Ships at any port close to Tain around 1869

[dtcaptmckenzie]

I am trying to find ship registers at port near Tain. Not sure which port, but am looking for a ship captain surname of McKenzie during that time. I was in the Inverness library once and came across a book of ships at ports so wondering where the ships at port records may be found. Thanks for any help.

[Skoosh]

Welcome to Rootschat capn! Depends on the size of ship? if he's just employed in the coastal trade these small ports are near Tain.  Portmahomack, Balintore, Invergordon, Dingwall, Cromarty  to the south & Dornoch on the north side!

Skoosh.

[GR2]

Many newspapers in harbour areas report on the coming and going of ships. The captain's name is often mentioned.

[dtcaptmckenzie]

Perhaps anyone could point me to where I can veiw the newspapers during the time frame (1869) in the small ports around Tain.

[Skoosh]

The Ross-shire Journal archive dates from 1877 sadly! Did he come from Tain?

Skoosh.

[dtcaptmckenzie]

It would be possible he came from Tain or close by. The information has been passed down from the past. The Capt McKenzie had come to get his girl (my gr grandmom May/Marjory McKenzie) from Chapel St in Tain and take her away with him on his ship, but her parents locked her in a closet and told him she was not going. She evidently was already pregnant with my grandfather. After 4 years she married Duncan Dewar. Wondering if other newspapers in the area were of earlier years. Perhaps if someone reads about this they may know of someone local around Tain that may have some ideas.
Thanks very much for all the help here!

[Skoosh]

www.tainmuseum.org.uk    might be worth a look!

Skoosh.

[GR2]

It is possible that the minutes of the kirk session of the parish might contain details of the father, as the session looked into illegitimate births.