I have a similar problem. My two times gt grandfather Alexander McKenzie was supposedly born 19 Nov 1798, North Erradale. His father was supposed to be b abt 1785 Ross shire, died abt 1848, Melvaig; and his mother Jannet McDonald b abt 1781 Gairloch. If these are really his parents they married 14 Aug 1807 Gairloch,Ross and Cromarty,Scotland (Ineleoid)
(O.P.R. Marriages 066/00 0010 0118 GAIRLOCH)
I have looked and looked and found no proof except for Duncan and Jannet's marriage. and I have proof that Jannet died 17 Oct 1862, at Melvaig, and was buried 18 Oct 1862, Poolewe.
Alexander apparently went to Nova Scotia abt 1818, where he met Ann Fraser, supposedly born R&C abt 1802 to James Fraser and Barbara Cameron. The Frasers also went to Nova Scotia, and Alexander and Ann married there 25 Jul 1825.
There were apparently 12 other children, of which two girls and either one or two boys also went to NS. Alexander and Ann had 8 children, and the family left Nova Scotia for New Zealand on 24 Dec 1857 aboard the barque Breadalbane, arriving in Auckland 21 May 1858.
Did people have children before marriage in those days? In this case there were 4 children born before Duncan and Jannet married in 1807.
Any comments, advice, anything would be very much appreciated.
Regards
Jan Moon
Usually from Queensland, Oz but currently from Carlisle