tracing my grandfather's family

[Kris Sutherland-Matthews]

Hello from NZ - I am very excited to have found my way here...and hoping this will give rise to the opportunity to meet possible relatives or somebody who may have information about the area, the village or anything about the family of my grandfather......
My mother died in 2003, my father Jack Donald Sutherland, when I was 11 yrs old, in 1973.

I found my mother’s bible and it has our family tree in it...


Dad’s father (my grandfather) was Alexander Sutherland born 12 June 1889 – had emmigrated from Caithness (Westerdale) and my dad was a first generation NZ’er.

Dad had two older sisters – Amy and Ina.




Alexanders’ family were...(From Westerdale, Thurso)

His father – James Sutherland age 41 at time of census (1901)

His mother – Catherine age 40

Brothers and sisters were..

Harrieta – 19

Hugh – 14

Alexander – 12 (my grandad)

Donald – 11

Cathrine – 9

Ceorge – 8

John – 6

Margaret – 4

David – ?




About my ancestors...



James Sutherland (grandad) married Cathrine in 1860

James Sutherland (great-grandad?) married Margaret Lowrie 1823

Donald Sutherland (Great-great grandad?) married Isabella Budge in 1786

Charles Sutherland (Great great great grandad?) married Cathrine Gordon in 1750

Not sure if I got all the ‘greats’ right! LOL!

[cuthill]

Hi Kris welcome to caithness.org.

[Kris Sutherland-Matthews]

thank you cuthill - I hope somebody may read my post....I'm really interested in the area from where my family came from....feels so strange, me all the way 'downunder' and yet my grandfather and his family came from the other side of the world! I'm really hoping that some of his relatives remained there and I could contact any of those descendants.....

[Julia]

Hi, just had a very quick look at your post and I think this part of your family tree is connected to mine

Donald Sutherland (Great-great grandad?) married Isabella Budge in 1786

I will check and get back to you!

[Kris Sutherland-Matthews]

Wow Julia, can't wait to hear back!!! Of course our time differences won't help will they!!?
Looking forward to checking in tonight after work....

Cheers
Kris
p.s. I wasn't sure whether that date was their marriage or the paternal birthdate, but I think marriage as the original info
came in the following form...looks like marriage dates to me....

JAMES SUTHERLAND 1860/CATHRINE
JAMES SUTHERLAND 1823/MARGARET LOWRIE
DONALD SUTHERLAND 1786/ISABELLA BUDGE
CHARLES SUTHERLAND 1750 /CATHRINE GORDON

[Kris Sutherland-Matthews]

Right - off to work, will check in later

[trinkie]

Hi Kris,
You appear to have quite a bit of family information, and I hope you make a 'link' with Julia.
There were so many Sutherlands in Caithness it gets very confusing.
Have you checked on www.scotlandspeople, and do you have copies of the census records etc?
Just for interest do you know of Donald Sutherland of Sutherland Falls , which he named in 1880?
I have a charming old picture of Donald taken from a newspaper cutting. If you would like a copy
please send me a private message with your private email address. ( That's the only way I cant send
it on to you.
Happy Hunting
Trinkie.

[Kris Sutherland-Matthews]

Guys, got it all wrong! My family tree has to be started over
Seems my grandfather Alexander was born in Avoch, Ross & Cromarty 1889?? And his parents were Donald Sutherland and Margaret McIntosh NOT James and Catherine afterall......help....please?? Can anyone help me from there?

[Tricia]

Hi Kris.
Think you also posted on Sutherland County Website!!!!
What made the sudden change for parentage of ALEXANDER!
You had a family Bible - what did it say!
You quoted
Alexander Sutherland born 12 June 1889 – had emmigrated from Caithness (Westerdale) Was this in the bible!
Did Caithness feature in the Bible?
Happy to help if we can

[Ange]

Hello Kris

We have the same Sutherland ancestors - to Donald Sutherland and Isabella Budge.
Then their son Isaac and wife Margaret Innes.
Then James Sutherland and Christina Tait
Then my grandmother Frederickina (Nina) Sutherland.

I have quite a bit on the family. Maybe send me a private message.

Cheers, Ange