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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Caithness => Topic started by: jamesmatthews45 on Saturday 26 December 09 14:57 GMT (UK)
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I am visiting Smerral, Latheronwheel on 8/9 Jan 2010 and was wondering if anyone has details of members of my family I have a copy of the 1891 census giving my family members Janet McGregor, Jessie (Janet) McGregor, Sutherland Williamson (Grandson), Kenneth McLeod (registered as McGregor and illegitimate – my great grandfather) and Charles McLeod living in Newport, Berrydale.
Kenneth married Ann Sutherland Gunn in 1904. They had my grandmother Williamina Gilchrist McLeod in 1904 in the village of Lybster. At some stage Kenneth McLeod took on the name family (mothers) of McGregor dropping the McLeod.
I am looking to visit places grave yards etc that would be of interest on my two day stay.
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Hi James
For a list of cemeteries and pre 1855 monumental inscriptions in Caithness try http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mwi/caithnes.txt
Your best bet for help with your ancestors would be the Caithness Family History Society, who have just open a search room for members in Thurso. Unfortunately it will not be maned by their helpful members on the dates you are there.
Berridale Church was, I believe, closed this year and is on the north side of the infamous Berridale Braes. Newport is further North with amazing views of the North Sea. Lybster is in the large parish of Latheron.
A phone call to the lovely ladies in the North Highland Archive, in Wick should tell you about their holdings.
Hope you enjoy your trip
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Many thanks for that.
In the past I used to travel up that way with work taking large trucks and coaches up the Berridale Braes and onto Wick, but did not know of my family connections. I have wanted to make this journey for a long while and was given the trip as a Xmas gift. I am so looking forward to my stay.
Regards,
Jim
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Remember and wrap up warm!! Careful on the A9 too, it's bad enough when it's dry.
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LOL I will. I have been looking at doing this trip for about a year now and now that it was given to me for Christmas I feel I am not prepared. Still there will always be another visit.
I am close to Fochabers and go to Lossiemouth where we can see the snow in Caithness from across the water.
regards,
Jim
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Caithness warmest place in Britain according to one forcast.
A balmy 4 degrees ??? daytime temp. Minus 4 at night.
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I hope no one risked going along the A9 in this!!
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Have put off trip for a few weeks as we are snowed in. We have not left the house since 31st Dec. Now run out of beer - situation critical.
Regards,
Jim
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Jim
Do not look at forcast it will make you thirsty ::) I would try a rescue mission but my sledge dog is deaf. :D
Something to keep you going in case you haven't got it.
1881 Census Newport Berridale
James MacGregor Crofter 61 Latheron
Janet MacGregor Wife 61 Dunbeath
Janet MacGregor Dau 28 Berridale
Sutherland MacGregor G-son 10 Berridale
Kenneth MacGregor G-son 10mths Berridale
I find in unusual that Kenneth was registered in mothers name because most illegitimate children in Caithness take their fathers name.
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I have now been snowed in at my place since 31 Dec but have had a resupply of beer lol. We are now hoping to be there 5/6 Feb. I do have the information you have given but it is always nice to get confirmation from people as I am still fumbling about at this.
You have given me information that I did not know i.e. that an illegitimate child took the father’s name. I have little bits on Kenneth it would appear that at some stage he used the name Kenneth McGregor McLeod and indeed I have my Grandmothers marriage certificate giving her name as Williamina Gilchrist McGregor McLeod. I also have a copy of the 1891 census where he is named Kenneth McLeod along with a brother Charles McLeod.
From family verbal history it would appear that Jessie/Janet McGregor took Kenneth’s Father (Kenneth McLeod) to court at either Fraserburgh or Peterhead, with regards to parenthood from then on he dropped the name McLeod.
I will have to try and find the 1881 Census as the 1891 has Sutherland McGregor as Sutherland Williamson.
Keep the info comming lol I am loving it.
Regards,
Jim
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HI Jim
Good news about your essential supplies being topped up. Here in Caithness we have beautiful blue skies above and ice below our feet.
Are you saying that Kenneth Macleod ( the father) was from Peterhead? Was Sutherland Williamson/Macgregor also a child of Janet? Perhaps we should look for a Sutherland Williamson as his Father but then Janet did have lots of sisters so perhaps he is a nephew.
Think I have the McGregors on earlier census with surprises.
1861 Census The Old Meeting House, Berridale
I don't know where this property is but sounds interesting and another place for you to visit.
James McGregor Head 41 labourer Latheron
Janet McGregor Wife 41 "
Johannna McGregor Dau 12 scholar Berriedale
Janet McGregor Dau 8 scholar "
James McGregor son 3 "
Robertina McGregor dau 1 "
1851 Berriedale
James McGregor H 38 Ag lab Latheron
Janet McGregor wife 29?
Jane dau 13
Isabel dau 12
Esther dau 9
Charles son 6
Anne dau 3
Johanna dau 2
All the children born Berriedale
1841 census Dunn Watten
on farm of Robert Ryrie
James McGregor marr male servant 20
John McGregor 15 Ag lab
Jane McGregor 4
Isabella McGregor 3
Esther McGregor 3mths
No sign of mother Janet and on next census these 3 children down as being born Berriedale as their siblings. James is also a problem because age is not right and could be relative and not your James and father of the girls.
Something for you to think about wile you watch the snow
Regards W
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Hi W,
You gave me the kick in the pants that I needed today and I have been doing some work on the tree.
I am in the process of updating my family tree to Ancestry.co.uk. I found Sutherland Williamson – he was down as Sutherland Williamson McGregor born 12 Oct 1870 again another strange one taking on the mother’s name. You could be right and his father’s name could have been Williamson and the Sutherland part could have come from grandparents? We will never know. His mother was Ann McGregor born 1848 who is the daughter of James and Janet/Jessie McGregor.
I am not sure where the first Kenneth McLeod came from. However, looking a local history I assume the he has come from the Isles to Latheron when the fishing was good had two children with Janet/Jessie then moved onto Peterhead or Fraserburgh. Just got some information on this one – A paternity suit was won against Kenneth McLeod, Fisherman, residing in Peterhead by Jessie McGregor for Charles McGregor (Kenneth’s brother) – Scottish Records Office. Don’t quite know how I would follow this one up.
I will go through all the info you have sent there is always something new that comes out of it lol.
I too have tried to find out where the Old Meeting House was, but have not been able to find anything out.
Another two lines I am going to follow – just for the interest is the Latheron Parish Poor’s Cash Book (Scottish Records Office, Edinburgh) 1842 at Latheronwheel district Widow Charles McGregor 4/- (four shillings) paid to Joseph McKay
1843 – Widow Charles McGregor paid to himself 4/- .
This is all information left to be by a great aunt god only knows what it is about? The other is she left notes of Robert McGregor and Mary Sutherland both of Sempster were matrimonially contracted in order of marriage 14th of 21st June 1762. Children were:
Margaret Baptised 18/07/1763
John 07/10/1764
Mary 10/04/1768
Charles 13/08/1770
Anna **/05/1775
As you can see I have a lot to do lol. I think I need a beer lol.
Regards, Jim