Visit to Caithness - McGregor, McLeod, Sutherland, Gun

[jamesmatthews45]

I am visiting Smerral, Latheronwheel on 8/9 Jan 2010 and was wondering if anyone has details of members of my family I have a copy of the 1891 census giving my family members Janet McGregor, Jessie (Janet) McGregor, Sutherland Williamson (Grandson), Kenneth McLeod (registered as McGregor and illegitimate – my great grandfather)  and Charles McLeod living in Newport, Berrydale.

Kenneth married Ann Sutherland Gunn in 1904.  They had my grandmother Williamina Gilchrist McLeod in 1904 in the village of Lybster. At some stage Kenneth McLeod took on the name family (mothers) of McGregor dropping the McLeod.

I am looking to visit places grave yards etc that would be of interest on my two day stay.

[memyself]

Hi James

For a list of cemeteries and pre 1855 monumental inscriptions in Caithness try http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mwi/caithnes.txt

Your best bet for help with your ancestors would be the Caithness Family History Society, who have just open a search room for members in Thurso. Unfortunately it will not be maned by their helpful members on the dates you are there.

Berridale Church was, I believe, closed this year and is on the north side of the infamous Berridale Braes. Newport  is further North with amazing views   of the North Sea. Lybster is in the large parish of Latheron.

A  phone call to the lovely ladies in the North Highland Archive, in Wick should  tell you about their holdings.


Hope you enjoy your trip

[jamesmatthews45]

Many thanks for that.

In the past I used to travel up that way with work taking large trucks and coaches up the Berridale Braes and onto Wick, but did not know of my family connections.  I have wanted to make this journey for a long while and was given the trip as a Xmas gift.  I am so looking forward to my stay.

Regards,

Jim

[ostler]

Remember and wrap up warm!! Careful on the A9 too, it's bad enough when it's dry.

[jamesmatthews45]

LOL I will.  I have been looking at doing this trip for about a year now and now that it was given to me for Christmas I feel I am not prepared.  Still there will always be another visit.

I am close to Fochabers and go to Lossiemouth where we can see the snow in Caithness from across the water.

regards,

Jim

[memyself]

Caithness warmest place in Britain according to one forcast.
  A balmy 4 degrees    daytime temp. Minus 4 at night.

[ostler]

I hope no one risked going along the A9 in this!!

[jamesmatthews45]

Have put off trip for a few weeks as we are snowed in.  We have not left the house since 31st Dec.  Now run out of beer - situation critical.

Regards,

Jim

[Wred]

Jim
Do not look at forcast it will make you thirsty I would try a rescue mission but my sledge dog is deaf.

Something to keep you going in case you haven't got it.

1881 Census Newport Berridale

James MacGregor Crofter 61 Latheron
Janet MacGregor  Wife     61 Dunbeath
Janet MacGregor  Dau      28 Berridale
Sutherland MacGregor  G-son 10 Berridale
Kenneth MacGregor      G-son 10mths Berridale

I find in unusual that Kenneth was registered in mothers name because most illegitimate children in Caithness take their fathers name.