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Many thanks Bearkat for that find and the link.

I have looked at the records and 2 books relate to burials/death during the appropriate period. They are very difficult to read, as you mentioned.

My references do not match those provided by the link but I did manage to find 2 entries numbered 454. Unfortunately they do not refer to William Mackie or his Spanish nom de plume Guillermo Mack Anderson.

Both of those books have reference cover sheets which state that “This libro (book) contains burial records of black inhabitants of Matanzas” so maybe there is another book for foreigners.

I have photographs of the original headstone with Matanzas text on it and the same headstone which was refaced at some unknown point with similar text on it. I have tried and failed to add these photos to my post because the size is too big. The text on the headstones are as follows.

Original……

Erected to the memory of William Mackie, Mason who died 14 Jan 1880 aged 75 years. Also his wife Elizabeth Anderson who died 24 Jan 1876 aged 71 years, their son William, died at Matanzas 30 Aug 1849 aged 20 years, their daughter Elizabeth died in infancy, also Mary McLeish McDonald, wife of Peter Mackie died 12 Nov 1875 aged 39 years and their son William died 15 July 1867 aged 2.5 years

The refaced version states…

Erected to the memory of William Mackie, Mason died 1880 aged 75. Elizabeth Anderson his wife 1876 aged 71 and their children William and Elizabeth. Peter Mackie, Mason 1890 aged 51 Mary MacLeish MacDonald his wife 1879 aged 39 and their son in infancy. Murdoch Sutherland, ? died 3 March 1918 aged ? Mary Mackie Sutherland, died 1941 aged 72, Alexander Sutherland, died 12 June ? aged ?, Elizabeth Mackie, died ? February 1958 ? her ?

Linked thread….

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=885482.msg7590925#msg7590925

MATANZAS CUBA LOOK UP REQUEST

I originally posted re this in 2017. My ancester William Mackie, born 20/01/1829 in Rothes died on 30/08/1849 in Matanzas, Cuba according to his gravestone in Greenock cemetery, Scotland. We have no further information on him or how he died.

I now have more detailed reference information on his death in Matanzas, Cuba in 1849.

There are a number of burial indices held at Matanzas Cathedral.

William Mackies death is recorded within index 12 which covers the years 1848-1851.

He is listed in the index under the Spanish naming convention as Don GUILLERMO MAK ANDERSON (MAK =Mackie, ANDERSON = mothers maiden name).

His reference number is Folio 2178v, number 454. I do not know if the records have been digitised or not.

Because his death is recorded in Matanzas Cathedral records he might be buried in the Matanzas city cemetery but this is speculative.

I would be delighted if any of our Roots chat community are likely to be travelling to Matanzas, Cuba and would be happy to spend an hour or so to call at the Cathedral and/or the cemetery (if confirmed a headstone is there) to find or photograph any further information on William particularly as to how he died at such a young age.

I will also be happy to pay for any admin/photocopying etc costs which might be incurred.

Many thanks in anticipation.

Re reply #1. The court would have been Kilmarnock Sheriff Court and not Ayr.