Birth of William Mackenzie/McKenzie

[Paul76]

I'm trying to trace my great-great-great grandfather William Mackenzie. He was in Wigan, Lancashire by the time of the 1841 census and lived the rest of his life there but says he was born in Scotland.
That would have been in about 1812.
I know it's not a lot to go on but any information or help would be very gratefully received.
Family stories mention Gairloch but we have nothing definite to link his birth to there, or anywhere else for that matter.
Thanks for reading and here's hoping someone can help.
Paul.

[domestic goddess]

Hi Paul

I'm assuming you have his death cert, which should hopefully provide at least his fathers name? 

[Paul76]

Hi,
Yes I've got his death cert but it doesn't give his father's name.
It gives William's name, age, address, cause of death and the name of his eldest son who registered the death.
Unfortunately William married before marriage certs were issued as well.
And with such a common name and no clear idea where he was born I just don't know where to turn next.
Thanks.
Paul

[Rena]

Unfortunately I can't give you any specific information, but I thought some tips might help.  The Mackenzie clan had more than one leader and possibly names handed down in the 1800's might indicate where the family's loyalties lay - for instance "Seaforth" crops us as a middle name in my family.

I remember when I was little my father mentioned that the Scots gave names to their children of anyone important in the parents lives.  I found this particularly helpful when I was stuck in Lanarkshire and I too didn't think I had a clue about the earlier generation except the 1841 census.  Quite often relatives born in the same area will arrive with or follow the same path to find work in a new place such as Wigan - so collect all the M(a)ckenzie names in the area around Wigan to see if there's a similarity in the naming pattern of the children.  for instance the 2nd daughter was usually named in favour of the baby's paternal grandmother.  with luck you might find 2 Mackenzie brothers living near each other.   given names were often passed down the the family so even if they missed a generation they often crop up again in grandchildren.
 As there were Highland clearances about that time, have you looked at the Wigan MI's or the mortcloth records to see if William's parents are buried in Lancashire?

Good luck,
Rena

[scottish lassy]

Hello Paul76

You will now know approx when William was born by his death certificate.  Given that you now know his sons name you could search on familyorg - or maybe the sons marraige/death cert would give you more info ie a mothers name then a search on Scotlands People OPR may give you a location of a marraige.

good luck

[Billy Anderson]

IGI records= www.familysearch.com
scotlandspeople= www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk