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
(ref EM0013)

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

(ref EM0015)

SUTHERLAND, FRASER, MURRAY & MACKAY

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

SUTHERLAND, GUNN, MACBEATH, Kildonan

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

SUTHERLAND, MACKAY, MACBEATH

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

MACKAY & SUTHERLAND in Kildonan

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

HENDERSON, GUNN, BRUCE, POLSON & others

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

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

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

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

ROSS & MACKAY Kildonan

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

MACLEOD & POLSON, Cayn, Clyne

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

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

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

MELVILLE in Portgower, LOTH

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