Hello Moira The following is part of a reply received from Donald MacLennan in 2003. "Marriage at Rosskeen OPR - John Ross,Coachman,Ardross,and Jane Fraser,Inverness,were married on the 16th December 1853". "1881 census Rosskeen ED 7/4 Back. John Ross,Head,Married,48.Coachman,b.Urray,Ross. Jane Ross,Wife.Married,50,b. Burgh,Inverness. Jane Ross,Daur,unmar,19,b.Rosskeen,Ross. Hugh Ross,Son,unmar,16,Scholar,b.Rosskeen." Alness also features prominently in a number of postcards when staying with relatives. Douglas ----- Original Message ----- From: "Moira Bue" <mbue@cfl.rr.com> To: <ROSSGEN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, April 10, 2005 6:25 PM Subject: [RossGen] Ross/Bain > ...... ok, I can't help this but it's a question I have always wanted to > ask! > Does anyone have family name Ross from Rosskeen/Alness/Resolis :) > Joking apart I have a David Ross in the family born ca 1782 and > married to Ann Junor, Dec 25, 1812. > From some records his name is given as David Ross or Bain. At first > I though he might be the illegitimate son of a bain/Ross union but his > death certificate gives his mother as Mgt. MacKenzie. > Anyone have any knowledge on this? > thanks moira, in sunny Florida > > > > ==== ROSSGEN Mailing List ==== > To remove your email address from this list, visit this url: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cheps/maillist.htm > >

I have some info on Saltburn (the town east of Invergordon) and have seen the wonderful pictures on David's web site.........does anyone have any other sources of information on Saltburn? Susan USA

Hi folks, Here is a parish map for the area you require (click on link below) and Invergordon is on the small headland immediately above the capital "F" of Cromarty Firth in the parish of Rosskeen. http://www.thefrasers.com/graphics/eastross-shireparishes.jpg Hope this helps. All the best Richard -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.9.5 - Release Date: 07/04/2005

...... ok, I can't help this but it's a question I have always wanted to ask! Does anyone have family name Ross from Rosskeen/Alness/Resolis :) Joking apart I have a David Ross in the family born ca 1782 and married to Ann Junor, Dec 25, 1812. From some records his name is given as David Ross or Bain. At first I though he might be the illegitimate son of a bain/Ross union but his death certificate gives his mother as Mgt. MacKenzie. Anyone have any knowledge on this? thanks moira, in sunny Florida

The second web address is wrong it should be www.theoldhometown.com.Invergordon > > > > Here are a couple of sites for Invergordon. My great grandmother Sarah Hogg nee Sutherland and great grandfather Donald (Daniel) Hogg lived in Invergordon, he was a ferry man and drowned in 1889 he was only 35. Anna (Admin.) www.invergordon.info.com > www.theooldhometown.com > > > > averner@cybertap.com > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~annaverner > http://www.rootsweb.com/~sctroc > > > ==== ROSSGEN Mailing List ==== > To remove your email address from this list, visit this url: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cheps/maillist.htm >

Here are a couple of sites for Invergordon. My great grandmother Sarah Hogg nee Sutherland and great grandfather Donald (Daniel) Hogg lived in Invergordon, he was a ferry man and drowned in 1889 he was only 35. Anna (Admin.) www.invergordon.info.com www.theooldhometown.com averner@cybertap.com http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~annaverner http://www.rootsweb.com/~sctroc

If anyone would like some photos of Invergordon - early to mid 20th century, harbour area, and main street, as jpeg email attachments, let me know. Lachie

Thank you all; Lilian, Peter, Richard, Anne and Moira Forbes & Beth in Colorado ----- Original Message ----- From: Beth & Forbes Sutherland <bfsutherland@pcisys.net> To: <ROSSGEN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, April 09, 2005 8:34 AM Subject: [RossGen] Need Help > Hello to the list: Can SKS tell me where Invergordon is located and under what parish it comes under. > > Forbes (Colorado) > > > ==== ROSSGEN Mailing List ==== > To remove your email address from this list, visit this url: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cheps/maillist.htm > >

Hello to the list: Can SKS tell me where Invergordon is located and under what parish it comes under. Forbes (Colorado)

Hi Lachie Well, it made my scalp tingle anyway, but with my Matheson (Tanera Mor) background, I think maybe that's not so surprising.. Kate PS You can get psalm singing tapes here at least and probably on the web. Whenever I go to a funeral here on the Island, it's hard to sing when you've got goosebumps - and that is how I am after the precentor starts. ----- Original Message ----- From: <Lachiemunro@aol.com> To: <ROSSGEN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, April 08, 2005 11:27 AM Subject: [RossGen] Away With the Færies Dear All, I've just sent this little snippet to Chris in Ohio, prior to her visit to Avoch in the Black Isle, and thought it might be of interest to other subscribers. I've always found the Black Isle a 'magical' place, there's something very primitive and mysterious lying below its lush landscape. Somewhere at the beginning of the 19th Century, The Black Isle's most famous son, Hugh Miller recorded what was supposed to be the final departure of the fairies from Scotland at the Burn of Eathie (a deep ravine leading down to the sea near Cromarty). It is to be found in The Old Red Sandstone as a footnote in Chapter 11. On a Sabbath morning . . . . the inmates of this little hamlet had all gone to church, all except a herd boy, and a little girl, his sister, who were lounging beside one of the cottages; when, just as the shadow of the garden-dial had fallen on the line of noon, they saw a long cavalcade ascending out of the ravine through the wooded hollow. It winded among the knolls and bushes; and, turning around the northern gable of the cottage beside which the sole spectators of the scene were stationed, began to ascend the eminence toward the south. The horses were shaggy, diminutive things, speckled dun and grey; the riders, stunted, misgrown, ugly creatures, attired in antique jerkins of plaid, long grey cloaks, and little red caps, from under which their wild uncombed locks shot out over their cheeks and foreheads. The boy and his sister stood gazing in utter dismay and astonishment, as rider after rider, each one more uncouth and dwarfish than the one that had preceded it, passed the cottage, and disappeared among the brushwood which at that period covered the hill, until at length the entire rout, except the last rider, who lingered a few yards behind the others, had gone by. ‘What are ye, little mannie? Said the creature, turning for a moment in his saddle: ‘the People of Peace shall never more be seen in Scotland.’ Lachie ==== ROSSGEN Mailing List ==== To remove your email address from this list, visit this url: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cheps/maillist.htm

Dear All, I've just sent this little snippet to Chris in Ohio, prior to her visit to Avoch in the Black Isle, and thought it might be of interest to other subscribers. I've always found the Black Isle a 'magical' place, there's something very primitive and mysterious lying below its lush landscape. Somewhere at the beginning of the 19th Century, The Black Isle's most famous son, Hugh Miller recorded what was supposed to be the final departure of the fairies from Scotland at the Burn of Eathie (a deep ravine leading down to the sea near Cromarty). It is to be found in The Old Red Sandstone as a footnote in Chapter 11. On a Sabbath morning . . . . the inmates of this little hamlet had all gone to church, all except a herd boy, and a little girl, his sister, who were lounging beside one of the cottages; when, just as the shadow of the garden-dial had fallen on the line of noon, they saw a long cavalcade ascending out of the ravine through the wooded hollow. It winded among the knolls and bushes; and, turning around the northern gable of the cottage beside which the sole spectators of the scene were stationed, began to ascend the eminence toward the south. The horses were shaggy, diminutive things, speckled dun and grey; the riders, stunted, misgrown, ugly creatures, attired in antique jerkins of plaid, long grey cloaks, and little red caps, from under which their wild uncombed locks shot out over their cheeks and foreheads. The boy and his sister stood gazing in utter dismay and astonishment, as rider after rider, each one more uncouth and dwarfish than the one that had preceded it, passed the cottage, and disappeared among the brushwood which at that period covered the hill, until at length the entire rout, except the last rider, who lingered a few yards behind the others, had gone by. ‘What are ye, little mannie? Said the creature, turning for a moment in his saddle: ‘the People of Peace shall never more be seen in Scotland.’ Lachie

Had to Google for the David Kratz site, but it is: http://www.northernsights.net/ and it's excellent! Kind regards Peter Reynolds www.peterreynoldsbooks.co.uk ----- Original Message ----- From: "Anna Verner" <averner@cybertap.com> To: <ROSSGEN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2005 2:36 PM Subject: [RossGen] Scenes from Ross& Cromarty > David Kratz, has added new pictures to his web site. Anna (Admin.) > > > averner@cybertap.com > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~annaverner > http://www.rootsweb.com/~sctroc > > > ==== ROSSGEN Mailing List ==== > To remove your email address from this list, visit this url: > http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cheps/maillist.htm > >

Lachie, This sounds like something I'd love to buy. How do I do that? I will be in Avoch (near Fortrose) the first week of May. and then Inverness the week after that. How do you think we should proceed? Is this CD not widely available? I'd love some ancient Scottish music. Sincerely, Christine in Ohio

David Kratz, has added new pictures to his web site. Anna (Admin.) averner@cybertap.com http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~annaverner http://www.rootsweb.com/~sctroc

Dear All, About three or four weeks ago I mentioned a TV programme shown in Britain called 'The Gospel Truth?', about the roots of black gospel music being from Gaelic psalm-singing in the Scottish Highlands, a theory put forward by the Afro-American Professor of Music at Yale University, Willie Ruff. The programme produced quite a stir, but I'm reluctant to send videos out again to ROSSGEN members as the last ones I sent made very slow progress. However, I am willing (within reason) to send individual members a CD of about a dozen psalms recorded on the Island of Lewis, and featured in the TV programme. The CD would also contain a 3 minute video clip (playable on your computer) of the congregation singing, and some stunning images of the landscape and atmosphere of the Outer Hebrides. The unaccompanied singing is quite unique (and pretty eerie), and is a real remnant of a by-gone age when our ancestors lived and worshipped in the Highlands. Lachie

What is the difference between Urquhart Parish and Ferintosh Parish? My guess is that in the Free Church they are one and the same thing, but if I'm not mistaken, in the Church of Scotland, Ferintosh Parish Church is in Conon Bridge and is therefore different to Urquhart Parish Church (which is in or near the settlement known as Ferintosh). Is Ferintosh Parish Church also in Grant Bell's parish? Does this announcement mean that both the Free Church and the Church of Scotland now hold meetings in Findon Hall each Lord's Day? The Church of Scotland being pastored by a former Free Church minister. Is there any chance of a more even distribution, rather than direct competition? Can someone clarify this? Peter Reynolds

I had to list whole article as it goes off website in few days time. For more Ross-Shire weekly news try www.rsjournal.co.uk Historic churches go on the market - Ross-Shire Journal 24 March 2005 TWO historic Black Isle churches will go on the market soon, marking the end of an era that spanned the famous Disruption of 1843 and other periods of volatility in Highland church history. The Church of Scotland's General Trustees in Edinburgh this week approved the sale of the churches at Resolis and Urquhart, both B-listed buildings dating back to the 18th century. Urquhart Church in Ferintosh, built in 1795, held its final service on Sunday (March 20). Resolis Church, at the eastern end of the parish, closed the previous Sunday, ending almost 240 years of continuous worship on the site since the original church was built in 1767. The congregation will meantime worship in Findon Hall, as they seek to raise funds to build a new church in the growing village of Culbokie in the longer term. Escalating repair costs and dwindling membership and income prompted the local congregation to take the decision to close the churches, both of which were situated in non-residential areas at opposite ends of the parish. The cost of repairs to the roofs was thought to be around £300,000, a sum which would go a long way towards the cost of a new church in a more central part of the parish. Like most congregations in Scotland, the membership of Resolis and Urquhart has declined steadily during the last 50 years, with nowadays around 90 members and a similar number of adherents on the roll. Parish minister, the Rev Grant Bell, said closure of the churches was sad, but it was also a challenge to build a church for future generations. Said Mr Bell, "A few folk were not in favour of disposing of the churches, but they were remarkably few. The decision was on the cards well before I arrived here because of the financial burden that repairs were putting on the congregation. "The situation is quite complicated when churches are not located in the most suitable places for parishioners. As a Christian body we go forward in faith." Mr Bell said they were now negotiating with the Forestry Commission over land at the eastern end of Culbokie. They were still awaiting final costings for the new building, which will amount to several hundred thousand pounds. Added Mr Bell, "We expect to be able to sell both churches fairly readily. One or two issues have to be clarified with the General Trustees, such as the future of the pulpit at Resolis which we will not require for our new church. "It's quite unusual in that it was constructed to a Geneva design going back to the Reformation. There was a lot of coming and going between Scotland and Geneva in those days. "We're pleased that we were able to have two former parish ministers preaching at the final services in both churches. Rev John Macleod, now retired at Muir of Ord, preached at Resolis, while Rev Alastair MacLennan preached last Sunday at Urquhart." Resolis Church has a colourful history, having been at the centre of a riot when parishioners rebelled against the lairds' choice of minister after the Disruption. The locals were loyal to their own minister, the Rev Donald Sage, who had left to join the postDisruption Free Church. A detachment of military Redcoats was dispatched from the barracks at Fort George to deal with them and one woman was arrested and taken to jail in Cromarty. The following day, after bail was refused, the jail was stormed by locals who released the woman. Although Urquhart Church was designed to hold 1,200 worshippers, it frequently exceeded that number by up to 50 per cent during the 19th century. One of its most famous ministers was the Rev John MacDonald, known as "the apostle of the north", who was one of almost 500 ministers throughout Scotland who joined the Free Church. He once preached to 10,000 people at an open air service at the nearby Ferintosh Burn. Local historian Jim MacKay said many local people would be sad to see the churches closed, even though it was inevitable due to changing circumstances. He said, "Both buildings are of great historical and architectural importance and I do wonder what use they'll now be put to. Repairs were going to involve a substantial amount of money. "The influence of local lairds is still very evident at Resolis Church. The steps out the back were erected to enable the lairds to go into the church using a different entrance from the common flock. "Once inside the building the lairds sat in the balcony where they could see the minister, but the rest of the parishioners were unable to see them." A Kirk spokesman in Edinburgh said, "With the sale now approved by the General Trustees, our Law Department will be moving ahead with the marketing of these buildings. They'll be advertised on the Church website in due course." Hope it helps someone ! Kyle McAllister

Looking for any info on John McLeay born 15 June 1829 parents Farquhar McLeay and Ann Campbell born registered Urray but in OPR in Kilmorack. Did he die young? Did he stay in Kilmorack when his mother emigrated to Tasmania? Where was he in the 1841 census? Elizabeth

Hi list members, I have just read 'A Hundred Years in Scotland' by Osgood Hanbury MacKenzie which is about Gairloch [originally published 1919] and I'm wondering if there are any books published about life on the Applecross Peninsula. One of the places they visited when they went out to the Western Isles was St Kilda. I couldn't find it on my maps. Does it go by another name today? Bobbie

St Kilda is a very famous set of rocky islands, about 60 miles out west in the Atlantic. The story of the islands and the people is fascinating, and heart-breaking. Nobody is really sure where they came from although they all had Highland names and spoke Gaelic. For generations they clung to a very meagre existence, really living off sea birds called fulmars, scaling shear cliffs to catch them. There was a celebrated incident in the 1920s when it was discovered that the St Kilda midwives had been unwittingly killing most of the newborn children for generations by infecting them with tetanus. In 1930, the remaining 36 people on the island decided to leave and come to the mainland. Most soon died because they had no immunity to mainland diseases, the rest were sent to work on forestry stations which was ironic - because they had never seen trees before!! As a young lad I was privileged to meet the last baby born on St Kilda - Neil MacKinnon, who was my Uncle Andrew's neighbour on the Black Isle in Easter Ross, and last year a spoke to the last baby to be 'conceived' on the island - Douglas Munro whose father was the Minister there. Douglas lives in North London like me. I highly recommend the book 'Life and Death on St Kilda' by Tom Steel. Lachie