Alexander Smith/Rachel Sutherland

[CJW]

I am trying to find the parents of Rachel Sutherland, she married Alexander Smith in Watten in 1769. I have found Alexander's parents - John Smith and Kathrin McKay.Any information about the Sutherlands, Smiths or McKays would be very gratefully received. I have tried a number of sites payable and free but unfortunately they are common names so here's hoping someone has these names in their research. Thanks CJW Australia

[Gadget]

Hi CJW

I am firstly assuming that she is most likely to have been born Watton. There are 96 female Sutherlands baptised in Watton between 1740 and 1756 - no Rachel 

Do you have the names and birth order of the children of Rachel and Alexander? This might help to indentify possible parents of Rachel if the Scottish naming conventions were used.

Gadget

[MonicaL]

Hi CJW

Due to the lack of info on Rachel's birth details on IGI, I've gone down Gadget's suggested route of looking at their children which show on IGI:

1. JOHN SMITH Christening: 17 FEB 1771 Watten, Caithness, Scotland
2. BENJAMIN SMITH Christening: 20 JUL 1791 Watten, Caithness, Scotland
3. RACHEL SMITH Christening: 11 OCT 1787 Watten, Caithness, Scotland
4. RACHEL SMITH Christening: 11 NOV 1787 Watten, Caithness, Scotland
5. ANDREW SMITH Christening: 20 JUN 1774 Watten, Caithness, Scotland
6. RICHARD SMITH Christening: 10 DEC 1783 Watten, Caithness, Scotland
7. SMITH Male Christening: 15 FEB 1782 Watten, Caithness, Scotland
8. CHRISTAN SMITH Christening: 05 SEP 1779 Watten, Caithness, Scotland

All entries submitted apart from No.7 above.


From this info (and ignoring any gaps in the birth years), the second born son's name is Andrew and Christian is the first girl that shows. With these two names, there is a family in Watten having children at the right time to be Rachel's family and parents:

To parents Andrew Sutherland and Christian McKy/McKay:

1. RICHARD SUTHERLAND Christening: 19 JUN 1757 Watten, Caithness, Scotland
2. SUTHERLAND Christening: 21 AUG 1752 Watten, Caithness, Scotland
3. ISOBEL SUTHERLAND Christening: 05 JAN 1755 Watten, Caithness, Scotland
4. DONALD SUTHERLAND Christening: 25 DEC 1759 Watten, Caithness, Scotland
5. JEAN SUTHERLAND OR MC KAY Christening: 03 AUG 1750 Watten, Caithness, Scotland

All entries submitted apart from No.2 above.

Pure speculation from me in the land of submitted entries on IGI!

Regards.

Monica

[Gadget]

The only two showing up on the OPR's for Andrew and Christian are-

Jean 1750 and unnamed 1752.

It might be worth looking at the neighbouring parishes of Wick, Bower, Halkirk, Latheron.

Sorry, my eyes are squiffy or I'd have a look.

Gadget

[MonicaL]

Only a few more marriages showing for an Andrew Sutherland anywhere in Caithness for the period of 1720-60

1. ELSPET MCPHAIL   Marriage:  06 FEB 1731  Thurso, Caithness, Scotland
2. ISABEL MOWAT  Marriage: 12 MAY 1733  Thurso, Caithness, Scotland
3. CHRISTIAN BARNEDSON  Marriage: 05 NOV 1742 Thurso, Caithness, Scotland
4. MARGRET MORE Marriage: 07 APR 1751 Canisbay, Caithness, Scotland

No more marriages show for this period.

Monica

[CJW]

THANK YOU ALL;D
This is the only site I have been on where I receive help so thanks to all  The information has at least given me something else to chase up. Alexander and Rachel had another son Benjamin Smith, born July 1791, who married in the Orkneys - my ggg grandfather.

[CJW]

Have unsuccessfully looked for the birth of Rachel Sutherland in the neighbouring areas and NO luck. I know that she married Alexander Smith  24/11/1769 in Watten. Alexander was born in 1743 in Watten to John Smith and Kathrin McKay,and this is as much as I know. Can anyone give me any suggestions as to where I can go to now? SMITH!!!! millions of them

Thanks
CJW
Australia