View from Acheilidh

This is the view looking towards Rogart from between Acheilidh and Ardachu. This is what Colin and Kenneth Mackenzie would have seen from their small home on the hill.

Although I took this picture two years ago I think the only thing different from then to now would be the telephone pole and possibly the wire on the fencing.

In this area little changes - only the addition of modern comforts!

If you would like to have this full size picture please just click on it and save it to your own computer.

TREE 1

This is me hoping that I can explain the family clearer.

Tree one shows the origins of all our Mackenzie families.

By looking at the tree and the lines down you should be able to get both a clearer picture of who is who and also use the names to look at the individuals reference.

Use the links on the left hand side menu to get there.

To look at this tree in large format just click on it and it will open in a new window full size. If you wish to keep it you can then right click on it and save it to your own computer.

Would love to hear your opinion on this idea.

Thanks

Chris

Three Generations of Mackenzie

Three generations.

This lovely photograph shows Margaret Robertson, wife of Colin Mackenzie, Torbreck, with her three daughters, Christina, Kate and Jean and their children. This photograph, which was taken at Torbreck, was probably taken in the late 1920s.

To view pictures larger simply click on it and a larger version will appear. You can, if you wish, right click on the larger one to save it to your computer.

William Ross & Margaret Mackay

WILLIAM ROSS
[27/1/1818- pre 1931]
married
MARGARET MACKAY
[11/12/1846-20/11/1931]
William Ross, a blacksmith, was born in Rosskeen, Ross-shire, son of John Ross, crofter, and Ann Munro.
Margaret was born in Ardachu, Rogart, daughter of Colin Mackay and Elspet Mackay. She is the great, great granddaughter of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon.
William and Margaret married at Clashmongach, Dornoch on 8th January 1884 (MC). Witnesses were Alexander Ross and Catherine Bowie.
In 1891 they were living in Dornoch when William was shown as a 70 year old agricultural labourer. Margaret was then 40 and her son William was 9 years old. Both William and Margaret spoke Gaelic and English. In 1901 they were at Dog Street, Dornoch, when William was now shown as a blacksmith, age 80.
They had a son:
WILLIAM ROSS, born 20th October 1881 Clashmongach, Dornoch [married Lilly Murray] – William was firstly known as William Ross Mackay but took the name Ross following his parents’ marriage - an apprentice painter in 1901 census at home with his parents

James Mackay & Catherine Mackay

JAMES MACKAY
[29/9/1830-22/12/1916]
married
CATHERINE MACKAY
[1/3/1838-4/12/1919]
James, a crofter, was born in Achvreal, Rogart, son of Donald Mackay, tenant, and his wife Janet Sutherland.
Catherine in Ardachu, Rogart, is the daughter of Colin Mackay and Elspet Mackay. She is a great, great granddaughter of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon.
James and Catherine (Kate) married at Pitfour (Pitfure), Rogart, on 9 March 1858. According to their marriage certificate they were Cousins German (first cousins).
In 1861 James and Catherine were at Achvreal, Rogart where James was a ploughman.
In 1871 James was a railway surfaceman living at Achvreal with his wife and children.
“28/1/1881 J Peacock informs J Alexander, the local ground officer (former policeman at Bonar Bridge) about the vacant lot or croft no 90 at Inchoraig. The Duke had decided that the lot should be offered to Neil Mackay at £8 5shillings on "condition that he, his Brother & Sister, all remove there from their late Mothers Lot 15 Achvrael which has been given to their Elder Brother James" (Acc 10225/342).
The 1881 census shows James and Catherine still living at Achvrail where James continued his work as a railway surfaceman. A 2 year old granddaughter, Jessie Mackay, was living with the family.
In 1891 James was shown as a farmer. He and Catherine had two grandchildren Jess, now aged 12 and Robert, aged 7, both born in Rogart, living with the family. Still at Achvrail in 1901 their grandson Robert Mackay, age 16, was with them.
James died at Achvrail in 1916. His son Neil, Inchoraig, Rogart, signed his death certificate.
Catherine died at Achvrail on 4 December 1919 (DC). “Last week the grave closed over the remains of Widow James Mackay, Achvrail. Born in 1838 she was thus in her 81st year. Her husband predeceased her about three years ago in his 82nd year. Mrs Mackay was a daughter of Colin Mackay, Ardchu and her days were spent from childhood upwards within a radius of a mile of Ardchu and Achvrail adjoining each other. In her day and generation she saw many changes and took part in harvesting operations on Culmaily farm with the now forgotten reaping hook. Of a kindly disposition, visitors were always made welcome. Four grandsons and two great grandsons took their share in the Great War, of whom one was gassed and another a prisoner for some time” (NT11/12/1919).
They had the following children:
JANET MACKAY (Jessie) born 10 March 1858 Rogart (IGI) [died 8 July 1930 Shore Street, Golspie, retired housekeeper, single] (DC) – 1861 census at home with parents, age 3 – 1871 census at home with parents – 1881 census at home with parents, general servant – 1891 census at home with parents
COLIN MACKAY born 17 February 1861 Achvreal, Rogart (OPR) [died 27 September 1922 Ardachu] [married Ann Mackay] – 1861 census at home with parents, aged 1 month – 1871 census with his grandparents Colin and Elspat Mackay - 1881 census with his grandparents Colin and Elspat Mackay – 1891 census at home with parents
DONALD MACKAY born 21 October 1862 Rogart (IGI) [died 3 October 1945 Skelbo Street, Dornoch] (DC) [married Dolina Ross] (DC) – 1871 census at home with parents – 1881 census at home with parents, general labourer
NEIL MACKAY born 30 April 1866 Rogart (IGI) [died 28 January 1943 Inchoraig, Rogart] (DC) [married Marion Munro] – 1871 census at home with parents – 1881 census at home with parents, scholar – 1891 census at home with parents - 1901 census at home with parents - signed father’s death certificate in 1916 and mother’s in 1919
ELSPET MACKAY born 4 September 1870 Rogart (IGI) [died 11 March 1959 Torroble, Lairg, retired housekeeper, single – Robert Mackay, nephew, signed her death certificate] (DC) – 1871 census at home with parents – 1891 census at home with parents
HELEN MACKAY born 9 February 1874 Achvrail, Rogart (FCR) – 1881 census at home with parents, scholar – 1891 census at home with parents
Sheila Mackay, Edinburgh, is also researching this family.

Duncan Mackay & Ann Mackay

DUNCAN MACKAY
[c1845-22/7/1888]
married
ANN MACKAY
[21/8/1852-21/8/1943]
Duncan Mackay, lotter, was born in Rogart, son of John Mackay, master shoemaker (reputed father) and Christy Matheson, a general servant.
Ann was also born in Rogart, daughter of Colin Mackay and Elspet Mackay of Ardchue (Ardachu), Rogart. She is a great, great granddaughter of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon.
Duncan Mackay, ploughman in Davochbeg, Rogart married in Rogart to Anne Mackay, Ardachu, Rogart on 20th April 1877 (RFCR).
In 1881 they were living at Rovie, Rogart. With them was a Christina Paul, born 18 October 1865 in Rogart, daughter of John Paul and Margaret Sutherland. Ann’s parents are shown on the same census with a John Paul who is said to be a grandson – cannot find the connection!
Duncan died at Little Rogart in 1888 aged 43, a ploughman. His brother, John Mackay, signed the death certificate.
In 1891 Ann, widow, was at Little Rogart with her children. She died at Balclaggan, Rogart in 1943. Her granddaughter, Roberta Mackay of Little Ferry Golspie, was informant at her death.
They had the following children:
DAVID MACKAY born 6th December 1877 Achvaich, Dornoch (BC) [died 13th January 1878 Achvaich – father signed death certificate]
DUNCAN MACKAY born 1878 Dornoch – 1881 census with parents – 1891 census with widowed mother, scholar
ELSPET MACKAY (Elsie), born 6th March 1879 Achvaich, Dornoch (FCR) [died 28th February 1946 Little Ferry, Golspie] (DC) [married Donald Mackay and Duncan Mackenzie] – 1881 census with parents – 1891 census with widowed mother
JOHN MACKAY born 3rd March 1881 Rogart [died 10 February 1944 Torbreck, Rogart] [married Catherine Anderson] – 1881 census with parents – 1891 census with mother, scholar – 1901 census with mother, crofter’s son
COLIN MACKAY born 24 June 1883 Little Rogart, Rogart (BC/FCR) [may have died in Oxford, England] [married Louise ?] – 1891 & 1901 census with widowed mother, cattleman - emigrated to New Zealand then came back to fight in World War One where he was affected by mustard gas and could not work again
MARY HELEN MOFFAT MACKAY born 17 August 1885 Little Rogart – 1891 & 1901 census with widowed mother, scholar – emigrated to New Zealand
NEIL MACKAY born 14 July 1887 Rogart [killed in action 3rd December 1917 France – Private in New Zealand European Forces] – 1891 & 1901 census with widowed mother, scholar – “Intimation has been received by Mrs. Mackay, Cragganar, that her youngest son, Neil, has made the supreme sacrifice in the cause of freedom and righteousness. He was killed on 3rd December while taking part in an attack by the New Zealand troops on the enemy trenches. Private Neil Mackay was 29 years of age. He was educated at the Rogart Public School under the present headmaster and was a general favourite with his school companions. He served a short period in the Post Office as one of the rural postmen and was esteemed by all he came in contact. He was of a modest and retiring disposition. Eight years ago he went out to New Zealand where he was employed in ranch and farm work and was getting on well. When the call came to arms he responded at once. Landing at the Dardanelles he went through that trying campaign thereafter spending some time on Salisbury Plain prior to proceeding to France. He possessed a kindly heart and never forgot the old home in Scotland which he visited on furlough early in October. He will be sadly missed and the deepest sympathy of the community goes out to the widowed mother and other members of the family in their bereavement” (NT 17/1/1918) - ''Your son has done very valuable work as a runner, carrying back several important messages under heavy fire from his Co. Commander to me, and had he lived I would certainly have recommended him for an honour. Had he been spared I am sure he would have risen high in the service of his King and country. He was always very cheery and willing and was a most valuable man to his Company Headquarters'' ( letter received by his mother from The Lieut. Col. of the Battalion).

Hugh Mackay & Dolina Macdonald

HUGH MACKAY
[born circa 1835]
married
DOLINA MACDONALD
[born circa 1835]
Hugh Mackay, labourer, was born in Rogart, son of Colin Mackay and Elspet Mackay. He is a great, great grandson of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon.
Dolina from Baligill, Strathy, was a widow when she married Hugh. She is the daughter of John Macdonald, joiner and Christina Macleod.
Hugh and Dolina married at the Free Church of Strathy, Farr, on 21st February 1873 (MC). Witnesses to the marriage were Kenneth Mackay and Roderick Mackay.