Caithness Monumental Inscriptions pre 1855

[vanessajw]

I am looking for Kennedy ancestors in Canisbay, does your MI book list any Kennedys near or in Canisbay area, or Olrig, or Brabster parishes? If so I would be most interested as according to a genealogist records cease in the area before 1760 and it's this period 1760-1800 I am looking for.

[Oddquine]

I am looking for Kennedy ancestors in Canisbay, does your MI book list any Kennedys near or in Canisbay area, or Olrig, or Brabster parishes? If so I would be most interested as according to a genealogist records cease in the area before 1760 and it's this period 1760-1800 I am looking for.

A few Kennedys in Canisbay, mostly wives, but none with birth dates before 1801 that I can find. One in Olrig but after 1800.

Some of those in Canisbay are from Brabster.

You want to give names?

[ronald paul mac donald]

I have just got 4 volumes of listings for (I think) all cemetaries in Caithness so if anyone needs to check out where and when their ancestors are buried let me know and I'll try to help.

hi davie hope you van help !!!!Iam looking for as quoted hereunder !!!

we found hereunder but as we are looking for pre John Mac Donald buried here born 1753 died march 3 1840 hoping you can help.
Ronald Mac Donald

Research into the background of William MacDonald of Navidale, one of the heroes of the Land League, through Census records and parish registers finally linked three tombstones, two at Dalnawillan and one at Kildonan. William's father, John, and his grandfather, John Macdonald of Achscoroclate, a noted Caithness cattle drover, are buried at Dalnawillan. Grandfather Macdonald was married to Barbara Gordon, a daughter, of Alexander Gordon, tacksman of Dalcharn, and his wife Isabella Sutherland and of the Strathuilligh Sutherlands. Barbara Gordon had a sister, Ann, who married John Gordon of Saluschraiggie. Later Ann possessed a sheep farm in Caithness. Her daughter, Isabella, was William Macdonald's mother so that his parents were cousins. A tombstone at Kildonan records William's great grandparents - the tacksman of Dalcharn and his Sutherland wife: on the same stone is William's mother Isabella.

[kristy_mac8]

Hi Davie, it's really nice of you to make the offer.

If you have the Thurso edition, I am interested in the following:
Donald MILLER, who died in 1833 in Thurso, probably in his 60s or 70s, he was a shipmaster. I don't know who his parents were, it would be nice if it was conveniently mentioned on his grave

Donald's wife was Esther NICOL, b.1767, and I haven't been able to find a death for her, but as she was on the '51 census I think she may have died between 1851 and 1855.

I don't know when Donald NICOL and Elspet NICOL nee SWANSON died, it could be anywhere from 1807 onwards. Also, Peter MURRAY and Margaret MURRAY nee CAMBPELL, anytime from 1815 onwards.

Thank you so much in advance.

Kristy

[Oddquine]

Hi Davie, it's really nice of you to make the offer.

If you have the Thurso edition, I am interested in the following:
Donald MILLER, who died in 1833 in Thurso, probably in his 60s or 70s, he was a shipmaster. I don't know who his parents were, it would be nice if it was conveniently mentioned on his grave

Donald's wife was Esther NICOL, b.1767, and I haven't been able to find a death for her, but as she was on the '51 census I think she may have died between 1851 and 1855.
Any of that any use to you?

I don't know when Donald NICOL and Elspet NICOL nee SWANSON died, it could be anywhere from 1807 onwards. Also, Peter MURRAY and Margaret MURRAY nee CAMBPELL, anytime from 1815 onwards.

Thank you so much in advance.

Kristy

In St Peter's Churchyard in Thurso, grave no 73 says (Table Stone) Don Miller, Shipowner, 31.1.1835, 72, erected by family: this burying ground belongs to And Nicol

The next grave is a Flat Stone with the initials DN ES 1800

And the next says (Table Stone-worn) Don Miller master sloop Alexander, Thurso []8.7.1826, 65: Don miller Ritchie 8.1828 4 mths; Margaret Miller 8.[....], 11 (father john Miller, shipmaster); [Margt?] Miller 13.8.1852, 25 years 5 months(father Don Miller, shipowner)

Only checked the Thurso book for the Murrays, and no luck, but will look at the others later in the day.

[kristy_mac8]

In St Peter's Churchyard in Thurso, grave no 73 says (Table Stone) Don Miller, Shipowner, 31.1.1835, 72, erected by family: this burying ground belongs to And Nicol

The next grave is a Flat Stone with the initials DN ES 1800

And the next says (Table Stone-worn) Don Miller master sloop Alexander, Thurso []8.7.1826, 65: Don miller Ritchie 8.1828 4 mths; Margaret Miller 8.[....], 11 (father john Miller, shipmaster); [Margt?] Miller 13.8.1852, 25 years 5 months(father Don Miller, shipowner)

Only checked the Thurso book for the Murrays, and no luck, but will look at the others later in the day.

Thank you so much for that, Oddquine, I really appreciate your effort. It's given me a bit more information about the family. As I have his will, I know that Donald Miller died in 1833 rather than 1835, but I imagine that the dates were hard to read, and a 3 can easily look like a 5. Taking the age of 72 away from 1833 (as I didn't know his age of death before), will hopefully narrow down baptism possibilities *fingers crossed*.

Thank you again.

Kindest regards,
Kristy

[Rosemary Skea]

Thank you so much for that, Oddquine, I really appreciate your effort. It's given me a bit more information about the family. As I have his will, I know that Donald Miller died in 1833 rather than 1835, but I imagine that the dates were hard to read, and a 3 can easily look like a 5. Taking the age of 72 away from 1833 (as I didn't know his age of death before), will hopefully narrow down baptism possibilities *fingers crossed*.

Thank you again.

Kindest regards,
Kristy

Afternoon Kirsty,

I can send you all the Miller births from Thurso in Excel form if that would help you. There are several men whose occupation is given as Ship master and one in particular mentions the Sloop Alexander of Thurso. You can send me a private message with your email address if you are interested.

Rosemary Skea

Queensland

[kristy_mac8]

I'd just like to cancel my request regarding the Murray's and others, Oddquine (you mentioned you would look them up later for me), because I was a bit naughty and treated myself to the Thurso MI book. Some girls buy shoes for fun

Kristy

[farmyard]

I have just got 4 volumes of listings for (I think) all cemetaries in Caithness so if anyone needs to check out where and when their ancestors are buried let me know and I'll try to help.

Dave if you are still giving your help with regard to the listings for the Caithness cemetaries, I would greatly appreciate your looking for the Gillespie/Mackay families and I think it is Joseph Gillespie m Margaret Mackay around 1790 so probable deaths pre 1840 Reay or Wick.

Averil

[w.j.milne]

Davie,
Can't remember if I asked you this before but the above John, died 2/1/1913 at Myrelandhorne,Wick and Helen died Myrelandhorne, 1911.
Any chance of finding there lair? Thank you,Bill.

[Oddquine]

Dave if you are still giving your help with regard to the listings for the Caithness cemetaries, I would greatly appreciate your looking for the Gillespie/Mackay families and I think it is Joseph Gillespie m Margaret Mackay around 1790 so probable deaths pre 1840 Reay or Wick.

Averil

Sorry.........no Gillespies in the MIs for Caithness anywhere.

[Marion Davie]

I have just got 4 volumes of listings for (I think) all cemetaries in Caithness so if anyone needs to check out where and when their ancestors are buried let me know and I'll try to help.

Dear Davie - I've just found a ggg g/father Peter Clark, Mid Clyth, who was married to Mary Sutherland (married probably about 1770-80) Do you know if there are any references to the many Clarks around that area at that time in the MI's for mid Clyth and whether there is any detail re. family relationships in the MIs? My ancestor was their son Henry b.abt 1805, who became a baker in Aberdeen.
Thanks
MD

[Oddquine]

Dear Davie - I've just found a ggg g/father Peter Clark, Mid Clyth, who was married to Mary Sutherland (married probably about 1770-80) Do you know if there are any references to the many Clarks around that area at that time in the MI's for mid Clyth and whether there is any detail re. family relationships in the MIs? My ancestor was their son Henry b.abt 1805, who became a baker in Aberdeen.
Thanks
MD

A few Clarks in Mid Clyth but none which obviously tie in with yours. No Peter, I'm afraid.

[humphreyjohn]

Hello Davie,

I’m wondering if there are monumental inscriptions on record for any of the following forebears of mine who died before 1855?

John Thain, died Ackergill, Wick 1841-1850 (b 1797)
Catherine More (née Ryrie), died Sarclet, Wick 1851-1855 (b1791)
David Cormack, died Thuster, Wick 1806-1841 (b 1769) and his wife Jean (née Wier) d 1851-1855 (b 1769)
John Weir, died 1841-1851 Wick (b 1766) and his wife Jean (née Cormack) d 1806-1841 (b 1774)
Jean Weir (née Sutherland) died Thuster, Wick 1827-1835 (b 1798)

Any information would be greatly appreciated
John Humphrey (Toronto, Canada)

[Tricia]

Hi cousin John

from the MI books:
WEIR MI's in Caithness are :
Name /Cem code/ entry no.
WEIR B11 181
WEIR BN1 3
WEIR BO1 45
WEIR HA5 224,225,226,227,228
WEIR O12 167,196
WEIR W13 62,189,191,314,392,505,507,514,669,905,1085
WEIR WA4 171
see
http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.c...i/caithnes.txt
for Cem Codes and surnames with ref no.
W13 is Wick.
62 = G Weir. -no more
189 = Jas Weir ropemaker Pt 27.4.1847 31, w Ann Swanson .....more if wanted
191 =John Weir. -no more
314 = John Weirfr Pt (edge inscript worn)... Jas Doull Haster...............
392 = Jas Weir. -no more
505 = J Weir W. - no more
507 = erected by John and Margt Weir imo chn Georgina Cath Chris ........more on dates but children died young 1860s.
514 = Jane Weir 10.4.1870 40, ed h Jas Small seaman
669 = Jas McAdie feuer Pt 17.1.1867 78 w Margt Weir 5.1.1848 54
905 = William Weir M. P. -no more
1085 = George Weir C.P. -no more

The HA5 - Halkirk are not yours.
The WA4 = Watten = Don Weir fr Greenland 24.6.1895 88, w Margt Sinclair 21.6.1891 83.
The O2 = Olirg are 1900s

THAIN
only one found in WICK
1017 = John Thain -no more

MIs I have never found the Cormacks Or Donald More & Catherine Ryrie.

Did you find anything further on David Cormack m Jean(Jane) Weir. ie marriage their parents- children other than daug Jane(jean) b 1806. Also I can't remember why we have their birth dates between 1760 -1770!


Tricia
born a MORE in Wick

[humphreyjohn]

[quote=Tricia;522465]


Hi Tricia, how are you keeping? Well, I hope. Many thanks for the MI information - disappointingly sparse though it is.



As for your query about David Cormack & Jean Weir, I haven't tracked down any more children, but I’ve tentatively pencilled in that these may be David Cormack's parents:

"1769... May... 28th Cormack William Cormack in Thinlochie had by his wife Elizabeth Findlason a child bap named David. The wits. were Thos. Cormack [...] [?Will.] Swanson in Wick." [1769 Wick Births Registry Extract, 043/ 020/ 142]

There were two other David Cormacks born in Wick about this time - to William Cormack & Eliza Sutherland bap 28/3/1762 (per IGI member submission), and to James Cormack & Elizabeth Gelbertson bap 9/5/1766 per OPR (C110432).

But the two witnesses to David’s daughter Jane Cormack's baptism in 1806 were George & Robert Finlayson, so I hazard a guess that Elizabeth Finlayson may have been her grandmother. Incidentally, I notice that the (barely readable) OPR extract of her baptism doesn’t state that David and Jean were actually married (“November 24th 1806 Cormack David in Thuster had .. a child w Jean Whier in ... baptized, Jean.”)

Anyway, if in fact that’s our David, that gives his birthdate.

As for Jean Weir’s birthdate, this is her living with her daughter and son-in-law in the 1851 Wick Census, 043 ED 7 p36 schedule 131.

"Address: Newton
WIER James Head M M 49 Farmer Of 18 Acres b - Wick
WIER Jean Wife - F 43 - b - Wick
WIER Jean Dau U F 14 Scholar b - Wick
WIER William Son - M 12 Scholar b - Wick
WIER Donald Son - M 10 Scholar b - Wick
WIER James Son - M 8 - b Wick
WIER Elizabeth Dau - F 2 - b Wick
WIER Jean Mother in Law W F 82 Pauper Former ?Weaver’s Wife b Wick"
[“Jean Weir Mother in Law” - the mother of James Weir’s wife Jean Cormack - was the widow of David Cormack, but her maiden name was also Weir - as per Jean Cormack's 9/4/1883 death certificate - but I've no idea how she was related to James Weir. Of course James Weir’s mother was a Cormack, too, so it gets mighty complicated! Anyway, this would give her an approximate birth year of 1768.]


Anyway, best wishes from the shores of Lake Ontario. My sister Marian is heading up to Shetland this summer - for a folk festival - I'm so envious - she'll be passing by the old haunts. Helen & I are heading off to Newfie-land instead, which is not a bad substitute.



Take care,
John

[Lingland]

Do you have any record of a cemetary at camster

[Oddquine]

Do you have any record of a cemetary at camster

There is.......Who are you after?

[george9]

Cormacks from Wick in late 1700s? Please check your Wick cemetery books to see if you have records for Donald Cormack or Catherine McLeod who sired Donald Cormack, born 23 Dec 1810 in Wick, and four other children. We have nearly zero info on Catherine McLeod and her husband (other than that marriage was on Jan 20, 1810 in Wick) and we have even less on their forebears so anything would help!.....from George Cormack

[Tricia]

Cormacks from Wick in late 1700s? Please check your Wick cemetery books to see if you have records for Donald Cormack or Catherine McLeod who sired Donald Cormack, born 23 Dec 1810 in Wick, and four other children. We have nearly zero info on Catherine McLeod and her husband (other than that marriage was on Jan 20, 1810 in Wick) and we have even less on their forebears so anything would help!.....from George Cormack

Success:

Wick Old Cem
" no 724
ed D.A. and G Cormack imo of fa Don 23.12.1832, mo Cath McLeod 7.2.1848."

unfortunately no ages given
Erected by D.A. and G. Fits with the sons Donald Alex & George if I have correct family?


Daughters Christian, Ann !
I think it may be this census 1841 (ages often rounded to 5 in 1841):
Piece: SCT1841/43 Place: Wick -Caithness Enumeration District: 6
Civil Parish: Wick Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: -
Folio: 0 Page: 17
Address: Dempster Street
Surname First name(s) Sex Age Occupation Where Born Remarks
CORMACK Catharine F 60 Caithness
CORMACK Christiana F 20 Caithness
CORMACK Ann F 18 Caithness
CORMACK George M 15 Caithness
RUGG Andrew M 15 Outside Census County (1841)
BROTCHIE John M 16 Shoemaker Outside Census County (1841)

Who did the sons marry? I have lots of Cormack in my tree. Trying to find links.
Tricia