This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/RRB.2ACE/6160 Message Board Post: I am trying to find the Scotland link for my ancestor..does anyone know more about John MacKenzie? This is all I know on his background: Story taken from original handwritten story by Anna Mackenzie Evans on September 23, 1928 at a Mackenzie family reunion. "James Mackenzie of Ross Shin or Ross Shire Scotland married Miss Jessie Stewart to them was born one son John Mackenzie on Jan 12, 1835. At the age of 4 years his mother died and he went to live with his grandparents. Soon after his father married Elsie Gordan, but John stayed with his grandfather who was a blacksmith by trade. He tried to learn the trade, but did not like it. He saved his money and in 1854 at the age of 19 years he came to America with his father's sister, Aunt Anna Mackenzie. The ship named Neptune left Liverpool, England on the 2nd day of April 1854 and landed in New York on the 7th day of May a voyage of 37-1/2 days on water. There were 700 passengers aboard, two deaths and two births. John's grandfather worked in a place called Russeling when John left to to on the NY Central to Buffalo and from there to Forrestville, NY to Uncle George Mackenzie's. Aunt Anna kept house for Uncle George for two years then married David Fraser who also came over ! with them. In December 1856, John went to Limestone and boarded with Peter Zeluff's family. April 16th, 1857 John married Miss Harriett Zeluff of Limestone who at that time was the first white child born in the Tuna Valley. They had eight children." In attendance were: James P. Mackenzie, Roy B. Mackenzie, Frank A. MacKenzie, C.L. McKenzie, Charles Evans, Norman Foster, Lena Foster, Erla Foster, Guy Knapenberger, Enola Knapenberger, Mary Jane, Janet, Kathryn, Edith Ann Knapenberger; Owen, Alice, Donald, Marien and Dorothy Fee; Mrs. Eva Poole of Marathon, NY; Clara L. Daly and Henry W. Hill of Olean NY, Mrs. Portir (or Lortir), Viola and Robert Carman. Listed as absent: John & Lelah Mackenzie, Maurice & Harriet Mackenzie, Bobby & Audrey Anne, Bruce Mackenzie & wife(Frances) & Betty.) Obituary states: John McKenzie of Salamanca Dead: Special to the Buffalo Times. Salamanca. January 12 (1920?). John McKenzie died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles Evans, December (2)2d. While ailing for some time he was ill only 4 weeks. Mr. McKenzie was born in Cromarty, Scotland January 12, 1835. He lived in Edinburgh from the age of four to 19 years at which time he left for America. He sailed on the Neptune of New York and it is of interest in these days to know that he was 37 1/2 days on water. He came to Buffalo, thence to Forrestville, NY, residing there with his uncle for two years. He then came to work on the Erie Railroad bridge which was being built at Riverside Junction. In 1856 he married Miss Harriet Zeliff (the rest is torn and missing).