Hugh MacKay emigrated from Scotland c1879?

[sheena58]

Thanks,

That certainly confirms the story that he was in Buffalo. I understand he owned several apartments which he rented but whether he did anything else, I don't know. He's a bit of a mystery, but I know he died penniless because the family all had to 'chip in' to bury him!

[*Sandra*]

Dear goodness - that's awful 

Sandra

[sheena58]

It does seem rather a sad end, but at least he had a family to come home to. He never had children as far as we know, and I'm not sure if the 'wife' was a long term partner or not. I don't suppose we'll ever know what really happened.

[loobylooayr]

Hi Sheena - I wonder if this is Donald on the US 1940 Census at Buffalo, New York
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K31V-J1K
The original can be viewed online - he is listed as a seaman.

Hugh is proving harder to locate on Census. Of course he may not have gone to US 

Looby

[sheena58]

Yes, it looks like him, thanks. I know most of his family were seamen so this would make sense.
I'm not surprised Hugh is proving to be more of a problem, he may not have gone to US, or he may have changed his name to avoid being found. He certainly seems to disappear from all UK records after this point though. *sigh*