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

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

MACKAY in Farr

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

McBEATH, MATHESON, MACKAY, PAUL, FORBES

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

GRANT, FORSYTH, MACKAY in Dornoch & Creich

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

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

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

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

DAVIDSON, MACKAY in Rogart

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

MACKAY, MORRISON, MCBEATH, MANSON & others

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

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

MACKAY, MACDONALD, MACLEOD, Rogart

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

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

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

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

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

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

MACKAY in Dornoch & Rogart

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

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