Macdonalds of Laggan 'Long-John's relatives

[Skoosh]

Audrey, notable MacDonald/Macdonell RC families in the west of Laggan parish were those of Knockrome & Garvamore, they were off the Keppoch lot,  who hung on despite the MacPhersons. The MacPherson Museum in Newtonmore might be worth a try for info'.  As for the birdwatching, haven't heard a cuckoo yet but might be lucky tomorrow, off to the Heilans!

[Birdbrain 1948]

Hello again Skoosh,

The more I hear the more I want to come and stay a while around the area (again) to try to work out the distances.  Sadly, family circumstances rule out a visit for a while - but I live in hope.  I was just looking at the map when I saw your message & was trying to work out how likely it might be for a lass who lived in Newtonmore around 1841 to travel to Torgulbin which I think may be around the Loch Laggan area? I'll try the MacPherson Musuem to see what I can discover next.  What a journey!

Good luck with the cuckoo hunting. I've not heard one for a couple of years now.  However, we are off to the Shetlands in June.  Can't wait to see all those gannets & the puffins of course, plus anything else we may be lucky enough to see.  Now, I wonder if I have any ancestors from the Sheltands!!

[Skoosh]

Audrey, Torgulben's in Glen Spean west of Loch Laggan, have you seen this site on Long John,
http://www.devonport.biz/ryan1.html
 Shetland sounds terrific, never been, had a gt' grannie from North Roe, Northmavine.
Cheers,  Skoosh.

Sorry about this link Audrey, it would appear to be "no workin!", it was from a descendant of LJM, by the name of Ryan, living in Devonport, can't remember where I got it!

[colin8652]

Hi there currently researching my wife's (Barbara MacDonald) fathers side,  they are predominantly from Laggan  way i have found so far  is that her father is John MacDonald b. 1922  grandfather Stevenson MacDonald b.1893 grand father x2 John MacDonald and x3 possibly Duncan MacDonald .. anyone know of any of these. ? would like to go back further ...

[Forfarian]

I am scratching my head over Stratherne.

There is an Invererne in Moray, but there's nothing like a strath anywhere near it.

[MonicaL]

Hi Colin

Welcome to RootsChat 

Is this the family in 1901:

John Mcdonald 45 Gamekeeper b. Laggan
Elizabeth Mcdonald 38 b. Alvie
Stephenson C Mcdonald 8 Son b. Kingussie...birth shows in 1892 on www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk
Jessie Buchanan 65 Mother In Law b. Alvie
Mary Mcdonald 60 Servant
Jane Mcintosh 36 Visitor b. Laggan

Address: Quoich, Kingussie and Insh

Is this Stephenson's burial details?

www.findagrave.com/memorial/202395347/stephenson-macdonald

Monica

[MonicaL]

If I am looking at the right census entry for 1861 for John, he is showing as grandson to Duncan? Everyone born in Laggan

Duncan Mcdonald 55 Gamekeeper
Isabella Mcdonald 30 wife
Elizabeth Mcdonald 17 daughter
John Mcdonald 11 Son
Archibald Mcdonald 9 Son
John Mcdonald 6 Gamekeeper Grandson
Andrew Mcdonald 6 Gamekeeper Grandson

Address: Mealgarve, Laggan

You would need to look at the original image on www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk to confirm the household entry.

Given the age of Isabella and eldest child in the house, a possible second marriage for Duncan?
Added: I think the age of Isabella is mistranscribed. There is a marriage for Duncan MacDonald and Isabel MacDonald showing in the Old Parish Registers on 18 Feb 1830 in Laggan.

Have you looked at the original marriage entry for John and wife Elizabeth Buchanan to see what details he gave for his parent/s? Possibility he might have been born illegitimately to a daughter of Duncan and also had a twin in Andrew.

From the index on Family Search there are two entries:

John McDonald born on 7 January 1855 in Laggan, Inverness-shire
Mother:Anne Mc Donald

Andrew McDonald born on 7 January 1855 in Laggan, Inverness-shire
Mother:Anne Mc Donald

These two entries would fit well with the household in 1861.

Monica

[MonicaL]

Some earlier censuses for the family:

1841 www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a14c8a7f4040b9d6ecb93ea/sophia-macdonald-1841-inverness-shire-laggan-1839-?locale=en Confirming a daughter Ann in the household (although relationships not shown on the 1841 census).

1851 www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a14cd7df4040b9d6ed17f1c/sophia-mcdonald-1851-inverness-shire-laggan-1839-?locale=en

A couple of entries that could fit for Ann in 1851 working away from home.

Monica

[MonicaL]

Suggest once you have confirmed details further, your next step will be to check the death certs for Duncan and wife Isabella. They were still alive in 1881, also showing at Mealgarve, Laggan (the Gamekeeper's House it seems). This will hopefully let you confirm their parents' details to let you work back to the next generation.

There is this possible death entry for Duncan:

Duncan MCDONALD
Agee 81
Mother's maiden name MCPHERSON
1888
104/ 8
Laggan

And Isabella, a possible one for her:

Isabella MCDONALD
Age 89
Mother's maiden name MCPHERSON
1897
104/ 8
Laggan

Lots of photos of the area around Melgarve here https://m.geograph.org.uk/of/melgarve

In respect of Ann, mother to John and Andrew, you would guess that she went on to marry and have a family...something else to follow up on 

As to who the father was, not sure you will find that info really unless some record was made at the Kirk (if the family were presbyterian) or any action was taken for ailment. Also the possibility that John and Andrew may have known the name of their father and gave it for the record at the time of their marriages. Take care though as very often this detail was ficticious.

Monica