Alexander Murray & Jane Mackenzie

Alexander was born at Rhemusaig, Rogart, son of William Murray and Catherine Grant. Known all his life as Sandy, Alexander Murray was the ninth child of William and Catherine. He is recorded on his eldest son's birth certificate as a general merchant; another source records him as a meal miller; yet another as a crofter and his own marriage certificate states he was a farm servant. I believe in his lifetime he was all these things! He was recalled in recent years by an elderly resident of Rogart as being "one of the old Rogart worthies". He remained a bachelor until he was 38 years old, living on the croft at Rhemusaig with his widowed mother, Kate.

Jane was born circa 1848 at Torbreck, Rogart, daughter of William Mackenzie, blacksmith, and Elspet Mackay of Torbreck, Rogart.

Alexander and Jane married on 26 February 1875 at Torbreck in a Free Church service. He took his bride to Rhemusaig to make her home. Jane returned to her old home at Torbreck for the birth of her first child but, thereafter her children were born at Rhemusaig. Jane's mother-in-law Catherine Grant (Kate), lived with the couple for nearly twenty years until her death in 1894. This may have been a factor, together with Sandy's reputation of being a difficult man, which led to Jane leaving her husband and the family home when her children had grown up. She moved to Tain, Ross-shire, to be with her daughter Christine. This, virtually unheard of event, left Sandy alone at Rhemusaig. Sandy is buried in the new cemetery at Rogart. Jane is buried in Tain.

In 1926 Alexander died at Rhemusaig on 30th December. He is buried in the new Rogart Cemetery alone.  

in 1931 Jane died in Tain.  She is buried there although I have never managed to find a gravestone despite walking round and round the lovely cemetery there.
They had the following children - those with an underline are links to further information

WILLIAM MURRAY, born 1 January 1876 Torbreck, Rogart - married Margaret Ann Mackenzie - these are my grandparents

MARY ANN MURRAY, born 11 June 1877 Rhemusaig, Rogart - married George Taylor, who was born in England, in Edinburgh on 29th March 1904 at The United Free church, Mansionhouse Road, Edinburgh - Mary Ann died 10 April 1928 Edinburgh - married George Taylor in Edinburgh] On 10th April 1928 Mary Ann died in Edinburgh (DC).  Her sister in law Margaret Murray, widow of William, Morningside Road, Edinburgh, signed the death certificate. Mary Ann and George had a daughter JEAN born 1st June 1906 in Edinburgh, died there on 15th August 1976.  Jean married Edwin Hull and they had a daughter Doris born in 1930 in Edinburgh. Doris married Eric Palmer.  Doris died in Edinburgh in the 1980s.

ELIZABETH MUNRO MURRAY (Bessie), born 10 October 1879 Rhemusaig, Rogart -  Bessie lived with her grandmother, Elspat Mackay, Widow Mackenzie, at Torbreck, Rogart as a youngster – she was admitted to Blairich School on 22^nd November 1887 where her parent or guardian was given as Widow Mackenzie, Torbreac – she had previously attended Rogart Public School – at Blairich she was presented for standard 2 in 1889 and standard 5 in  – she left Blairich school on 5^th August  – reason for leaving ‘passed standard five’ – Bessie was only 7 years old when she started at Blairich having already attended another school (possibly Rhilochan school which was closer to Rhemusaig) - in 1914 married George Barclay on 17th July 1915 at 10 Chalmers Street, Edinburgh - they had a son Ian M. Barclay born in 1915. Bessie died 19 December 1952 in Edinburgh

DONALD KENNETH ALEXANDER MURRAY, born 17 September 1881 - suffered from a paralysis which committed him to a wheel chair. It is not clear whether he was born disabled or whether an illness or accident affected him. Known as 'Uncle Dan' he was reputed to be a real star in his wheel chair. Apparently he could achieve amazing speeds over any terrain. He left Rhemusaig with his mother spending the rest of his life in Tain although it is said in Rogart that he did return at least one time. He died 21 December 1944 Northern Infirmary, Inverness.

JANE MACKENZIE MURRAY, born 26 August 1883 Rhemusaig - Jane moved to Tain with her mother and brother. She looked after them until their deaths then moved to England where she married a Harold Harvey and had two children.

MARGARET ELLEN MACKENZIE MURRAY, born 7th March 1886 Rhemusaig William Petrie Birnie and Margaret married on 26th September 1919 at the Manse, Park Road, Leith, Edinburgh, after Banns according to the forms of the Church of Scotland. William, a car conductor, aged 32 was born in Edinburgh, son of James Birnie, a tailor who was born in Aberdeenshire, and Margaret Petrie, who was born in Shetland. His parents were both deceased.

Margaret and William emigrated to South Africa where they both died at Cape Town. They have a daughter, Rosemary, who still lives there today. Rosemary married James Watt, son of her mother's sister Jessie (JANET MURRAY see below). Rosemary and James have a daughter, Pamela who lives in South Africa with her husband and their two children.

COLIN MACKENZIE MURRAY born 4th March 1888 Rhemusaig - in 1919 married in Lairg to Isabella Sutherland, who was born in 1892 at Clynelish, Clyne daughter of Andrew Sutherland, crofter, and Charlotte Gunn. Colin and Isabella had four children: Charlotte, Colin, Jean and William. Colin, a railway porter signalman, died in Glasgow in 1964. Isabella died in Evanton, Ross-shire, at the home of her daughter Jean in 1970. Their descendants still live in Scotland today.

CHRISTINE MACKENZIE MURRAY, born 9 March 1890 Rhemusaig, Rogart.  In 1915 she married Joseph Birnie, who was born in Creich, Sutherland, son of Francis Birnie and Jane Horn,, in Tain, Ross-shire on 24th June.  They had three children, Francis born 1916; Joseph born 1920 and Jean born 1922 all in Tain. Christine died in 1922 two weeks after the birth of her youngest daughter. Joseph later married Duncina Macrae. He died in Tain in 1959.

JANET MACKENZIE MURRAY (Jess/Jessie) born 11 June 1893 Rhemusaig. 

Janet worked a a cable car conductress in Edinburgh where she met JAMES WATT, a cable car driver who was born in the city.  They married on 12th September 1919 in Edinburgh. James and Jess had four children all born in Edinburgh; JEAN born 1920 - married Norman Hossack and moved to Vancouver, Canada, ELLEN born 1922 married Bernard David; CHRISTINE born 1825 - married Cameron Walker and JAMES who was born in 1926 and married his cousin Rosemary Mackenzie Birnie, daughter of MARGARET ELLEN MURRAY (see above). Jess died in 1981 in Edinburgh.

Photograph above Jean, Helen, Christine & James Watt, children of Janet Mackenzie Murray and James Watt. James Watt with a friend shown in the 1940s on right.

James Watt & Rosemary Birnie on their wedding day

front left to right John Murray (son of William Murray) Janet (Jess) Murray (Mrs Watt) bridegroom's mother, Rosemary and next to her her mother Margaret Murray (Mrs Birnie), 

Photograph above

Rosemary Birnie, daughter of Margaret Murray, her son in law Colin Thomson, her daughter Pam Watt and James Watt, her husband, father of Pam and son of Janet Mackenzie Murray.

James Watt with daughter Pamela

Colin & Pam Thomson with their two children

Pam Thomson with David Hossack (Vancouver), grandson of Jess Murray

taken at Pam's home in South Africa

William Murray & Margaret Ann Mackenzie

William was born on 1st January 1876 at his maternal grandmother's home, Torbreck, Rogart, first child of Alexander Murray and Jane Mackenzie (BC). 
Margaret Ann was born in Inverness on 8th July 1970, daughter of John Mackenzie, a farm servant and his wife Mary Mackenzie (BC). 

As a young boy William Murray lived with his widowed maternal grandmother Elizabeth Mackay (Mrs William Mackenzie) at Torbreck, Rogart, where she farmed seven acres. Young William was there with his grandmother and Aunt Christina in 1881. The 1891 census shows him still there with his younger sister Bessie, aged 11 years. Granny Mackenzie was now 78 years old. Life was hard on the crofts – crofters struggled to support the large families and many children were boarded out to grandparents. 

He was with his parents at Rhemusaig in the 1901 census. William left Sutherland in the next few years heading south to Edinburgh where many of his sisters were already settled.  He found work as a jobbing gardener in the Morningside area of Edinburgh. 

In 1910 on 10 June William and Margaret married at the United Free Church, Polworth Terrace, Edinburgh (MC). 

After their wedding they moved into Morningside Road, an address which would be home to Murray's for one hundred years. The last person with the name Murray sold the house in 2010.

This old picture of Morningside Road was taken in the late 1890s. Apart from the clothes the people are wearing this looks just like my own memories of the street when I was young.  
Note the tramcar lines and the evidence of horses!

In 1911 William, a jobbing gardener, Margaret and baby Elizabeth were living at 160 Morningside Road. William continued to do gardening and odd jobs while Margaret [Meg] cleaned at the big houses in the area. 

The 1914/18 war required all men under forty to be enlisted – William was called up. He served with the Black Watch attaining the rank of Sergeant. In the trenches of Northern France he suffered very severely from gas poisoning.  

Photograph of Granny (Margaret Ann Mackenzie) with her eldest son William (my father) standing (and below in cadet uniform aged 11 years), her first born child daughter Elizabeth (Bessie) and baby Robert on her lap.  This photograph was taken in 1914-1915 (baby Robert was born in September 1914).

In 1923 William died on 14th May when his death certificate showed he died from illness associated with gassing in the trenches of war.  His young widow continued her life as before bringing up her children.  

They had the following children:
ELIZABETH MURRAY [Bessy], born 27 February 1911 Morningside, Edinburgh (BC) – 1911 census at home – in 1931 married John Mackay in Edinburgh – had family - in 1976 Bessy died on 30th September in Edinburgh. Her daughters Morag and Frances still live in Scotland 

Photograph shows John Mackay, eldest daughter Morag, wife Bessy, youngest daughter Frances with baby and Granny Murray

WILLIAM MURRAY, born 18 October 1912 Morningside, Edinburgh (BC) - in 1940 on 20th July married Robina Gordon Wilson in Edinburgh – in 1969 died 29 April in England, aged 56 years - William and Ruby had three children, Christine (me), Richard and Isobel. Christine turned into the family historian, lives in England and has three daughters, Angela, Annette and NIcola; Richard Gordon Mackenzie Murray, born 1945, served nearly 30 years in Royal Air Force, married Angela Haley and had two children, Darren William Murray  and Lesley-Ann Murray. Richard died in 2004 from Motor Neurone Disease.  His widow and family all live in England today. Isobel Finlayson Murray born 1946 Edinburgh, married and lives in England. One child Gordon William Dickson who lives in Glasgow.

William Murray & Robina Gordon Wilson, my parents

Their eldest child

Christine Finlayson Murray (me)

The Three of us

left to right

Isobel, Richard, Christine

ROBERT MURRAY, born 21 September 1914 Morningside, Edinburgh (BC) – in 1943 married Isabella Christina Chisholm in Edinburgh – in 1968 died 8th April in Edinburgh – had family; Lesley-Ann, born 1945, died 1999, married with two children; Robin, born 1950; George born 1953, married with two daughters; Ian Mackenzie born 1956 married with two daughters; Isabella Mary, twin to Ian; Andrew Chisholm born 1963, married with two children - many of this family still live in Scotland 

Their eldest child Lesley-Ann 

her brother Ian Mackenzie Murray with his family

MARGARET ANN MURRAY [Peggy] born 5 May 1921 Morningside, Edinburgh (BC) – in 1944 married James Thomson – in 1977 died 14 May in Stirlingshire – had three children, JOHN THOMSON married with two children 

JOHN MACKENZIE MURRAY, born 3 February 1923 Morningside, Edinburgh (BC) – in 1965 John married Dorothy Elizabeth MacNeil Milne in Edinburgh – in 1975. John died 11 July Edinburgh (DC)  – in 2009 his widow Dorothy died in Edinburgh – she had continued to live in the family home at 160 Morningside Road after the death of her husband – the last Murray to live there – no family

John Murray

At the age of 75 years Margaret Ann Mackenzie, widow of William Murray, married a gentleman she met through her church – William Miller. She died in Edinburgh on the 9th July 1970. 

updated 23/03/2016

John Bannerman & Johan Murray

Johan MURRAY [21/5/1840-30/1/1906]

married

John BANNERMAN [22/10/1833-9/5/1919] 

Johan was born at Rhemusaig, Rogart, tenth child of William Murray and Catherine Grant. John was born at Backies, Golspie, son of Alexander Bannerman and Rose Matheson. Johan and John lived at Morvich, technically in Golspie parish but so close to the Rogart boundary that it is to all intents and purposes in Rogart (nowadays it is in Rogart). Morvich consisted of a lodge, gardener's house, a farm with farm house and cottages. John was a gardener. They married at Rogart in a Free Church ceremony on 13 March 1863. 

In 1881 Johanna and John Bannerman were at Morvich with their children. John Bannerman was then a Farm Manager. Johan died at Tressady, Rogart, on 30 January 1906. John died, also at Tressady, in 1919. They are buried in St Callan's churchyard in Rogart close to Johan's parents - photograph of their gravestone above.

"There passed away after a short illness one of the most respected members of the community in the person of Mr. Bannerman, gardener, Tressady Lodge, at the ripe old age of 84. He served his apprenticeship at Dunrobin Gardens, was for many years in charge of Morvich Lodge and from there he faithfully discharged his duties for over 30 years. Mr Bannerman never came into the public limelight but carried out his duties in a quiet, unobrtrusive way and was held in high esteem". (Northern Times 22/5/1919).

Their daughters Ann and Rose continued to live in the area until their deaths and are buried in the new section at Rogart.

John and Johan had the following children:

William BANNERMAN, born 13 August 1863 Rhemusaig, Rogart [died 12 February 1950 Dublin] [married Marcella Mary Fox]

Alexander BANNERMAN born 21 July 1868 Morvich [died 14 May 1931 Glasgow [married firstly to Elizabeth Reid & secondly to Isabella Stewart] – 1881 census with parents

David BANNERMAN born 30 September 1871 Morvich [married Sarah Ellen Atkinson] – 1881 census with parents

Ann BANNERMAN (Annie) born 24 August 1873 Morvich [died 7 July 1932 Tressady, Rogart – death was reported in the Northern Times on 21st July 1932] – 1881 census with parents

Rose BANNERMAN born 5 August 1879 Morvich, Golspie – christened in Rogart Free Church [died 26 February 1963 Dalmore, Rogart] – 1881 census with parents

During my researches into this family I was most fortunate to find Margaret Slade, a direct descendant of son William. Margaret added greatly to my information on this part of my family. I had spent years searching in Dublin and finding little more than brick walls before Margaret found me!

David Murray & Julia Macintosh

David was born at Rhemusaig, Rogart, on 22nd February  1842, son of William Murray, tenant, and Catherine Grant.
Julia was born circa 1841 in Lairg, possibly at Rhianbreck, daughter of Alexander Macintosh, crofter, and Ann Gunn.
In 1867 David, a railway labourer from Rhemusaig, Rogart and Julia, a spinster from Rhianbreck, Lairg married on 28 June at The Free Church of  Lairg (MC).  Witnesses were Alexander Murray and Angus Ross.

In 1871 David, a railway pointsman, Julia and family were living at Blair Atholl, Perthshire.
In 1873 and 1874 the family were living in Perth where David was railway porter or shunter.
In 1881 the family were at Eden, Rogart, in a two roomed house. David was a railway platelayer.
In 1887 the family were living at Dalmore, Rogart when David signed his mother in law’s death certificate.
 In 1891 David, now a crofter, Julia and two of their children were living at Dalmore, Rogart not far from Eden. 
In 1893 on 8th July David died there (DC).
Extracts from 1893 letters of the Rogart Ground Officer James Alexander to Donald MacLean the factor at Dunrobin.  NLS Acc.10225 read:
“1893 July 10 David Murray 68 Dalmore died 8 July  “…has left a widow, with a grown up family, and all are doing for themselves. Except the youngest, who is 12 years. And lives with her Mother.”
In 1901 Julia, now a widow, was crofting at Dalmore with her two children.
In 1904 Julia died on 4th February at Dalmore (DC).

They had the following children:
WILLIAM MURRAY, born 27 March 1868, Rhianbreck, Lairg (BC) – 1871 census at home – 1881 census at home, scholar
CHRISTINA ANN MURRAY (Christy), born 18 September 1869 Tain, Ross-shire (BC) – 1871 census at home – 1881 census at home, scholar – in 1891 Christina, a cloth dye worker, was living at 7 Lennox Street, Renton, Dumbartonshire, with her cousin Margaret Murray who was married to George Matheson.  
THOMAS MURRAY, born 11 November 1872 Rhianbreck, Lairg – also registered in Blair Atholl (BC) – in 1873 died 5 March 1873 at Cross Street, Perth aged 4 months (DC) 
JOHN ALEXANDER MURRAY (Alexander), born  24 April 1874 Cross Street, Perth (BC) – 1881 census at home, scholar – 1891 census at home, named Alexander – 1901 census at home, surfaceman shown as Alexander – in 1904 signed mother’s death certificate
HECTOR MURRAY, born 9 October 1875, Rhianbreck, Lairg (BC) – in 1875 died 21 October, Rhianbreck, Lairg (DC) 
JULIA MURRAY, born 17 May 1879 Eden, Rogart (BC) – 1881 census at home – 1891 census at home, scholar – 1901 census at home

updated 22/3/2016

Paul Murray & Jane Ross

Paul was born in 1847 at Rhemusaig, Rogart, son of William Murray, miller, and Catherine Grant.
Jane was born on 6th March 1919 at Claggin, Muie, Rogart, daughter of George Ross, crofter, and Margaret Matheson.  
In 1869 Paul and Jane married at Rogart on 26 March (IGI).  
In 1871 they were living with Jane’s aunt – Catherine Matheson (1804-1897) sister to Margaret Matheson, Jane’s mother – at Milton, Rogart. Catherine was a daughter of James Matheson and Elspet Sutherland (DC).  Her brother Donald and sister Jane, also lived with her.
Paul Murray worked as a railway platelayer. 
In 1881 they were still in the aunt’s five-roomed house. In the house were Catherine Matheson; her brother, Donald, her sister Jane, plus Paul, his wife Jane and their five children. 
In 1891 Aunt Catherine was still alive now aged 88 years.  
In 1897 Aunt Catherine died in the house.   
In 1901 Paul and Jane continued live at the house – by this time the house was referred to as being at Bank, Rogart. 
In 1919 Jane died there (DC).  Her son Alexander signed her death certificate.

‘’The Reaper has been busy in our midst lately, gathering in the young and aged. On Saturday there was laid to rest one of our older inhabitants in the person of Jane Ross, wife of Mr. Paul Murray, Bank. For a number of years Mrs. Murray was laid aside from any active participation in life, and latterly had been confined to bed, from the effects of a stroke of paralysis. An attack of influenza which also seized the other members of the family, proved too much for Mrs. Murray’s strength, and she succumbed to the disease. Of a kindly and cheery nature, she will be missed in the home, and by a wide circle of friends of the older generation.’’ (NT.13/03/1919)

In 1924 Paul also died at Bank, and is buried with his wife in St Callan's Churchyard, Rogart. 

They had the following children:
WILLIAM MURRAY, born 25 January 1870 Bank, Rogart (BC) – at home in the 1871 & 81 census – in 1898 died 31 December, ironworker, bachelor, killed by falling from a train at Dalmore, Rogart  (DC) – ‘’This morning a young man named Murray lost his life by falling out of a train between Lairg and Rogart stations. Murray, who was a draper’s assistant in Glasgow, was on his way home to Rogart to spend the New Year holidays with his father, Paul Murray, who is employed as a surfaceman on the Highland line. There were two other young men travelling with the unfortunate young man.’’ (Edinburgh Evening News 31/12/1898).
GEORGE MURRAY, born 20 February 1871 Bank, Rogart (BC) - married his first wife Isabella Matheson (MC). 
ALEXANDER MURRAY, born 11 February 1872 Torbuie, Rogart (BC) – 1881 & 1891 census at home - in 1911 married Isabella Ross (MC).
CATHERINE MURRAY, born 27 November 1876 Bank, Rogart (BC) – 1881 & 1891 census at home - in 1894 married 1st George Craig Stewart, engineer’s clerk, age 28, in Glasgow on 7th December in a Church of Scotland service – George died in hospital on 22nd February 1915 aged 49 years – Catherine’s 2nd husband was James Mactaggart, engineer’s clerk whom she married on 30th March 1925 in Glasgow 
DONALD MURRAY, born 14 August 1880 Bank, Rogart (FCR) – 1881 & 1891 census at home – in 1897 signed Aunt Catherine Matheson’s death certificate – in 1934 died 18 March,  crofter, single at Swordale, Bonar (DC)

updated 17/03/2016 

Colin Mackenzie & Barbara Gordon

Colin Mackenzie was born around 1745 possibly in Rogart or one school of thought suggests Strathnaver, Reay. In Rogart he is associated with Achvellie, Acheilidh, Ardchue and Inchoraig, which I feel sure are the same place. 

We do not know where Barbara was born.

The 1812 list of Rogart people shows Colin Mackenzie living at Achvellie. Colin paid three pounds eighteen shillings rent for his croft.

In an 1814 Summons of Removal issued by the Countess to tenants in the parish of Rogart it states that Kenneth Mackenzie (son of Colin) was in Ardachu and that his mother, Barbara Gordon, was also.  No mention of Colin.  This puts his date of death between 1812-1814.  This removal did not take effect (Sutherland Papers, NAS).

Colin and Barbara had the following children:

KENNETH MACKENZIE born 16 October 1771 Inchoraig, Acheilidh, Rogart - married Mary Jenny  

CHRISTIAN MACKENZIE born 16 October 1771 Inchoraig - married William Grant  

ELIZABETH MACKENZIE born circa 1780 – pre 1803 married John Grant 

CATHERINE MACKENZIE born 1787 Ardchue, Rogart – pre 1812 married Hugh Mackay 

updated 18/03/2016

Kenneth Mackenzie & Mary Jenny

Kenneth was born on 16th October 1771 at Inchoraig, Acheilidh, Rogart, son of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon (OPR/DC). 

Mary was born in Ireland in 1784, daughter of William Jeanison or Jenny, an innkeeper, and his wife Helen (NC/DC). 

How did Kenneth meet Mary?  Was he a soldier? 

The Sutherland Fencibles lists include two men named Kenneth Mackenzie who joined after 1793. During the 1790s when Ireland was in a state of unrest, which culminated in the rebellion of 1798, the 3rd Sutherland Fencibles had been stationed at a number of places throughout the island The Sutherland Fencible Regiment was in Ireland 25th May 1798 till around Christmas that year. The Fencibles (942 of them) moved around Ireland during their time there - “Ireland was extremely restless ….. several of the Scottish Fencible regiments were sent to Ireland to help to suppress the Irish rebels but it was not until the main insurrection of May 1798 that the Sutherland men were called on to join in this work. The newspapers reported that on the 13th June, General Sir Ralph Abercrombie, Commander-in-Chief, arrived in Ayr from Edinburgh, inspected the Sutherland regiment and addressed them in an animating speech on the importance of speedy and efficient reinforcement being sent to the North of Ireland. The Sutherland men unanimously and with that enthusiastic zeal and loyalty which so peculiarly marks the character of their country, declared their readiness to march for Ireland on an hour’s warning, though their terms of enlistment confined their services to within Scotland ………. By the 19th June they were in Belfast, 1100 strong and commanded by Colonel Wemyss.” This Irish rising was defeated. A few Fencible regiments remained in Ireland on garrison duties till as late as 1803. Did Kenneth go to Belfast? Did he meet Mary there and bring her back to Sutherland? She was very young but so were many brides in those days. 

There has been confusion over Mary’s name – on some certificates she is Jeanison, on others Jenny, on at least one she is Jennison – however her son Peter signed her death certificate and he used the name Jenny. 

In 1814 a Summons of Removal issued by the Countess to tenants in the parish of Rogart states that Kenneth Mackenzie was in Ardachu and that his mother, Barbara Gordon, was also there (Sutherland Papers, NAS). 

In 1825 the Land Rental records for Rogart show that Kenneth Mackenzie was in Ardchue. He was a lotter at this time. We know from the births of his children that Kenneth Mackenzie was in Ardachu at the time the 1824 Militia List for the parish of Rogart was created. There is no Mackenzie at Ardachu or Achevelly on this list. Presumably Kenneth was considered too old for the list and young William would have been barely 16 years of age. 

In 1834 Kenneth Mackenzie, Ardchue, paid the sum of two shillings to the Duke of Sutherland’s statue fund. 

In 1841 at Ardachu Kenneth Mackenzie, now age 60, tenant was with his children and a grandson, Kenneth MacKay, aged 7 years, son of Helen Mackenzie and Alexander Mackay. Mary was not at home.  
In 1851 at Ardchow, Kenneth was aged 71, a lotter of six acres, and gave his parish of birth as Reay!  His wife Mary was also at home.  
In 1859 Mary Jenny died at Ardchue on 21st February (DC).
In 1861 Kenneth was at Ardchue with his son Angus, a railway contractor.  
In 1862 Kenneth died at Ardchue on 16th May. His death certificate tells that he died of old age and confirms that he is the son of Colin Mackenzie and Barbara Gordon. His son Angus took over the croft at Ardchue. 

Kenneth and Mary had the following children:
HELEN MACKENZIE (Nelly or Ellen), born 25 February 1803 Rogart - married Alexander Mackay    
COLIN MACKENZIE born 19 March 1808 Achevely, Rogart (OPR)
WILLIAM MACKENZIE born 19 March 1808 Achevely, Rogart (OPR) - married Elspat Mackay 
JANE MACKENZIE born 13 November 1810 Ardachu, Rogart (OPR) 
BARBARA MACKENZIE born 1811 Ardachu, Rogart (OPR) – 1841 census at home – 1851 census a house servant with Robert Innes, a widower, at Inchcape, Rogart - in 1860 died 13 February,  Ardchue, spinster aged 56 years – her brother, Peter, signed her death certificate (DC)
ANGUS MACKENZIE born 1 February 1813 Achevely, Ardachu, Rogart (OPR) – 1851 census at home – 1861 census at home, railway contractor – 1871 census at the family home in Ardachu where he was now shown as the tenant – his niece, Ann Mackay, daughter of sister Elizabeth, was with him and his sister Susanna – the 1881 census in Rogart shows Angus Mackenzie as tenant of ten acres at Ardochie (Ardachu) - living with him was his sister, Susanna, a spinster, and his nephew William Mackenzie, son of his brother, John - in 1902 died 30 May, Ardochue – bachelor, crofter – his nephew William Mackenzie signed the death certificate (DC)
SUSANNA MACKENZIE born 17 September 1818 Ardachu, Rogart (OPR) – 1841 & 1851 census at home - 1861 and 1871 census living at home with her brother Angus – still at Ardachu in 1881 – in 1901 Susanna was living at Lochside, Lairg, with her recently widowed brother in law, Robert Mackay, husband of her sister Elizabeth - in 1908 died 22 February, Ardachue, pauper, formerly housekeeper, spinster – nephew William Mackenzie signed her death certificate (DC)
JOHN MACKENZIE born 14th June 1822 Ardachu, Rogart (OPR) – 1841 census at home - married Janet Dunnet 
PATRICK MACKENZIE (Peter), born 9 July 1823 Ardachu, Rogart (OPR) – 1841 census at home – signed mother’s death certificate in 1859 – signed father’s death certificate in 1862 - married Christina Macdonald 
ELIZABETH MACKENZIE (Betsy), born circa 1826 Ardachu, Rogart – 1841 & 1851 census at home  - in 1852 married Robert Mackay (OPR)

updated 18/03/2016

George Murray & Isabella Matheson

George was born on 20th February 1871 at Bank, Rogart, son of Paul Murray, railway surfaceman, and Jane Ross (MC).
Isabella was born in Creich on 25th August 1867, daughter of Alexander Matheson, master carpenter, and Ann Chisholm  (MC).
In 1892 George, a tailor journeyman, and Isabella married at Bonar on 15 January (MC). Both were living in Bonar at the time of their marriage. Witnesses were Paul Murray and John Macdonald.
In 1901 George, a master tailor, was living with his wife Isabella in Main Street, Golspie. 
In 1911 George, a tailor, and Isabella were still living in Main Street, Golspie. They had been married for eighteen years but had no children. Only George, spoke both Gaelic and English.
In 1931 Isabella, wife of George Murray, master tailor, died on 28th November at East End, Golspie aged 64 years (DC). George signed her death certificate.  She is buried in Golspie with her parents.

 “It was with sincere regret the community heard of the death on Saturday afternoon, of Mrs. Murray, wife of Mr. George Murray, tailor, East End, Golspie. Deceased lady was sixty-four years of age. A remarkably energetic lady, Mrs. Murray sometime ago fell into ill health. As time passed her condition became more grave, and her passing, when it did take place, was not unexpected. Deceased was a daughter of the late Alexander Matheson, carpenter, Bonar Bridge, of which community she was a native. Of a generous and sympathetic disposition, she will be remembered for her many kind and thoughtful actions. She was always a liberal contributor to schemes which had for their aim the welfare of the community, and did much in a quiet way for the furtherance of every good cause. An accomplished singer, in her earlier life, she took a prominent part in social entertainments, her valuable services being much in demand. She was specially interested in a practical way, in all church matters, being a member of the St. Andrew’s Church of Scotland, also of its choir and Women’s Guild. While in good health she was a regular attender at every diet of worship and in her the church found a most ardent and honest worker. To her sorrowing husband and relatives, in their sorrow, is extended the sympathy of the community. The funeral which took place to Golspie Churchyard on Tuesday afternoon was largely attended. An impressive service was held at the house of deceased by the Rev. D. H. Gillan, B.D., St. Andrew’s Church of Scotland; and at the graveside the solemnities were carried out by the Rev. John Mackenzie, M.A., Fountain Church of Scotland”. (NT 3/12/1931) 

2) In 1935 George, a widower, married Helen Chambers Matheson at the Ben Bhraggie Hotel, Golspie on 27th December (MC). Witnesses were David Murray, Rhemusaig, Rogart and Margaret W Urquhart, Golspie Tower. At the time of this wedding George was living in Main Street, Golspie and Helen at Burgage Villa, Golspie.
Helen was born on 24th March 1883 in Golspie,  daughter of Thomas Matheson, master carpenter, and Grace Mackenzie (BC).
In 1937 3rd July, less than two years after this marriage, George died suddenly at East End Golspie (DC).  His wife Helen signed the death certificate. He is buried in Golspie New Cemetery with his first wife Isabella.
In 1977 Helen died on 28th April at Rhives House Home, Golspie (DC). Her usual residence was 15 Church Street, Golspie. Helen is buried with her parents in Golspie.

updated 19/03/2016