Queries Index
The Society has
received queries concerning the following
surnames:
(These queries have also been published in the Society's Journal)
Page Three
G
| Name | Enquirer | Email Address | Query |
|
GAIR |
Rod Gair | rod@rodgair.f9.co.uk | Looking for any information regarding the following:- John GAIR, born 3 May 1805 at Nigg, Ross & Cromarty, died 13 or 30 September 1841 at Mains of Torbreck, Inverness; Walter GAIR, born 14 November 1801 at Nigg; Alexander GAIR, born 1803 or 1806 at Nigg. All three were described as teachers at the Academy at Torbreck and also as farmers at the Mains of Torbreck (Essich). Alexander subsequently immigrated to Manitoba, Canada. Their parents were William GAIR and Isabella TULLOCH. Any information regarding a private academy at ‘The House of Torbreck’ run by the above family would be most welcome. Also seeking information on the following:- Duncan GAIR, who married Catharine McLEOD 30 May 1829 at Inverness; Charles GAIR, born 1837/8 Ross & Cromarty, who married Anne Frazer GAIR of Inverness on 6 January 1868 at Monkwearmouth, Co. Durham (their first child was Jemima GAIR, born 11 June 1865 in Leith). |
|
GAIR |
Christina Mitchell | Christina.Mitchell@ dompost.co.nz |
I write to enquire about an old cemetery at Nigg, Ross-shire. My interest in this cemetery stems from research into my husband’s Scottish ancestors. His 3xgreat grandfather was Donald GRANT, born c1786 in Nigg near Tain. He married Margaret ROSS at White Bog. Her parents were David ROSS and Marjory (May) GAIR. Donald’s parents were Donald and Margaret (nee GAIR). Perhaps Marjory and Margaret were sisters and thus we have cousins marrying. I have read that there are GAIRS (Gayres) buried at the Nigg cemetery. Can anyone help? |
|
GRAHAM |
Bill Taylor | billht@tiscali.co.uk | GRAHAM/STEWART: A young man called George GRAHAM, a marble cutter, appeared from nowhere and married my great grand aunt, Catherine STEWART, on 18th July 1851 in Barony, Lanark. They then set sail from Liverpool on 28th August 1852 arriving at Melbourne as assisted immigrants on 8th December 1852. I have one letter which he wrote from Liverpool to my great grandmother, his sister-in-law, in August 1852. The Australian authorities say he was 21 when he arrived there and his numerous Australian descendants believe that he came from Wester Ross. However, I have been unable to find any more information about his Scottish ancestry. Perhaps another of your members is looking for an ancestor called George GRAHAM who disappeared around 1851? Any information on these two people would be most welcome. |
|
GRAHAM |
Jim Graham | j.graham498@ btinternet.com |
Looking for any links/contacts for Farquhar GRAHAM, born c1799 Snizort, Isle of Skye who married Mary LAMOND 12 July 1823. Known children were: - Donald GRAHAM, born 14 October 1825 and Malcolm GRAHAM, born 3 Oct 1832, both at Snizort. Farquhar GRAHAM died 15 September 1857 at Greenock Poor House. His death certificate gives his parents as Malcolm GRAHAM and Ann STEWART. Mary LAMOND was born on the Isle of Skye in 1798 (parents unknown) and died in Eyre, Snizort in 1872, a pauper. I am trying to confirm that the parents of Farquhar were as stated on the certificate and to locate the parents of Mary. |
| GRANT | Dale Proctor | 1114dwp13@ontera.net | I’m seeking any information on the ancestry of Christy GRANT daughter of James GRANT (son of Donald GRANT) & Marjorie MCPHAILE who probably were from Carse of Ardersier. Christy (short for Christian or Christina) was born 4 June 1785. Married on 8 January 1808 to Donald MCKILLICAN who was born at Balcroy / Tomhomie farm in Ardersier parish. They probably died in the 1820s from cholera. |
| GRANT | Dale Proctor | 1114dwp13@ontera.net | I’m seeking family history on the MCPHAILE family(ies) of Ardersier/Petty parishes. I have two female ancestors that are connected to my MCKILLICAN family line: (1) Margaret McPHAILE (daughter of John MCPHAILE from Urlisail or Urliseith (unidentified) in Petty parish) contracted to marry on 7 March 1719 to William McKILICANE (born about 1700 in Ardersier parish). (2) Marjorie McPHAILE was married to James GRANT and they were probably from Carse of Ardersier. They had a daughter Christy (short for Christian or Christina) who was born 4 June 1785. |
| GRANT | Christina Mitchell | Christina.Mitchell@ dompost.co.nz |
I write to enquire about an old cemetery at Nigg, Ross-shire. My interest in this cemetery stems from research into my husband’s Scottish ancestors. His 3xgreat grandfather was Donald GRANT, born c1786 in Nigg near Tain. He married Margaret ROSS at White Bog. Her parents were David ROSS and Marjory (May) GAIR. Donald’s parents were Donald and Margaret (nee GAIR). Perhaps Marjory and Margaret were sisters and thus we have cousins marrying. I have read that there are GAIRS (Gayres) buried at the Nigg cemetery. Can anyone help? |
| GRANT | 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. |
| GRANT | Patricia Valentine | abacussafety@ dsl.pipex.com |
John WARDEN, excise officer, was born c1727, possibly in Edinburgh, and moved to Inverness from Moulin, Perthshire between 1759 and 1761. He died, aged 62, in 1789 and was married to Margaret MACDONALD with issue: - Anne, born 1753, married James WARDEN, a miller, in Edinburgh; Ewan (also known as Hugh), born 1758, became an excise officer and married Elizabeth MCBEATH (MACBETH; Jean, born 1758, and probably died in infancy; Robert, born 1759, excise officer, was discharged in 1795, moved to Glasgow and became a clerk - married to Katherine GRANT; John, born 1761, Excise Officer, married Ann MUIRISON, died Turriff around 1836; William, born 1764, of who we can find no information. The elder John owned tenements in Dornoch which, following John’s death Margaret MACDONALD sold in two lots in 1789 & 1814. Ewan (Hugh) had a son, also named Hugh, born 1780 Latheron, mother unknown. Hugh was famous in the area as a musician; he was blind, he played the violin and gave dance lessons, he also held an Annual Dance – ‘The Wardens Benefit Ball’ - at the Caledonian Hotel, Caithness. Any information on this family will be most welcome. |
| GUNN | Jan Villa | janet@baloo8808. fsnet.co.uk |
MACKAY/GUNN: My grandfather Alexander MACKAY (b. 1863 Halkirk), son of William MACKAY (1842 - 1919) & Margaret SUTHERLAND (1833 - 1905) Stirkoke, Wick, married Janet Isabella GUNN (b. 1865 Latheron) on 12th August 1898 at Hamilton, daughter of George GUNN (1828 - 1925) & Janet McLEAN (1829 - 1905) of Swiney, Latheron. Any information on these families would be much appreciated. |
| GUNN | John Bird | johnbird@iprimus.com.au | GUNN/McKAY: my G x3 grandparents were John Gunn (b 16/2/1786 Bower d 21/4/1870 East Watten) and Margaret McKay (b 22/8/1785 Halkirk d abt 1816). They married 1/4/1809 at Stemster and had 4 children all born in Stemster-Janet b 31/5/1809, Alexander, b 9/6/1811, Peter b 6/8/1814 and Margaret b 15/1/1816. I have information on Alexander my great grand father, but know nothing more about his siblings. Any further information on these people would be appreciated. John Gunn married a second time to Violet Smith (b 20/3/1793 Lyth d 6/9/1786 Watten). They had 2 children both born Banks of Aukingill Charles b 5/5/1827 and Janet b 22/5/1832. Any further information on Charles and Janet would be appreciated. |
| GUNN | John Bird | johnbird@iprimus.com.au | GUNN/NICOLSON: my G x 4 grandparents were Charles Gunn (b 10/6/1759 Bilbster d abt 1840) and Ann Nicolson (b abt 1761 and died about 1845). They married 24/1/1787 at Mirelandhorne. They had 7 children George c15/1/1784, John (refer above), William, b 1788, Janet, c 23/5/1790, David c 4/5/1793, James c 27/7/1797 and Neil c 20/10/1801. I have information on John, but know nothing more about his siblings. Any further information on these people would be appreciated. |
H
| Name | Enquirer | Email Address | Query |
|
HALL |
Kenneth Macintosh | coopers@nb.aibn.com | Seeking information on ancestors or siblings of John Robert HALL, born Cromarty, 1815. He was trained as a school teacher, and intended to teach in the West Indies, where he had an uncle. When the uncle died, he sailed instead for Nova Scotia, about 1840. He was relatively successful among the pioneers of South-west Nova Scotia, and had daughters Emma and Selena. I had no luck finding OPRs via Scotland’s People, and he seems to have left Scotland prior to the first census. Any guidance appreciated. |
|
HAY |
Stan Thain | stan.thain@ntlworld.com | Looking for information on Alexander THAIN who married Jean Thain (his cousin?) at Marnoch, Aberchirder, Banffshire in 1781. The family then moved to Macduff where Alexander was a shoemaker. His son James (my ancestor) became a shipwright in London. I cannot identify Alexander earlier than 1781 because I cannot find the birth of an Alexander Thain who fits; his wife Jean had a brother Alexander which has confused the search. There is a possible link to Thains in Dundee. Jean Thain’s mother was Jean HAY. Jean’s aunt also married a Hay. That family also came from Banffshire. I am now systematically casting my search outside the Banffshire area. |
|
HAYES |
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. |
|
HILSDEN |
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. |
| HUTCHESON | 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. |
I
| Name | Enquirer | Email Address | Query |
|
INCH |
David Selkirk | davidselkirk@ btinternet.com |
My great-grandmother, Barbara INCH (b. Elgin 1850), married George MACKAY (born c1844) on 16 Nov. 1883. They lived in Inverness and George was a cabman. They had four children that I know of: - Elizabeth, born c1889; George, born c1890; Catherine, born c1895 and Donald, born c1896. Barbara died 2 Feb. 1929 at 7 King Street, Inverness and son Donald was the informant. George died 3 Dec. 1919 and son George, living at 5 Foyers Road, Kinlochleven, was the informant. Any information on this family would be much appreciated. |
|
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with the subject box clearly stating what name, place, or topic the
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