Help tracing birth of Donald Anderson Crofter in Strath on Skye

[Steven1314]

Hi I have been researching my great great grandfather and my great great great grandfather both called Donald Anderson.  I know from 1841 census that they were both born in Strath on Skye.  I have located Donald McKinnon Anderson juniors death certificate from 14/12/1875 when he died aged 38 so I thought his birth year would be circa 1837.  Donald senior died 24/5/1876 aged 82 so again I thought this would make his birth year circa 1794.

Donald junior moved away from Skye to become a police officer in Alloa whilst Donald senior was a crofter of 2 acres.

Basically I am looking to find out if there is anyway I can trace their births.  I have tried Scotlands People but to no avail.  Also is there any places I can check for records of crofters from this time and what may have happened to Donald and his croft.  His eldest son Rodrick became a fisherman and did not follow his father as a crofter.

I have both Donalds on all the censuses from 1841 up to their deaths.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Steven

PS.  Donald junior's mother was called Mary McKinnon and Donald senior's mother was called Mary McKenzie and father was called Rodrick Anderson.

[Steven1314]

Hi sorry to drag up my earlier post but would anyone know where I could go to search further into my relatives who originally came from Skye?

No one is alive that I can speak to so I just wondered if Skye would have records of births etc.  I have managed to locate deaths of Donald Jnr and Donald Snr but no luck on the birth front.

Any help would be greatly appreciated if not its just a dead end which isn't unusual in researching.

Thanks

Steven

[CWoody]

Hi Steven

My stepfather was an Anderson from Sleat and it was very difficult to get records.   ClanMacDonald have good records and also Rental records of crofters.

Strath is Broadford area though so probably different Andersons, but there are still Andersons in Torrin so they may be related.
Even though the son is shown as a fisherman he may still have worked the croft.

I'll have a look at my Anderson stuff in case I have any certs that were not mine.   

[Ringoroses]

Hi,

Can't help you directly, sorry. But I just wanted to metion something that was of interest to me, as I have crofters in my line too (from the Highlands, near Ft William).  I visited Skye last year and picked up a very interesting book by David Craig called On the Crofter's Trail.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crofters-Trail-Craig-David/dp/184158455X
It's largely  about the Highland Clearances and covers many areas, including Canada. But it gives a wonderful oral history of the crofting tradition from descendents of the crofters left behind in many areas, including on Skye. And it's very moving in places.  It's a while since I read it, and my uncle has borrowed it now so I can't check, but I can't recall seeing Anderson's named specifically, but sevaral family names are mentioned, so you may spot one.

There are many old croft buildings littering the Skye landscape and, if you haven't been there yet, I'd recommend a visit before they disappear. The Museum of Island Life is of particular interest, as it is actually located on an old croft. http://www.skyemuseum.co.uk/

Also, it's my understanding that crofters, as they lived on the edge of the land, and eeked out a living however they could, were also considered fishermen. So I wouldn't discount finding Roderick as a crofter too.


Regards, Ann

[Steven1314]

Thanks very much for replying I had almost given up hope.  I think I may have taken the line as far as I could but through another forum someone recommended that I try my local family history center run by Church of Latter Day Saints.

I have obtained some information on what records I might need to order so might give it a bash.

I think because Donald was born prior to 1855 it is harder.  I am pretty sure it must be circa 1838 and because I know his parents names if I manage to find a certificate I will know if its correct.

If you find anything that would be great

Steven

[MonicaL]

Steven

As Ann and Cwoody have mentioned, records can be patchy.

I can only see these entries for two of the sons of Donald and Mary (McKinnon):

1. RODK. ANDERSON Christening: 25 FEB 1824 Strath, Inverness
2. JOHN ANDERSON Birth: 12 OCT 1828/ Christening 24 DEC 1828 Strath, Inverness

Monica 

[CWoody]

Steven

As Ann and Cwoody have mentioned, records can be patchy.

I can only see these entries for two of the sons of Donald and Mary (McKinnon):

1. RODK. ANDERSON Christening: 25 FEB 1824 Strath, Inverness
2. JOHN ANDERSON Birth: 12 OCT 1828/ Christening 24 DEC 1828 Strath, Inverness

Monica 

Just saw them, Monica.    As they're extracted entries there could be an OPR for these brothers so it might be worth another look at SP.

[MonicaL]

One big problem though regarding Donald Snr. is that there are no OPRs showing on http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hughwallis/IGIBatchNumbers/CountyInverness.htm#S for Strath before these dates:

Earliest births: Batch code C111192 - 1815-1854
Earliest marriages: Batch code M111192 - 1823-1854     

Monica

[MonicaL]

Hi CWoody 

Just checked on SP, and the two sons entries showing on IGI are the only two showing on the SP OPRs index unfortunately. Nevertheless, maybe something on them regarding sponsors etc. that might prove useful.

Monica