McKenzie - Totally stumped

[heilanlassie]

I can find the marriage certificate for my great-grandfather, Duncan Mckenzie who married my great-grandmother, Christina Mckenzie on 18 November 1874 in Ullapool.

The certificate shows that his father was John Mckenzie, seaman, deceased - and his mother was Catherine Mckenzie nee Macdonald. It also shows that Duncan was 34 when he married and his usual residence was Stornoway.

I  also find the death certificate for Duncan in 1891, which again shows his father as John Mckenzie, seaman, deceased, and his mother as Catherine Mckenzie, nee Macdonald, deceased. Duncan died in Glasgow and he has two death certificates as presumably the coroner wasn't satisfied with the first.

I cannot find a birth record for Duncan, nor can I find him or his parents in any census record.

Can anyone help?

[CaroleW]

What actual birthplace does he give on the 1881 and 1891 censuses as I can't find an entry with a wife of that name

[heilanlassie]

I'm afraid that's the problem I'm having too, Duncan doesn't appear on any census, and I have no idea where or when he was born.

It's a total mystery. I know he was married  on 18 November 1874 and I know he died in 1891.

I know what his parents names were from the information on those two certificates - but I can't find out anything else about him.

I know Duncan and Christina had a son, Murdoch born 08 August 1875 in Rireabhach, Lochbroom. Duncan's domicile is shown as Stornoway, Lewis. The informant of the birth was Christina's father, Kenneth.

On 03 April 1880, my grandmother, Mary Ann was born in Shore Street, Ullapool. The informant of the birth was Duncan himself.

On 17 June 1881, another son was born, Kenneth John again in Shore Street, Ullapool. The informant this time was Alexander Mckenzie, maternal uncle from Rherivoch (a different spelling of Rireabhach).

Duncan remains a mystery.

[CaroleW]

So Duncan was a seaman like his father

1881 census shows only Christina 33 b Lochbroom and Mary Ann aged 1 - Christina is shown as a sailors wife which explains why Duncan isn't found on earlier censuses - he was probably at sea

No Murdoch in the household

[CaroleW]

1891 for Lochbroom - all born there

Christina McKenzie 42
Murdo   15
Mary A 10
Kenneth J 9
Lochbroom ED 1 Page  26 Line 5

[heilanlassie]

Thank you everyone for your replies - it still doesn't explain why I can't find a birth record for Duncan.

The mystery remains.

[Gadget]

Hi 

It could be that his family were Free Presbyterian and his baptism wouldn't show  as not being C of Scotland. (Pre-statutory registration)

As you know from being in the area recently, there is/was a very high proportion of 'wee frees' - and even more on the Isle of Lewis.

You might have to do a painstaking search on the 1841-51 to look for a similar age and parent profile in the surrounding areas - Lochbroom, Gairloch and the Lewis parishes.

I assume his father's name was Murdoch/k  or Murdo.


Gadget

[heilanlassie]

Hi Gadget - nice to hear from you again 

Duncan's parents were John Mckenzie and Catherine Mckenzie - nee Macdonald.

[Gadget]

Hi again

you say

I  also find the death certificate for Duncan in 1891, which again shows his father as John Mckenzie, seaman, deceased, and his mother as Catherine Mckenzie, nee Macdonald, deceased. Duncan died in Glasgow and he has two death certificates as presumably the coroner wasn't satisfied with the first

...but I don't see the death of Duncan - I searched for  a D M*kenzie in 1891 in Glasgow.

I'm usually pretty good at SP searches

Can you give full info please - area, age, etc.


Gadget