Donald McDonald 1854

[Wodgemac]

I'm researching my partners family tree and her Great Grandmother Megan McDonald married a William Williams in Carnarvon in 1936.
Her parents were Richard McDonald b1893 in Carnarvon and Mary Blodwen Williams born on Anglesey in 1896.
Richards parents were Maggie Morgan born c1864 in Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire and Donald McDonald born in Scotland in 1854. Married 17/08/1886 in Llanbedrog, Caernarvonshire.
There are a few trees on Ancestry, with the same family who have Donald being born in Contin Ross-shire to parents John McDonald and Isabella Mclennan...

But, how do I know if this is correct?

Just looking for marriages for John and Isabella, on Scotlands people, there are a few in Ross and Cromarty. However, there is one, - which if Donald is from Contin,- on 12/05/1848 in Contin, where John McDonald is from Alchity and isabella McLinnan is from Tarvie?

I just need to get the link to Donald being born in Contin?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[MonicaL]

Have you been able to confirm Donald's father's name and occupation from Donald's 1886 marriage?

Donald died in 1920? What showed on his 1891-1911 census entries? Sometimes you get a place name rather than just Scotland.

Monica

[Wodgemac]

Hi Monica,

I haven't found him in the 1911 census. In the 1891 census and 1901 census he isn't living with Maggie... Maggie is on the 1911 census, but Donald isn't??

On the marriage record it doesn't state where he's from, but he's a groom.
On the 1881 census there's a Donald McDonald living in Achilty with his mother Isabella McDonald and two siblings Mary and Murdo. Donald is a groom...
On the marriage certificate his father John is a tailor and on the 1861 census in Achilty his father John is a tailor??

[MonicaL]

I couldn't see him in 1911 either (that is normally one where a place name is often included) 

So you do have a couple of facts to work with for his family which is great. Father John a tailor and Donald showing as a groom with he married Maggie in 1886, also the same family from earlier in 1881 and matching occupation for Donald (groom).

I think apart from the 1911 census entry for him, there does look to be a likely complete set of records for him online?

1861 (which you mention) adding here for background. Everyone showing as born in Contin:

John McDonald 56 tailor
Isabella McDonald 36
Alexander McDonald 9
Donald McDonald 6
Ann McDonald 4
Mary McDonald 2

Address: Achilty, Contin

And 1881:

Isabella McDonald 55
Donald McDonald 26 groom
Mary McDonald 22
Murdo McDonald 12

Address: Achilty, Contin

Donald also called one of his children Murdo didn't he?

Monica

[Neale1961]

In the 1851 census Aichilty, Contin we have John MacDonald age 36 (tailor, farmer) and wife Isabella age 27 both born Ross and Cromarty.
SP has a marriage 12/05/1848 Contin for John McDonald and Isabella McLinnan.

SP births/ baptisms pre 1855: in Contin to John MacDonald and Isabella MacLennan
00/10/1851 Alexander MacDonald
28/03/1854 Donald MacDonald

Post 1855 births to John MacDonald and Isabella MacLennan (from family search):
Ann MacDonald – Contin 31 Mar 1856
Mary MacDonald - Contin 21 Aug 1858
John MacDonald – Contin 3 May 1862 (died 1871 Contin)
Murdo MacDonald – Contin 14 Apr 1868

[Wodgemac]

Monica,

Yes, there is a child of Donald called Murdo...

Thanks Neale,

I have seen those.

Do you both think they are Donald's siblings?

[Neale1961]

Yes, I believe those are Donald's siblings.
I have been looking for a death for his father John. Should be between 1867 (last child) and 1871 (census he was not in), but the only one possible in Contin does not seem to have the correct age (32 yrs).

Added:
Isabella MacLennan (age 15) is in the 1841 census for Tarvey, Contin. Parents are Donald 50 (tenant) and Mary 45, siblings John and Ann.https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a155a0ff4040b9d6e6de3c2/isabel-mclennan-1841-ross-and-cromarty-contin-1826-?locale=en

?Possible birth for Isabella 23/4/1826 Lochbroom – father Donald.

[Neale1961]

This seems a likely birth for John MacDonald (father of Donald b. 1854)
11/06/1805 Contin - parents Alexander MacDonald and Ann MacKenzie
Siblings are Donald 1797, Helen 1799, Kenneth 1802, and Alexander 1809 – all born Contin.

In the 1841 census Aichilty, Contin
John McDonald age 30 Tailor born ROC
Ann McDonald age 65 born ROC (likely the mother – Ann MacKenzie)
Helen McDonald age 30 born ROC
Alex Cameron age 5 born ROC
https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a155a0ff4040b9d6e6de499/john-mcdonald-1841-ross-and-cromarty-contin-1811-?locale=en

[Rosinish]

Possible death...

1867 - MCDONALD JOHN 66
MCRAE (mms)
065/ 22 Fodderty (R & C)

Not too far from Contin

Annie