Archibald McLEOD born 1838 - 1842 in Bracadale

[Fluffypants]

I'm trying to find any records in Bracadale, Isle of Skye for my gg grandfather.  So far, I have him on a ship, David G. Fleming leaving Scotland for NZ in 1864.  His occupation is given as farm labourer from Inverness and his age is 21.

He moved to NZ as an assisted emigrant and eventually settled in Otago during the peak of the gold rush, working as a shepherd and farmer.

His cemetery details give his birthplace as Bracadale, Isle of Skye.

Any information would be very welcome.

[CaroleW]

The only 1851 entry with that birthplace is Archibald MacLeod b 1834 - parents Neil & Flora

Any clues as to who his parents were - or his siblings?

[CaroleW]

I have the same family on the 1841 census but no Archibald.  I wonder if his age has been mis-transcribed in 1851

Not with family in 1861

[Fluffypants]

Thanks.

That could be an option as his first daughter in NZ is named Flora/Florence.  I don't have any information on him prior to NZ and he was the only McLeod on the ship.  Do you have the details for the census?

The possible birthdate vary from 1830 based on his death record, 1838 based on marriage certificate and 1842 based on emigration.

[CaroleW]

1841 for Bracadale - all shown as b Inverness

Niel Macleod 40 agric labourer
Flora   35
Mary M   13
Norman   7
Flora 5
Bracadale ED 9 Page 2 Line 820

1851 for Bracadale - all are shown as son or daughter

Niel Macleod 54 (transcribed as 34) agric labourer
Flora   55 (possibly should be 45)
John  26
Archibald  17
Norman 15
Flora  13
Bracadale ED 10 Page 7 Line 5

[JMStrachan]

1841 census has Archibald McLeod age 10 at Bracadale. He's in a large household headed by Mary McKinnon but no-one else with the surname McLeod. He could be the one missing from the Neil and Flora family in 1841. Seems a bit old to be the right one, though.

Don't his NZ marriage and death certificates give his parents' names?

[Fluffypants]

There are no details of this parents on his marriage certificate.  The only documents I have so far are his Intention to Marry and Marriage certificate.  There is a big difference in ages between the two and his shipping passenger list.

1864 passenger list: 21 years
1866 Intention to Marry: 28 years (he's aged 7 years in 2 years)
1866 Marriage Certificate: 28 years
1898 Burial record: 68 years

I understand ages can be very unreliable.

[JMStrachan]

I think you need to get hold of his death certificate in case his parents are detailed on that, although it would depend on whether the person who registered his death knew that information.