Donald McRae or McCrea - how can I find him?

[ficam]

I have a relative who was born in 1850 in Ardoch Perthshire - John McRae. In the OPR his parents are listed as Robina Eadie and Donald McCrea ( a shepherd). Given that Robina's father ran a dairy farm, it is maybe not too surprising that she came in contact with a shepherd in the local area, but it is unlikely he worked on the farm, unless he could shepherd cattle!

My problem is that apart from this mention in the OPR , I can find no other trace of Donald. By the time of the 1851 census around six months later, Robina is on her own with her son on her father's farm, where she remains until her death in 1881, in charge of the dairy ( per various censuses). But if Donald "did a runner" so soon, would the church records show him as the father? ( Although they do appear to be fairly liberal around Ardoch - there is absolutely no censure in the record, John is merely noted as the "natural son " of Robina and Donald) She had another son Robert Clow in 1854, father Peter Clow, who again she did not marry ( and again merely noted as the natural son of..in the record).

I can't find a death for a Donald McCrea or Mcrae in SP - or even a birth which ties up.

Anyone have any ideas as to where I could look to find out more about him?

Thanks

[LesleyB]

Hi Ficam
My first thoughts, given the seeming lack of any marriage, would be to find out if any Kirk Session records exist for the parish. There may be some details to be gleaned there. (there is always a chance that there may be more detail than you had bargained for, with any luck! )

Have you checked the 1851 census for any sign of Donald? He may just have been away shepherding on the night of the census, although from what you say it seems he is off the scene by 1854.

Perhaps Donald died before 1855 - a check of local monumental inscriptions would also be worth doing, though of course everyone does not have a stone. I'd check too to see if the OPRs for the area hold any death records.

Best wishes
Lesley

[SarahND]

Hi Ficam,
There's someone transcribed on Ancestry in 1851 as Donald Crerar, age 19, born in Weem, Perthshire, who is a shepherd in Caputh, Perthshire (1.76 miles from Ardoch, according to multimap). It's possible he could be the one Don't see any birth for such a Donald in the IGI in Weem, so that doesn't help much.

Lesley's suggestion of the Kirk Session records is a good one.

All the best,
Sarah

Later: Hmmm, no... he was Crerar in 1841 also, in Weem. I suppose the OPR is clear on his last name?

[grannysrock]

Hi Ficam

Donald MacRae's being a bit thin on the ground in Perthshire , I wonered where the one that married Annabella Miller at Perth, on March 6th 1851 sprung from.
This Donald MacRae is described as a sheep farmer of Luskintyre, Harris . Annabella was the daughter of the late David M and she is from West Church parish, Perth.
The minister was the Rev Donald MacRae of the Free Church at Kilmory , Arran. ( if this should pan out , he may be worth checking out in the Fasti. )

Noo , by census date 1851 the newlyweds are at Rodil on Harris with what appears to be Donald's uncle, land factor John McDonald and his wife Mary. Also there is a sister ( of John) Isabella MacRae - this Donald's mother perhaps?


Name: Donald MacRae
Age: 25
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1826
Relationship: Nephew
Gender: Male
Where born: North Uist, Inverness
Parish Number: 111
Civil Parish: Harris
County: Inverness
Address: Rodil
Occupation: Farmer Of 200 Acres Employing 8 Labourers Justice Of Prace
ED: 5
Page: 3 (click to see others on page)
Household schedule number: 13
Line: 6
Roll: CSSCT1851_26
Household Members:
Name Age
Isabella Graser 20
Angus Kerr 20
Neil Landler 45
Annabella MacRae 18
Donald MacRae 25
Norman McCuish 16
Ann McDonald 40
Christina McDonald 14
Jane C McDonald 14
John R McDonald 44
Kenneth McDonald 30
Mary McDonald 49
Catherine McLean 25
Lachlen McLean 17
Alexander McLeod 60
Isabella McRae 50
Mary Ross 26
John Smith 42

In 1841 , the McDonalds are at Rodil, The MacRae's are not I think.

Ok - this is a Donald MacRae with a "connection to Perthshire" around the right time and in the right(ish) line of business , but one would need other evidence - Sarah's suggestion to try the kirk session records sounds
a good idea

Sally

[ficam]

Once again, some great ideas from members of this site ..I have gained more helpful info in the short time I have been a member here than on any other site...

I am fairly sure on the Mcrae/MacCrea name - his son was still living in my father's lifetime and was definately John Mcrae.

The Harris connection looks interesting ...and I will try the other suggestions re parish records...

Thanks again

[Geoff Rogers]

Hi Ficam

This may be a very long shot indeed but could he have gone to Australia? I have an ancestor who married at the house of John McRae in 1874 at Gherang, Victoria. There were 2 witnesses, a Donald McRae and Henry McRae. I have also seen an 1856 electoral roll which shows Donald and John McRae as farmers at Glenmore. With them is a Donald (junior) McRae and what looks like a Maislin McRae both also farmers at Glenmore.
It's more than likely not your Donald but just in case I thought I'd post a reply.

Geoff Rogers

[dale.j.a]

I have a relative who was born in 1850 in Ardoch Perthshire - John McRae. In the OPR his parents are listed as Robina Eadie and Donald McCrea ( a shepherd). Given that Robina's father ran a dairy farm, it is maybe not too surprising that she came in contact with a shepherd in the local area, but it is unlikely he worked on the farm, unless he could shepherd cattle!

My problem is that apart from this mention in the OPR , I can find no other trace of Donald. By the time of the 1851 census around six months later, Robina is on her own with her son on her father's farm, where she remains until her death in 1881, in charge of the dairy ( per various censuses). But if Donald "did a runner" so soon, would the church records show him as the father? ( Although they do appear to be fairly liberal around Ardoch - there is absolutely no censure in the record, John is merely noted as the "natural son " of Robina and Donald) She had another son Robert Clow in 1854, father Peter Clow, who again she did not marry ( and again merely noted as the natural son of..in the record).

I can't find a death for a Donald McCrea or Mcrae in SP - or even a birth which ties up.

Anyone have any ideas as to where I could look to find out more about him?

Thanks

hi there im fairly new to all this ancestory researching, but i have great great granfather donald mcrae who lived not to far fron ardoch he was married to marion brydon, they had a few sons one that comes to mind is walter john dalglish brydon mcrae, he did have other brothers that died in the war, but i would need to check back paper work on there names. donald was a small holder/shepherd and they stayd at a cottage called "the whirley" which is just over the hill from caputh. not sure if this is any help to you though, kind regards.

[ficam]

Hi - can you give me more information about your great great grandfather please? I am very hopeful that this might be my Donald McRae...!

For example do you know when he was born/died/married to see if the dates tie up?

Look forward to hearing from you

Thanks

[Andrina]

Hi ficam,

I'm not sure if you got a reply from dale.j.a., but my great grandparents are Donald McRae and Marion Brydon. Donald McRae was born in 1855, so I don't think that this is the Donald you are looking for - wrong time frame. Marion Brydon's family lived around Caputh for many years, but Donald was born up north Ospisdale, and his father was William and he was a blacksmith.

If dale.j.a is still logging in, I would like to make contact as I would like to know where he/she fits in to the family tree.

thanks

[ficam]

Hi Andrina - I did not get a reply; however you have confirmed with the date of birth that your Donald is not my Donald...thanks

Good luck with your request.....