that has come along into my family albeit on my Dad's side rather than my Mum's that has the ROSS family.

Some of the families on my Mum's side:
ROSS, Donald - Lairg, Sutherland
MacKAY, Janet - Lairg, Sutherland
CLARKE, John and Nicholas maiden surname Carruthers - Rosehall, Sutherland
ARMSTRONG, Joseph Gordon - Creich, Sutherland
DINGWALL, Kennethina, parents Niel and Merran maiden surname MacLeod - Durness, Sutherland
MacKAY, Alexander -
FRASER, Margaret, parents Charles and Jessie maiden surname ROSS - Scotland
MacDONALD, Annie, parents Murdoch and Henrietta maiden surname MATHERSON - Lairg, Sutherland

then on my Dad's side:
POLSON, Angus Sutherland - Marrel, Sutherland
MURRAY, Elspeth - Rogart, Sutherland

Jeni Simpson Christchurch, Aotearoa/New Zealand

SUTHERLAND, GUNN, MACBEATH, Kildonan

2007-08-04T20:40:00.001+01:00

SUTHERLAND - William & Isabella SUTHERLAND. According to the Selkirk Settler Book he was born in 1761 in Kildonan, married Isabella (SUTHERLAND?) and died 3 Feb 1838 in Manitoba, Canada. William, Isabella and some of their children emigrated to Canada from Balnavaliach (Cleared). On the passenger list to Red River in 1815 he is listed as a Weaver. I know nothing before this time.

GUNN
Ann SUTHERLAND, daughter of above, married John "Cheney" GUNN, born in 1791 in
Kildonan, Scotland. He was sometimes called "Freezie" as well as "Cheney". They married 29 May 1814 in Kildonan. They came to Red River in 1823. He died 5 Feb 1866 in Kildonan, Red River Settlement. Ann died 7 Feb 1879 in Kildonan, Red River as well. I need to know John's parents. I have heard that they possibly may be Alexander GUNN & Christian GORDON but I have never seen anything to prove this. Theird daughter Isabella married Morrison McBeth ( below)

McBETH, McBEATH - Alexander McBETH and spouse Christian GUNN and family were cleared from Kildonan to Red River Settlement, Manitoba, Canada, in 1815. Alexander was born in Sutherland about 1766 (or 1746) - two different trains of thought here. Christian was born in 1765 in Dallagen, Sutherlandshire. Alexander was classified as an old soldier on the passenger list. He was part of the 73rd Scottish Regiment. He died in 1849 and Christian died in 1855. I would like to know who Alexander & Christian's parents were.

Children of Alexander McBETH & Christian GUNN:
John, born 1792 Kildonan, died 1878 Manitoba, married Helen Matheson
Grizzel, born 1793 Kildonan
Margaret born 1796 Scotland, died 1859 USA, married John Sutherland
Mary born 1707 Scotland, married Donald Ross
George, born 1799 Scotland, married Catherine Sutherland
Christina born 1801 Scotland, married Robert McVicar
Roderick born 1803 Kildonan, died 1855, married Mary Livingstone
Robert, born 1805 Kildonan , died 1886 Winnipeg, married Mary McLean
Adam, born 1809 kildonan, married Mary Mackenzie
Morrison, born 1811 Kildonan, died 1892 Saskatchewan, married Isabella Gunn – my line

Marla Manson
Revelstoke, BC, Canada

MORRISON, FLEMING, FRASER in Eddrachillis

2007-08-04T20:35:00.001+01:00

My list is primarily but not exclusively Eddrachillis:

My grandmother Mary Morrison 1870-1951 was born in Oldshoremore of parents Donald Morrison and Johan Fraser (Rhiconich) and then moved to Upper Badcall.

My grandfather James Fleming b1875-1945 was of the Fanagmore Flemings but born in Wick to Kenneth Fleming and Elizabeth Bremner of Sarclet.

Great grandparents are Alexander Fleming 1786-1885 and his wife Margaret Sutherland from Berriedale, Caithness whose parents were John Sutherland and Margaret Bruce. I would like to hear from anyone who knows of siblings for Margaret apart from Merran.

Alexander Bremner 1804-1882, Sarclet, Caithness and Ann Wilson 1798-1868 from Orphir, Orkney. I know a lot about these two if anyone wants information.

Robert Morrison 1806- 884, Balchrick,/Oldshore beg son of John and Mary Morrison and his wife Mary/Dolly Gunn 1811-1875 from Strathy of Farr, daughter of Elizabeth McLeod and Donald Gunn

Murdo Fraser 1802-1876 Achlyness son of Robert Fraser and Mary Mackenzie and his wife Alexandrina (Lexy) Mackay 1813-1900 daughter of Hugh Mackay and Catherine Mackay

Marion Johan Quillan, née Fleming,

Renfrewshire, Scotland

DAVIDSON, MACKAY in Rogart

2007-08-04T20:24:00.007+01:00

My interests lie with the Davidson family (my father's side) who lived in Inchcape, Rogart until 1916. I have got as far back as James and Isobella (who was a Sutherland) in the late 1770s. Family memories are that James Davidson came from Cantray, although this has not been proven as yet.

James and Isobella had five children – Ann (b. 1800), John (b. 1801) Hugh (b. 1804) Alexander (b. circa 1805) and Elspet (b. 1807). John married Mary Mackay (born 1813 Rhiandoggie) and Alexander married Jane Macdonald (b 1822 to Roderick Macdonald and Janet Sutherland of Ardachu). These two brothers lived in the two houses at Inchcape. Hugh left Inchcape to train as a marine engineer, marrying Ann Mackay from Acheilidh in Glasgow in 1835. They had 6 children; the youngest Hugh William Davidson, married Isabella Liddell Ramsay in Gourock – they had 8 children, one of whom (James Ramsay Davidson) was my grandfather.

I am also interested in Ann Mackay from Acheilidh in Rogart who married my g-g-grandfather Hugh Davidson. Ann’s parents were George Mackay and Elspet Matheson from Acheilidh (later Rossal).

I would also like to know more about Mary Mackay from Rhiandoggie, who married John. Mary’s parents were Alexander Mackay and Marian (Mary) Mackenzie.

The picture above shows Inchcape with the Davidson home in the forefront.
Fiona Perry
Scotland

MATHESON, MACLEOD, McASKILL, MACKENZIE in Assynt

2007-08-04T20:17:00.001+01:00

I am researching JOHN MACLEOD s/o John Macleod and Janet Macleod born 1795 Assynt married to MARGARET BANNERMAN (photo on left) born 1798 Loth and their family from Balchladich Stoer - my 4x great grandparents
their children -
WILLIAM MACLEOD - born 1819 brought up by his uncle Rev Alex Macleod. Went on to become Doctor - Royal Navy surgeon,
and eventually inspector general of hospitals and fleets.
JONATHAN MACLEOD - born 1823 never married died 1885 Balchladich
DOLINA MACLEOD - my 3x g grandmother born 1826 married 1846 her cousin William Matheson, s/o William Matheson and Anne Macleod Dolina died 1866.
MARGARET MACLEOD - born 1828 never married died 1872
JANET/JESSIE MACLEOD - born 1831 married 1. 1853 Norman Macleod s/o Murdoch and Christina and married 2. William Kerr . Jessie died 1870
ALEXANDER MACLEOD - born 1834 no info on him. Its thought he went to the US
ANN MACLEOD - born 1837 married 1873 to Alexander Macleod s/o Donald Macleod and Margaret Macrae. Ann died 1890 Balchladich.
JOHN MACLEOD - born 1842 went to NZ died 1919 in Christchurch NZ.
WILLIAM MACLEOD - born 1844 married 1865 Mary Macleod in Glasgow. No other info known

WILLIAM MATHESON born 1792 and ANNE MACLEOD born 1799 married 1818 Balchladich Stoer my 3x great grandparents
their children -
WILLIAM MATHESON born 1819 married his cousin Dolina Macleod 1846
ALEXANDER MATHESON born 1821 nothing known about him
BARBARA MATHESON born 1825 married hector Mackenzie 1851
JANET/JESSIE MATHESON born 1827 never married
ANNE MATHESON born 1830 married Donald Macaskill
HENRIETTA (HENNY) MATHESON born 1835 married Duncan Macleod 1857
CATHERINE MATHESON born 1857 born 1836 never married my 2x great grandmother
GEORGE MATHESON born 1840 married Isabella Matheson and Sarah Mackenzie
ISABELLA MATHESON born 1844 married George Matheson

WILLIAM MATHESON AND DOLINA MACLEOD married 1846 my 3x great grandparents
their children -
DONALD MATHESON born 1847
JOHN MATHESON born 1849
MARGARET MATHESON born 1851
GEORGE MATHESON born 1853
WILLIAM MATHESON born 1855 died 1859
BARBARA MATHESON my 2x great grandmother born 1858 married William Morrison
JANET MATHESON born 1861
WILLIAM MATHESON born 1863 died 1866
ANNIE MATHESON born 1866 died 1866

GEORGE MUNRO born 1876 Clashmore Stoer s/o Barbara Matheson (above) and George Munro AND CATHERINE MATHESON/CAMPBELL born 1869 Balchladich d/o Catherine Matheson and Angus Campbell - George Munro and Catherine Matheson/Campbell are my great grandparents, They married in the Stoer free church in 1893.
They had 7 children all born in Clashmore Stoer before they moved to Nedd. It is believed the family stayed in Nedd until after the war ended before they moved to Lochside house Lochmore. The last of the family emigrated to NZ in 1925, following after several of their children. Their first son William emigrated to NZ in 1913 followed a year later by his brother.

Thanks
Sandy Perry
Brisbane Queensland
AUSTRALIA

MACKAY, MORRISON, MCBEATH, MANSON & others

2007-08-04T20:15:00.001+01:00

My main interests are MACKAY/MORRISON/ MCBEATH from Skerray, Tongue - also some from Lairg
MANSON - originally from Tongue (this also includes Mackay from Strathnaver)
MORRISON/FALCONER/ MACKAY/MACASKILL - Scourie/Kinlochbervie/Durness.

Fiona Mackay
Scotland

MACDONALD, MUNRO, MACKAY

2007-08-04T20:01:00.001+01:00

This is a photo of my great grandmother, Hughina Munro, ms Macdonald, born 1852 in Durness, died 1951 in Golspie. She had 11 brothers and sisters and 10 children of her own, 3 sons who died in or as a result of WW1.

These are the folk I am researching:

MACDONALDS
MACDONALD, Archibald b. 1804? Ross and Cromarty? d. 1886, Durness m. MACKENZIE, Chirsty b. 1810 Assynt d. 1889 Durness - children:
MACDONALD, Johana born. Durness. 1831-1907
MACDONALD, Alexander born Durness 1834
MACDONALD, Mary born Durness 1834
MACDONALD, Isabella born Durness 1835
MACDONALD, Donald born Durness 1839
MACDONALD, Fairly born Durness 1841
MACDONALD, Kenneth born Durness 1843-1862
MACDONALD, Duncan born Durness 1844
MACDONALD, John born Durness 1848-1905
MACDONALD, Eric born Durness 1850-1862
MACDONALD, Hughina born Durness 1852-1951 (g.grandmother)
MACDONALD, Mary Belle born Durness 1855
Any information on Archibald Macdonald b. 1804 (differing dob and place of birth - so very hard to track down)

MUNRO
MUNRO, Donald b. 1807 Tongue, Sutherland d. 1884 married MACKENZIE, Jannet (Jessie) b. 1815 Durness d. 1909 Casheldhu - children:
MUNRO, Margaret b. 1841 d 1912 Casheldhu
MUNRO, Eslpie b. Durness 1843
MUNRO, William b. 1844 Durness d. 1894 Golspie (g.grandfather)
MUNRO, Jemima b. 1847
MUNRO, Dolina b. 1851
MUNRO, Isabella b. 1853
MUNRO, Kennethina b. 1857
MUNRO, William b.1844 m. 1873 MACDONALD, Hughina b. 1852 Durness d. 1851 Golspie - children:

MUNRO, Christina Isabella b. 1873 Tongue
MUNRO, Angusina b. 1876 Cromarty
MUNRO, Donald b. 1877 Urquhart, Ross and Cromarty (Saskatchewan? )
MUNRO, Jessie Mackenzie b. 1880 Durness
MUNRO, Archibald b. 1881 Durness d. 1923 Chicago, Ill. USA
MUNRO, Eppie b. 1884 Golspie
MUNRO, Mary b. 1886 Golspie d. 1952 Golspie (grandmother)
MUNRO, Duncan b. 1888 Golspie d. 1947 d. 1947 Crosby, ND. USA
MUNRO, William b. 1891 Tain d. 1916 d. France
MUNRO, John Alexander b. 1893 Golspie d. 1917 d. FranceSearching for more info. on
MUNRO, Archibald b. 1881 and
MUNRO, Donald b. 1877

MACKAY
MACKAY, Donald b. 1811 m. 11 Jun 1836 to GORDON, Ann
MACKAY, William (Ploughman at Meikle Creich, Bonar-1880) Birth: 1845 Death: 1911 Golspie Marriage: 25 May, 1880 to MACPHERSON, Jane
MACPHERSON, Duncan b. 1805 in Rogart m. MACKAY, Ann b. 1807 in Golspie
MACPHERSON, Jane b. 1851 (Spinster, Merchant's Daughter, Pittentrail, Rogart - 1880)MACKAY, William b. 1845 and MACPHERSON, Jane b. 1851children:
MACKAY, Ann b.1881 Golspie (no info)
MACKAY, Donald Alexander b. 11 Feb. 1883 Golspie
MACKAY, Duncan b.1885 Golspie d.1961 Golspie (grandfather)
MACKAY, William George b. 1887 Golspie d. 1914-18 France?
MACKAY, John Sturrock b. 13 May, 1889 Golspie d. 1 Apr. 1890
MACKAY, John Sturrock b. 1892 (Sep.1959 lived at 19 Victoria Street, St. Catherine's, Ontario) (need info)
MACKAY, Robert Soutar b. 1894 Golspie d. Mar. 1898

Any connection to any of the above would be great.

Shirley Sutherland

Golspie

SUTHERLAND (Davy) & MACRAE, Clyne & Golspie

2007-08-04T19:53:00.001+01:00

As one of the native highlanders of Sutherland I had better put pen to paper, so to speak.

I am related to several folk who have already listed here. Carole Anderson has posted a fairly full Sutherland Davy tree which is my maternal granny's line and Ian Polley from Vancouver has also posted. He and I pursue similar brick walls.

Dave Macrae has posted the Macrae line - my maternal grandfather was a Macrae - one of the blessings of this group has been to establish family contacts.

Morag & George Sutherland

Brora, Clyne

MACLEOD in Eddrachillis, Handa Island & MACRAE in Assynt

2007-08-04T19:46:00.001+01:00

Macleod in Eddrachillis

All my people on my mother's side of the family came from Oldshore in the Kinlochbervie area.I was born in Kinlochbervie and went to school for the first four years at Oldshoremore School. I have lots of details on the people from this area that I am willing to share with anyone.

The Macleod's in my family originally came from Handa Island, Eddrachilles and in the 1841 census of Handa the household had the following people in it: George MacLeod, 60 years (my G/G/G/Grandfather), Ann Macleod, 55 years, (she was born in Ireland), John MacLeod, 25 years, Margaret MacLeod, 25 years, Robert MacLeod, 20 years, (My G/G/Grandfather). Robert Macleod must have left Handa prior to 1846 as he married a Mary MacKay at Kinlochbervie and their first child was born in 1847.

Handa Island had 12 families in the 1841 census and due to the potato famine they asked to be taken off the island. Most of the families went to Canada on the "Ellen" that left Loch Laxford on 22 May 1848. On the passenger list of the "Ellen" there was a family of George MacLeod, Nancy Macleod and Margaret Macleod. I am not sure if this is my people or not. I cannot find them in Scotland after 1841 and it may be that Nancy was written down in the ships's records instead of Ann. (I cannot recall seeing any other Nancy's in those days).

If anyone else has connections with Handa I would be delighted to hear from them.

Macrae in Assynt

My G/G/Grandmother was a Janet Macrae, born 1823 at Assynt, daughter of John Macrae and Isabella Macrae or Macrae. Janet was married to a Hugh MacPherson from Ardmore and she died on 6th September 1899 at Ardmore. In the 1851 census, Janet is shown living with an Alexander and Chirsty Sinclair (both born in Assynt) at Ardmore. She was their niece. A Duncan Macrae 19 years, a nephew of the Sinclairs, was also living at Ardmore in the same house. I know that there were another family of Macrae in Ardmore at the same time but I am not sure what the relationship was between Janet and them. Would love to find out.

Thanks

Hector MacRae

Bonar Bridge, Sutherland

MACKAY, MACDONALD, MACLEOD, Rogart

2007-08-04T19:38:00.001+01:00

Still seeking any info or connection for Robert MacKay b.1734 in Rogart (Possible parents :Father: Hugh MACKAY Mother: Janet MACDONALD) married Barbara MacLeod (no info) October 26, 1778 (in New York).

After serving as a soldier in the 42nd Regiment during the Rev. War, he came to New Brunswick, Canada in 1783 as a Loyalist and settled on Nashwaak River, Saint Marys Parish, York County, New Brunswick, and raised four sons.

Tammy McKay
New Brunswick, Canada

SUTHERLAND, MACKAY, MACBEATH

2007-08-04T18:54:00.001+01:00

My name is Iain Sutherland in Yorkshire, England, brother of Mona Black in Queensland, Australia. I try and find the dead folk while Mona works out who taught them so well!

Our Mum, Margaret Robertson, was a side School Teacher at West Langwell School near Rogart in the 1930s. Photo on the left shows Margaret as a ten year old. John MacDonald's excellent book on Rogart has mention of our Robertsons and Macbeaths from Rogart. An article our Mum wrote a long time ago has been posted on the List "The Job Was Mine for Forty Pounds a Year" - would aTeacher work for that now?

Many people in Clyne in particular owe an unacknowledged debt to Mona, who about 17 years ago, asked Jackie Maclennan, then the Registrar, to look into our Family history. The work which he did was later given out by the late Willie Gunn and I have seen two exact copies on my visits to Brora. I was even refused sight of one because "Willie gave me it"! I must admit I find this hilarious particularly as the same gentleman gladly took the information I freely gave him and has since given talks based on both.

Our family begins with John Sutherland marrying Henrietta Mackay of Rogart around 1800. Henrietta's parents were John Mackay and Merron Matheson who I cannot trace in 1805. It appears that John and Henrietta were at Ladies Loch, Clyne, on a croft to be occupied by descendants till the 1930s. John's son married Jessie Bannerman from the croft next door and in turn their son John married Margaret MacBeath of Rogart. Son Donald did as his forefathers had and married a Rogart lass, our Mum.

James MacBeath, "soldier 2nd S.F.R.", married Ann MacBeath of Reisk, Kildonan, in March 1798. They were cleared from Reisk in 1813. The next mention I have of James is his death around 1830. His son Neil was at the Doll, Clyne, with his Mother in 1841. He married Margaret Ross. Both are buried in Clyne Kirkton.

One of their sons, James or Jamus, in John's book married twice - once to Christina Sutherland then as a widower to Margaret Sutherland who's Mother was Christina Grant of Achnaggarin, Rogart.

The Reid family were at Crakaig, Loth from before 1830 till the 1930s. Williamina Reid nee Gunn married to Gordon Reid was the daughter of William Gunn and Janet Gilchrist. Williamina died in 1869 aged 100. In 1841 William Reid married Catherine Swanson of Kilmote, Loth and their son Donald was our Mum's Grandfather. Another child, Catherine, married another James MacBeath and through this union we are related to both MacBeath lines in the Doll.

Kenneth Robertson, born in Kiltarlity, was a coach driver for the Duke of Sutherland's Factor and lived for a time in Golspie. He was in Rogart having seen war service but with a bad leg in 1917 and is in the photo on Christine's Site. Kenneth's wife Minnie was born near Croy. She died in Rogart and both are buried in Rogart Cemetary.

Iain Sutherland

Yorkshire, England

SIMPSON, TOUGH, MACDONALD, MACKAY in Eddrachillis, Lairg & Rogart

2007-08-04T12:15:00.001+01:00

Hello, These are the folks and places that I'm researching.

The TOUGH line originated from Stirling - William TOUGH (b.1794 d.1880) m. Lillias CULLEN (b. c1793 d. 1880).
The SIMPSON line came to Scourie, Eddrachillis from Tain, Ross & Cromarty - Alexander SIMPSON (b. c1774 d.1863); Fa: Alexander SIMPSON m. Elizabeth CLARKE (b. c1775 d.1855; parents were Alexander CLARKE and Elizabeth ROSS).
John SIMPSON, (b.1808 d.1888; Tain, Ross and Cromarty and Eddrachillis) was the son of Alexander SIMPSON and Elizabeth CLARKE. He married Ann Cullen TOUGH (b. ~ 1824 Gargunnock, Stirling; d. 1903 Nairn). Their children include John SIMPSON (b. 12 May 1853; Scourie, d. 1918 Balmoral, Manitoba, Canada) who married Catherine MACDONALD (b. 1853 m.10 Feb 1882; Scourie, d. 1932 Balmoral, Manitoba, Canada).
The MACDONALD/MACKAY line from Lairg (Torroble) Donald MACDONALD (?--bef. 1851) m. Marion MACKAY (b. ~ 1778 d.1870; Fa: William MACKAY, Mo: Jane MATHESON).
Children: Donald (b. ~ 1803 d.1888), William (b.~ 1805 d.1880) and Jane (b. ~ 1805 d.1891).
I'm currently trying to determine when/where Donald MACDONALD died, I have not been able to locate this family definitively on the 1841 census. His wife is listed in the 1851 Census (house no. 23; Torroble, Parish of Lairg) as a widow and lotter.
Alexander MACKAY (b. ~ 1779 d.1872 East Langwell, Rogart; Fa.Alexander, Mo: Christina) m. Catharine MACKAY (b. 1788 d.1866; Fa.William).
Children include Merran Mackay (b. 1816 (Langwell, Rogart) d. 1865(Scourie) who married Donald MACDONALD (b. 1803 (Lairg) d.1888(Scourie), son of Donald MACDONALD above).
Any information on connections to these families would be welcome.
Thanks
Donna Marie Bilkovic
Virginia, USA

MACKAY, SUTHERLAND, GRANT in Dornoch & Rogart

2007-08-04T12:12:00.000+01:00

John MACKAY, merchant, born Dornoch abt 1788, married Janet SUTHERLAND, born Rogart abt 1798. She died at Altnaharra 1832. John and 5 children emigrated to Toronto, Ontario Canada in 1836.

John's siblings that I know of were Catherine, Andrew, John, Donald, and Hector. John's sister Catherine MACKAY born Dornoch abt 1790 married Donald GRANT, blacksmith, Embo, Dornoch. Catherine and Donald emigrated to Victoria County, Ontario, Canada in 1831 with 9 children. I have not found any records of the parents of the MacKays or of Donald Grant in Sutherland.

Marilyn Hoyte

Canada

MACLEOD & MACKENZIE in Assynt

2007-08-04T12:08:00.000+01:00

When time permits and I'm not working on other branches of my family I contine to sporadically research my father's family. He was Ian MacLeod (Dean) in Culkein, Achnacarnin, Assynt, and the majority of his ancestors were MacLeods or Mackenzies, mostly from Culkein and Clashnessie.
I have a few dead ends at the moment.

Trying to find the parents of Kenneth Mackenzie born 1822 Stoer, Assynt. The IGI suggests that his mother could be Isabella and there is also a record of a baptism in Assynt 25th June 1822, giving father as Alexander and mother as Isobel. This may be my Kenneth but could be someone completely different.

My MacLeod line comes to an end with Norman MacLeod born about 1750. I don't know if he was actually born in Culkein or somewhere completely different. Death records only start in 1855 so no help there. I know that he was married to Ann MacLeod, from his son William's death certificate in 1865.

Marian Macleod

MACKAY, MURRAY, BRUCE, GRAY, GILLANDER, Dornoch, Rogart, Clyne

2007-08-04T12:03:00.001+01:00

I was born in Helmsdale, Kildonan, Sutherland and my father was born in Golspie. All my Sutherland researches are finding his ancestors (and mine of course).

Researching:
1) McKAYS of the Doll Clyne, descended from John Mackay and Janet Murray of Loth probably Lothmore.
2) MACKAYS of Inchcape and Muie Rogart - interested in all Inchcape families.
3) MURRAYS of Achnagarrin, Rogart and Fleuchary, Dornoch
4) BRUCES descended from Alexander Bruce/Mary Ann or Marion Ross of Rogart/Dornoch parishes
5) GRAYS of Skibo and Evelix Dornoch - in fact researching all GRAY families in Sutherland.
6) GILLANDERS - Donald Gillanders and Margaret (Peggy) Campbell originally fron Contin, Ross and Cromarty, but recorded in several censuses in Sutherland where Donald was a shepherd. Believed to have emigrated with their large family post 1881 perhaps to Canada - my main BRICK WALL - found one son in Canada but did they all go there? Their eldest daughter Ann Gillanders who was my great grandmother is the only one of the family who remained in Scotland. She married Alexander Mackay of the Doll, Brora

A pilot officer W. Gillanders visited one of my great aunts in 1943 - can anyone in Canada tell me if it is possible to access WW2 records?

Presently researching all Mackay/McKay families in Sutherland - I must be mad!!!

Sheila Mackay

Edinburgh

McKAY (GOW) and McKAY McINLAY, Tongue

2007-08-04T11:56:00.000+01:00

The people of special interest to us are the families and descendants of:-

1) JOHN McKAY (GOW) Blandy, Tongue, stonemason, ground officer of Tongue, married Barbara MACLEOD, whose parentage we have not yet established. He died 1820; she died 1845. Their family included -
Catherine b bef 1788 d 1840-41, Strathtongue
George b c 1788 d 1857 stonemason, Dalcharn
Barbara b 1793 d unm 1869
Helen b 1796Robert b c 1800 d 1872 joiner, Strathtongue
Hugh, youngest son, ground officer of Tongue1823-1826; may have emigrated c 1832.

2) JOHN McKAY McINLAY, Strathmoreskerray, Lamigo and Blandy, Tongue - fisherman and tenant, b c 1776, married Merran MCKAY, daughter of John McKay and Catherine McKay. He died between 1844 and 1851; she died 1858. Their family included:-
John b c 1810.... b c 1816
Janet b c 1818
Isabella b c 1821
Williamina b 1822
Robertina b 1822
George b c 1824

We have some more information about their children and grandchildren, and would welcome any further details especially about John McKay Gow's and BarbaraMacLeod's parentage.

We also have a general interest in the history of Tongue in the late eighteenth and the first half ofthe nineteenth century.

Margaret McKay
UK

POLSON

2007-08-04T11:52:00.002+01:00

My Sutherland interests are in the name POLSON and I am interested in all connections to this name. I have a large portfolio of families with this name and have pieced together several relationships.

My direct family line come from Marrel, near Helmsdale. My great great greatgrandparents were Murdoch Polson and Catherine Sutherland. Their eldest son James Polson and his wife Flora McKenzie inherited the Marrel croft and then it passed to their youngest son William Polson and his wife Annie Allan. William and Annie had 7 children. Their great grandson Walter Mackay still lives in Golspie. He has a coalyard.

James and Flora Polson had nine children, two of whom (John and Catherine) came to New Zealand. John married Christina Ross from West Helmsdale, daughter of Rhoderick Ross and Christy McIntosh. They came to NZ separately and married in Christchurch. They lived in the Tarras area of Central Otago and had a family of 9 children. They are my great grandparents.

Catherine married Murdoch Bruce, also in New Zealand. They lived at Seadowns, near Ashburton and had a family of 12 children.

James Polson's younger brother was Alexander Polson who married Elizabeth Sutherland. They lived at Marrel and had a family of 4 daughters.

Any information about POLSON families from Sutherland is always appreciated.

Adair Polson-Genge

Invercargill, New Zealand
See also HERE

SUTHERLAND (Davie) in Brora, Clyne

2007-08-04T11:49:00.001+01:00

I’m still trying to find my Sutherland (Davie) forbears. I have managed to trace them back to John Sutherland b 1803, died before 1841. He was born in Brora, Clyne, and was a fisherman. His parents were Donald Sutherland and Anne Grant, I have no birth dates or marriage dates for them. I find myself unable to get back any further.

The history of the family is that of fisher folk from Brora with some marriages with the fisher folk from Golspie. The fishing communities were a very close knit and as a rule did not intermingle with non fisher folk. My folk abandoned the sea in the early years of 20th century. The younger family members emigrating to Canada . Only Morag remains in Brora to help with my quest.

Ian Polley

Vancouver . BC

KERR in Achmelvich & MACLEOD in Pollan, Assynt

2007-08-04T08:46:00.000+01:00

My folks were most recently from Pollan and Achmelvich. I believe that they were cleared from Loch Beannach, and Bad a Grinnan to Achmelvich circa 1820.

The last generation to live in Achmelvich at Redbrae, included my grandmother, Kathy Kerr (Christina Kitty Kerr was her birth cert name), and her sisters, Chrissie (another Christina), Fanny (Frances Margaret) Minnie (Williamina) , and their brothers Neil, who died as a teenager, and Murdo, who was blown up on the Somme and buried alive, but was rescued, and survived. All the children moved to Glasgow or Edinburgh in the post WW1. We still had some relatives living in Pollan at this stage too. Would anyone have known them, or of them? I understand that the family were known as Didems, but that is anecdotal.

Photograph above shows Murdo Kerr on his wedding day. He married Edith Allen just after World War One. Murdo was badly injured in the war and met Edie, his nurse, while convalescing in Norfolk.

* * * * *

The Pollan part of the family lived there from at least the 1750's, with my GGGGgrandparents being William McLeod and Janet McLeod. Both died between 1841 and 1851. I only have estimated birth dates from the 1841 census. Their children were Catherine, Murdoch (my GGG grandfather) Hugh, John and William. We have good information on Murdoch and Hugh, but nothing on the others.

The Bad a Grinnan and Loch Beannach families were the same line through a marriage in 1806 of Niel Kerr of Loch Beannach and Christy McLeod of BAd a Grinnan. Christy's parents were Donald McLeod and Elizabeth McDonald. I don't know who Neil's family were, but Alexander became the eldest boy's name through the next few generations. They had children Mary, Grace, Catherine, Alexander, Johanna, Donald, Ann. the Donald matching Christy's father's name, but no match for Elizabeth...

Again, would anyone know any of these families, or have links to them?

My best to all

Edward Paxton,

England

MACKAY & SUTHERLAND in Kildonan

2007-08-04T08:10:00.000+01:00

I am interested in Angus MacKay (1789-1871) and his wife Jean (Jane) Sutherland (1791-1880), who were cleared from Kildonan in 1813 and departed for the Lord Selkirk’s fledgling Red River colony on the Prince of Wales that same year. They left the Red River in June 1815 and ultimately settled in Aldborough Township, Elgin County, Ontario.

Angus was the son of the Catechist Donald MacKay and his family, as described in Memorabilia Domestica. Jean was the daughter of John (Ian Meadhonach) Sutherland and Catherine Grant, again as mentioned by Sage.

I have been researching their clearance and subsequent travels in depth and have almost finished a Powerpoint slide show on them, which I intend to present to our genealogy society in Ottawa next February. I then plan to write a self-published book on Kildonan, and its culture and history up to the Clearances, incorporating the Angus and Jean’s “adventures” on their journey and ultimate settlement in Aldborough.

David Thomas
Canada

MACLEOD & ROBERTSON in Assynt

2007-08-04T08:08:00.000+01:00

Have researched my MCLEOD ancestors in Ontario and have traced them back to Donald MCLEOD, Stoer, marrying Margaret (Peggy) ROBERTSON, Oldney, in the Parish of Assynt on Feb 16, 1832.

They had the following children:
Hugh, Donald (Daniel), John, Thomas, and possible an Anne.
I have found then in the 1841 census and believe I have them in the 1851 census in Kincardine area, Bruce county, Ontario. They were farming and fishing and one of the sons was a boat builder in Bayfield, Ontario.

I have not found anything one this couple in Scotland. I wouldappreciate if anyone you steer me in the right direction as where to continue my search in Scotland as I have no idea where to start looking.
Lea Ann Veysey
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

WHYTE, MACKAY, MACINTOSH, SUTHERLAND

2007-08-04T07:49:00.001+01:00

My WHYTE family in Durness & Eddrachillis.
I am looking for information on the family of my GGGGrandparents, William Whyte born 1780 Achanahanat, Durness and Janet McKay born 1792 Eribol, Durness who emigrated to Canada.
William was the son of John Whyte born abt. 1740 and Ann Fraser born abt.1742 and I think Janet was the daughter of William McKay and Johanna Munro.
I descend from William and Janet Whyte's daughter, Elizabeth born abt. 1828. She had a brother Kenneth Scobie Whyte born 1929. . . .both born Parish of Eddrachillis and came to Canada.

My MACINTOSH family in Eddrachillis

Hector McIntosh married Elizabeth Reay. I do not have birth or marriage date. I do know that they had six children. Five of them emigrated to Canada from Kinlochbervie in 1841.
1. Barbara was a widow when she came to Canada and married a Mr. McKay in Canada. I do not know the name of her first husband in Scotland.
2. Hugh born abt. 1802 married in 1894 Jane Morrison born Abt. 1804.
3. My ancestor - George born 1815 Parish of Eddrachillis married Alexia (Lexie) Ross born 1813, Tain, Ross & Cromarty settled in Oxford County, Ontario. Lexi Ross had a sister Barbara married to Angus Morrison who emigrated at the same time
4. William married Sarah and emigrated to settle in Detroit, Michigan.
5. Henrietta born 1820 married George Morrison born 1830 settled in Oxford County, Ontario.
6. Ann remained in Scotland - do not know any more about her.

Would appreciated information on any of this family.

Also my maternal Sutherland family from Dornoch.
James Sutherland born 1795 Birichen, Dornoch married 1813 in Dornoch to Catherine (Keat) McKay born in Birichen. They had nine children. Five of them left Scotland for Canada. Angus, Helen, Andrew, James and Innes.
1. Robert born 1816 Dornoch
2. David born 1818 Dornoch
3. James born 1820 Dornoch emigrated to Canada.
4. Angus born 1822 Dornoch married in 1846 Janet McDonald born Tain - emigrated abt. 1852 to Canada and settled in Hamilton, then later Ingersoll, Ontario.
5. Helen (Ellen) born 1825 Dornoch emigrated to Canada and married 1858 in Canada to Alexander Jamieson - lived in Oxford County, Ontario
6. Elspet born 1827 Dornoch
7. John born 1828 Dornoch
8. Andrew born 1830 Dornoch married prior to 1854 Sophia McDonald born 1831 Dornoch. . they emigrated abt. 1854 to Oxford County, Ontario. My Great Grandparents.
9. Innes born 1833 Dornoch married in Canada 1877 to Agnes Ross - emigrated to Canada abt. 1854

Any information on any of the above appreciated.

Thank you

Jean Hammond. London, Ontario

CAMPBELL in Lairg & MACNAB in Creich

2007-08-04T07:34:00.001+01:00

My interests are starting with my 4th great grandparents, Alexander Campbell born 1768 Lairg, son of Alexander Campbell married Christian Gray, born c1774 Lairg, daughter of Angus Gray & Ann Sutherland. Their children married into the following families.Bethune, MacKay, Ross, McDonald (from Rogart).

Also researching my 2nd x great grandmothers family, McNab. Ellen McNab born 1819 Creich, daughter of Kenneth McNab & Catherine Calder.
Regards
Lorraine Weaver
Cairns, Queensland, Australia

SUTHERLAND, MACDONALD in Fishertown, Golspie

2007-08-04T07:19:00.001+01:00

David SUTHERLAND, Fishertown, Golspy, a Gaelic-speaking seaman, through John SUTHERLAND, christened in Golpie, 01 May 1748, through Donald "Davy" SUTHERLAND d. pre-1866, Fisherman.

Anne MACDONALD b. 1780 d. 02 October 1866, Fishertown, Golspie through James SUTHERLAND b. 1812, Fishertown, Golspie d. 25 August 1892, Age: 80 m. 25 Nov 1836 to Elizabeth MACKAY b. 20 July 1817, Embo, Dornoch d. 1898 dau of Alexander MACKAY, Embo, Dornoch & Anne SUTHERLAND, Embo, Dornoch, through James SUTHERLAND b. 1858 Fishertown, Golspie m. 10 October 1879 Golspie, to Mary MACRAE, Fishertown, Golspie b. 26 January 1858, Fishertown, Golspie d. 27 January 1937, Fishertown, Golspie

In the 1841 Census for Scotland, James SUTHERLAND and his wife, Elizabeth MACKAY [b. Embo, Dornoch] lived on Shore Street, Fishertown, Golspie. They had one of the original cottages built according to plans laid out by the Countess of Sutherland for a village based on the "Street of the Fishertown" in the early 1800's. The cottages were 50 feet by 20 feet with a croft of 3/4 of an acre. The men built their own cottages and had a 99 year lease onthe land. This cottage on Shore Street was tenanted by James and Elizabeth until their deaths.

William MACRAE, b. Fishertown, Golspie, Sutherlandshire,, m 31 May 1792, Golspie, to Sarah SUTHERLAND - Children of William and Sarah: 4 (known)

through Robert MACRAE [3rd child of 4 known] b. 24 May 1806, Fishertown, Golspie m 04 March 1830, Golspie, to Jane URQUHART b. Brora, Parish of Clyne, Children of Robert and Jane: 4 (known)

through William MACRAE [2nd child of 4 known] b. 05 June 1832, Fishertown, Golspie, m. March 1853, Fishertown, Golspie to Jane SUTHERLAND b. 14 April 1832/1835-36, Fishertown, Golspie - Children of William and Jane: 5

through Mary MACRAE b. 26 January 1858, Fishertown, Golspie d. 27 January 1937, Fishertown, Golspie m. 10 October 1879, Fishertown, Golspie to James SUTHERLAND b. 04 February 1856, Fishertown, Golspie d. 30 October 1931, Fishertown, Golspie Children of Mary and James: 8

through Williamina SUTHERLAND [4th of 8 children] b. 08 July 1887, Fishertown, Golspie d. 13 February 1959, Los Angeles, CA m. 17 July 1913, Pittsburgh, PA to Henry Brown ANDERSON b. 09 October 1885, Evanton, Kiltearn, Scotland, son of William ANDERSON, Sawmiller, [whose family were originally crofters in Clyne, Scotland] and Jane BROWN, Bothwell/Glasgow, Scotland[dau of John BROWN, 18 May 1808 Badnellan/Clyne & Christine MCLEOD, 1820 Badnellan, Clyne] d. 02 January 1920 Pittsburgh, PA, Children of Williamina and Henry: 3

Research by Harriet Brown Anderson, 1918-1997 [Corrections to Sutherland tree by Morag Mackay Sutherland and Roland Johnson]

Photograph above shows part of Shore Street, Golspie

Below is my aunt's story:

Narrative by Harriet Brown Anderson:
My mother, Williamina Sutherland, and her cousin, Christine Sutherland, left Golspie as teenagers and went to Edinburgh to look for work. Mother became a house maid/governess until, in 1907, she had earned enough money for her passage to America. She, her brother Aleck, and Christine sailed from Glasgow on the S.S. Caledonia, April 6, 1907. They entered the United States through Ellis Island on April 15, 1907. After being processed, they were put directly aboard a train for Youngstown, Ohio, where their sponsor lived. My mother went to work as a governess for the Hamilton family. Their daughter, Margaret, became a noted concert pianist. When the Hamilton's moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to further their daughter's music education, they took my mother with them.

In 1909, Henry (Harry) Anderson, who was to become my father, followed Williamina to Pittsburgh. They had met while she was in Edinburgh and he was attending Edinburgh College of Agriculture. [And therein lays a whole other story...]. He and my mother were married on July 17, 1913 in Pittsburgh and subsequently became naturalized citizens there. They had three children. In
1920, when I was just a year and a half old, my father passed away after he was involved in a streetcar accident with complications from spinal meningitis. My mother was left to support us three small children. She was advised to use the money my father left her and buy a boarding house. This was a catastrophe! She was too soft-hearted to insist on the rent from various tenants with endless hard luck stories. Instead of making money, she started using what was left of her savings. Her parents wanted us to come to Golspie to live with them. So after three years of trying to make a go of it on her own, Mother sold our house and returned to Golspie with us in 1923.

One of the stories told about our trip was that in Glasgow, she went into a store to buy some crackers for my brother, my sister and I to eat on the long trip north. The storekeeper looked at her rather peculiarly and said "Crackers?" She said "Yes, for the youngsters." He went off to the back of the store with a puzzled look and shortly returned with a box of firecrackers. Mother really had to laugh. She had forgotten that in Scotland, they call crackers for eating "biscuits." I guess the storekeeper wondered what her children were going to do with firecrackers on the train!

In Golspie, she had to depend on her parents for support since she could find no employment. We attended the same elementary school that all the Sutherland children had attended. We had the same teacher our mother had - Miss Sellars. Discipline was very strict in the school. If you were not obedient, the teacher would go out and get a switch from the tree and use it across your knuckles. On the other hand, if you did something that really pleased her, she always had a "sweetie" (a piece of candy) for you.

The people of the town were very religious and Sunday was a complete day of rest. They attended morning and evening church services. The evening service was conducted in Gaelic. No cooking was done on Sunday, so a pot of broth (a thick soup) was made on Saturday and kept heated for Sunday lunch and dinner. In those days, drinking water was drawn from the town pump. Sunday's water had to be drawn on Saturday. We children slept upstairs, while our grandparents had their bedroom on the first floor. One Sunday morning, we woke up early and decided to play the gramophone - which had to be wound up with a crank. Grandfather was so shocked that we would play records on a Sunday that he took the crank from the machine and never let us have it again!

In 1924, after ten months in Golspie, my mother decided she would return to America. So with three children, three trunks, twenty dollars and tickets to Pittsburgh, she landed in New York. We were met by her sister, Jean, who helped us get back to Pittsburgh. Mother immediately went out and found herself a job after registering us in Liberty Elementary School. As her financial condition improved, she looked for a place with a little more room. It was hard to find a reasonable place to live as no one wanted to rent to a widow with three children. Finally, she found a place where the people rented her two rooms on the third floor of a house. We stayed here a couple of months. Then she heard of a small house on a street that was just one block long, Selma Street. The house had a large kitchen and a livingroom with a fireplace on the first floor, and a large and a small bedroom on the second floor. The house had no electricity. Gas was used for lighting as well as for heating. The street was a true cross-section of America's melting pot, with families of Swedish, English, Irish, German, Scottish, Italian and African roots. The faiths represented were just as diverse. We were all poor, but every one of the parents had great pride in wanting their children to be American.

Mother went out and did day work as a domestic to earn a living. She worked for some of the wealthiest families in the country - Mellons, Scaifes, and D.M. Clemson, who was a partner of Andrew Carnegie. (When Mr. Clemson died, he left her a small amount in his will. Coincidentally, this was the first estate my father had worked for as a landscape gardener when he came from Scotland.) As we children grew, our family prospered and kept moving to better homes. We eventually lived in a duplex on Columbo Street across the street from the site where she and Henry Anderson had lived when my brother, their first child, was born.

In the late 1940s, my Mother, my sister and I moved to California because of Mother's health. She worked as a cook for some of the famous people of Beverly Hills: Tom May of the May Company, Jack Warner the movie producer, Gary Cooper the movie star, and the Battsons--owners of Union Oil Company. Eventually she worked as a housekeeper for Jose Iturbi, the world famous pianist. She was still working part-time for Mr. Iturbi when she passed away. She is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale near the Wee Kirk-o-the-Heather in the section known as Everlasting Love...

Narrative by Harriet Brown Anderson, 1987 [1918-1997]
Edited by her niece, Carole E. Anderson

Carole E Anderson U.S.A.

MACLEOD, MATHESON, FRASER in Assynt

2007-08-04T07:15:00.001+01:00

I would love to find out more about my ggggrandfather, Angus Macleod (c1810) and his family...... His wife was Christy Macleod (c1813) and children were:
James,1839
Catherine ,1841,
Roderick,1843,
John,1845,
HECTOR,1848, (my gggrandpa)
Alexa, 1855
JOHAN, 1857 (who had a son, John Ross, born 1865).

Also, any Mathesons - Merran? 1824, and her husband, Donald Fraser 1820? and their family.
and Mackenzies, from near Lochinver, Assynt

The photograph shows Hector Macleod, Clachtoll, Assynt, my great, great grandpa. Photo was taken around 1923 and shows my great step aunt, Flossie McPhail (Mackenzie), her little sister, Ishbar and older sister, Hughina. Isn't this a treasure??
Betty Sheather, Australia

MACKAY in Dornoch & Rogart

2007-08-03T20:01:00.001+01:00

John MACKAY b1700s Dornoch married Margaret CAMPBELL b1700s.

Their son Alexander MACKAY - tenant farmer born Dornoch 1.12.1781 married in Dornoch 1.12.1802, to Sibla (Isobel) ROSS who was born Dornoch 21.7.1783 daughter of Donald ROSS and Jean MURRAY.

Alexander and Sibla's son Donald MACKAY - Schoolteacher in Achnahanat, was born in Rogart abt. 1802/3, married Johanna MUNRO who was born in Tain, Ross-shire abt 1815/16. Her mother named Christina Ross in 1861 census.

Donald and Johanna's son HUGH MACKAY - house carpenter, born Kincardine, Ross-shire (Achnahanat?), in 1851 married at Achnahanat schoolhouse, 1877 Jane (Janet) KENNEDY daughter of Thomas KENNEDY and Margaret ADAM from Ayrshire.

Their daughter, my lovely Granny, Margaret Adam MACKAY b. Glasgow 1885 d. Southampton 1961. Other children Donald b. 1880, Andrew b. 1885/6 John b. 1888, Hugh (my nemesis) b.1893.
Regards to all,
Linda Hawkins
England

MUNRO in Golspie

2007-08-03T19:55:00.001+01:00

John MUNRO, an agricultural labourer, Shoemaker and Constable, was born c. 1796 Golspie, d. 1851, married c.1815 to Eliza/Elspat SUTHERLAND b. 1797 d/o James, shoemaker of Sallachton, Golspie, and Jean Sutherland.

Eliza's brother Donald b 1802 married Catherine Gordon and went to Ontario, Canada, early 1850s. Eliza had another brother, William b 1807.

John & Eliza lived at Drummuie, Golspie. Their children:

1816 Catherine,spinster,
1820 John, shoemaker, m Ann SUTHERLAND d/o Donald, weaver, & Isabella - stayed in Golspie.
1822 Hugh, shoemaker, m Christina McLEAN of Loth d/o John & Flora - to Victoria, Australia, 1853.
1825 James, tailor, m Mary McLEOD d/o Roderick & Mary GUNN - to Embo, Ontario, Canada early 1850s.
1828 Jean, unknown
1829 Joseph, carpenter, m Maria ELLIS - to Victoria, Australia, 1852.
1833 Jane m Gilbert MITCHELL, mason - stayed Golspie.

Unable to find parents & siblings for John Munro of Drummuie. Have lots on everyone else.

Lizzi Bell, nee Munroe
Australia

HENDERSON, GUNN, BRUCE, POLSON & others

2007-08-03T19:51:00.001+01:00

John Henderson & Catherine Polson had a son Gordon Henderson born 1796 in Kildonan. Gordon Henderson married Christy Bruce in Loth in 1824, daughter of Adam Bruce & Charlotte McLeod. Gordon Henderson & Christy Bruce had 3 sons, John, George & Gordon, all born in Loth.

George & Gordon married sisters, Betsy & Peggy Bruce, daughters of William Bruce & Jannet Gunn of Kildonan. William Bruce (born 1790s) was the son of Alexander Bruce & Margaret Sutherland & his wife Jannet Gunn (born 1790s) was the daughter of Donald Gunn & Esther Sutherland - all from Loth & Kildonan parish except Esther Sutherland who was from Caithness.

George Pope Henderson & wife Betsy Bruce - shown in photograph on left - emigrated to Ontario, Canada in 1871. Have lots of info to share. Always looking for someone else connected to these families.

Regards to all.

Margaret Gaven

North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

POLSON in Loth

2007-08-03T19:46:00.004+01:00

I'm looking for Polson and Murray in or around Marrel, Loth or in Kildonan.
Also searching for Sutherland, Fraser and McPherson in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada.
Also all those who married the descendants of Angus Polson/Jean Polson of Loth.
Photograph shows Barbara, born 1874, daughter of Angus & Jean Polson.

Jenelle McCarrick
Queensland, Australia

SUTHERLAND in Loth & Kildonan

2007-08-03T19:43:00.001+01:00

Still trying to establish the relationship between Esther SUTHERLAND born about 1771 in Loth and Donald SUTHERLAND (c.1767-1858), son of John SUTHERLAND and Betty SUTHERLAND of Kildonan in Kildonan Parish.

The 1851 census of Kildonan, Parish of Kildonan, describes Esther as "sister-in-law" to head of household Donald SUTHERLAND, retired gamekeeper, (wife Rose GORDON died 1849).

Donald's known siblings, as noted in Memorabilia Domestica, are John who married Catherine GRANT (Ian Meadhonach), John who went to Caithness (Ian Beg) and Cairstean. The 1851 census remains my only real clue to Esther's existence.

Best wishes to all,

Frances Bishop, Canada

HARPER & ROSS in Kildonan

2007-08-03T19:28:00.000+01:00

My great grandfather, JAMES MACKAY married ANN HARPER in Helmsdale, Kildonan, in 1862. Ann's parents were JAMES HARPER and MARGARET ROSS . MARGARET ROSS was buried in Bunahoun, Strath Halladale, Farr, in 1867 with a stone dedicated by her sons Alexander, James and Archibald. Does anyone know of this ROSS family? I believe that JAMES HARPER was born elsewhere, possibly Lanarkshire, but I think that the ROSS family were from Kildonan, Sutherland.

Who are Margaret's parents?

Joan Currie,
Sydney, Australia

MACDONALDS of Newland & Armadale, Farr

2007-08-03T19:03:00.001+01:00

William MacDonald of Newland, Farr

was born about 1766 according to age listed on tombstone in South Ronaldsay, Orkney, place unknown. The 1821 and 1841 census of South Ronaldsay both list him as born out of County (Orkney). He married Elizabeth MacKay who also is only listed on census above and again states born out of County (Orkney). She was born about 1770.

They are found on the 1811 Census of Newland, Sutherland with William MacDonald as head of household and 1 male, 6 females in house. Their children all state they are born in Farr, Sutherland on later censuses.

1. John MacDonald born about 1791, Farr, died April 3, 1868, Kirtomy, Farr - married Margaret MacDonald of Armadale, Farr (my direct line) - photograph on left shows their daughter Jane, my 3 x great grandmother, born June 8, 1817 at Pouleriscaig, Farr.

2. Dorothy MacDonald born about 1796, Farr, died April 13, 1863, Burray, Orkney, she married William Hossack

3. Ann MacDonald born about 1797, Farr, died August 13, 1845, Burray, married James MacDonald of the 93rd regiment

4. Isabella MacDonald born about 1803, Farr, died November 6, 1875, Bruntland, Burray, married James Groundwater

5. Barbara MacDonald born about 1805, Farr, died November 29, 1883, Burray married James Duncan

6. Margaret MacDonald born about 1807, Farr, died March 17, 1886, Lochside, Burray, Orkney, she married John Guthrie

A written history of this family states that all of the above spoke only Gaelic - no English. A family history written by one the daughters above states that the family were Glencoe MacDonald's and moved north as the years went on till they finally ended up in the Orkney, that they had lived in Strathhalladale (Farr) and were cleared three times till they landed at Newland. Finally in 1820 went to the Orkney Islands to live with no croft to go to - had to live in a boat on the bay until they could acquire one.

Any records or verification of the removals of William MacDonald in Strathhalladale would be greatly appreciated.

Thomas MacDonald of Armadale

Thomas MacDonald, born circa 1750, unknown where, died September 15, 1821 at Armadale, Farr. He married Mary Bain who was probably Mary MacKay alias Bain. She is listed in one parish record as Mary MacKay born circa 1757. Her burial stone says Farr. Thomas is listed being with Captain George Sutherland Company which was commanded about August 26, 1779 and disbanded at Fort George in 1783. the births of his children suggest that this was indeed a fact.

Mary emigrated with some of her children to Canada, leaving Armadale March 22, 1836. She is buried in Brucefield, Tuckersmith, Ontario in the MacDonald graveyard, Native of Farr, Sutherland died July 20, 1840.

Their children:

Barbara MacDonald born circa 1775 - place unknown but probably Portskerra, census data says Farr, Sutherland, died August 8, 1860, in Armadale, married George MacKay of Armadale

2. George MacDonald born about 1777, probably Portskerra, died October 27, 1861 at Brucefield, Tuckersmith, Ontario - no suggestion that he was ever married, gravestone says Native of Farr, Sutherland

3. Donald MacDonald, listed as baptized to Thomas and Mary in 1784, of Portskerra, nothing has ever been found on this man

4. Mary MacDonald, supposed twin to Donald, baptized at the same time in 1784 of Portskerra, died December 18, 1872 in Brucefield, Tuckersmith, Ontario, she was married to Hugh MacKay alias McHouston of Armadale

5. John MacDonald born about 1785 probably Portskerra, died in 1831 at Armadale, he was married to Jane Sinclair of Brubster, Caithness

6. Margaret MacDonald born about 1786 at Portskerra, baptism is registered, died sometime between 1845 and 1849 at Kirtomy, Farr, she married John MacDonald son of William of Newland (my direct line)

7. Rupart MacDonald born 1788 Portskerra , baptism is registered, unknown death, married in July, 1835 in Stanley twp, Ontario to Isabella MacDonald, he must have left prior to the rest of the family, seemed to be a colourful character

8. Isabell MacDonald born about 1791 probably Portskerra, unknown death, married to John Munro, they lived in Pouleriscaig, seems they immigrated with rest of family about 1836 but have not been seen since Sutherland, children all were in Ontario

9. Colin MacDonald born August 1792 probably Portskerra, his military papers say he was born near Thurso, at Farr, Caithness, he joined the 79th regiment in May, 1811, later in 1835 became Town Major of Montreal, later in the 1850's he joined the 50th regiment, he died January 9, 1862 in Montreal, he was responsible for bringing most of the family to Canada, including my 3 x grandmother Jane MacDonald, daughter to John and Margaret, he married Elizabeth Gillies

10. Sutherland MacDonald born 1793 probably Portskerra, died Brucefield, Tuckersmith, Ontario, June 7, 1863. Sutherland I dont believe ever married until he came to Ontario, very late in life (1858) to Ann McMillan 40 years his junior, he is buried at the MacDonald graveyard with his mother and brother at Brucefield, Tuckersmith, Native of Farr, Sutherland

There are two more children I am suspect, one is Ann MacDonald who married David Sinclair at Goderich, Ontario in 1843, the witness to the marriage was Sutherland MacDonald, have not found this couple after that and another suspect child is one Peter MacDonald, who's land the MacDonald graveyard is on. He moved/died prior to census that survived for the area, locate him in 1842 there, found children in the church records and his marriage.... ....but prior to 1860 he disappears without trace, he married Ann MacKenzie in 1841 and had at least four children, one male listed in the 1842 assesment, one found in a marriage record by name of Daniel (his children born in Kincardine area), then two baptisms, Elizabeth born Oct 8, 1850, Brucefield, and James MacDonald born April 20, 1858. I am not sure that Peter is a son to Thomas and Mary - he continues to be a huge brick wall.

Happy to share information and to add to it!

Cathy Wagner, Ontario, Canada

ROSS & MACKAY Kildonan

2007-08-03T18:34:00.003+01:00

John ROSS, miller, Kildonan, married 1795 to Elizabeth MACKAY.

Their children:

Ann ROSS (1795-1864) Kildonan married 1820 James SUTHERLAND - 9 children.

Murdoch ROSS (1797-) miller/farmer married Christina MACKAY 1827 in Latheron, Caithness Christina was born in Gibralter circa 1798, daughter of William MACKAY and Peggy SCANLEN - Murdoch and Christina had five sons and a daughter - several grandchildren.

Alexander ROSS (1799-) no information

Roderick ROSS (1800-) no information

Betty ROSS (1802-) no information

Christina ROSS (1804-1874) married John MACPHERSON - my line.

John ROSS (1806-1874) married Janet SUTHERLAND 1832 Halkirk Caithness - they had three children, Margaret 1836-1921, Donald b 1841, Janet b 1847 - Donald married Jane Leslie SHEPHERD, in Inverness 1878 - they had six children born in Caithness - Donald died 1908 in Caithness.

Donald ROSS (1808) no information

David ROSS (1811) no information

What happened to Alexander, Roderick, Betty, Donald and David? Any information welcome.

Pat Moreau
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

ROSS - from Sutherland to Pictou, Nova Scotia

2007-08-03T18:30:00.000+01:00

John and Mary (Scobie?) Ross, both of Sutherlandshire, left for Pictou Co., Nova Scotia before 1838 with children Isabelle, Robert, John and Isaac. Their last child, George, was born in Pictou Co., Nova Scotia.

Mary's tombstone reads, "of Creech." John's tombstone reads," of Sutherlandshire.

George Ross married Jessie/Jennie MacKay, daughter of Robert MacKay, also of Sutherlandshire. Robert and family came to Pictou about the same time as the Rosses and probably knew each other in Sutherland.

Any information welcome.
Kate Ross
Northern Ontario, Canada

KERR in Drumbeg, Assynt & MACPHERSON in Farr and Durness

2007-08-03T18:14:00.000+01:00

Searching for any information on the Kerrs of Drumbeg prior to 1800 plus similar on the Macphersons of Durness, prior to 1800.

William Mcpherson, born 1824 at Poul-Tigh-Keriken, Little Assynt, son of Neil Macpherson and Ann Fraser, and his wife Anne Kerr, born 1834 at Drumbeg, Assynt, daughter of Hugh Kerry and Mary Macleod, married 1857 in Assynt. William was a shepherd, and moved around quite a bit after mainly living in Ross and Cromarty. Some of their children, who were not born in Sutherland, due to William and Anne's unfortunate habit of not living in the same place for more than two years at a time are: Dolina, Robert, Murdoch, Neil, Colina and Mary - have information on the other three but would welcome info on these.

Peter Aikman

Chester, England

Photograph of William and Anne supplied by Peter.

MACLEOD & POLSON, Cayn, Clyne

2007-08-03T18:11:00.001+01:00

I am still searching for the McLeod - Polson connection from Cayn. I have Hugh McLeod married Lizzy Polson. They had the following children: John, Catherine and twins William and Joseph.They were all born between 1785 and 1793.
William and Joseph lived at Marrel, Loth. John is the only one I have not got information about, so any leads gratefully received.

Graham McLeod
Christchurch, New Zealand

MELVILLE in Golspie and Clyne

2007-08-03T18:07:00.001+01:00

I am researching the following:

Melvilles of the Doll, Clyne and Melvilles of Golspie plus Interested in Melvilles of Loth and Kildonan and related families.

Many families connected to the Melvilles in Golspie and Clyne – Sutherland, Matheson, Munro, McBeath, Gordon to name but a few.

Also researching Frasers and Rosses of Rosehall (Creich) area and their North West connections; Blacks and Turners who came with the sheep and joined the family. Pope families of Sutherland, Caithness and Easter Ross. Gunns of Corrish and Arichliney in Upper Kildonan.

Also the local history of Golspie, Doll and Brora areas.

Allan C Lannon
Thurso, Caithness

SUTHERLAND & McRAE, Kildonan & McRae

2007-08-03T16:28:00.001+01:00

My research now revolves around 1) WILLIAM SUTHERLAND (Kildonan to Red River, Canada, cleared.and 2) WILLIAM McRAE (Echt, Aberdeen).
Details :
William Sutherland: b. 1761, Balnavaliach (now"Balvalioch" , Kildonan) d.13 Feb 1838 at Red River Colony, Manitoba, Canada. Buried at KildonanChurchyard , Winnipeg, Canada. Married 1788 to Isabella Sutherland (also). Have heard her maiden name could have been different ... .....not sure. William Sutherland was involved in the Kildonan Riots in Sutherland. Was "servent to Alexander Sage'. He also had a brother, "James the Preacher" or "James the Parson" as he was also known.

I particularly want to find WILLIAM SUTHERLAND's parents.

WILLIAM McRAE: b. Echt, Aberdeen in April 1671 (lived all his life there) married MARGARET HENDRY (Hendrie). She was b. oct 11, 1671, at Foveran, Aberdeen. Her parents were Thomas HENDRY & Agnes Bishop. I desperately want to know this William's parents also.

Anyone who can give me any info on any of these people, or who knows of them, anything at all, (no matter what or how small !) please contact me

Kind Regards to all

Peter D McRae

Te Awamutu, New Zealand

MUNRO, DUNCAN, MACKAY in Farr & MACINTOSH, MACKENZIE in Tongue

2007-08-03T14:35:00.001+01:00

I am researching:
MUNRO - salmon fishermen in Invernaver, Parish of Farr in the early 1800's, also DUNCANS in the same area.
George MACKAY born 1797 in Farr, Parish of Farr married to a Janet McBeath
McINTOSH - Inchverry, Tongue and McKENZIE at nearby Dionside (Deanside), Tongue

Tom Johnson
Berkshire, UK

MUNRO & MACKAY

2007-08-03T14:30:00.001+01:00

Unlike many others I do not really have brick walls but rather blanks in what I know about Donald MUNRO & his wife Georgina. My current one is the question of what Donald was doing between 1831 and 1836. During these years Donald was in the parish of Eddrachillis where his son James was born at Glen Dubh (1832) while my Great Great Grandmother Johan (1833) is recorded as being born/baptised at Kylestrome.

I have a note from Malcolm Bangor-Jones of a Donald Munro being the tenant of a house and garden at Kylesku in Assynt, of the ferry of Kylestrome, and of lands of Island Rannich in parish of Eddrachillis. He was summoned to remove in 1835.

Now I have a copy of Donald's petition for a place at Armadale, Farr, in 1835 and Donald and his family appear at Armadale in 1836. In light of Donald's subsequent career in Australia - Shire waterseller from the Prahran Shire pump on the Yarra and Pound Keeper - I am intrigued by this Donald Munro as it is the type of reference that would be very useful in gaining the two positions in Victoria. The dates and place fits and I hope it is my Donald but I have been unable to confirm the information.

Georgina Mackay is one of my ancestors from Sutherland that appears slowly from the mist of time. What I do know can be found below. Unfortunately there is little information about Georgina, even her date of birth is in doubt. Her death Registration and notices in the Argus and age in 1889 gives her age as 91 in which case her birth year is 1798. However, her entry in the International Genealogical Index, gives a date of 1806.
Her parent's names are known, however, as John MacKay and Catherine (Ketty) MacKenzie and that she was Donald Munro's cousin. In 1826, Donald Munro married Georgina Ann Scobie Mackay, his cousin, at Braetongue, which is a hamlet just outside of Tongue, and here their first two children, John and Jane are born.
In January 1832, Donald and Georgina were in the area around Kylestrome, Eddrachillis, were he was probably a tenant farmer at Glen Dubh. Here James was born in January 1832 and then Johan in September 1833.
What ever Georgina's date of birth we know more about her death in Australia. The house where she died in Lygon Street, was owned by her daughter, Jane Scobie Munro, the widow of Andrew Sharp Jack, and is the centre of a terrace in what is now one of the better areas of Melbourne. It was probably an above average dwelling in the 1880s. A far cry from the crofters house of Sutherland.
The 'ARGUS' Friday January 4 1889 MUNRO – On the 3rd inst., at the residence of her daughter, Mrs.Andrew Jack, of Sunnyside, Lygon-street, North Carlton, Georgina A. S.M., relict of the late Donald Munro, late of Armadale,Sutherlandshire, Scotland, aged 91 years.. . . . . .
Did Georgina have any brothers and sisters? When was she born? Was it on her mother or father's side that she was a cousin to Donald Munro - Donald's mother was Barbara MacKay. Was she born in the parish of Farr or Tongue. Where did she go to school - her entry record on her arrival at Geelong. in 1854, with her family on the "Hornet" states she could read and write.The S in her name is it Scobie or Sutherland, at the moment I assume it is Scobie as this is what is used in Burke's Colonial Gentry in the entry for her son James Munro. Crikey! I don't want much do I. Any crumb will do.

Bill Bell

Brunswick, Victoria, Australia

MACKENZIE, MACLEOD, MACLEAN, MACKAY, GRANT, ROSS

2007-08-03T14:25:00.000+01:00

I have had enormous help from Christine - we are related through MACKENZIE of Torbreck, Rogart.

Also researching:
William MACLEOD, d. 1885, originally from Durness, then Rogart.
Donald MACLEAN, d. 1858, Nedd.
George MACKAY, b. 1821 Tongue, then Kirtomy, Farr. Married to Ann MACDONALD, d. 1891, Kirtomy.
Robert MACINTOSH, living in Achargary, Starthnaver in 1811 and later cleared (?) to Strathy.
Hugh GRANT, b. 1786, soldier 42nd Regt., later living in Kildonan, then cleared(?) to Skail, then to Strathy Point.
Robert ROSS, b. 1799, Skelpick, Strathnaver, cleared (?) to Strathy Point.
I also have another Macdonald line: Robert MACDONALD, Rossal, Strathnaver (cleared in 1814) and Isobella MACKAY are my 4th great grandparents.

David Mackay
England

ROSS, THOMSON, DUNBAR & MACKAY, Golspie

2007-08-03T13:47:00.000+01:00

Hi, my interests in Sutherlandshire are limited to 19th century Golspie town. My mob were masons (2 brothers, sister and father) arrived in Golspie around 1800, built the town and then the next generation left (Australia, England, Bonar Bridge, ???). Family legend has it that my g-etc-father carved the head for the statue on Ben Braghie - maybe?

Although the clearances had no direct impact on my family I do find the general history fascinating and occasionaly there is an article relevant to Golspie. I rarely contribute as my mob only spent 1 generation in Sutherland. I will be visiting Golspie in September (inshallah).

I have long ago got as far as I am likely to get on the "whom begat whom" and are now more interested in the socio-economic history.

The photograph above is of my great great grandfather, John Ross, taken about 1870. John was born in Golspie in 1840, did an apprenticeship at Dunrobin Castle as a gardener, worked for a couple of years in Dumfrieshire before moving to Australia in 1863. He was head gardener at Ballarat Hospital, Australia, from 1865 until he retired at age 85 in 1926.

Neil North,
Perth, Oz

MUNRO, GRAY & LESLIE in Dornoch & Rogart

2007-08-03T13:25:00.001+01:00

I am searching for George Munro who married Ann/Jane Gray. They had children: Walter born July 24 1799, Murriad born July 1 1801, James born Sept 15 1803, Catherine born Dec 15 1807 and Elspeth born Oct 24 1809 - all born in Dornoch/Rogart. I think Ann Gray died about this time and George then remarried possibly to Mary Matheson and had children Charles born Nov 23 1811and Elizabeth born about 1816 also born in Dornoch/Rogart.

George emigrated to West Zorra Township, Ontario, about 1830/31 with all of the above children except Catherine who had married in Sutherland to Donald Leslie.

Donald and Catherine had a son, George Leslie born Dec 30 1830. Donald, Catherine and George Leslie also emigrated to Zorra probably in 1831 as Donald does appear on the 1831 Residents Emigration List 1831 from the Sutherland Estate.

I do not know if George's wife was with the family when they came to Canada. George was not buried in the Old Log Cemetery nor was his wife. They may have been buried on their farm. George may have also gone by the name of William as originally his farm was registered to William Munro. I need to find out who George was married to, who George's parents were and where he was born. I would appreciate any help.

Lynn Munro

Embro, West Zorra Twp, Ontario, Canada

MACRAE & SUTHERLAND, Golspie

2007-08-03T12:22:00.001+01:00

I have information on my Macrae and Sutherland lines going back to the mid 1700's. William Macrae b.abt 1770 married Sarah Sutherland 1792. Son's of William and Sarah are Alexander, John, Robert and James.

Robert Macrae b.1806 (Golspie) married (1830) Jane Urquhart b.1795 (Golspie). Children of Robert & Jane, John, William, Robert & Sarah.

William Macrae b.1832 (Golspie) married (1853) Jane Sutherland (King) b.1832 (Golspie) d. 1872 (Golspie). Children of William & Jane, Robert, John, Mary, William, Donald, Robert, John, Jane. William Macrae b.1860 (Golspie) married (1891) Catherine Sutherland (Davy) b. 1864 (Golspie) . Children of William & Catherine, Alexandrina, Jane, Margaret, William, Donald, John, Robert. Donald Macrae b.1899 (Golspie) is my Grandfather.

Robert Macrae b.1907 (Golspie) was the pro at the Golspie Golf Club for many years. My Macrae and Sutherland ancestors in Golspie were "Fisherfolk".

Photograph above shows William Macrae and Catherine Sutherland, of no.1 Church Street, Golspie, my Great Grand parents.

Dave Macrae, Eckville, Alberta, Canada

MELVILLE in Portgower, LOTH

2007-08-03T12:14:00.001+01:00

Researching MELVILLE, MACKAY, CLUNAS, MURRAY & SUTHERLAND in Loth

My GG grandmother, Jane Mackay married John MELVILLE in Portgower (or Loth in other records) on February 22nd, 1828. There are no other details listed on the OPR etc. and I have searched for years trying to find her parents and hopefully siblings. I have much more on the MELVILLE family.

Their first child was Catherine b. in 1829 ; she married James McKAY, son of James McKAY and Mary McLEAN ( also from West Helmsdale) in Edinburgh on March 28th 1856 and it seems they went to Australia.

2) Donald was born on 25, March 1830 in West Helmsdale was marked 10 on the 1841 census in West Helmsdale; but wasn't with the rest of the family on the 1851 census in West Helmsdale.

3) Hugh was born on 20th December 1831 in West Helmsdale and was 8 on the 1841 census; on the 1851 census he was 18 a cooper b. in Kildonan and he seems to have ended up in New South Wales as George Hugh with parents stated as John MELVILLE and Jane McKAY on his certs. and papers. He was an assistant harbourmaster and married Catherine McKINNON in Newcastle NSW on July 7th 1863; he was probably responsible for Catherine and James moving out there. On the birth of their son, George Hugh MELVILLE on 7th March , 1868 it gives his occupation as Master Mariner and birthplace as West Helmsdale. He died in 1911.

4) Jane was b. 21st of May, 1834 and married a police constable, Donald BREMNER of Olrig, Caithness in Edinburgh on November 11, 1855 and stayed there to raise a family.

5) Isabella, my G grandmother, was b. May 31st , 1836 and married George HENSON in Edinburgh on 6th November, 1861 and after living in various Scottish cities and having 4 children they moved to South Shields , England in the 1870s where they had 5 more .

6) Roberta was b. May 09, 1839 and married Alexander MURRAY, son of Angus and Margaret FRASER of West Helmsdale in Edinburgh on January 20th , 1866. They moved back later to help out with the cooper business on the croft and took it over after John and his second wife Grace MacPherson of Caithness had died.

Dorothy Blais, nee Henson, Vancouver Island, Canada

MURRAY, Clyne & MACKAY, Rogart

2007-08-03T12:03:00.001+01:00

My main research interests are in Clyne and Rogart.
Researching in Clyne.
Andrew MURRAY b.c. 1770/Christy BRUCE b.c. 1770 had three children:-
William MURRAY b.c. 1795 married Catherine MACLEOD b.c. 1790
James MURRAY b.c. 1797 married Ann GUNN b. 1798
Benjamin Williamson MURRAY b. 1804 married Helen ANDERSON b. 1805
Grant MURRAY b. 1824 son of William and Catherine married Jane Murray b. 1826 daughter of James and Ann [cousins]. They were my G G Grandparents.
Researching in Rogart, Inchcape.
Neil MACKAY b.c. 1762/Christina MATHESON had a son
Alexander MACKAY b.c. 1795 married Ann SUTHERLAND b.c. 1791 and their son
Neil MACKAY b. 1819 married Margaret SUTHERLAND b. 1818 and their son
Alexander MACKAY b. 1846 married Jane MURRAY b. 1834
They were my G Grandparents.
I have got lots of information to share.

Isabella McGregor
Fife, Scotland

WHYTE in Eddrachillis & Durness

2007-08-03T11:55:00.000+01:00

I am married with 2 grown up children. I was born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and came to live in Australia and New Zealand in 1968. I am researching my fathers side of the family from Sutherland.

My Dad (Jesse Angus WHYTE) was born in Scourie, Sutherland in 1902 but ended up moving to Rhodesia during World War 2. He was in the RAF. He was the the 2nd son of Peter WHYTE and Catherine MacKENZIE; Peter was the 5th child of John WHYTE and Christy McKAY; John was the 8th child of George WHYTE and Caroline CAMPBELL; George was the 1st child of John WHYTE and Ann FRASER; John WHYTE (or White)'s father was William WHYTE and his father was Thomas WHYTE.

I am also researching MACKENZIE Scourie & Scouriemore; MORRISON Foindle and Eddrachillis; MACKAY Durness; CAMPBELL Durness; FRASER Golspie and Eddrachillis; MACLEOD Scourie and Lochbroom.

I found a long lost cousin in Canada (Jean Hammond) through this website and a whole branch of the tree that emigrated to Canada in the 1800's. Also found another two long lost cousin's (Caroline and Kate) through another site. We are all able to help each other, and that is fantastic. I have still got a lot of gaps in my family tree and hope to be able to fill some more of them one day.

Carol Nortje (nee Whyte)

SE Queensland, Australia

CAMPBELL in Dornoch/Rogart

2007-08-03T11:32:00.001+01:00

I am researching Donald Campbell (son of John Cambpell and Lilly Munro, Rogart) and Christina Ross (daughter of Aeneas Ross and Barbara Macleod) who married in Dornoch, March 1827. Their children were:
John, born April 1827, Dornoch;
James, born February 1829, Dornoch
Barbara, born May 1831, Dornoch (married John Matheson 1862, Dornoch)
Mary, born 1833, Dornoch
Angus Fraser, born June 1835, Dornoch, emigrated to New Zealand - photograph on left.
Aeneas, born September 1837, Dornoch, died September 1863, a.24, Benin.
Donald, born 1840, Dornoch
Janet, born 1842, Dornoch
Lilias, born September 1844, Dornoch (married Murdoch Ross, 1871)
Christina, born 1848, Dornoch, (m.1 George Stein, 1872; m.2 Robert Moffat, 1896).
If anyone is connected to any of these families I would be most interested in them. I have been searching for information on Aeneas who died in Benin to no avail. Also, we believe that at least one of the family emigrated to Australia but I don't know who. Angus Fraser Campbell was my husband's grandfather, and his son Aeneas (my husband's father) was named for Angus' brother who died.
Anyone connected?
Many thanks.
Ellen Campbell

New Zealand