ADAM McKENZIE

[John Bird]

Hi

I am trying to find out more about Adam McKenzie born about 1855 in Gairloch. It is possible he is the son of Mary McKenzie (born out of wedlock), daughter of Duncan McKenzie and Ann McPherson. I would like to confirm whether he is in fact Mary's son. He married Jessie MacKenzie, daughter of Donald McKenzie and Ann Cumming on 10 July 1887 at Resolis. His parents are shown on the Marriage Certificate are Duncan McKenzie and Mary McKenzie which I think are his grandfather (Duncan) and Mary.

The McKenzie family moved from Port Henderson to Fearn about 1862. I would also like to find his date of death.

The McKenzie family also included Alexander, Colin, Margaret, Neil, Murdina and Isabella (my great grandmother)

I would appreciate any help.

regards

John

[AndrewP]

Hi John,

I take it, you have seen the 1861 census page on ScotlandsPeople where he is with his grandparents and 3 of their daughters (only one of child-bearing age; Margt.). The census page of course doesn't imply who of Adam is the child of, whether Margaret or another daughter or son. There is no sign of a birth for Adam in the 1855+ statutory birth records. Also no sign of a likely birth/baptism on the online IGI (for up to 1854). The same family group is seen in Fearn in the 1871 census. In 1881 he and his aunt are in Rosskeen. In 1891 he is in Rosemarkie with his wife and two young children (if using ScotlandsPeople, search for him age 30 to 40 and no county or registration district selected - there is an index failure on SP to recognise that district in that era on a search). A search for the marriage of Adam McKenzie between 1881 and 1891 readily yields the right result. The marriage certificate gives the names of the people that he gave as his parents; mother: Mary. Adam, with his wife and four children are to be found in Alness in 1901. Adam was widowed in 1911 in Rosskeen.

There is a possible death for Adam in 1926 in Inverness. Unfortunately the informant to the registrar was not a relation. If this is him, the wife' name and the parents' names are wrong. If this is not him, then I see no obvious sign of any other death in Scotland that looks to be him.

All the best,

AndrewP

[John Bird]

Hi Andrew

Thanks for your very detailed response. The 1926 death certificate does not appear to be my Adam. I thought I had found his daughter Colina's marriage certificate which may elicited something- but unfortunately it was not the right one. He is becoming very elusive. There was an earlier sister in the family Mary born on 7 March 1833 who also maybe Adam's mother, and while I know about the families of the other siblings, she,is also a mystery.

The search will continue.

Again thanks for your efforts.

regards


John

[AndrewP]

Hi John,

Colina's death 1942 certificate shows she married a Mackenzie, as her mother also did. That must make sorting out the family tree a nightmare - too many sharing one surname. However, like you, I can see no obvious sign of a marriage certificate. The marriage may have been irregular, or outside of Scotland.

All the best,

AndrewP

[John Bird]

Hi Andrew

Again thanks for your help.

regards


John