Mackenzie of Rogart

View from Acheilidh

2008-01-14T13:44:00.000Z

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

2007-10-06T19:29:00.000+01:00

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

2007-10-06T16:21:00.000+01:00

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

2007-08-31T20:57:00.000+01:00

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

2007-08-31T20:44:00.000+01:00

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

2007-08-31T20:20:00.000+01:00

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

2007-08-31T20:06:00.000+01:00

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.

William Macleod & Christina Mackenzie

2007-08-31T19:57:00.000+01:00

WILLIAM MACLEOD
[23/3/1888-27/1/1960]
married
CHRISTINA MACKENZIE
[5/5/1889 - 1974]
William was born at Acheilidh, Rogart, son of John Macleod, shepherd, and Isabella Maclean.
Christina was born at Torbreck, Rogart, daughter of Colin Mackenzie and Margaret Robertson and a great, great granddaughter of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon.
William, a police constable living at the Police Station, Embo, Dornoch, and Christina, a domestic servant from Torbreck, Rogart, married at The Hotel, Rogart on 12 December 1919 (MC). Witnesses were John Roderick Macleod, William's brother, and Catherine (Kate) Robertson Mackenzie, Christina's sister.

Christina MacKenzie lived in Torbreck until she married - Attended Blairich School (with William Macleod), from 22 Apr 1895 to 11th Sept 1903, reason for leaving, ‘over age’.
William Macleod - Attended Blairich School (listed as a scholar in 1901 census) - Joined the 51st (Highland Division), 5th Seaforth Highlanders in 1914. William would never talk about the war to his daughters, he always told them "it wasn’t a story for girls". He received a shrapnel wound in the shoulder, but the metal was never removed. The family story is that he was wounded on the first day of the Somme and evacuated back to the UK. After recovering, he was attached to the 19 Kings African Rifles, West African Corps and went to Nigeria to ” train the natives”. I have doubts about the order of this service – his medal card appears to show he first served in Africa . Whatever, he certainly served in both France and Nigeria and rose to the rank of Colour Sergeant. His medal card also shows he was promoted 2nd Lieutenant in 1916.

William joined Sutherland Police Force in 1919.
Served: Embo 1919-1922 - Brora 1922-1952, rising to rank of Sergeant - Retired 1952.
William died in 1960 and Christina in 1974. They have three daughters - all still living.

William is the son of John Ross Macleod, shepherd (b.1838, Durness, d.1/3/1927, Acheilidh) and Isabella (Bell ) Maclean, domestic servant, Blairich (b.?/6/1850, Stoer, d.9/2/1922, Acheilidh). They were married at Blairich on 31/5/1887. Other children, also born at Acheilidh: Anthony (1/9/1890 - ?) and John Roderick (5/7/1893 – 9/1/1928)

Many thanks to David Mackay for above information and for the lovely photograph of William and Christina.

Colin Mackay & Elspet Mackay

2007-08-31T17:45:00.000+01:00

COLIN MACKAY
[9/1/1812-13/5/1885]
married
ELSPET MACKAY
[5/8/1809-24/3/1888]
Colin was born in Rogart, son of Hugh Mackay and Catherine Mackenzie. He is a grandson of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon.
Elspet is the daughter of Neil Mackay and Catherine Sutherland.
This family lived at Ardchue, Rogart. It is likely that Colin was born there also. In 1841 at Ardchow, he was recorded as a hand loom wool weaver. His wife and children were there with him.
In 1851, still called Ardchow, their family had grown.
A letter to Peacock, Dunrobin factor, dated 1 July 1859 states that Colin Mackay, Ardchu, Rogart, had said: “I came to a bare hill here about 25 years ago, and was allowed from time to time by the late Mr Gunn to take in a bit of ground and add to it by little and little as I could improve it.” Colin was discussing his boundary (Dep.313/1268).
In 1861, at Ardachu, Colin was a farmer of 4 acres. In 1871, at Ardachu, Colin was again described as a woollen weaver. A grandson Colin Mackay, aged 8, a scholar, lived with the family. In 1873, at the time of his son Hugh’s marriage, Colin was described as a tenant and weaver.
The 1881 census alters the name to Ardochie, Rogart. Colin was, in 1881, a tenant of 12 acres. Their grandsons: Colin Mackay, a general labourer, born 1861 Rogart, son of Catherine and James Mackay, and John Paul, born circa 1874 Rogart, were living with them. John Paul is an unusual name in Sutherland. There is a John Paul at Little Rogart, but cannot find the connection between these two families.
Elspet and Colin died at Ardachue.
They had the following children:
HUGH MACKAY born 16 October 1833 Rogart (IGI) [married Dolina Macdonald] (MC) – 1841 census at home with parents - 1851 census at home with parents
HELEN MACKAY born 23 March 1835 Rogart [died November 1910 New Zealand] [married John Moffat, emigrated to New Zealand] (IGI/NT) – 1841 census at home with parents - 1851 census at home with parents – John Moffat was born in Dumfries, he was a blacksmith before going to New Zealand in 1863. He married Helen on 30th May 1865 at St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Christchurch – she had arrived in New Zealand in 1864 aboard the “William Miles”. They had two children, only one, Mary, survived – she did not marry and died on 16th January 1943 aged 75 years. Helen Mackay died at Rangiora on 5th November 1910. John Moffat died on 12th February 1921 aged 80. He died at his daughter Mary’s house in Christchurch. All are buried in the Rangiora cemetery, Christchurch. Helen’s death was reported in the Northern Times on 12 January 1911. She then had two sisters in Rogart, Mrs Duncan Mackay and Mrs James Mackay plus a sister in Dornoch Mrs William Ross. (Thanks to Bruce Lawson, New Zealand for looking up this information in New Zealand).
CATHERINE MACKAY born 21st February 1838 Rogart (IGI) [died 4 December 1919 Achvrail Rogart] (DC) [married James Mackay] (DC) – 1841 census at home with parents - 1851 census at home with parents – 1861 census living with her husband at nearby Achvrail
NEIL MACKAY born 11 November 1840 Rogart (IGI) [died 8 September 1883 Ardchue, Rogart, bachelor, shepherd – death certificate signed by brother John] (DC] – 1841 census at home with parents - 1851 census at home with parents – 1861 census at home with parents, agricultural labourer – 1871 census at home with parents, shepherd – 1881 census at home with parents, general labourer
JOHN MACKAY born 25 December 1843 Rogart (IGI) [died 15 January 1898 Ardchue – bachelor] (DC) - 1851 census at home with parents – 1881 census at home with parents, shepherd – signed father’s death certificate in 1885 – signed mother's death certificate in 1888
MARGARET MACKAY born 11 December 1846 Ardachu, Rogart (FCR) [died 20 November 1931 Dornoch] (DC) [married William Ross] (DC) - 1851 census at home with parents – 1861 census at home with parents – 1871 census at home with parents, general servant
ANN MACKAY born 21 August 1852 Rogart (IGI) [died 21 August 1943 Balclaggan Rogart] (DC) [married Duncan Mackay] (MC) – 1861 census at home with parents

Catherine Mackenzie & Hugh Mackay

2007-08-31T17:26:00.000+01:00

HUGH MACKAY
[1789-20/2/1870]
married
CATHERINE MACKENZIE
[1787-5/1839]
Hugh, a tenant, is the son of Donald Mackay and Margaret Sutherland.
Catherine of Ardchuie, Rogart, is the daughter of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon.
Hugh is shown on the 1824 Militia List at Ardchow, aged over 30 and excused from service due to having children and being poor. He paid the sum of one shilling towards the erection of the Duke of Sutherland’s statue in 1834. Catherine died in 1839.
In 1841 Hugh was a tenant at Ardachu with his daughters. A Jessie Mackay aged 12 was also there.
In 1851 Hugh was a lotter of 9 acres at Ardachue. His daughters were still at home. John Mackay aged 16, born Rogart, was a servant.
In 1861 Hugh was a farmer of 10 acres at Ardachue. Hugh died at Ardchue in 1870. He is buried in Rogart with his wife.
In 1871 daughter Margaret was the tenant.
They had the following children:
COLIN MACKAY born 9 January 1812 Rogart (IGI) [died 13 May 1885] [married Elspat Mackay] – signed father’s death certificate in 1870
MARGARET MACKAY born circa 1816 Rogart – 1841 & 1851 census with widowed father 1861 census still with father, housekeeper – took over the croft on her father’s death in 1870 – was there with her sister Betty in 1871 but was not there in the 1881 census - she erected gravestone in memory of her parents.
ELIZABETH MACKAY (Betsy), born 10 February 1818 Rogart (IGI) [died 24 May 1876 Ardochue, Rogart – her brother, Colin, signed the death certificate] (DC) – 1841 & 1851 census with widowed father – 1861 census still with father – took over the croft on her father’s death in 1870 – was there with her sister Betty in 1871 but was not there in the 1881 census

Barbara Grant & John Mackenzie & John Ross

2007-08-31T13:41:00.000+01:00

BARBARA GRANT
[31/12/1803-19/4/1891]
Married
1) JOHN MACKENZIE
[died pre 1851]
2) JOHN ROSS
[4/8/1805-19/2/1883]
Barbara was born in Rogart, daughter of John Grant and Elizabeth Mackenzie. She is a granddaughter of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon.
In 1841 Barbara was recorded at Dalmore, Rogart, with her father, John, a tenant, and a brother, George. With her were her children William and Johanna but not her husband. A note on the 1841 census shows that "a lot of the people were away at the preaching in Kincardine, Ross-shire". Was John Mackenzie at the preaching or was he already dead? In 1851 Barbara was still living at Dalmore, now with her sister in law, Christian. Barbara is shown on this census as a widow. Young William and Johanna were still with her.
They had the following children:
WILLIAM MACKENZIE born 15 November 1835 Creich (IGI)
JOHAN MACKENZIE born 23 August 1838 Rogart (IGI)

John Ross was born in Dornoch, son of John Ross and Marion Campbell. He was firstly married to Helen Gordon who died in 1952. John and Helen lived at Torbreck, Rogart where they had at least nine children.

Helen Gordon died at Torbreck in 1852 aged 41. John Ross then married Barbara Grant. This marriage took place in Rogart on 16 January 1854. In 1871 Barbara and John were at Torbreck, Rogart, where John was tenant of six acres. With them were John's children from his earlier marriage plus a grandson, Robert Grant, son of John's daughter Marion and her husband Andrew Grant. Also with the family was an Ann Gordon, aged 78 years, formerly a general servant and believed to be the daughter of John Gordon and Isobel Mackenzie at Blairmore.
In 1881 John, Barbara, Donald and a grandson, William, daughter Marion's son, were still living at Torbreck (now written Torbrick). John Ross was shown as a farmer of eight acres. He died at Torbreck in 1883 and is buried in Dornoch with his first wife, Helen Gordon.
It is believed that Donald Ross, stepson of Barbara, swapped crofts around 1887 with the Mackenzies from Torbreck - the Ross family going to live at Culbuie, Lairg. Barbara died at Culbuie, Lairg in 1891.
The two marriages of Barbara Grant show how close these Rogart families were. Neighbour marrying neighbour. Always the mix between Gordon, Grant, Mackenzie, Mackay.

John Grant & Elizabeth Mackenzie

2007-08-31T13:22:00.000+01:00

JOHN GRANT
[c1780- pre1855]
married
ELIZABETH MACKENZIE
[c1780-pre1855]
John Grant was known as John Clashnagrave, presumably because he came from there – Clashnagrave, Dornoch. A carpenter, and a crofter, he married Elizabeth (Betsy) Mackenzie circa 1802.
Elizabeth Mackenzie is the daughter of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon in Ardchu.
In 1834 John Grant paid two shillings to the fund collecting for a statue to the Duke of Sutherland.
The 1841 census shows John at Dalmore, Rogart, with his son George and daughter Barbara.
It would seem that both John Grant and Elizabeth Mackenzie had died pre 1851.
They had the following children:
BARBARA GRANT born 31 December 1803 Rogart (IGI) [died 19 April 1891 Culbuie, Lairg] [married John Mackenzie & John Ross] – 1841 census at Dalmore with father and her children William Mackenzie, born 1835 and Johanna, born 1838 - There was also a Sarah Mackenzie, aged 12 years – is this also a child of Barbara?– in 1851 Barbara was at Dalmore with her sister in law Christian Gunn
ROBERT GRANT born 20 March 1805 Rogart (IGI)
ELSPET GRANT born 12 December 1806 Rogart (IGI)
COLIN GRANT born 16 August 1808 Rovycraig, Rogart (OPR)
WILLIAM YOUNG GRANT born 5 April 1812 Rogart (IGI)
GEORGE URQUHART GRANT born 23 October 1815 Rogart (IGI) – with father at Dalmore in 1841 census
Can anyone tell me who the parents of John Grant were? I would also like to find death dates for John and Elizabeth.
Thanks.
Christine

John Murray & Barbara Grant

2007-08-31T12:43:00.000+01:00

JOHN MURRAY
[born 23/8/1800]
married
BARBARA GRANT
[12/7/1803-21/2/1855]
John was born at Tannachy, Rogart, son of Robert Murray and Christian Sutherland.
Barbara was born at Knockarthur, Rogart, daughter of William Grant and Christina Mackenzie. She is a granddaughter of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon.
The 1841 census shows John, a tenant, and Barbara living at Lochsallachy, Rogart.
In 1851 they were living at Rhemusaig, Rogart. Barbara Grant died at Rhemusaig in 1855 (DC).
In 1861 John was at Tannachy next door to his brother Alexander. By 1871 John was living in the same house as Alexander. The 1881 census shows John with his daughter Margaret at Achnaluachrach, Rogart.
They had the following children:
WILLIAM MURRAY, born 23 September 1834 Clashnafar, Creich (OPR) [died 5th April 1914 New Zealand] – 1841 & 51 census with parents – around 1862 emgrated to New Zealand – married firstly to Annie Macleod in 1881 – following her death in 1887 married to Margaret Godfrey – had family
ROBERT MURRAY, born 5 November 1835 Clashnafar, Creich (OPR) [married Christian Mackay] – 1841 census with parents – joined his siblings in New Zealand in 1887 with three daughters
CHRISTINA MURRAY, born 4 January 1839 Knockintian, Rogart (OPR) [died 16th March 1908 New Zealand] – 1841 & 51 census with parents – emigrated to New Zealand around 1862 – married Henry Coombe in 1867 at Karere – had seven children
JOHN MURRAY, born 25 April 1840 Rogart [died 22nd November 1879 New Zealand] – 1841 census with parents – emigrated to New Zealand around 1862 – remained single
CATHERINE MURRAY, born 26th July 1841 Rogart – alive in 1855 when her mother died
MARGARET MURRAY, born 18 May 1843 Knockintian, Rogart [died 22 May 1918 Achnaluachrach, Rogart] [married Robert Sutherland]
BARBARA MURRAY, born circa 1844 Dornoch [died 16th November 1926 New Zealand] – 1851 census with parents – emigrated to New Zealand where she married John Bennie in 1868 – no children
It has long been my opinion that this family relate to my Murray Families in Rhemusaig but have yet to find the connection. If you can help please contact me.

William Grant & Christian Mackenzie

2007-08-31T12:32:00.000+01:00

WILLIAM GRANT
[born circa 1770]
married
CHRISTIAN MACKENZIE
[born 16/10/1771]
William Grant was a meal miller of Knockarthur, Rogart. He married Christian Mackenzie, daughter of Colin Mackenzie, Inchoraig, Rogart, and Barbara Gordon.
They had the following children:
JEAN GRANT born 14 June 1797 Knockarthur, Rogart (OPR)– may have died infant
JANE GRANT (Jean), born 24 February 1798 Knockarthur, Rogart (OPR) [died 15 December 1857 Clashnafar, Sliasdary, Bonar, Creich – a spinster – buried Creich churchyard] (DC);
CHRISTIAN GRANT born 10 April 1800 Knockarthur, Rogart (OPR)
BARBARA GRANT born 12 July 1803 Knockarthur, Rogart (OPR) [died 21 February 1855 Rhemusaig, Dornoch] [married John Murray]
JANE GRANT born 2 November 1806 Knockarthur, Rogart (OPR)
ALEXANDER GRANT born 7 May 1808 Knockarthur, Rogart (OPR)
COLIN GRANT born 25 December 1813 Knockarthur, Rogart (OPR)
I have not been able to find out what happened to Christian, Jane, Alexander or Colin. Would love to know more.

Robert Mackay & Elizabeth Mackenzie

2007-08-31T12:16:00.000+01:00

ROBERT MACKAY
[9/11/1829-17/1/1906]
married
ELIZABETH MACKENZIE
[1826-7/2/1893]
Robert was born in Ardchue, Rogart, son of John Mackay and Ann Macdonald.
Elizabeth (Betsy) was born at Ardchue, Rogart, daughter of Kenneth Mackenzie and Mary Jenny and granddaughter of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon.
Robert Mackay was a labourer up until at least 1855. When Angus was born in 1863 in Lairg, he was described as a grass keeper. In 1881 Robert was at Lochside, Lairg, (Terryside). Elizabeth was not at home on census day. Elizabeth died at Lochside, Shiness, in 1893. Robert died at Lochside in 1906. Robert and Elizabeth are buried in Lairg.
They had the following children:
JOHN MACKAY born 29 November 1852 Ardachu, Rogart (FCR) – alive in 1855 according to brother Kenneth’s birth certificate
KENNETH MACKAY born 21 January 1855 Ardachu, Rogart (BC) - may be the Kenneth Mackay shown living in Edinburgh where he was a bachelor and a joiner, correct age and birth place
female child MACKAY born 21 September 1856 Terryside, Lairg (IGI) [died 30th September 1856 Terryside, Lairg aged 9 days – buried in churchyard of Lairg as certified by Robert Sutherland, undertaker] (DC)
GEORGE MACKAY born 2 November 1857 Lairg (IGI)
MARY HELEN MACKAY born 14 November 1859 Lairg (IGI) [died 8 January 1938]
ANN MACKAY born 10 October 1861 Lairg (IGI) [died 6 March 1934 – buried with parents] – 1871 census with uncle Angus Mackenzie at Ardchue, Rogart – 1881 census with father
ANGUS MACKAY born 4 December 1863 Lairg (IGI) [died 6 November 1883 Lochside, Shiness – buried with parents] – 1881 census with father
male child MACKAY born 9 February 1866 Lairg (DC) [died aged 15 minutes at Terryside, Lairg]

Peter Mackenzie & Christina Macdonald

2007-08-31T12:01:00.000+01:00

PETER MACKENZIE
[7/7/1823-6/2/1903]
married
CHRISTINA MACDONALD
[1835-19/5/1922]
Peter (Patrick) was born at Ardachu, Rogart, son of Kenneth Mackenzie and Mary Jenny and grandson of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon.
Christina is the daughter of George Macdonald and Elizabeth Mackay.
Peter and Christina (Chirsty) married in Rogart on 28 August 1857.
In 1861 they were living at Rhechalmie, Rogart, with Elspet Mackay, Christina’s mother. The 1881 and 1891 census shows Peter, Chirsty, Kenneth and George living at Rhechalmie, where they farmed five acres. Peter died there in 1903 when his death certificate shows him as a crofter. Peter and Christina are buried in Rogart.
They had the following children:
KENNETH MACKENZIE born 11 June 1867 Reidchalmie, Rogart [married Ann Sinclair] – 1861 census with parents – signed father’s death certificate in 1903
GEORGE MACKENZIE born 9 May 1871 Reidchalmie, Rogart [died 13th May 1928 at The Hotel, Rogart] (DC) [married Elizabeth Ross] – 1861 census with parents

Peter Macintosh & Susanna Mackenzie

2007-08-31T10:06:00.000+01:00

PETER MACINTOSH
[born 30/12/1858]
married
SUSANNA MACKENZIE
[born 22/12/1866]
Peter Macintosh, Muie, Rogart, a gamekeeper, is the son of John Macintosh and Margaret Murray. Susanna was born in Watten, Caithness, daughter of John Mackenzie, Ardachu, and Janet Dunnet (MC). She is a great granddaughter of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon.
Peter and Susanna Mackenzie, married at Ardachu, Rogart on 5th January 1886 (MC/FCR).
They had the following children:
PETER MACINTOSH born 4 December 1889 West Langwell, Rogart
WILLIAM MACINTOSH born 3rd November 1892 West Langwell, Rogart (FCR)
MARGARET MURRAY MACINTOSH born 28th April 1894 West Langwell, Rogart (FCR)
I do not know when Susanna and Peter died. Would love to find out.

William Mackenzie & Catherine Mackay

2007-08-31T09:41:00.000+01:00

WILLIAM MACKENZIE
[20/5/1858-8/11/1920]
married
CATHERINE MACKAY
[c1869-4/7/1949]
William, a landholder in Ardachu, Rogart, was born in Watten, Caithness, son of John Mackenzie, Ardachu, and Janet Dunnet. He is a grandson of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon.
Catherine (Kate) is the daughter of John Mackay and Johan Mackay.
In 1901 William and Katie were living at Ardachu with William's parents and his uncle Angus who was head of household. Their house had 6 rooms with one or more windows.
William died in 1920. Catherine continued to live at Ardachu until her death in 1949.
“There were many expressions of deep regret among neighbours and a wide circle of friends when it became known that Mrs Mackenzie, Ardachu, had passed away. Mrs Mackenzie who was in her 80th year was a native of the district and was highly respected. Her death has removed from Strath Fleet a much loved personality. Her husband, the late Mr William Mackenzie, predeceased her 29 years ago but Mrs Mackenzie continued successfully to farm the holding at Ardachu until her family grew up to help her …… the funeral on July 13th was large and representative …… to the members of her family, three sons and four married daughters the sympathy of the community is extended as well as to her brothers and sisters at home and abroad” (NT14/7/1949).
William and his wife are buried in Rogart.
They had the following children:
CATHERINE MACKENZIE (Kate) born 2 January 1898, Muie, Rogart – 1901 census with parents
JAMES MACKENZIE born 1900 – 1901 census with parents
WILLIAM MACKENZIE born circa 1907 [died 23 March 1990 – buried with parents]
ANGUS MACKENZIE who signed his mother’s death certificate.

John Mackenzie & Janet Dunnet

2007-08-31T09:27:00.001+01:00

JOHN MACKENZIE
[14/6/1822-3/4/1909]
married
JANET DUNNET
[c1832-14/2/1905]
John was born at Ardachu, Rogart, son of Kenneth Mackenzie and Mary Jenny and grandson of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon.
He and Janet married on 1 February 1856.
In 1881 John and Janet were living in Laurel, Bower, Caithness, where John was a general labourer. Living with the family was John’s step-daughter, Diana Mackenzie, born circa 1848 Olrig, Caithness. She is actually his daughter-in-law (wife of Kenneth) and has been recorded twice, with the family and with her husband and child.
When his daughter Mary married in 1884 John Mackenzie was shown on her marriage certificate as an agricultural labourer. Some time between 1881 and the following census in 1891 Janet and John moved back to Ardachu, Rogart. They were there for the census with John’s brother and sister, Angus and Susanna. Both John and Janet died at Ardachu.
They had the following children:
KENNETH MACKENZIE, born 5 November 1856 Watten, Caithness [married Diana Swanson] - Kenneth Mackenzie married Diana, daughter of Donald Swanson, farmer, and Elizabeth Gow on 15 February 1878 at Murkle, Olrig, Caithness - they had a son, Donald Swanson Mackenzie, born 9 November 1879 at Wilson Street, Thurso
WILLIAM MACKENZIE, born 20 May 1858 Watten, Caithness [died 8 November 1920 Ardachu, Rogart] [married Catherine Mackay]
JAMES MACKENZIE, born 5 September 1860 Watten, Caithness – 1881 census with parents
MARY MACKENZIE, born 17 May 1862 Watten, Caithness [married George Macallan on 1st February 1884 at The Mains of Watten, Caithness in a Church of Scotland service – George, an agricultural labourer, was aged 20, son of George Macallan, farmer and Margaret Brotchie] (MC) – 1881 census with parents
ELIZABETH MACKENZIE, born 17 July 1864 Watten, Caithness [married George Dickson, coachman, aged 20, son of James Dickson, farm manager, deceased and Jessie Manson at Mains of Watten, Caithness on 29th February 1884] (MC) – Elizabeth and George had a daughter, Jessie Dickson born 17th December 1884 at Ardochie, Rogart. – 1881 census with parents
SUSANNAH MACKENZIE, born 1868 Watten, Caithness [married Peter Macintosh] – 1881 census with parents
JANET MACKENZIE (Jessie), born 9 October 1869 Dunn, Watten, Caithness [married James Mackay] (MC) – 1881 census with parents

Elspeth Mary Mackenzie & Robert Leslie

2007-08-31T08:49:00.000+01:00

ROBERT LESLIE

[29/8/1873-2/11/1915]

married

ELSPETH MARY MACKENZIE

[29/2/1880-19/8/1970]

Robert Leslie was born in Dornoch in 1873, son of Neil Leslie, mason and Johan Mackay.
Elspeth Mackenzie, Torbreck, Rogart, is the daughter of Colin Mackenzie and Margaret Robertson. She is a great, great granddaughter of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon.

Robert, a mason, and Elspeth, a domestic servant, married at The Royal Hotel, Dingwall on 10 December 1909. Witnesses were Donald Leslie and Chrissie Mackenzie. This lovely photograph above was given to me by Margaret Grant, their daughter during a visit to her in 2005. I used my second hobby of scrapbooking to create what you see above.

Elspeth and Robert lived at Clash-na-Grave, Badninish, Dornoch. Robert, a crofter, died of tuberculosis in 1915. Elspet died at Clashnagrave, aged 90 years in 1970. They are buried in Golf Road cemetery, Dornoch.
They had the following children:
NEIL LESLIE born 11th October 1910 [died 12th November 1933 Lawson Memorial Hospital, Golspie – buried with parents]
MARGARET ANN LESLIE born 6th July 1913 Dornoch [married James Grant – had a daughter who currently lives in Sutherland] – Margaret still lives in Dornoch (2006).
ROBERT NEIL LESLIE born 16th April 1916 [died 11th July 1977 aged 61 years – buried with parents and his wife] [married Isabella Sutherland and had a son Neil Leslie] – signed mother’s death certificate in 1970 – Annie Mackenzie, aunt, was informant at Robert’s death.

Jane MACKENZIE & Alexander MURRAY

2007-07-04T20:53:00.001+01:00

This photograph of Jane Mackenzie was probably taken around 1900/1910.

Jane was born at Torbreck, Rogart, daughter of William Mackenzie and Elspet Mackay. Jane is a great granddaughter of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon.

She married Alexander Murray of Rhemusaig, Rogart. Read more in the Murray entry.

Jane is my great grandmother and my link to the Mackenzie's of Torbreck.

Thomas MACKENZIE & Aletta Christensen

2007-07-04T20:21:00.000+01:00

Thomas Robertson MACKENZIE
[27/5/1883-22/1/1940]
married
Aletta Sophia CHRISTENSEN
[29/10/1874-c28/9/1910]

Thomas Robertson Mackenzie was born at Torbreck, Rogart, son of Colin Mackenzie and Margaret Robertson. He is a great great grandson of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon.

A death notice in the 'Northern Times' dated 22nd February 1940 told me that Thomas had died in Alberta, Canada. I then found that Thomas had died on 22nd January 1940 at the Lethbridge Hospital, Alberta, Canada - he was buried at Milk River, Alberta on 26th January] (funeral home records which also tells us that Thomas spent 42 years in Canada). Thomas married Mrs Aletta Sophia Christensen of Lethbridge, Alberta – “Thomas Robertson Mackenzie married Mrs Aletta Christensen of Lethbridge at the Wesley church parsonage last evening” (Lethbridge Daily Herald” 28/9/1910) – “Mackenzie, the death occurred at Cardston on Wednesday of Mrs Aletta Sophie Mackenzie following a year’s illness. She was born at Oslo, Norway on October 29th 1874 and had resided in South Alberta for the past 29 years. On son and one daughter survive, Colin Mackenzie and Mrs M Whitting. Funeral services will be conducted from the Milk River United church on Saturday at 2pm and internment will follow in Milk River Cemetery “ (Lethbridge Daily Herald, Thursday 21/8/1941) – Thomas and Aletta are buried side by side in Milk River – see gravestones above – their son Colin W Mackenzie was a pallbearer at his father’s funeral – he lived at Turner Valley, Alberta, at least for a time – there are no Mackenzie’s there nowadays.

Colin MACKENZIE & Margaret ROBERTSON

2007-07-04T20:11:00.000+01:00

Colin MACKENZIE
[1847-31/3/1940]
married
Margaret ROBERTSON
[c1855-7/9/1938]

Colin was born at Torbreck, Rogart, son of William Mackenzie and Elspet Mackay. Colin is the great grandson of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon. Colin was the blacksmith at Torbreck as his father and his grandfather had been before him. Colin and Margaret, who was born at Kirkhill, Inverness, married on 17 January 1878 at Maryburgh, Fodderty, Ross-shire. Margaret was then aged 23, a housemaid, and daughter of Thomas Robertson, ploughman, and Ann Ross.

The 1881 census shows Colin and Margaret at Torbreck with two daughters. A ten-year old girl, Esther Mackay, of Helmsdale, was with them. She was described as a servant and a scholar. In 1891 Colin and Margaret were shown at Torbreck with seven of their children.

“Mr Colin Mackenzie and Mrs Mackenzie, Torbreck, recently celebrated their golden wedding. The happy couple were married on 17th January 1878 by the Rev. Charles Mackay, at Maryburgh, Inverness of which district Mrs Mackenzie is a native. The worthy couple, notwithstanding minor ailments, are wonderfully hale and hearty. Mr Mackenzie was born in the district in which he resides. His memory is still unimpaired and as he is an interesting conversationalist, his reminiscences of his experiences and happenings of long ago would make interesting reading. On their anniversary day, Mr and Mrs Mackenzie received many congratulatory messages, including a cablegram from their daughter in New York” (NT 1938).

Later that same year Margaret passed away. Colin died at Torbreck in 1940. “There passed away at Torbreck, Rogart, on March 31, its oldest and most venerable parishioner in the person of Mr Colin Mackenzie. He was in his 95th year and had the unique experience of having spent his whole life in the district in which he was born. Although confined to bed for several months, his faculties were unimpaired. He was a man of strong religious convictions and was identified with the Free Presbyterian denomination. As a conversationalist he could talk intelligently on subjects both modern and early Victorian and his observations were frequently interspersed by pawky humour and incisive wit. Like his father before him, Mr Mackenzie was a blacksmith by occupation as well as farming his holding at Torbreck His home was a centre of cheer and hospitality where he and his wife and happy family gave of their best. Mr Mackenzie was one of the organisers of the Torbreck Literary Society and was for a time its worthy treasurer. His wife predeceased him by two years, and after her demise, his daughter, Miss Kate Mackenzie, became his constant and devoted companion. All the other members of their family are successful in life and a credit to their native parish. Enriched by the experiences of his many years, Mr Mackenzie has left a beautiful memory, serene and peaceful, contrasting with the dispeace and bewilderment of these modern times. Interment took place to Rogart Cemetery on 2nd April and was largely attended. Reverend Finlay Macleod, Dornoch, was the officiating clergyman.” (NT 11/4/1940) This family are buried in Rogart where the gravestone tells that William was the eldest son.

Colin & Margaret had the following children:
ANN ROBERTSON MACKENZIE (Annie) born 6 September 1878 Torbreck, Rogart [died 12 April 1922 Torbreck, a nurse] – 1881 census with parents – “It was with feelings of deep regret that the community learned of the death last week of Annie Mackenzie, eldest daughter of Mr Colin Mackenzie, Torbreck. Taken seriously unwell a short time ago, who was conveyed to the Lawson Memorial Hospital, Golspie for medical treatment but it was found impossible to do anything save alleviate her trouble and eventually she was taken home, and lovingly attended in her last illness by her mother and sisters. Miss Mackenzie was one of those who endear themselves to all and sundry by their kindly and lovable disposition and the winning charm of their personality. For seven years she occupied the position of nurse in the family of Dr. Simpson, Golspie by whom she was held in high esteem and was beloved by all. The sympathy of the community goes out to the bereaved family. A large concourse followed the remains to the new cemetery”. (NT 20/4/1922)
ELSPETH MARY MACKENZIE (Eppie) born 28th February 1880 [died 19 August 1970 Clashnagrave, Dornoch] [married Robert Leslie] – Eppie attended Blairich school where she was admitted on 5th December 1893 – the record states that this was a re-admit - 1881 census at home with parents
WILLIAM MACKENZIE born 24 September 1881 [died 16 August 1908, a blacksmith]
THOMAS ROBERTSON MACKENZIE born 27 May 1883 Torbreck, Rogart [died 22 January 1940 Lethbridge Hospital, Alberta, Canada - NT death notice 22/2/1940 – buried at Milk River, Alberta on 26th January] [married Mrs Aletta Sophia Christensen of Lethbridge, Alberta.
JANE MACKAY MACKENZIE (Jeannie) born 26 March 1885 Torbreck, Rogart - admitted to Blairich school, Rogart on 28th May 1890 - left 9th January 1891 - reason ' sick' - readmitted 29th June 1891 - left 5th August 1892 - reason " Balvraid" – does this mean she moved to Balvraid school, Dornoch?
KENNETH HUGH MACKENZIE born 4 April 1887 [died 11 September 1966, Edinburgh] [married Leah ?] – Kenneth attended Rogart school where he started in June 1892. He left there in December 1893 – reason given Dornoch – did he go to school at Balvraid with his sister Jeannie?
CHRISTINA MACKENZIE born 5th May 1889 Torbreck, Rogart [married William Macleod] – admitted to Blairich school April 1895 – left September 1903 – reason given was that she was over age
CATHERINE ROBERTSON MACKENZIE (Kate), born 19 June1892 [died 11 November 1960] – attended Blairich School from June 1897 to September 1906 - Catherine lived all her life in Torbreck – she was killed in a car accident in Golspie in 1960

Susannah MACKENZIE & Murdoch MACKAY

2007-07-04T20:00:00.000+01:00

Hanna (Susannah) MACKENZIE
[1849-26/12/1950]
married
Murdoch MACKAY
[c1853-23/3/1936]

Hanna is the daughter of William Mackenzie and Elspat Mackay of Torbreck, Rogart and great granddaughter of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon. She was born Susanna but appears to have changed her name to Hanna. Murdoch was born in Caithness, son of John Mackay, master gardener and Georgina Morrison. Murdoch was living in Falkirk, a master gardener, at the time of his marriage to Hannah. They married at Torbreck, Rogart on 13th June 1879.

The 1881 census shows Murdoch, Hannah and baby John William, living at Gladstone Place, Edinburgh. Murdoch was employed as a jobbing gardener and was also studying art. Hannah’s sister, Elspeth Mackenzie, a dressmaker, was living with them. The 1891 census shows the family at West Norton Place, Edinburgh, where Murdoch was now recorded as a Free Church Missionary. The 1901 census shows the family at Morningside Road, Edinburgh and Murdoch was now a gardener and florist. Murdoch died at Ballifeary Road, Inverness, aged 83, in 1936. Hanna also died there in 1950, a 101 year old, widow.
They had the following children:
JOHN WILLIAM MACKAY, born 2nd April 1880 Newington, Edinburgh - at home with parents in 1891 census
WILLIAM MACKENZIE MACKAY born 18th October 1881 Newington, Edinburgh - at home with parents in 1891 census
GEORGE MACKAY born 23rd February 1883 Newington, Edinburgh - at home with parents in 1891 census
ELSPETH MACKAY (Elsie) born 24th November 1884 Newington, Edinburgh - at home with parents in 1891 & 1901 census
GEORGINA MACINTOSH MACKAY (Ina) born 28th March 1887 Newington, Edinburgh - at home with parents in 1891 & 1901 census
KENNETH MACKAY born 13th May 1889 Canongate, Edinburgh - at home with parents in 1891 & 1901 census
CHRISTINA MACKAY (Chrissie) born 4th September 1891 Canongate, Edinburgh – at home with parents in 1901 census – Christina married a Mr. Henderson and lived in Hillsboro, Oregon, USA.

Helen MACKENZIE & Joseph SUTHERLAND

2007-07-04T19:49:00.000+01:00

Helen MACKENZIE
[20/1/1857-22/3/1929]
married
Joseph SUTHERLAND
[18/10/1857-4/10/1910]

Helen (Ellen) is the daughter of William Mackenzie and Elspet Mackay of Torbreck Rogart. She is a great granddaughter of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon. Joseph, a master mason, was born at Gartymore, Loth, son of James Sutherland and Helen (Annie) Bannerman. Joseph and Helen married on 20 November 1891 at Torbreck, Rogart. In the 1901 census Ellen was at home in Lillieshall Street, Helmsdale, Kildonan, with her daughters. Her husband was shown in Dornoch on census night where he was boarding in Church Street where he was presumably working. Joseph died in Cambusavie Hospital, Dornoch in 1910. Helen died in Edinburgh in 1929.

They had the following children:
ANNIE ELIZABETH SUTHERLAND born 27th August 1892 Helmsdale [married Edward N. Kerr, chauffeur in 1914 in Edinburgh
CHRISTINA SUTHERLAND (Chrissie) born 17th October 1893 Helmsdale [died in London 1933/4]
WILLIAMINA SUTHERLAND (Mina) born 24th January 1896 Helmsdale [married William Gellatly in 1928 in Edinburgh] (NT)

Christian MACKENZIE & William GRANT

2007-07-03T23:31:00.000+01:00

Christian MACKENZIE [born 16/10/1771] married William GRANT [born circa 1770]
William Grant was a meal miller of Knockarthur, Rogart. He married Christian Mackenzie, daughter of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon in Acheilidh, Rogart.

Christian and William had the following children:
JEAN GRANT born 14 June 1797 Knockarthur, Rogart – may have died infant
JANE GRANT (Jean), born 24 February 1798 Knockarthur, Rogart [died 15 December 1857 Clashnafar, Sliasdary, Bonar, Creich – a spinster – buried Creich churchyard]
CHRISTIAN GRANT born 10 April 1800 Knockarthur, Rogart
BARBARA GRANT born 12 July 1803 Knockarthur, Rogart [died 21 February 1855 Rhemusaig, Rogart] [married John Murray]
JANE GRANT born 2 November 1806 Knockarthur, Rogart
ALEXANDER GRANT born 7 May 1808 Knockarthur, Rogart
COLIN GRANT born 25 December 1813 Knockarthur, Rogart

David MACKENZIE & 1) Catherine ANDERSON 2) Jane CARPENTER

2007-07-03T22:45:00.000+01:00

David MACKENZIE
[1/8/1838-25/11/1921]
married
1) Catherine ANDERSON
[1838-26/7/1873]
2) JANE ALICE CARPENTER
[c1859-10/3/1885]

David was born at Torbreck, Rogart, son of William Mackenzie and Elspet Mackay. He is a great grandson of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon. David left his home at Torbreck when he was 18 years old and headed for Australia. By the time he was 21 years old he was in New Zealand. He was a blacksmith to trade, as his father and both his grandfather’s were. He went gold mining in the south of South Island, New Zealand, before he went back to his trade as a blacksmith at Milton, South Otago.

It was at Milton he met his first wife, Catherine Anderson. The story goes that Catherine had lost the key to her chest (kist as it was called then) and came to David to get help. David went to her aid and a friendship developed. David left Milton and bought farmland at Waiwera South. He built a sod hut, which was still waiting for doors and windows when he and Catherine married in 1864 at Dunedin. Catherine was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, daughter of Richard Anderson, a shoemaker, and Euphemia Williamson. The Andersons had left Edinburgh in August 1862 arriving at Port Chalmers, New Zealand, that November.

When David moved to Waiwera he changed his name from Mackenzie to McKenzie. Apparently there was another David Mackenzie at Waiwera then and this name change was designed to save confusion. (It is understood that the two Davids tossed a coin to see who would be a Mc and who would be a Mac!) This is borne out by the local electoral information. There are two David McKenzie names at Tokomairiro (Maori name for the Milton area). They are always listed together on the roll. The 1865 roll shows our David McKenzie, Tokamairiro, household, blacksmith’s shop – and again in 1866 and in 1868 when the shop is now freehold. From 1868 – 1879 the same entry appears.

When their first child was six weeks old, David and Catherine moved to the two-story house called “Fleet Bank”, named after David’s childhood home near the River Fleet, in Rogart. It was said that David brought gorse seeds from Rogart. He sowed all the hedges, straight as a die, and also planted a row of blue gum trees beside the main road when it was formed. David built a ‘smithy’ at Fleetbank and when the coaches started to South and Central, he shoed the horses, and also attended to the neighbouring farmers horses, while still owning the farm. The story goes that at one time David was cutting down a willow tree and slashed the axe through his foot – he went home and poured kerosene over his foot, and bound it up. It apparently healed without trouble. Another time he broke a leg somewhere out on the farm, and crawled till he got within calling distance, for Catherine to get a horse and sledge to get him home. He set the break himself and Catherine went to the nearest neighbour who had to ride to Milton to fetch the doctor. A drive of some 30 miles! Catherine was expecting her sixth child, when she died on 26 July 1873. The baby also died.

David and Catherine had the following children:
MARION MACKENZIE born 1873 [died 1938 New Zealand] [married William Turner – had nine children]
EUPHEMIA MACKENZIE born 1865 [died 1919 New Zealand] [married Owen Benfell – had seven children]
CHRISTINA MACKENZIE born 1870 [married Albert Turner – had a child]
WILLIAM MACKENZIE born 8 November 1866 [married Agnes ? had three children – Kenneth, Zoe and Beryl]
ELSPETH MACKENZIE born 6 August 1868 [died 25 January 1870 New Zealand].

Folllowing Catherine's death David took in a housekeeper to look after the family. A succession of housekeepers followed. They would not stay, and departed by coach taking the best of linen and Catherine’s lovely dresses, while David was out on the farm. Eventually, in 1877, David married Jane Alice Carpenter, known as Alice. Alice was the daughter of George Carpenter, a bricklayer, and Mary Ann Brixton, who had travelled to New Zealand from their home in Hampshire, England. They arrived in New Zealand in 1874 and lived in Dunedin. Alice died when her youngest son, Kenneth, was only fourteen months of age. David’s eldest daughter, Euphemia, known as Fem, took over and managed the baby and the rest of the family.

David gave a piece of his land to the Presbyterian Parish to build a church. He had been in New Zealand a number of years and due to retire when he said goodbye to his family and went back to Scotland, intending to stay. However, he found things so changed in Sutherland, that he was glad to return to his New Zealand home. He then lived with his son David and family until he died in his 84th year. He had a horse called ‘Rhemus’ and a big collie dog called ‘Yar’. They were his faithful companions and would go out in the gig to Pomahaka River with him to spend the day fishing. David died at Waiwera South of cardiac disease in 1921. His death certificate tells us that he had been in New Zealand for 63 years. David was buried at the Clinton Cemetery with his first wife, Catherine Anderson. Their grave and headstone can be found in a far corner under the trees. The site is outside the planned area of plots. David’s second wife, Alice Carpenter, is buried in Dunedin with her own family.

David and Alice had the following children:
MARY JANE MACKENZIE (Minnie)
DAVID MACKENZIE ELSPETH MACKENZIE (Elsie)
GEORGE KENNETH MACKENZIE (Kenny), born 1883 [died 1971, buried Clinton Cemetery] [married Ethel Broad at Waiwera South, 3 June 1912 – had five children, Ethel died 1924. Kenny then married Lydia Ann Hemings in 1928 and they had three children]

William MACKENZIE & Elspet MACKAY

2007-07-03T22:04:00.000+01:00

William MACKENZIE
[19/3/1808-6/8/1873]
married
Elspet MACKAY
[23/7/1810-18/12/1905]

William was born at Achevely, Rogart, son of Kenneth Mackenzie, blacksmith, and Mary Jenny. He is a grandson of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon.

Elspet Mackay was born at Torbreck, Rogart, daughter of David Mackay and Christina Anderson. William took over the croft and the blacksmith business at Torbreck from his father in law David Mackay.

The 1841 census shows William and Elspet at Torbreck with their children. Elspet’s mother lived at Torbreck in a separate dwelling. In 1851 and in 1861 William and Elspet were at Torbreck with their children. In 1871 their home had five rooms with one or more windows. William Mackenzie died at his home in Torbreck, aged 63 years in 1873. William and Elspet are buried in Rogart.

In 1881 Elspeth, now widowed was a farmer of 7 acres at Torbreck. Her daughter Christina, a dressmaker was living with her as well as her grand-son William Murray, aged 5, a scholar. In 1891 Elspet Mackay was at Torbreck with her daughter Helen and her grandchildren William and Bessie Murray, children of her daughter Jane Mackenzie married to Alexander Murray. In 1901 Elspeth, an annuitant, had her grand-daughter Jane Mackay Mackenzie, a 16 year old scholar living with her. Their house had 4 rooms with one or more windows. Elspeth spoke only Gaelic. She died at Torbreck in 1905. ''Out of compliment to the friends of the late Mrs. Mackenzie, Torbreck, the Torbreck Debating Society adjourned on Tuesday. On Tuesday of last week, Mrs. Mackenzie, Torbreck, passed quietly away at the ripe old age of 93. Her's was a well known figure in the district. Until quite lately she attended to her domestic duties, and her eyes needed not the aid of spectacles to enable her to read her beloved Bible. Being a staunch Free Presbyterian she willingly gave her house to the members of that denomination for prayer meetings. On Thursday one of the largest funeral processions seen in the district since many a day accompanied her remains to Rogart Burying Ground” (NT 28/12/1905).

William and Elspet had the following children:
MARY MACKENZIE born 15 September 1835 Torbreck, Rogart – 1841 census living with her maternal grandmother at Torbreck – 1851 census at home with parents - went to Canada
DAVID MACKENZIE born 1 August 1838 Torbreck, Rogart [died 25 November 1921 New Zealand] [married Catherine Anderson and Jane Alice Carpenter] – 1841 & 1851 census at home with parents – by the 1861 census David Mackenzie had left home and was by then in Australia - he later settled in New Zealand
KENNETH MACKENZIE born 26 January 1840 Torbreck, Rogart – 1841 census with parents – 1851 & 1861 census at home with parents - went to Canada
CHRISTINA MACKENZIE (Christy) born 8 January 1842 Torbreck, Rogart [died 17 January 1887] – 1851 & 1861 census at home with parents – 1871 census at home with parents
HUGH MACKENZIE born 1843 Torbreck, Rogart [died infant – buried with parents]
ANN MACKENZIE (Annie) born 1844 Torbreck, Rogart [died infant – buried with parents]
COLIN MACKENZIE born circa 1846 Torbreck, Rogart [died 31 March 1940, Rogart] [married Margaret Robertson] – 1851 & 1861 census at home with parents – 1871 census at home with parents
JANE MACKENZIE (Jean) born circa 1848 Torbreck, Rogart [died 22nd July 1931 Tain, Ross & Cromarty] [married Alexander Murray] – 1851 & 1861 census at home with parents – 1871 census at home with parents
SUSANNAH MACKENZIE (Hannah) born 18th November 1849 Torbreck, Rogart [died 26th December 1950 Inverness, aged 101 years] [married Murdoch Mackay] – 1851 & 1861 census at home with parents
HELEN MACKENZIE (Ellen) born 20 January 1857 Torbreck, Rogart [died 22nd March 1929 Edinburgh] [married Joseph Sutherland] – 1861 census at home with parents – 1871 census at home with parents – 1891 census with widowed mother
ELSPETH MACKENZIE born 20 January 1857 Torbreck, Rogart – 1861 census at home with parents – 1871 census at home with parents – 1881 census living with sister Hannah (Susannah) in Edinburgh

William and Elspet are my great, great grandparents.

Helen MACKENZIE & Alexander MACKAY

2007-07-03T21:56:00.000+01:00

Helen MACKENZIE
[25/2/1803-1850]
married
Alexander MACKAY
[2/10/1808-1862]

Helen was born at Ardchu, Rogart, daughter of Kenneth Mackenzie and Mary Jenny and granddaughter of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon. Alexander was born at Achavandra, Skelbo, Dornoch, son of Angus Mackay and Helen Mackenzie. Sometime after 1834 Alexander and Helen left Sutherland and went to Glasgow. Helen died there in 1850 from consumption (tuberculosis). Alexander then left for Australia where he settled in Geelong, Victoria. He died there in 1862.
They had the following children:
ANNABELLA MACKAY, born 2 April 1832 Rogart
KENNETH MACKENZIE MACKAY, born 6 May 1834 Ardchu, Rogart [died 16th November 1908] [married Margaret Falconer] - young Kenneth was raised from about the age of seven by his maternal grandparents
CHRISTINA MACKAY, died in Glasgow, aged 15 months from measles

Kenneth MACKENZIE & Mary JENNY

2007-07-03T21:43:00.000+01:00

Kenneth MACKENZIE
[16/10/1771-16/5/1862]
married
Mary JENNY
[1784-21/2/1859]

Kenneth was born at Inchoraig, Rogart, (Acheilidh area) son of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon. Mary is the daughter of William Jeanison or Jenny, an innkeeper, and his wife Helen. According to the 1851 census Mary was born in Ireland. How did Kenneth meet Mary? Was he a soldier? The Sutherland Fencibles lists include two men named Kenneth Mackenzie who joined after 1793. Did he go to Ireland? The Sutherland Fencible Regiment was in Ireland 25th May 1798 till around Christmas that year. The Fencibles (942 of them) moved around Ireland during their time there - “Ireland was extremely restless ….. several of the Scottish Fencible regiments were sent to Ireland to help to suppress the Irish rebels but it was not until the main insurrection of May 1798 that the Sutherland men were called on to join in this work". The newspapers reported that on the 13th June, General Sir Ralph Abercrombie, Commander-in-Chief, arrived in Ayr from Edinburgh, inspected the Sutherland regiment and addressed them in an animating speech on the importance of speedy and efficient reinforcement being sent to the North of Ireland. The Sutherland men unanimously and with that enthusiastic zeal and loyalty which so peculiarly marks the character of their country, declared their readiness to march for Ireland on an hour’s warning, though their terms of enlistment confined their services to within Scotland ………. By the 19th June they were in Belfast, 1100 strong and commanded by Colonel Wemyss.” This Irish rising was defeated. A few Fencible regiments remained in Ireland on garrison duties till as late as 1803. Did Kenneth go to Belfast? Did he meet Mary there and bring her back to Sutherland? She was very young but so were many brides in those days. There has been confusion over Mary’s name – on some certificates she is Jeanison, on others Jenny, on at least one she is Jennison – however her son Peter while signing a legal document used the name Jenny.

In an 1814 Summons of Removal issued by the Countess to tenants in the parish of Rogart it states that Kenneth Mackenzie was in Ardachu and that his mother, Barbara Gordon, was also there (Sutherland Papers, NAS). The Land Rental records for Rogart show that in 1825, Kenneth Mackenzie was in Ardchue. He was a lotter at this time. We know from the births of his children that Kenneth Mackenzie was in Ardachu at the time the 1824 Militia List for the parish of Rogart was created. There is no Mackenzie at Ardachu or Achevelly on this list. Presumably Kenneth was considered too old for the list and young William would have been barely 16 years of age. In 1834 Kenneth Mackenzie, Ardchue, paid the sum of two shillings to the Duke of Sutherland’s statue fund. The 1841 census for Ardachu, Rogart, shows Kenneth Mackenzie, age 60, tenant with his children and a grandson, Kenneth MacKay, aged 7 years, son of Helen Mackenzie and Alexander Mackay. Mary was not at home. In 1851 at Ardchow, Kenneth was aged 71, a lotter of six acres, and gave his parish of birth as Reay! His wife Mary was also at home. Mary Jenny died at Ardachue in 1859. Kenneth was at Ardchu in 1861 with his son Angus, a railway contractor. Kenneth died there in 1862.

Notes on place names – As you will read Kenneth’s twin sons were born at Achevely, Rogart. His daughters, Jane and Barbara were then born in Ardchue. In 1813 he was again in Achevely where his son Angus was born. Enquiries in Sutherland brought the following information regarding Achevely: In 1938 and in records in the Sutherland Estate Office the precise place was written as Acheillie. 50 years prior to that it was written as Achillie. In 1833 it was written as Achvalie or Achvelly. It has been proven that Achavelly and Acheveby are one and the same place through the use of tenant’s names in the Estate office. On old maps this spot is named Acheileidh. In 1750 it was written Achvilie, and in the 1764 records it is Echevilie. The 1824 Militia list points to Achevely and Ardchow. A croft on the spot is known as Inshure, Inschure, Inchure. Nearby is Achu, Ardchu, Ardachue. It has been assumed that the family did in fact never move. The 1881 census in Rogart shows Angus Mackenzie, son of Kenneth and Mary, as tenant of ten acres at Ardochie. Was Ardochie Ardchue? In 1750 Ardchu did not exist but Inchoraig did. Inchoraig and Inschure – same place? The modern map shows only Ardochu, Rogart. I believe this is the spot where not only Ardachue and Ardochy stood but also Inchoraig and Achevely. From the Estate Papers we know that there were quite a few families at Ardchu, or Ardachu as it was then written, in 1825. Neil Mackay, John Murray, Neil Sutherland, William Sutherland, James Campbell, Roderick Macdonald, Hugh Mackay, Kenneth Mackenzie and William Murray, were all crofting in Ardchu.

Kenneth and Mary had the following children:
HELEN MACKENZIE (Nelly or Ellen), born 25 February 1803 Rogart [died August 1850 Glasgow] [married Alexander Mackay]
COLIN MACKENZIE born 19 March 1808 Achevely, Rogart - twin to William
WILLIAM MACKENZIE born 19 March 1808 Achevely, Rogart - second born twin to Colin [died 6 August 1873 Torbreck, Rogart] [married Elspat Mackay]
JANE MACKENZIE born 13 November 1810 Ardachu, Rogart
BARBARA MACKENZIE born 1811 Ardachu, Rogart (OPR) [died 13 February 1860 Ardchue, spinster] – 1841 census at home with father – 1851 census a house servant with Robert Innes, a widower, at Inchcape, Rogart
ANGUS MACKENZIE born 1 February 1813 Achevely, Ardachu, Rogart (OPR) [died 30 May 1902 Ardchu – bachelor, crofter – his nephew William Mackenzie signed the death certificate] – 1851 census at home with parents – 1861 census at home with widowed father, railway contractor – 1871 census at the family home in Ardachu where he is now shown as the tenant – his niece, Ann Mackay, daughter of sister Elizabeth, was with him and his sister Susanna – the 1881 census in Rogart shows Angus Mackenzie as tenant of ten acres at Ardochie (Ardachu) - living with him was his sister, Susanna, a spinster, and his nephew William Mackenzie, son of his brother, John
SUSANNA MACKENZIE born 17 September 1818 Ardachu, Rogart [died 22 February 1908 Ardchue, spinster] – 1841 census at home with father – 1851 census at home with parents - 1861 and 1871 census living at home with her brother Angus – still at Ardachu in 1881
JOHN MACKENZIE born 14th June 1822 Ardachu, Rogart [died 3 April 1909 Ardachu, Rogart] [married Janet Dunnet] – 1841 census at home with father
PETER MACKENZIE (Patrick), born 9 July 1823 Ardachu, Rogart [died 16 February 1903 Rhecalmie, Rogart] [married Christina Macdonald] – 1841 census at home with father
ELIZABETH MACKENZIE (Betsy), born circa 1827 Ardachu, Rogart [died 7 February 1893 Lairg] [married Robert Mackay] – 1841 census at home with father – 1851 census at home with parents

Colin MACKENZIE & Barbara GORDON

2007-07-03T17:09:00.000+01:00

Colin MACKENZIE
[c1745-c1813]
married
Barbara GORDON
[died post 1814]

The 1812 list of Rogart people shows Colin Mackenzie living at Achvellie which we now know to be Acheilidh which is up on the hill above Strath Fleet. Colin paid three pounds eighteen shillings rent for his croft. It is believed that he was born in Strathnaver but I have been unable to prove or disprove this.

An 1814 Summons of Removal issued by the Countess to tenants in the parish of Rogart states that Kenneth Mackenzie (son of Colin) was in Ardachu (Acheilidh and Ardachu are together) and that his mother, Barbara Gordon, was also. No mention of Colin. This puts his date of death between 1812-1814. This removal did not take effect (Sutherland Papers, NAS).

Colin and Barbara had the following children:
KENNETH MACKENZIE born 16 October 1771 Inchoraig, Rogart [died 16 May 1862 Ardachu, Rogart] [married Mary Jeanison or Jenny]
CHRISTIAN MACKENZIE born 16 October 1771 Inchoraig [married William Grant]
ELIZABETH MACKENZIE born circa 1780 [died pre 1855] [married John Grant]
CATHERINE MACKENZIE born 1787 Ardchue [died May 1839 Ardchue] [married Hugh Mackay]

My Mackenzie Family

2007-07-03T16:10:00.000+01:00

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

chris.stokes@yahoo.co.uk