John Farrow

[Blinshall]

Hi Looby,
In answer to your question I do not know when Donald McKay died.  I really have no record at all of him. I have been through FreeReg burials, marriages, and baptisms for both Donald and Isabella and the only record of any interest at all was a baptism for a Donald Mackay on 29th March,1788, parents George Mackay and Isabella Macpherson,Place and Church, Thurso, their abode at Forse which is near Latheron, Caithness.  This may have no relevance at all. but I will store it away! I do not have a birth date for their son, John, as his date of birth ranges from 1821 to 1829 as recorded on various documents,so it's a bit of a blind alley, though if I keep plugging away, something may reveal itself! Blinshall.

[Blinshall]

Hi Breaky,
It is hard to know whether Donald McKay would have been in Dundee in 1847.  I know his son John was there in 1857 and in Leith in 1855.  However, as I was told by John's elderly grand-daughter years ago "He came down from John-O-Groats and they were crofters" I always felt the beginnings of the family were in that area. However family stories are not always correct.
Thank you for the info from the Tay Valley Family History Society.  I've wondered what life was like in the Wynds and Close in the 1880's to the early 1900's.  Do you know if they were slums or not so bad?  It is difficult to find out this info from Adelaide, Sth Australia, so I do appreciate your input. Blinshall

[bleckie]

Hi Blinshall

Have a look at the link below

Old Dundee Photo's

http://photopolis.dundeecity.gov.uk/catalog/37

Yours Aye
BruceL

[breaky]

http://www.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-000-129-714-C

The picture here is just a thumbnail photo of Bucklemaker Wynd. 

[Blinshall]

Hi Bleckie,
What a treasure trove of old photos!  It's amazing what's out there if you know where to find it.Many thanks for you interest.  Blinshall

[Blinshall]

Hi Breaky,
Thank you for the Buckelmaker Wynd photo.  It does look a bit bleak, but that's due to the dark stone, I think.
Just for your interest, I downloaded all the deaths for Donald McKay on Scotlandspeople between 1819 and 1854, all districts, all records. There were 85 of them!  Unfortunately, nothing jumped out at me, so I will just keep on looking and thinking!  Thanks for all your help.  Blinshall

[breaky]

Here is a brighter, larger version of the photo of Bucklemaker Wynd:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/118069284@N05/14117439280/

[Blinshall]

Thanks Breaky, that is a much brighter version and thanks for thinking of me after quite a few months, Blinshall