
Queries Index
The Society has
received queries concerning the following
surnames:
(These queries have also been published in the Society's Journal)
Page Two
D
| Name | Enquirer | Email Address | Query |
| DAVIDSON | Peter Munro | pmunro@ highlandfhs.org.uk |
Robert MUNRO married Mary DAVIDSON on 27th May 1827 at Inverness. Who were his parents, and when was he born ? |
| DAVIDSON | Peter Munro | pmunro@ highlandfhs.org.uk |
In the National Archives there is a report of a Robert MUNRO who died on 28th May 1856. Was his wife Mary DAVIDSON ? If so, has anyone found his will, as he had heritable property (one house possibly split into two) and I can’t find any sasine for the disposal of it ? |
| DAVIDSON | John Royle | jwr@oaklodgeescrick. freeserve.co.uk |
MACINTOSH/FRASER: Alexander MACINTOSH was the gamekeeper on the Tomatin Estate during the 1850’s and 1860’s. He had married Mary FRASER of Dores in 1853. He later became a hotel keeper and mail contractor, and he died at Cromarty in 1874. Mary and her children were in Inverness in 1881 and 1891, and then they disappear. I am also interested in Mary’s parents, Simon and Mary, and the MI at Dores in 1832 could be relevant; and in Alexander’s parents, James McINTOSH and Isabella DAVIDSON. |
|
DICKSON |
Anne Mackintosh | mackintosh755@ btinternet.com |
Seeking information on George ROSS, born Cromarty 1802 and his wife Janet DICKSON born c1811 Miltown, Kilmuir Easter. She was the daughter of James DICKSON (plasterer) and Jannet McKENZIE, Kilmuir Easter. Both died Cromarty and he was a Prison Keeper and she a Prison Matron at the Institution. He was a soldier in the 93rd Regiment and a Chelsea Pensioner. They had 7 children as follows: Jessie; Christina; James; George; Sarah; Rebecca and William Wilkie. Anyone connect to the children of this family? |
|
DRUM NA MARG |
Eleanor Rimmer | eleanor.rimmer@ baesystems.com |
Does anyone know where I can find any information regarding Drum na Marg, Redcastle, Killearnan pre-1820? |
|
DRUMMOND |
Anna Newman | annabellenewman @juno.com |
Sir William DRUMMOND was born 1620 in Inverness and died 1676 in James City County, Virginia. U.S.A. He is believed to be the son of John DRUMMOND, born c1588 and died 1634 in Inverness, who was married to Janet HAYES, born 1598 and died 1650 in Inverness. John is believed to be the son of John 6th of Lennoch, who married Barbara REIHAUCH of Cultibraggan. Any information will be appreciated. |
|
DURRAN |
John Durham | jdurham@ highlandfhs.org.uk |
I have built up a large database of information on the following surnames in Caithness - Durran (all areas), Robertson (in Dunnet), Tait (in Dunnet and Bower) and Nicolson (all areas). Please contact me to see if I can help you. |
E
F
| Name | Enquirer | Email Address | Query |
|
FERGUSON |
Marilyn Hilsden | skyeline@telus.net | Looking for links and/or contacts. Hector McLEAN, Captain of the 42nd Highlanders, married Catherine ROSS in Inverness in 1806. Known children: 1. Margaret McLEAN, born 1808. 2. Daniel Ross McLEAN, born 1811 in Inverness (merchant in Tain – later resided in Dublin, Ireland) 3. Walter McLEAN, born 1813 in Inverness. 4. Elizabeth McLEAN, born 1816 in Inverness - emigrated to Canada c1848 and married Archibald FERGUSON in 1849. They settled in Waterloo County, Ontario, Canada. Archibald FERGUSON had been a builder in Glasgow but originated from Perthshire. 5. Ann McLEAN, born 1819 in Inverness, married ??? ROSSON. Ann later resided in Hartlepool, England. |
|
FERGUSON |
Laurel Lahay | lahay@shaw.ca | I’m submitting this query on behalf of the Campbell River Genealogy Society in British Columbia, Canada. Every year we instigate a competition or ‘quest’ where a small team research the ‘brick wall’ genealogy of one of our society members. The group is given two months to complete the task and present their findings at one of our monthly meetings. They are finding it a challenge to research the illusive Hector McLEAN of Inverness. He was the g.g.g. grandfather of one of our members, Marilyn Hilsden. A chapter from a book on B.C. pioneers states that Hector was a captain with the 42nd Highlanders who fought under Abercrombie on the Nile and under Moore and Wellington in Spain. Hector McLEAN married Catherine ROSS on Oct 14th, 1806 and they had at least six children born between 1808 and 1822 (Margaret, Donald, Walter, Elizabeth, Ann & Catherine). After viewing the Inverness Parish Records, we discovered that Hector was listed as a pensioner on one record and as a tailor on another. Hector’s wife, Catherine ROSS was reportedly from Tain, Ross & Cromarty. If the Scottish naming pattern was followed, it is likely that Catherine’s parents were Walter ROSS & Elspet McLEOD who were married on May 7th, 1779 in Ross & Cromarty with Catherine ROSS being born on April 27th, 1780 and her brother Donald ROSS being born on Oct. 21st, 1782. Elizabeth McLEAN, (the daughter of Hector McLEAN & Catherine ROSS) was baptised on June 18th 1816 and attended a school for girls in Inverness. Elizabeth McLEAN, the g.g. grandmother of Marilyn HILSDEN, subsequently immigrated to Ontario, Canada in the 1840s and married Archibald FERGUSON of Glasgow. The quest team must present their findings on June 4th. If anyone can assist with information on this family and/or the military records for Hector McLEAN it would be very much appreciated. Any additional information on the school for girls in Inverness would also be a bonus. According to Elizabeth McLEAN’s sampler, her teacher’s name was Mrs. PICTON when Elizabeth McLEAN attended the school in 1829. |
|
FINDLAYSON |
Ken Malley | kenmalley4@aol.com | Seeking information on James MAIN, born 1809 in Nairn, who married Christina FINLAYSON (born 1812 Nairn, died 1864) in Nairn 1834. Her parents were John FINLAYSON and Anne MAIN. John’s parents were John MAIN and Isobel MAIN. James and Christina had the following children:- Isabella, born 1840; John Rose, born 1842; Jane, born 1845 and William, born 1848 – all in Nairn. |
|
FORBES |
Jean Farquhar | jeanfarquhar@ clear.net.nz |
FORBES: Duncan G. FORBES married Elizabeth McKENZIE on 28th June 1852 in the Parish of Dunoon & Kilmuir, Argyllshire and there is anecdotal evidence that they resided at a location named in records variously as Portnastuc, Portnastuck and Portnastaich. I have been unable to locate this on any early map. Can anyone tell me if there was such a place? Could it have been the name of a property in or near Dunoon during the 1800s? Duncan and Elizabeth FORBES subsequently moved to Port Appin and ran what is now known as Aird’s Hotel. The youngest of their thirteen children, born 2nd November 1872, was registered as Neil FORBES. He later added the maiden surname of his mother and was known in New Zealand as Neil McKenzie FORBES. He was my ancestor and is recorded as having spoken of “Ardentinny” in relation to his friend Sir Harry LAUDER. I wish to find the exact location of this “Ardentinny” – can anyone help? In addition any information at all that can be provided about this FORBES family would be much appreciated. |
|
FORBES |
Steven Kelly | steven.kelly67@ tiscali.co.uk |
I have a query regarding William FORBES and Amelia McBEAN of Laganour of Tordorroch, the parents of Alexander FORBES baptised 12 Oct 1807; William FORBES baptised Feb. 1811 and John FORBES baptised April 1815. Could anyone tell me where or what Laganour of Tordorroch is. Also, has anyone found any information on Amelia as it is an unusual name? |
|
FOWLER |
Sheena Christie | sfchristie@talkgas.tv | Looking for descendants of James FOWLER and Elizabeth MATHESON. One of their daughters, Mary FOWLER, married William HUTCHESON. He was a policeman and a widower by 1901 census living in Dornie. Mary and William had three daughters, Elizabeth Ann, Jessie and Helen and one son James Fowler HUTCHESON. When their uncle Thomas died in 1924, his death was registered by his niece Elizabeth McCRAE who was living in South Shields. Another daughter, Helen, married John MACMILLAN in 1882. They had one son, John. A third daughter, Jemima, was my grandmother. Any information will be much appreciated. |
| FRASER | John Royle | jwr@oaklodgeescrick. freeserve.co.uk |
MACINTOSH/FRASER: Alexander MACINTOSH was the gamekeeper on the Tomatin Estate during the 1850’s and 1860’s. He had married Mary FRASER of Dores in 1853. He later became a hotel keeper and mail contractor, and he died at Cromarty in 1874. Mary and her children were in Inverness in 1881 and 1891, and then they disappear. I am also interested in Mary’s parents, Simon and Mary, and the MI at Dores in 1832 could be relevant; and in Alexander’s parents, James McINTOSH and Isabella DAVIDSON. |
| FRASER | Joan Davies | daviesjoan@ gulfislands.com |
FRASER: My great-great grandfather, Alexander FRASER, a timber merchant, was married to Caroline Jane SCHOMBERG on 24 March 1825 in Inverness. Their daughter, Caroline Jane, was born the following year. Alexander died of cholera at his home in Merkinch, Inverness on 26 October 1832 and was buried in Chapel Yard two days later. I am assuming that he was in his late thirties at the time of his death. I am particularly interested in finding out the names of his parents and if he had any brothers or sisters. If anyone recognises the family, please contact me. |
| FRASER | Eleanor Rimmer | eleanor.rimmer@ baesystems.com |
I am searching for the parents of my 3xgreat grandfather William GRANT. According to his headstone in Killearnan Churchyard he was “descended in the fourth line from the family GRANT of GRANT” and was orphaned at the age of 11. If his age at death on the headstone is correct, he was born 1758/59. He was a house carpenter and was living at Lakefield, Glenurquhart when he married Christian BANNATYNE in 1790. At various times they lived at Redcastle, Killearnan, Polmallie, Fingarth and Moy. Their children were:- William, born 1791 (civil engineer, who died 1824 in Dublin); James, born 1793 (surgeon, killed in Texas in 1836); Sarah, born 1795 (married Hugh URQUHART and “emigrated to Montreal to found an Academy”); Gregor, born 1798 (surgeon, drowned in an East Indiaman shipwreck 1818); Isobel, born 1800 (married William FRASER in Glenurquhart); Anne, born 1803 (married Andrew McINTOSH, carpenter in Killearnan); Christian, born 1805 (unmarried); Hugh, born 1806 (lawyer, who married Ann Jane McCLURE and died New Orleans in 1855); Jane Hannah, born 1809 (unmarried); Alexander Stuart, born 1810 (teacher, then a minister, who married Martha McINNES and died Ontario); Peter, born 1812 (untraced); Catherine, born 1816 (married John McPHERSON) and Gregor, born 1819 (master carpenter, who married Sarah MACDONALD and died during a visit to New Orleans in 1854). I would love to hear from anyone who recognises any of the family or who has any ideas about William’s parentage. |
| FRASER | John Burdon | joburd2@ btopenworld.com |
My 4xgreat grandfather, Captain John FRASER, married Jean WYMESS in Edinburgh in 1790. From records held at the National Archives I discovered that he was discharged from the 87th Regiment of Foot in 1789, and that he was born in Loth, Sutherland c1737. He enlisted at the age of approximately 25 and completed over 25 years service, before being invalided out and discharged from the garrison at Edinburgh because of wounds sustained during his service. An initial check of OPRs indicate that in Loth baptisms were recorded from 1795 and in neighbouring Golspie from 1740. I include the latter as, according to Scotlandspeople, a John FRASER, was baptised in that parish 2 March 1740, father John. I was hoping members with local knowledge of these parishes would be able to enlighten me as to whether the church in Loth was constructed prior to 1795 when the first baptisms were recorded in the OPR. |
| FRASER | John Burdon | joburd2@ btopenworld.com |
FRASER: I am researching FRASER in the Parish of Ardclach, Nairn during the period 1700 - 1800. From the OPR’s of Ardclach [which unfortunately have numerous years for baptism and marriage missing] I have identified the following locations which are of specific interest to me:- Ardbonchar: Flinesmoreach: Lothenbar: Achnatone and Lynemore as they were spelt during the period 1728 - 1756. From the current OS map of the area these places would appear to be Banchor: Fleenasmore: Lethen Bar: Achnatone and Lynemore. I would be pleased to hear from members who may have an interest in FRASER in this locality or from their knowledge of the area are able to confirm my interpolation regarding each place is correct. I would also be grateful to receive information regarding the availability of any publications that may provide details of the Local History of Ardclach Parish and environs, including any published maps showing features of the area during the 18th Century. |
| FRASER | Geoff Dixon | gakdixon@onvol.net | FRASER: My grandmother was Jessie Fraser SMITH born in Inverness 25th July 1897. I am trying to find information about her grandfather, Hugh FRASER, born in Torness c1827. His obituary read – “Death of an interesting Highlander” but so far I haven’t found his date of death. He lost his hand in an accident at Stratherrick and was known as “the man with the iron hand”. He carved walking sticks for Lord Lovat and the FRASER-TYTLERS plus others. He ran the post between Glen Urquhart and Inverness and lived for some time on the Aldourie Estate. If anyone recognises this Hugh FRASER, please contact me. |
| FRASER | Alisdair Campbell | alisdaircampbell9@ hotmail.co.uk |
Looking for descendants of William FRASER, lock keeper, Dochgarroch and his wife Isabella MACDONELL. Isabella was born at Balmaglaster, Invergarry around 1850 and died at Inverness in 1924. William was drowned in the canal in 1915 with his granddaughter Isabella, aged 13. At least two of their sons were deaf and dumb, and one of them, Angus Fraser, was also drowned in the canal in 1949 - his address at the time was given as Kessock Avenue, Inverness. |
| FRASER | Connie Wood | ercon@xtra.co.nz | George McKENZIE, who was born 15 June 1806 at Resolis and died 23 March 1873 at Tain, married Janet FRASER 22 December 1843 at Resolis. She was born 15 September 1818 at Ferintosh and died 14 Nov 1899 at Tain. Their children were: Ann, born 6 October 1844; John, born 30 April 1846; Roderick, born 25 May 1848; Christian (my grandmother), born 11 March 1850 and died Riverton N.Z. 4 July 1936; Catherine, born 29 August 1852; William, born 1854; Lillie, born 21 January 1858; Janet, born 23 March 1860 and George Alexander, born 20 June and died 16 July 1864. The first six were born in Cromarty, the last three in Tain. Janet came to New Zealand about 1911. What happened to the others? |
| FRASER | Alisdair Campbell | alisdaircampbell9@ hotmail.co.uk |
Looking for descendants of William FRASER, lock keeper, Dochgarroch and his wife Isabella MACDONELL. Isabella was born at Balmaglaster, Invergarry around 1850 and died at Inverness in 1924. William was drowned in the canal in 1915 with his granddaughter Isabella, aged 13. At least two of their sons were deaf and dumb, and one of them, Angus FRASER, was also drowned in the canal in 1949 – his address at the time was given as Kessock Avenue, Inverness. |
| FRASER | Peter Donnelly | peter.donnelly26@ btopenworld.com |
My 2xgreat grandparents, Alexander McDONALD & Elizabeth FRASER, were both born in Inverness c1820. The IGI lists Alexander’s birth but not that of Elizabeth, whereas their marriage on 8th September 1848 in Inverness is recorded. Elizabeth also uses the names Betty and Betsy and, to confuse matters, her maiden name is shown as McKENZIE on her son Alexander’s marriage certificate. I have not found an explanation for this as she was not married twice and, on every other relevant certificate, her maiden name is recorded as FRASER. Their death records show that his parents were Alexander McDONALD, gardener & Margaret FRASER and her parents were Simon FRASER, soldier & Ann CAMERON. The IGI lists the marriage of Alexander and Margaret on 24th May 1816 in Inverness. There is an entry for a Simon FRASER & Anne CAMERON in Dores in 1785, but that seems a bit early for the parents of Elizabeth, born c1820. I have found an 1851 census record that may be Alexander and Margaret. He is aged 70, a gardener, born Kiltarlity, with a wife Margaret, born Kirkhill. Alexander and Betsy also appear in the 1851 census, living at 13 Factory Street, Inverness. Any help to positively identify my 3xgreat grandparents would be greatly appreciated. If their deaths were after 1855, that would be a bonus. Having what seems to be a never ending line of Alexanders doesn’t help! |
| FRASER | Irene Munro | irenem10@fsmail.net | I am keen to trace any descendants of my great grandparents, Donald and Mary FRASER, who worked a croft with their family at Lurgmore (sometimes called Longmore or Lagmore) at Lochend, near Inverness, from about 1840 until at least 1873 (Donald died in 1868 and is buried in Lochend burial ground). The family had ties to the Lochend/Dochfour/Dochgarroch area going back at least two generations before then. Previous to working the croft at Lochend I believe Donald was innkeeper at Kirkton, (I think in the Glenelg area) and some of their family were born at Glenelg – John, born around 1820; Barbara, born 3/10/1827; Isabel (later known as Isabella), born 7/1/1830; David, born around 1830 and Charles Walker FRASER, born 15/6/1832. I believe a grandson of Donald and Mary, called Donald DRASER, was the sea lock keeper at Clachnaharry. He died on 7th May 1937, aged 74 and is buried in Tomnahurich Cemetery, Inverness. Are any of his family in the area? |
| FRASER | Doug Fraser | dougfraser@tiscali.co.uk | I am seeking information about: (Q1) Catherine FRASER (1832-1922), who married William MILTON of Deskford, Banffshire. Her parents were John FRASER and Catherine MACKENZIE. John was a sergeant in the 92nd Gordon Highlanders and died before his daughter Catherine was born in 1832 at Brown St, Inverness. The parents of Catherine MACKENZIE were Kenneth MACKENZIE and Catherine MACPHERSON. I am also interested in (Q2) Peter FRASER (1812/13 - 1864), who married Margaret LESLIE of Cairnie, Banffshire. Peter, who was born in Inverness according to the 1861 census, was the son of Alexander FRASER and Janet FRASER. They were married 28 March 1811 in Inverness. My grandfather, Alexander Geddes FRASER, who was born 26 Dec 1870 at Deskford, Banffshire, was the illegitimate son of John FRASER, born c1846 at Glen of Newmill, Keith, and Ann GEDDES. John was the son Peter FRASER (Q2). Alexander was adopted by Catherine FRASER (Q1) and her husband William MILTON. The co-incidence of two FRASER names in Banffshire is remarkable but I have been unable to establish any link between them. Any clues gratefully received! |
|
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emailed to info@highlandfamilyhistorysociety.org
with the subject box clearly stating what name, place, or topic the
query is about. |