Hugh MacKay emigrated from Scotland c1879?

[sheena58]

Hello,
I have been trying for years, to find out what happened to my 2x great uncle, Hugh MacKay born c1850 in Scotland.
He apparently abandoned his wife and children, possibly for another woman in 1879, and I've recently found the poor law records relating to her, which state that he is believed to have gone to America, possibly Brooklyn. As this was recorded in November 1879, and she was three months pregnant at the time, there is a fairly narrow time scale on his departure, if this is true. I can certainly find no death certificate here for him so this would make some sense.
When in Scotland, he was a blacksmith by trade and last known to be living in Maryhill, Glasgow. His family were mostly merchant seamen, so he may even have worked for his passage.
I'd be really grateful if anyone could help find anything about him, or any other family he had.

[*Sandra*]

Hi,

https://familysearch.org/search has a good variety of US census and other records - have you tried browsing through those ?

Sandra

[shellyesq]

Do you have the names of Hugh's parents?  Did any other relatives go to the US?

[sheena58]

Thanks, I haven't tried there yet.

Hugh's father was William MacKay and his mother was know by numerous variants of her name, including Eppy, Elsie, Elspeth and Euphemia. Her maiden name which was retained in the usual Scottish way was Fraser.

I'm not aware of any other family members going with him, although my great Uncle Donald MacKay (Hugh's nephew) did go out some time in between about 1910 and 1930 to live for a while. I'm told he went to Buffalo, but no idea how accurate this is, or whether he was in contact with Hugh.

[shellyesq]

Do you have a date and place of birth for Donald?

[sheena58]

Donald was born in Inverness, 18th December 1882, son of Donald MacKay & Christina nee Dallas. He died in Glasgow in 1961, having lost everything he owned when he fell out with his common-law wife. I have no idea what her name was, but the story says that she married somebody else, died and the property went to her husband.

[*Sandra*]

Border Crossing Canada to USA - Marked Canadian Rejection - for Donald McKay born 18 Dec 1882 Inverness Scotland Arrived Buffalo NY 3 July 1940 - Had been in the USA from 15/5/09 (arrived Cleveland Ohio) to date - various.  Looks like he was going to 128 Seneca street Buffalo.

Another entry 31 August 1951 - Southampton to New York - on the Washington - Donald McKay - Single - going to 170 Senaca Street Buffalo NY -

Sandra 

[*Sandra*]

UK Return Passenger List - Donald McKay - 18 Dec 1882 and aged 73 years - arrival Glasgow Scotland 16 August 1956 - on the Laurentia. Going to 61 Crosslea Street Glasgow S W 2

also UK return 10 October 1960 - Donald McKay aged 77 years (retired) travelling on the Empress of Britain - Montreal to Glasgow.

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

Earlier Border crossing - Donald McKay born about 1883 Inverness Scotland and aged 26 years.  Arrived 15 May 1909 Buffalo - destination Cleveland Ohio.

Sandra