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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Ross & Cromarty => Topic started by: EllenmacNZ on Thursday 23 February 17 01:07 GMT (UK)
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Hi,
John Mackie was my grandfather and he married my grandmother Christina MacMillan in Stornoway in 1915. On this marriage certificate he stated that his parents were Samuel Mackie and Annie Morley and he was 25 years old (making his birth year 1890). After some research I discovered that Samuel was actually Samuel McKay. They did have a son, John McKay born 1884 and I assumed this was my Granda. However, on further searching I found this John McKay in someone else's tree.....and he was the real son of Samuel and Annie. He died in Middlesex in 1961.
Now I have an issue....who was my grandfather? I do think that he must have known the McKays as he had their details. (They lived in Govan, Glasgow). He must have definitely been born in 1890 as his death certificate in 1955 states he was 65 years old.
I am wondering if there is anyone on Lewis who can help with any information on him when he arrived in Stornoway and subsequently married Christina in 1915? His occupation noted on marriage certificate is "General Dealer" and address was 43 Bayhead Street, Stornoway. Any help that would point me in the right direction would be much appreciated.
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Hi Ellen,
What other info. do you have on John prior to moving?
Have you found him on 1911/1901/1891 census'?
Annie
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"They did have a son, John McKay born 1884"
Just wondering if you have seen the BC for John above?
Annie
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"He died in Middlesex in 1961"
Was this Middlesex in Canada or England, UK?
Annie
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What was Christina's address on marriage?
Oh & welcome to Rootschat ;)
Just realised you're a newbie :)
Annie
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You may think I'm asking too many questions but sometimes we need to.
How old was Christina when they married?
It wouldn't be the 1st time someone has shaved a few years off their age!
Annie
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VR (Valuation Roll) for the address on marriage;
MACLEOD MALCOLM
Proprietor
HOUSE 1 MACKENZIE ST BAYHEAD STREET 43
STORNOWAY
1915
VR011500060-
MACLEOD CHRISTINA MRS
Tenant Occupier
HOUSE 1 MACKENZIE ST BAYHEAD STREET 43
STORNOWAY
MACLEOD MALCOLM
Proprietor
HOUSE MACKENZIE ST BAYHEAD STREET 43
MACDONALD MARGARET MRS
Tenant Occupier
HOUSE MACKENZIE ST BAYHEAD STREET 43
STORNOWAY
So, there were 2 houses at 43 Bayhead St.
Looks as though he was probably/possibly lodging there?
Annie
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Wow - quick reply! Here are answers and further info :
1. The census records I found are all for John McKay 1884.
2. Yes have birth certificate for John McKay 1884 - states parents are Samuel & Annie. He married Charlotte Cunningham Robertson in Glasgow, 1912.
3. Middlesex, England
4/5. Christina lived at 22 Stag Road, she was 22 and a fishworker. Yes I thought he had altered his age but am now thinking the age was right and the name was wrong!
6. Yes probably a lodger. I also checked Valuation Role for him (1920) and found he was a tenant at 8 Mckenzie St Bayhead St (Funny address). He is noted as a Jeweller on there.
My grandparents left Stornoway in 1922 or 1923 and moved to Port Glasgow.
Thank you so much for your interest!!
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Am I right with "He married Charlotte Cunningham Robertson in Glasgow, 1912" that John was previously married?
Annie
Added, Just realised this is the one who died in England?
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Did your g/parents remain in Scotland?
Where did John die & who was the informant?
Have you checked for the info. you found on a 'Fancestry Tree' to definitely think you have the wrong info. rather than the other tree?
Annie
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Hi Annie, Yes sorry John McKay B1884, Married Charlotte and died in England....he is the "real" son of Samuel and Annie.....on that Marriage Cert he notes parents Samuel McKay and Annie Morley.
I'm wondering if my John was some sort of relative because he knew Samuel and Annie's details.
I'm sure that the information on the other tree is correct - I contacted the author and they are as puzzled as me. (There has always been some mystery in the family surrounding my granda.)
Your other question....yes my grandparents remained in Port Glasgow - that's where I was born. My parents emigrated to NZ in 1961. John died in Port Glasgow and my father (John Angus Mackie) was the informant.
BTW on Christina and John's MC the witnesses are noted as Thomas Arnott and Elizabeth Disher(?)
cheers E
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If you're happy & sure the the John in England was the correct person my other thought is....
Did the 'real' John have any older sisters who may have had an illegitimate son (your John) & possibly brought up by his g/parents, thinking they were his parents?
Or even another close family member, one of your g/parents siblings having a child out of wedlock & them bringing him up or his mother died young?
Annie
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Do you know where your John was born?
Was he born Stornoway?
Annie
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Hi again,
Re the sibling thing - John McKay 1884 had several siblings but all younger than him born between 1885 and 1894 so them having illegitimate child idea doesn't work. (Funnily enough that was how I found Samuel's ancestors, as he was actually the son of his "sister" and was brought up by his grandparents, calling them parents). I have done some investigation around Samuel's siblings - looking for a possible child born around 1890 that could have been my John, but no luck so far.
I don't know where my Granda John was born - have always assumed Glasgow, until this other John McKay came up. I don't think he was a Stornoway native, as family stories state that he went there and met my Granny - she is from there and I have traced several generations of her people.
I did try searching for John MACKIE in the 1911 census - and one came up in Barra - which is in the Western Isles also? States this John Mackie was 22, Ships Carpenter, born in St Cyrus Kincardineshire ....but not that hopeful because of the occupation - I'll pursue this a little further.
My only option in establishing where he came from/who he actually is.....is if someone who knew them in Stornoway may have noted where he came from, or said he came from.......
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Is it possible that your John's middle name was John & preferred to go by that i.e. could be a sibling of the 'real' John?
Trying to think of anything to link him to the family i.e. if the 'real' John had siblings, have you traced them all to date?
Annie
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I do know there were 'Home' children, farmed out from the mainland to the islands but I'm unsure of when although I do know of some & have been in contact with someone who's parents were 'Homers' but I would need to check out roughly when that was as I can't remember ::)
Annie
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Hi Annie,
Yes I have checked out the other siblings (male) some time ago and think I found them "existing" after 1915.....marriages, children etc. However I am going to recheck and finally eliminate them. I also checked Samuel's siblings....looking for likely cousins and am still progressing this.
Interesting about the "homers", I hadn't heard of them. Anyway, thanks for your help and encouragement.....I'll keep chipping away. Unfortunately I have lost contact with my Mackie cousins back in Scotland....but maybe I can find one of them and they may have some more clues.
cheers
Ellen