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Thanks Ian
I am researching various Sutherland families including Mackay connections to Pope families who were in Durness and Scourie. Researchers into the Mackay families from the US who carried out much research in Durness and say they spoke to locals have come up with a name for an ancestor which is at variance with another source. Part of two of the OPR entries of importance are as follows though there are a few others similarly worded;-
Neil MacKay alias MacEmish
Ann Mackay alias nin Neilmacemish
The interpretation made by the US researcher is that this is;
Neil son of Thomas
Ann daughter of Neil who is son of Thomas
The other interpretation I have received from a couple of members of the Melvich Gaelic Choir and in a short passing conversation with Highland Genealogist, Alistair Macleod is;
Neil son of James
Ann daughter of Neil who is the son of James.
There may, of course, be other interpretations!
For my purpose Thomas would best but I am inclined to James and accuracy is more important than convenience!
Help appreciated.
Allan
"Tomas" (Toe-mass) is the Gaelic for Thomas. In the genetive case, which it takes following mac, i.e. son of, it is aspirated and an "i" added after the last vowel to give "Thomais", roughly 'hoe-meesh'. Similarly, Seumas (James) becomes Sheumais, roughly Hae-meesh in the genetive case.
The aliases in the Durness PR are given in imitated or phonetic Gaelic and I have not noted many MacEmish listings but I would say it is more likely to be son of James than son of Thomas.
Can you give more information?e.g. the date of the entry. The aliases sometimes varied from one entry to the next and alaso it may be possible to find the father in an earlier registration.
IAN