Macdonalds of Laggan 'Long-John's relatives

[MonicaL]

That all makes sense, Audrey 

Guess father Alexander showed as 'farmer' on all the documents also?

[Birdbrain 1948]

Yes, you are right.  Alexander Macdonald, farmer is recorded on all three marriage certificates (yes, poor George was married and widowed three times). His third marriage was to Ann Bain on 20th August 1910 in the St Giles area of Edinburgh when once again Alexander is recorded as a farmer and deceased.  His mother is still recorded as Isabella Macdonald m.s. Mackay (even though she was Isabella McKillop - so I think George never knew this) but she is also recorded as deceased at that point (she died in 1890) George died on April 20th 1925 aged 78 and his father is recorded again as Alexander Macdonald Farmer.  The death was registered by Alexander Grant Macdonald who was my grandfather's elder brother.  I guess that would have been the normal custom for the oldest son to record the death, even though George was living with my grandparents at the time.  This also suggests to me that George's children were aware that his father was named as Alexander - so again, I have to wonder where this belief that Long John was his father came from.  Quite a mystery!
Good night for now ....
Audrey.

[MonicaL]

Night, Audrey 

[Skoosh]

Birdbrain,  there are some Macdonalds in the Catholic burial ground at the wee ruined church at Aberarder, Laggan. The Laggan Heritage Group have been working recording gravestones at the parish church of late.
Skoosh.

[Birdbrain 1948]

Hello there - many thanks for your reply.
Can you tell me - is there more than one Laggan?  I have visited the area around Kingussie & Newtonmore. Is Aberarder in the same area please?

[Skoosh]

Birdbrain (don't like calling you this) there are many Laggans but only one parish of Laggan,  SW of Newtonmore. The website is     http://www.laggan.com/   
  Aberarder is at the NE end of Loch Laggan, the old roofless church is beside Aberarder House.  The small crofting community of Crathie were mostly RCs and used this as a burial ground. The last inhabited croft was abandoned after a housefire when the Spey dam was being built, this construction flooded their land beside the Spey. The chapel , built for them by MacNab of Dalchully, was taken down at the same time. It was below Dun Da Lamh, south of the dam. The folk weren't particularly devout apparently,  if there was no priest coming on a Sunday they would just toddle along to the Free Church. You might try the Heritage Group for a list of the gravestone inscriptions. For an overview of the district try 
 http://wheresthepath.googlepages.com/wheresthepath.htm 
 Type in Laggan, a few come up, try the third, using the compass on the map on the left page, the aerial photo follows on the right.     Skoosh.

[MonicaL]

Skoosh, Audrey has given her name now so you can use that instead of BB 

[MonicaL]

Audrey has sent me the image of the OPR entry for George's christening entry in 1847 to try and help with the attachment.

It reads:

George, illegitimate son of Alexander M'Donald [section to be confirmed] and Isabel MacKay, Kingussie, born 15th Sept. 1846 and baptised 8 May 1847.

Added: Segment of the OPR also posted on the Deciphering and Recognition Help board here www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,533377.0.html

[Birdbrain 1948]

Hello Skoosh.
Many, many thanks for your messages & all your helpful and interesting information.  The 'Wheresthepath' website is a wonderful resource & will be so helpful to one who doesn't know the area too well. Thanks. I've yet to check out the Laggan website but I will.
Incidentally I use the 'Birdbrain' name as I chose it for 'twitter' and 'Wildlife Whisperers' which I am a member of as I am very interested in bird watching.  Although it can describe my state of mind accurately - ( the clue is in the date!!)  I also know that birds have wonderful brains........ I only wish I could aspire to be as clever!!  :(As Monica says - Audrey is fine but thanks for your consideration.