Murray & Munro in Dornoch & Renton

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

SUTHERLAND, MACLEOD, ANDERSON in Clyne

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MACKAY & NICHOLSON

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

CAMPBELL, MACKAY, MORRISON, SUTHERLAND, WEIR

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

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

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

FRASER, MACKAY, MACINTOSH, MURRAY, Dornoch

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

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

SUTHERLAND, MACKAY & others in TONGUE

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

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

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