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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Inverness => Topic started by: hilarykellis on Wednesday 22 July 15 14:50 BST (UK)
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Hi everyone,
I'll try to be brief! My grandmother is in her nineties. She gave me a family document about 6 years ago purporting to disseminate the origins of her Scottish family (her maiden name is Sinclair).
Long story short, the documents appear to be utterly wrong. They are unsourced and were typed by her aunt or great-aunt in the 50s. It seems to me that some very loose research was done and presented as fact at numerous family gatherings over the years- I've found multiple distant cousins with the same "proof" of our lineage. The lineage, no surprise, claims that my ancestor, Marjory McIntosh who immigrated to Canada in 1827, was the daughter of Duncan McIntosh, a laird, and his wife Agnes Dallas.
I have done a lot of research into this McIntosh of Castle Leathers family over the years and this is flatly untrue.
What I do know:
Marjory McIntosh was born in 1786 in Inverness (her tombstone and Canadian records support this). Parents unknown. Married in Petty, Inverness to Donald McNicol (alleged the Rev. with no evidence) on 24 Jan 1801 (parish records). Daughter Anne born and baptised 1802 in Petty (my ancestor) with witnesses Witnesses Alex McIntosh and James McNicol and married Angus Sinclair in Scotland before 1827 when the family immigrated. Angus's parentage, birthplace, and birth date are unknown (sadly...) but I know he died in 1830.
After Anne, Donald & Marjory McNicol had: Isabella, Marjory, Isabella, John, Margaret, and Sarah. I have found marriages for these kids in Canada and traced many of their descendants. All of the children immigrated with Marjory and Anne.
Donald McNicol died in 1826 or so, probably in Inverness, Scotland. Family document says he died while travelling to Jamaica to claim the McIntosh family fortune there (where did they get this stuff??). I don't really believe that but I have no means of disproving it. Nothing about Marjory suggests she was the daughter of nobility/gentry, but again, I can't disprove.
Marjory wrote several letters back home to her brother-in-law, James McNicol, farmer of Connage in Inverness. Connage is a small community also known as Fisherton within the parish of Petty.
I found a probable baptism for Donald and James to parents John and Isabella nee Fraser in Petty.
Link to the letters: http://www.elginogs.ca/Home/ancestor-indexes/online-publications/emigrants-letters-from-elgin-county-to-scotland-1831-1851
If anyone has any help for me whatsoever, you would have my eternal gratitude-- I am so frustrated by this family and would like to have something "real" to show my grandmother. I am looking for:
-parents of Marjory and Donald
-death of Donald
-birth of Angus Sinclair (may have been from somewhere else)
-lineage of these 2 families.
I would attach the documents about the purported origins but they're long and confusing- basically they suggest that Marjory is the sister of the chief of Clan Chattan (McIntosh) and daur. of Duncan McIntosh, laird of Castle Leathers. Says her husband was the Rev. Donald McNicol, an author. That person did exist but did not marry a Marjory McIntosh or even live in Inverness.
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Hi Hilary,
I haven't looked myself but if you try the free search of wills on www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk you may find something ???
If of course you found anything it would cost credits to download but names, occupations & addresses are given sometimes other info. too prior to download :P
Annie
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Hi Hilary,
Not sure what info. you have searched and read but plenty here:
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01fr9/
Annie
ADDED....Variant of name MacKintosh
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Hi all, I believe I have tried Scotland's People wills but will check again. Re: Castle Leathers and Google search. Believe me...I have spent probably 50 hours combing through all of that info. I definitely am not a descendant of Duncan Mackintosh of Castle Leathers. Wish I were, would make tracing things far easier... :(
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Marjory McIntosh was born in 1786 in Inverness (her tombstone and Canadian records support this)
Is the date/age for her birth that consistent on records/census ???
Just seems too precise really :-\
I tried a search with Marjory/Margaret with father's name blank but with Ann for mother as her eldest daughter was Anne...........
Could this be her born 1780, Petty, Mother Ann, Father John
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XYDP-JVX
Annie
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Hi Ammack, thanks for searching for me!
I know for sure she was Marjory, not Margaret because she signed her letters home "Marjory," it is on her marriage record in 1801, her tombstone says Marjory, and census records say Marjory.
I am getting the precise birth date from her tombstone which gives her age to the exact year, month, and day, and also from census records which give her birth date as around 1785/6.
I found an ancestry tree listing a Marjory McIntosh as daughter of a Sir James Macintosh and Ann Fraser (names make sense) but have no clue how the tree builder arrived at that info and am loathe to trust another unsourced tree...
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What I do know:
Marjory McIntosh was born in 1786 in Inverness (her tombstone and Canadian records support this). Parents unknown. Married in Petty, Inverness to Donald McNicol on 24 Jan 1801 (parish records). Daughter Anne born and baptised 1802 in Petty (my ancestor) with witnessesAlex McIntosh and James McNicol
Hi Hilary,
Have you managed to trace Alexander McIntosh (witness for Anne's baptism) & do you know if he was Marjory's brother ???
Just a thought & wondering if he died post 1855 in Scotland as this would hopefully name both parents providing the informant knew those details.
There was mention of William MacKintosh in the letter
(Rootschat shrink link version) http://www.rootschat.com/links/01fri/
Do you know what his connection was to Marjory, if any ???
Annie
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I found a baptism in Petty in 1805 for a child to Alexander McIntosh and his wife Anne McIntosh, witnesses were Donald McIntosh and James McNicol, so that might be him.
I also found a Donald McPhail born to Isobel McIntosh and Alexander McPhail in Petty in 1805, so I am wondering if this is the Donald McPhail, son of her sister, that Marjory mentions in the letter. There is no other birth for a Donald McPhail in Petty around the correct time with a McIntosh mother. I want to view the record to see who the witnesses were but I've already spent a ton of money this week on Scotland's People. It adds up fast!
I found Anne McNicol and Angus Sinclair's baptism of daughter Marjory "May" Sinclair in Petty in 1825, and witness was John McNicol "tenant in Connage." I note that it says Angus Sinclair was a wood merchant of Campbeltown, which I looked up and is in Argyllshire- but I see there are a couple people on the page from Campbeltown, so was there one in Inverness as well?
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I want to add that unfortunately I don't know William or Alexander's connection to Marjory :( There were a lot of McIntoshes who immigrated around the same time from the same area, all related to one another in different ways, so it becomes very confusing...
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I did find this under deaths:
1864 MACINTOSH ALEXANDER MUNRO (mother's maiden name) M 86 PETTY /INVERNESS 106/00 0011
Only death for an Alexander McIntosh of Petty. If he died at 86 he'd be born circa 1778.
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I found a baptism in Petty in 1805 for a child to Alexander McIntosh and his wife Anne McIntosh, witnesses were Donald McIntosh and James McNicol, so that might be him.
I also found a Donald McPhail born to Isobel McIntosh and Alexander McPhail in Petty in 1805, so I am wondering if this is the Donald McPhail, son of her sister, that Marjory mentions in the letter. There is no other birth for a Donald McPhail in Petty around the correct time with a McIntosh mother.
I found Anne McNicol and Angus Sinclair's baptism of daughter Marjory "May" Sinclair in Petty in 1825, and witness was John McNicol "tenant in Connage." I note that it says Angus Sinclair was a wood merchant of Campbeltown, which I looked up and is in Argyllshire- but I see there are a couple people on the page from Campbeltown, so was there one in Inverness as well?
I think the "of Campbeltown" would imply he was originally from there although living in Petty ???
or do you mean was there a Campbeltown in Inverness ???
I think the Alexander & Ann McIntosh would be worth trying to trace & may be on 1841 onwards if they remained in Scotland but hopefully survived post 1855 for a statutory death cert. :-\
Annie
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Thanks again for your advice :)
I don't see that there was a Campbeltown in Inverness-shire, but rather just noticed a couple other men on the page were from there, and wondered if perhaps I was wrong about the Campbeltown in Argyllshire being the only one. But I've done some Googling and I don't think there was a Campbeltown in Argyllshire. The family document said Angus Sinclair was a shipwright from Argyll, so this does line up.
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I did find this under deaths:
1864 MACINTOSH ALEXANDER MUNRO (mother's maiden name) M 86 PETTY /INVERNESS 106/00 0011
Only death for an Alexander McIntosh of Petty. If he died at 86 he'd be born circa 1778.
Could well be Marjory's brother with the dates being close to each other ???
I wonder what the mother's forename was ::)
Annie
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Thanks again for your advice :)
I don't see that there was a Campbeltown in Inverness-shire, but rather just noticed a couple other men on the page were from there, and wondered if perhaps I was wrong about the Campbeltown in Argyllshire being the only one. But I've done some Googling and I don't think there was a Campbeltown in Argyllshire. The family document said Angus Sinclair was a shipwright from Argyll, so this does line up.
I think that's a TYPO............Campbeltown is Argyll ;D
Annie
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Oops! Yes, typo ;D
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I did find this under deaths:
1864 MACINTOSH ALEXANDER MUNRO (mother's maiden name) M 86 PETTY /INVERNESS 106/00 0011
Only death for an Alexander McIntosh of Petty. If he died at 86 he'd be born circa 1778.
Mother looks to be Mary Munro if this is him
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XYD5-THN
Annie
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Mother looks to be Mary Munro if this is him
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XYD5-THN
Not much of a clue really as Marjory didn't name a daughter Mary which would seem strange if Mary Munro was her mother ???
Annie
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hmm...would've thought her mother would be called Ann because she seemed to follow the naming pattern pretty strictly...but I guess it's possible. Or maybe this is not the right Alexander McIntosh, if he died before 1855. Marjory mentions Mr. Hugh Munro in her letters home. Seems these Fraser, Munro, McIntosh, McNicol families all inter-married and named their kids the same few names... ::)
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Sorry, posted before I saw your response but yes, I agree- I don't think this Alexander McIntosh d. 1864 is her brother.
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When doing your searches on SP have you used the surname "variants" button...................not sure how accustomed you are to the site.
Also, have you expanded your dates to get 25 per page at a time ???
It may be a good idea to open a new thread for look-ups of MI's in the local cemetery as people on here are really nice and helpful.
It's surprising what info. you can glean from a headstone ;D
Annie
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Found this:
Isobel Macintosh
Gender: Female
Birth Date: 3 Oct 1777
Baptism Date: 4 Oct 1777
Baptism Place: Petty,Inverness,Scotland
Father: James Macintosh
Mother: Anne Fraser
FHL Film Number: 990714, 990715
Could be Marjory's sister.
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Great idea re: the MIs. I appreciate all of your help, Annie! :)
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Hilary,
Not sure if you have gone through all this but all the surnames in that letter (including Tolmie) are on here so they do seem to be "interconnected" ;D
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01frj/
Annie
ADDED........Including a SARAH (wondered where that name came from for Marjory's daughter) born to James MacIntosh & Sarah McPherson :P
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ADDED.[/b].......Including a SARAH (wondered where that name came from for Marjory's daughter) born to James MacIntosh & Sarah McPherson :P
That one does look promising.............I will check census as they may have remained in Scotland.
In Scotland (the highlands anyway) Sarah can also be Marion :o
Don't ask me why as I have never found that out but it also carried over the sea to Canada & USA ???
McPherson name is on the letter too :P
Annie
ADDED..........Surname Jack on the letter is also on the link I gave you ;)
All the pieces of the jigsaw are there.................it's connecting them that's the problem ;D
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1841
Piece: SCT1841/106 Place: Petty -Inverness-shire
Enumeration District: 3
Civil Parish: Petty Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: -
Folio: 3 Page: 5
Address: Stuarts Street
All born Inverness-shire in this household
MCINTOSH
Margaret 45 Independent
Jane 20
Sarah 12
MCPHERSON Sarah 75 Independent
So Sarah 75 looks to be widowed & reverted back to her maiden name (common in Scotland at the time) so doubtful there will be a death record on SP for hubby Alexander sadly & annoyingly :) but as mentioned......cemetery ???
Annie
ADDED.....Margaret seems to be her daughter & kids the grandchildren but not sure if Margaret was married to "another" McIntosh or single ??? (assuming of course as you will understand) as this may be totally wrong but looks good with daughter Margaret b c 1796 as the daughter Sarah I found was born 1805...........
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Wow, interesting find!
So who would Margaret and Sarah be to Marjory?
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It looks as though Alexander McIntosh who was Sarah McPherson's husband may have been a brother to Marjory ???
I'm only trying to synchronise things with names, dates & places.
The fact this Alexander seems to have died before 1841 doesn't help for getting a death cert.
Sarah is not as common compared with names like Margaret, Ann, Janet etc. so it stood out for me with Marjory having named a daughter Sarah so makes me wonder if that was her sis-in-law ???
Annie
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Ahhh, I see. Sorry... you see I was confused already. So many McIntoshes and McThisandThats, my brain's starting to hurt. :o I certainly see your point and had also wondered where "Sarah" came from!
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Hilary,
This will let you check census free :P
http://www.freecen.org.uk/cgi/search.pl
Annie
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Post on Nairn board:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=726308.new#new
Annie
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I found something cool: will of John McNicol's wife, Isobel. It seems she disowned her son Donald, Marjory Mcintosh's husband?
Isobel Fraser relict of John McNicol late farmer in Kerrowgair of Connage. With sound memory and judgment to settle my affairs by the following letter will and testament in order to prevent any disputes which might arise after my death about the succession and division of my means and effects and considering that by the latter will and testament executed by my said late husband certain provisions made in favor of my children all of which I have paid although regular discharges were all obtained for the whole of them and that since the death of my said husband the farm of Kerrowgair has been managed by me and my sons James and John McNicol and the Tack intended to be given of said Farm was to be in their names jointly but the stocking and effects therein belong to me subject to any claim or right they have in consequence of their industry in the labour and management, and for the above reasons and their and attention to me and the love, sorrow and affection which I have and bear to them I hereby under the under provisions and declarations underwritten make constitute and appoint the said James and John McNicol my sons my sole executors and universal legators with full and ample power to them to execute with care and pursue for, uplift receive and discharge all and sundry debts sums of money goods and gear which shall be resting and owing or pertaining and belonging to me at the time of my death by whatever person or persons by binds bills accounts or any. These presents are granted by me to my said two sons under the burden of payment of my debts and funeral expenses, as also that they shall discharge Donald McNicol my eldest son of the sum of 40 pounds sterling which he was bound to pay me in consequence of the will of my said husband and the farm and effects given to him and interest due wherein the said Donald McNicol however discharging them any claim competent to him or any right of succession to his father or me as the eldest son and heir at law in any manner or way and further that the said executors shall at the first term of Whitsunday or Martinmas after my death lay out the sum of 20 pounds the yearly interest to be paid to Margaret McNicol my daughter now spouse to Alex. Mackintosh at Midd Coull during her marriage and in case of the death of her husband before her the said sum to be given her and at her free disposal and in case of her death and not receiving the same said sum to be equally divided among her children immediately after her death under the burden of the following legacies which I leave and bequeath 5 pounds to Isobel McIntosh daughter of the said Alex Mackintosh and Margaret McNicol and the like 5 pounds to Isobel McNicol daughter of the said Donald McNicol both to be paid immediately after my death and to William McNicol my son now in Jamaica one hundred pounds in case of his returning to Scotland and demanding the same but in case of his death or of his not returning to Scotland and demanding payment the same to belong to my executors and I declare this my last will and testament reserving my own liberty to dispose of my effects at pleasure with power to alter these presents at any time in my life and consent to the registration hereof in the books of Council and Session or others competent therein to remain for preservations and thereto Constitute my procurators in witness whereof I have subscribed these presents underwritten upon this and the preceding pages of stamped paper by Campbell Mackintosh underwritten in inverness at Kerrowgair the 22nd day of April 1812 before James and John Russel both at Wester Kerrowgair and Alexander Fraser written in Inverness with the special desire of the above named designed Isobel Fraser who declares she cannot write having never been taught. I Campbell Mackintosh notary public subscribe for she having authorized me to do and touched my pen.
Detail
MCNICOL, ISOBEL (Reference SC26/38/2 ELGIN SHERIFF COURT WILLS)
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Also found this:
CAMPBELTON, (or Campbelltown), a village in the parishes of Ardersier and Petty, in the county of Inverness, 10 miles to the N.E. of Inverness. It is seated on the coast of the Moray Firth, not far from Fort George. The Earl of Cawdor, from whose family name the village is named, owned the land on which the village is built. That part of the village in the parish of Petty is sometimes called Stuarton. Here is an United Presbyterian church, and on a neighbouring eminence the remains of a British fort, Here is also a chalybeate spring, and the village is frequented as a watering-place."
So Angus Sinclair was likely from Campbeltown in Petty, not Argyllshire.
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I found something cool: will of John McNicol's wife, Isobel.
Hi Hilary,
So glad I mentioned this :P
I haven't looked myself but if you try the free search of wills on www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk you may find something ???
Good find on Campbellton.............well done ;D
Also found this:
CAMPBELTON, (or Campbelltown), a village in the parishes of Ardersier and Petty, in the county of Inverness, 10 miles to the N.E. of Inverness. It is seated on the coast of the Moray Firth, not far from Fort George.
So Angus Sinclair was likely from Campbeltown in Petty, not Argyllshire.
This will certainly open the door further for you ???
Annie
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Yes, thank you, Annie, for all of your advice! You've been a super help! ;D
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I see lots of speculation about Campbeltown and whether or not it is in Argyll or Inverness-shire. I've known this cause confusion before and would confirm that in Inverness the name Campbeltown would not be recognised as the place we would call Ardersier. Don't know if that helps at all.
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I see lots of speculation about Campbeltown and whether or not it is in Argyll or Inverness-shire. I've known this cause confusion before and would confirm that in Inverness the name Campbeltown would not be recognised as the place we would call Ardersier. Don't know if that helps at all.
You're right, there is a lot of confusion which is all down to transcription/speling errors back in the day.
Seems there are 2 different places, Campbeltown & Campbelton with misspellings of both & both having been "Campbeltown" & sometimes "Campbelltown ???
Here is an example of Campbeltown, Argyll being spelt Campbelton ???
https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Campbelton,_Argyll,_Scotland_Church_Records
A few more examples of how it is confusing:
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/INV/Petty/Gaz1868.shtml
http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/93160
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/INV/Where/#C
http://ardersier.org/history/origins-of-ardersier/
Do you know how ‘Ardersier’ got its name?
The present village changed its name(s) from ‘Stuarton’ and ‘Campbelltown’ to ‘Ardersier’ in the mid 20th century – avoiding confusion with another Campbelltown, in Argyll.
All adding to our knowledge when doing genealogy even though confusing ;)
Annie
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I see lots of speculation about Campbeltown and whether or not it is in Argyll or Inverness-shire. I've known this cause confusion before and would confirm that in Inverness the name Campbeltown would not be recognised as the place we would call Ardersier.
I forgot to add that Campelton/Campbeltown (Inverness) is from records Hilary has.......pre the change of name to Ardersier.
We research what we know from the time, not what it has changed to since as many of us wouldn't know these things.
Hilary has done extremely well in her own research to find the answer to the confusion ;D
I was born in Scotland & lived here all my life yet I would never have known that Ardersier was named Campeltown prior.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ardersier
"The narrow strip of land on which Stewart-town was built belonged to the Earl of Moray and fell within the parish of Petty. Literally across the road, the householders of Campbell-town worshipped in the church of Ardersier, This land belonging to the Earl of Cawdor (of Macbeth fame), a Campbell. Collectively these two settlements were later referred to as Ardersier, but it was not officially known as such until the late 1970s, thus preventing confusion on postal deliveries to the other Campbeltown in Argyll".
I have more interest in history now than I ever did at school. I always said "I'm not interested in the past" ;D..............if only I could have seen into the future ::)
Annie
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Found this really interesting.
My 5 x Gt Grandmother is Margaret McIntosh (nee McNicol) she married Alexander McIntosh abt 1792 in Petty and I have the following children listed. Wondering if this is the same line?
McIntosh, Isobel
b. 19 Jul 1793Petty, Invernesshire.
McIntosh, William (my family line)
b. 21 Apr 1795 Petty, Invernesshire.
m. Tolmie, Janet
McIntosh, Ann
b. 07 Jul 1797Petty, Invernesshire.
McIntosh, John
b. 21 Mar 1799Petty, Invernesshire.
McIntosh, Donald
b. 05 Jan 1802Petty, Invernesshire.
McIntosh, Barbara
b. 28 Nov 1805Petty, Invernesshire.
Hazel
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Found this really interesting.
My 5 x Gt Grandmother is Margaret McIntosh (nee McNicol) she married Alexander McIntosh abt 1792 in Petty and I have the following children listed. Wondering if this is the same line?
McIntosh, Isobel
b. 19 Jul 1793Petty, Invernesshire.
McIntosh, William (my family line)
b. 21 Apr 1795 Petty, Invernesshire.
m. Tolmie, Janet
McIntosh, Ann
b. 07 Jul 1797Petty, Invernesshire.
McIntosh, John
b. 21 Mar 1799Petty, Invernesshire.
McIntosh, Donald
b. 05 Jan 1802Petty, Invernesshire.
McIntosh, Barbara
b. 28 Nov 1805Petty, Invernesshire.
Hazel
Hazel, I am THRILLED to hear from you. Yes, this is absolutely the same line and you, then, are part of my family as well! I know this for a fact as I have Margaret McNicol's mother's will. Her mother mentions Margaret and her husband Alexander McIntosh in the will, as well as Isobel McIntosh, their daughter b. 1793. I would love to share with you-- I have done hours and hours of research on this family. Please email me: hilary.k.ellis@gmail.com!
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Hilary I have sent you an email! Great to find some relatives.
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Thought I'd throw my bit in here, I am connected to the Sir James MacKintosh mentioned earlier, but through marriage, my 5th Gr uncle Duncan MacPherson married Anne Brodie Campbell, Ann's mother was Margaret MacKintosh the sister of Sir James MacKintosh, Duncan's sister Mary MacPherson being my 5th Gr Grandmother, much can be found about the MacPhersons of Ardersier on the web if interested but I digress, my little stumble at the moment is my 5th Gr Grandmother on a slightly different line, Mary MacIntosh married James Davidson in Ardersier in 1776, trying to tie down this Mary MacIntosh? Any ideas?
Regarding Campbelltiwn/stuarton/Ardersier....have known about this all my life, it is this way due to half the village belonging to the estates of earls Campbell's of Cawdor (campbell town) and the other half to earls Moray esates (whom were Stuart's thus Stuarton), Ardersier was a large farm(carse of Ardersier and Mains of Ardersier)(my 6th Gr Grandfather James MacPherson of Ardersier worked for Cawdor as his Factor and lived at Mains of Ardersier) the name was changed from Campbelltown as mail mistakes were happening in the postal system with 2 villages named the same, thus although known locally and unofficially as Ardersier it was only changed officially in 60's or 70's.....why do I know this trivia?.....I was Born in Ardersier, and my parents still live there...any help I can go be please ask
Garry
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Thought I'd throw my bit in here, I am connected to the Sir James MacKintosh mentioned earlier, but through marriage, my 5th Gr uncle Duncan MacPherson married Anne Brodie Campbell, Ann's mother was Margaret MacKintosh the sister of Sir James MacKintosh, Duncan's sister Mary MacPherson being my 5th Gr Grandmother, much can be found about the MacPhersons of Ardersier on the web if interested but I digress, my little stumble at the moment is my 5th Gr Grandmother on a slightly different line, Mary MacIntosh married James Davidson in Ardersier in 1776, trying to tie down this Mary MacIntosh? Any ideas?
Regarding Campbelltiwn/stuarton/Ardersier....have known about this all my life, it is this way due to half the village belonging to the estates of earls Campbell's of Cawdor (campbell town) and the other half to earls Moray esates (whom were Stuart's thus Stuarton), Ardersier was a large farm(carse of Ardersier and Mains of Ardersier)(my 6th Gr Grandfather James MacPherson of Ardersier worked for Cawdor as his Factor and lived at Mains of Ardersier) the name was changed from Campbelltown as mail mistakes were happening in the postal system with 2 villages named the same, thus although known locally and unofficially as Ardersier it was only changed officially in 60's or 70's.....why do I know this trivia?.....I was Born in Ardersier, and my parents still live there...any help I can go be please ask
Garry
Hi Gary,
Thanks for your reply! If you'd like to email me at hilary.k.ellis@gmail.com, I'd love to discuss further with you.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best,
Hilary Ellis, Mackintosh descendant
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Hi Hilary
I have sent an email
Regards
Garry
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Hi
Re name Ardersier... this was the parish name - first documented in 1226 so existed before then. It means ‘high promintory’ - referring perhaps to Cromal hill, aka Cromwell’s hill.
Various spelling through the years eg Arthursyre Ardescroon Arderseer
When the govt started to build Fort George 1748, the estates capitalised and built adjoining villages Campbelltown and Stuarton. Stuarton and the Earl of Moray’s lands are in the parish of Petty along the shore, while their neighbours across the street are on Campbell of Cawdor land in the parish of Ardersier. As the parish boundary runs up Stuart Street and so the houses either side of the street are different parishes, landowners, presbyteries...
All friends now, of course :)
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Johnston's Place Names of Scotland suggests as the origin of Ardersier either árd ros ear meaning 'high east point' or árd an saoir meaning ' point of the carpenter' but in so going he confuses árd, which specifically means high or tall, with ros, which is a promontory or peninsula. (Also, I think that in order to comply with the rules of Gaelic orthography it would have to be written árd an t-saoir which would anglicise as Ardentyre, by analogy with the surname Mac an t-saoir which anglicises as Macintyre.)
Not surprisingly, Johnston is now regarded as unreliable.
I don't know the origin of the name 'Cromal', but I'd be surprised if Cromal Mount were the árd in Ardersier because it's not a notably high or prominent feature - it seems to be built on, or part of, the raised beach that runs roughly north-south above and to the east of the village. If it were a notable feature of the local topography there would be a photograph here http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=123595917
Canmore https://canmore.org.uk/site/14316/cromal-mount-ardersier suggests that it may have been a mediaeval motte, and that 'Cromwell's Mount' is a popular corruption of the original name Cromal. Obviously, if it's mediaeval, it pre-dates Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) by some considerable time.