Acheilidh, Torbreck, Ardachu & Inchoraig, Rogart - the homes of my Mackenzie Family.
I found researching my Mackenzie families in Rogart fascinating. I started this research in the late 1980s and believe me I knew little then! My researching on all my family names was started in the days when you wrote real letters to people around the world and then waited weeks for a reply. Unlike today when we simply switch on our computer! It was fun though. By the time I had 'knocked the family into basic shape' I had found some wonderful helpers. Once again a huge thank you to Sheila Mackay, Edinburgh. Sheila is not only a good friend but she is my 'red pen marker'! Could not do it all without her.
A few years back Elaine Coughlan, Otago, New Zealand, made contact with me. Elaine descends from David Mackenzie. This new distant cousin and I hit it off immediately and were able to swap lots of information. Sheila and I decided a trip to New Zealand was needed. Sheila already had relatives in New Zealand who made us so welcome. We visited people in North and South Island who we knew through my mailing list who all welcomed us warmly. Eventually we reached Otago to meet Elaine and her family. We had a great time and it was a wonderful feeling meeting David's descendants and being able to speak about Rogart. Elaine took us to where David had had his home, Fleetbank, and to see his burial place. We met Elaine's brother, David, who runs a large sheep farm near Milton. We had a first class trip, one I would willingly repeat!
A year later Elaine and her sister visited the UK and we all met again in Sutherland. I was delighted to be able to take them to see Torbreck and over to St Callan's churchyard. We finished our trip doing the tourist route in Central London. A great time with many happy memories. All through Family History!
Since then many more people have come on board to help including David Mackay, who lives in England, and his lovely parents in Helmsdale. David and his mum descend from Colin Mackenzie and his wife Margaret Robertson. Colin is a son of William Mackenzie, the blacksmith at Torbreck, my great great grandfather.
Now, I would love to find Colin Mackenzie's beginnings. Where was he born? Did his wife Barbara come from perhaps Strathnaver with him? So many questions. If you can help me answer them please get in touch.
To begin at the beginning of the family please go to
Colin Mackenzie & Barbara Gordon.
Thanks
Christine
