My g.g.g.grandmother was Janet MacKay born in Strath Achvaich, Christine thinks Janets father could have been David MacKay, and her mother was Marion McIntosh married abt 1791 in Dornoch children were Janet 1792, Catherine 1794, John 1800, Christy 1804 and Mary 1806, the IGI also has a Donald born 1796. I believe Christine is most likely right about this David MacKay being Janets father. Janet married Donald Gibson in 1823 in Dornoch. Does any of this sound familiar to you? If so let me know. Thanks Robin robinvb@home.com -----Original Message----- From: Mary-Ann Farr <maryannf@xtra.co.nz> To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com <SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Thursday, April 12, 2001 4:35 PM Subject: Re: requests for info 1811 clearances in Dornoch. >I am interested in this family too - William and David were family >names. >Mary-Ann Farr > >Robin Van Belleghem wrote: >> >> Hi Everyone >> How do I find out if the David McKay mentioned at Proncynain is my >> g.g.g.g.grandfather. >> >> Thanks >> Robin >> -----Original Message----- >> From: K & C Maynard <caithara@ihug.co.nz> >> To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com <SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com> >> Date: Thursday, April 12, 2001 7:03 AM >> Subject: requests for info 1811 clearances in Dornoch. >> >> >Hi All, >> > >> >I received lots of requests for info from the list so it is probably easier >> >if I just type the whole thing out here. >> > >> >I will transcribe the list as best I can (.They did have strange >> handwriting >> >in 1811) >> >If anyone can help with the spelling of these places please let me >> >know.....so here goes...and I hope that some connections turn up for >> >somebody. >> > >> >Regards >> >Keith in N.Z >> > >> > >> >"List of persons removed at the instances of the Marquis and Marchioness in >> >Sutherland, June 1811. >> > >> >Parish of Golspie >> > >> >William Ferguson >> >John Ferguson . both from Golspie Tower of Languish >> >William McPherson from a part of the lowlands of Golspie >> >Donald Bannerman >> >John McPherson & Marion Grant, Widow from Balblair >> > >> >Parish of Dornoch >> > >> >Alexander Ross, from a garden in Dornoch >> > >> >from Achlean >> >William McIntosh >> >Andrew McKay >> > >> >From Drumdivan ? >> >Charles McKenzie >> >Alexander Murray >> >James Barclay >> >Alexander McLeod >> >James Gordon, Widow >> >James Sutherland >> >William Clarke >> >George McKay >> > >> >From Achavandrew >> >James Matheson Snr >> >James Matheson Jnr >> >John Matheson >> >Angus Mckay >> >John McKay >> >Hugh Murray >> >William Ross >> >Alexander McKenzie >> >John McKay >> >Donald McKay >> > >> >From Balvraid >> >Angus Matheson >> >John Sutherland >> >John McKay >> >George Gray >> >Katherine Ross, Widow >> >Lachlan McKay >> >John Ross. Snr >> >John Ross. Jnr >> >Angus Sutherland >> >George Campbell >> >Alexander Ross >> >Robert McPherson >> >James Ross >> >James Matheson >> >John Murray >> >James McKenzie >> > >> >From Proncynain >> >David McKay >> >William Mckay >> >Alexander Ross >> >Angus Sutherland....this is my man !! >> >John McKay >> >William McKay >> >Andrew McKay >> > >> >From Proncycroy >> >Alexander Sutherland >> >Sutherland, daughter of James Sutherland >> >Farquhar Calder >> >Alexander Matheson >> >Forbes, Widow >> > >> >Parish of Rogart >> > >> >Mr Donald McKenzie Balfour & Covenlorkan ? >> >Mr Anrew Sutherland Pittentraill from Davach beg ? >> > >> >From Davochbeg >> >James Campbell >> >Andrew Sutherland >> >Anne Sutherland, widow >> >Helen or Molly Murray >> >Hugh Innes >> >Donald Sutherland >> > >> >Alexander Grant from Achnagarrin ? >> >Lilly Sutherland, widow >> > >> >Mrs Helen Clunes or McKenzie, Kintraid >> > >> >Parish Of Loth >> > >> >Mr John Bargrie from Midgarty and from Loiss in the Parish of Kildonan" >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> >==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== >> >You may, at times, wish to check out previous messages to this list. You >> can do this at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ >> > >> >============================== >> >Join the RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: >> >Linking the world, one GEDCOM at a time. >> >http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com >> > >> >> ==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== >> You may, at times, wish to check out previous messages to this list. You can do this at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ >> >> ============================== >> Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! >> http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp > > >==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== >You may, at times, wish to check out previous messages to this list. You can do this at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ > >============================== >Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 >Source for Family History Online. Go to: >http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB > >

Hi Everyone How do I find out if the David McKay mentioned at Proncynain is my g.g.g.g.grandfather. Thanks Robin -----Original Message----- From: K & C Maynard <caithara@ihug.co.nz> To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com <SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Thursday, April 12, 2001 7:03 AM Subject: requests for info 1811 clearances in Dornoch. >Hi All, > >I received lots of requests for info from the list so it is probably easier >if I just type the whole thing out here. > >I will transcribe the list as best I can (.They did have strange handwriting >in 1811) >If anyone can help with the spelling of these places please let me >know.....so here goes...and I hope that some connections turn up for >somebody. > >Regards >Keith in N.Z > > >"List of persons removed at the instances of the Marquis and Marchioness in >Sutherland, June 1811. > >Parish of Golspie > >William Ferguson >John Ferguson . both from Golspie Tower of Languish >William McPherson from a part of the lowlands of Golspie >Donald Bannerman >John McPherson & Marion Grant, Widow from Balblair > >Parish of Dornoch > >Alexander Ross, from a garden in Dornoch > >from Achlean >William McIntosh >Andrew McKay > >From Drumdivan ? >Charles McKenzie >Alexander Murray >James Barclay >Alexander McLeod >James Gordon, Widow >James Sutherland >William Clarke >George McKay > >From Achavandrew >James Matheson Snr >James Matheson Jnr >John Matheson >Angus Mckay >John McKay >Hugh Murray >William Ross >Alexander McKenzie >John McKay >Donald McKay > >From Balvraid >Angus Matheson >John Sutherland >John McKay >George Gray >Katherine Ross, Widow >Lachlan McKay >John Ross. Snr >John Ross. Jnr >Angus Sutherland >George Campbell >Alexander Ross >Robert McPherson >James Ross >James Matheson >John Murray >James McKenzie > >From Proncynain >David McKay >William Mckay >Alexander Ross >Angus Sutherland....this is my man !! >John McKay >William McKay >Andrew McKay > >From Proncycroy >Alexander Sutherland >Sutherland, daughter of James Sutherland >Farquhar Calder >Alexander Matheson >Forbes, Widow > >Parish of Rogart > >Mr Donald McKenzie Balfour & Covenlorkan ? >Mr Anrew Sutherland Pittentraill from Davach beg ? > >From Davochbeg >James Campbell >Andrew Sutherland >Anne Sutherland, widow >Helen or Molly Murray >Hugh Innes >Donald Sutherland > >Alexander Grant from Achnagarrin ? >Lilly Sutherland, widow > >Mrs Helen Clunes or McKenzie, Kintraid > >Parish Of Loth > >Mr John Bargrie from Midgarty and from Loiss in the Parish of Kildonan" > > > > > > >==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== >You may, at times, wish to check out previous messages to this list. You can do this at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ > >============================== >Join the RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: >Linking the world, one GEDCOM at a time. >http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com >

***************************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. ***************************************************************************** Both Judy and I have, for different reasons, reservations about the transcription of Kenneth Scobie's gravestone. In the Cowper and Ross book on Sutherland gravestones the inscription is: died 1 May 1851 aged 55. Last week I had the opportunity to check the gravestone at Loth. It was completely covered in moss and the style of the lettering was difficult to read, with only parts of each letter actually incised in the stone. However, the details were definitely 1 May 1833 aged 55. This fits much better with all the known facts. Loth is a very old graveyard with evidence of continual re-use over many hundreds of years - one's feet sink into the ground and small pieces of bone litter the surface. What is really depressing, however, is the state of many of the stones. The effects of time, weather and proper care are all too obvious. Many stones are already impossible to read. Malcolm Bangor-Jones -----Original Message----- From: Judy Meibusch [mailto:raigmore@tmba.design.net.au] Sent: 11 April 2001 09:57 To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Family History Soc R & C. ******************************************************************* This email has been received from an external party and has been swept for the presence of computer viruses. ******************************************************************* I wondered if someone may have the address of a Family History Soc that would cover the parish of Tain ( R & C)? I am interested in looking for a possible newspaper obituary for Eliz Henrietta Scobie died 1858 and that of her husband Kenneth Scobie died abt 1851 Loth. many thanks Judy M ==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== You may, at times, wish to check out previous messages to this list. You can do this at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ ============================== Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp

Rena A copy of your list would be brilliant, my ancestors names are Urquharts and Ross. Thank you Margaret

***************************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. ***************************************************************************** The reports of the Crofters Commission were published but contain very little of the oral evidence which was led. Many of the proceedings were, however, reported in the northern newspapers. Malcolm Bangor-Jones -----Original Message----- From: Christine Stokes [mailto:chris@northants26.freeserve.co.uk] Sent: 10 April 2001 19:52 To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Subject: The Crofting Commission ******************************************************************* This email has been received from an external party and has been swept for the presence of computer viruses. ******************************************************************* Hello Thought you would all like to read this. Shows just what a hard time our ancestors had! After the Crofting Act of 1884 was passed, the new Crofter's Commission, had a meeting in Sutherland in 1886, to fix fair rents for local tenants. Among those giving evidence were Robert Gordon, Clashmugach near Clashmore, Dornoch, and his son and heir, John Gordon. John Gordon, tenant of 46 Clashmugach gave evidence to the Commission. He said the croft at Clashmugach was not enough to keep him and his family, and that he went labouring at a daily wage of two shillings. He succeeded to his father's lease on the croft, and according to that lease, he was obliged to "straighten the burns on the land, and also to keep shut a gate on the road leading into the Clashbuie wood". He was unable to do this, as there was no gate to keep shut, but the landlord, Mr Sutherland, wanted to evict him for failure to comply. Mr Sutherland said the heir of Robert Gordon, whoever he might be, was a servant because he was a tenant on his estate, and therefore he must obey Mr Sutherland. John Gordon said the nearest gate was 200 or 300 yards distant from his house. It led to the highroad. He was glad to keep it shut for his own good, to keep his own stock in, but Mr Sutherland said that this was not the gare named in the lease. The Court upheld John Gordon and reduced his rent by one shilling. John's father, Robert, 37 Clashmugach, aged 62, said he had seven and a half acres of arable land, two and a half acres of pasture for grazing. His father, grandfather and great grandfather had held the croft. He now paid £6.7shilling and 6pence in rent, but his father had paid only £1.10shilling and sixpence. In 1876 he had a lease from Mr Sutherland, but before that, he had put up the steading himself, also the barn and the byre, and in 1884 he roofed the house. He trenched two acres of land, and his father trenced one acre. In 1876 a piece of pasture was taken from him, where he had previously kept three or four beasts. The land yielded poor crops, which were greatly destroyed by game, especially deer. The destruction was now worse than in 1876, so that he could not take the rent out of the place, but paid it from his earnings as a labourer. Mr Sutherland questioned him, saying "You were entitled to keep a certain amount of stock, so why did you not do this?" Robert replied "Because the land won't keep them; what is the use of having stock when the place will not keep them?" After many questions on the subject of whether or not Robert had kept more than three sheep the questioning turned again to game. Robert again said there was now more game; a lot of damage caused by hares, rabbits and deer. He goes on to say "The deer come down on the place now, and they did not do that in 1876. I was a servant to Mr Dempster in Skibo for 14 years, and I recollect Mr Dempster bring deer to Skibo, and he put them in the wood. I never saw them in the parks at Skibo. In winter during Mr Dempster's time, turnips were carted into the wood for the game. My crops are now destroyed by fallow deer. Mr Sutherland put two wires on top of the dyke to prevent the deer getting over, and charged me interest for the expense. Mr Sutherland denied that it was his deer causing the damage. He could not help it if the deer crossed over from the Duke of Sutherland's grounds. Robert had a ten year lease granted in 1876 by which he was bound to maintain the buldings, but he was not obliged to erect buildings. The court decided his rent should remain the same. By the new law, crofters were allowed to shoot rabbits and hares if in the act of destroying crops, but such was the power of the big landlords that if they did shoot anything, they were imprisoned in jail in Dingwall. The Sheriff said this must stop as the crofters were now entitled to shoot rabbits and haries and feed their families on them, but as soon as the Commission had gone, the old regime resumed. Would love to tell you which book it is from but an old lady in Dornoch sent it to me without the source. I would guess that it is from a book in Dornoch library. Christine --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.244 / Virus Database: 119 - Release Date: 4/2/01 ==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== You may, at times, wish to check out previous messages to this list. You can do this at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ ============================== Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp

Yes please Keith, any Mackay/Sutherland/Mackenzie references in particular. Ann Mackay

***************************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. ***************************************************************************** Kerrow derives from ceathramh meaning a quarter. It was a land measure and comes from a quarter of a davoch, a measure based on arable productivity. There are several in Sutherland. Malcolm Bangor-Jones -----Original Message----- From: Mhairi Mackay [mailto:mhairi@xtra.co.nz] Sent: 07 April 2001 00:34 To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: Zorra ******************************************************************* This email has been received from an external party and has been swept for the presence of computer viruses. ******************************************************************* Hallo Lynn. Just looked up our large scale map of Rogart area and wonder whether Kerrow might be an English vesion of Chaoruinn. At the mouth of Strath Tollaidh is Leathad a'Chaoruinn and Meall a'Chaoruinn. They are the only names I can find anywhere near in sound. Some entries in the Rogart OPR refer to Strath Tollaidh. ( after all if Cnoc Ard an Tionail can be as it seems written as Knockarthur then possibilities are endless)! regards, Ann Mackay ==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== You may, at times, wish to check out previous messages to this list. You can do this at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ ============================== Visit Ancestry's Library - The best collection of family history learning and how-to articles on the Internet. http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library

***************************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. ***************************************************************************** Some thoughts on this interesting question: Apart from population growth, which certainly began by about the mid 18th century, one must remember that the purpose of the Clearances in Sutherland was, generally speaking, not to remove the people from Sutherland altogether. The Clearances were part of a comprehensive development plan, involving clearance f the interior for sheep and resettlement, mainly on muirland and the coastal fringes, where the people were expected to become fishermen. Emigration from Sutherland at the time of the Clearances was not significant. There was a phase of emigration in the late 1820s and early 1830s and then again in the late 1840s and 1850s. These phases were in the main of families, though individuals did form a part. The decline in population may be attributed to two processes: movement out by young unmarried people after the mid 19th century and a surfeit of deaths over births as the 19th century progressed. Later census returns of the 19th century contain significant numbers of the never married. Those who did marry, tended to marry quite late, especially the men. Although once married, they still had quite large families. These are very crude generalisations and should be regarded as such. Malcolm Bangor-Jones -----Original Message----- From: Christine Stokes [mailto:chris@northants26.freeserve.co.uk] Sent: 05 April 2001 13:11 To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Subject: RE: SUT- 19th century parish populations ******************************************************************* This email has been received from an external party and has been swept for the presence of computer viruses. ******************************************************************* Hello I also have this book and others which show these population figures. I do not know what others think but I have often wondered if the figures have been 'doctored'! We all know how devastating the Clearances were but looking at the figures not so bad! Apart from Kildonan of course which was virtually emptied. In Rogart it was said "that the tenants were rooted out at will" yet looking at the figures it did not drop by much. Would like to hear other opinions on this subject. Christine -----Original Message----- From: Lyndall [mailto:lyfrah@goldweb.com.au] Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2001 10:39 AM To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Subject: SUT- 19th century parish populations I have a copy of the book, "History of the Highland Clearances" by Alexander MacKenzie (1883). I thought that some of you might find the following data of interest. Lyndall =========================== Population of all the Parishes in whole or in part in the County of Sutherland. Assynt 1801..........2419 1811..........2479 1821..........2803 1831..........3161 1841..........3178 1851..........2989 1871..........3006 1881..........2781 Clyne 1801..........1643 1811..........1639 1821..........1874 1831..........1711 1841..........1765 1851..........1933 1871..........1733 1881..........1812 Creich 1801..........1974 1811..........1969 1821..........2354 1831..........2562 1841..........2852 1851..........2714 1871..........2524 1881..........2223 Dornoch 1811..........2362 1821..........2681 1831..........3100 1841..........2714 1851..........2981 1871..........2764 1881..........2525 Durness 1801..........1208 1811..........1155 1821..........1004 1831..........1153 1841..........1109 1851..........1152 1871..........1049 1881............987 Eddrachillis 1801..........1253 1811..........1147 1821..........1229 1831..........1965 1841..........1699 1851..........1576 1871..........1530 1881..........1525 Farr 1801..........2408 1811..........2408 1821..........1994 1831..........2073 1841..........2217 1851..........2403 1871..........2019 1881..........1930 Golspie 1801..........1616 1811..........1391 1821..........1049 1831..........1149 1841..........1214 1851..........1529 1871..........1804 1881..........1556 Kildonan 1801..........1440 1811..........1574 1821............565 1831............257 1841............256 1851........*2288 1871..........1916 1881..........1942 *The lands of Helmsdale and others previously in the Parish of Loth were, about this time, added to Kildonan, which accounts for this large increase. It also accounts for the decrease in Loth. Lairg 1801..........1209 1811..........1354 1821..........1094 1831..........1045 1841............913 1851..........1162 1871............978 1881..........1355 Loth 1801..........1374 1811..........1330 1821..........2008 1831..........2234 1841..........2526 1851..........*640 1871............583 1881............584 Reay 1801..........2406 1811..........2317 1821..........2758 1831..........2881 1841..........2811 1851..........2506 1871..........2331 1881..........2191 Rogart 1801..........2022 1811..........2148 1821..........1986 1831..........1805 1841..........1501 1851..........1536 1871..........1341 1881..........1227 Tongue 1801..........1348 1811..........1493 1821..........1736 1831..........2030 1841..........2041 1851..........2018 1871..........2051 1881..........1929 ==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== You may, at times, wish to check out previous messages to this list. You can do this at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ ============================== Create a FREE family website at MyFamily.com! http://www.myfamily.com/banner.asp?ID=RWLIST2 --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.237 / Virus Database: 115 - Release Date: 3/7/01 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.237 / Virus Database: 115 - Release Date: 3/7/01 ==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== You may, at times, wish to check out previous messages to this list. You can do this at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ ============================== Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp

Hi everyone I have struggled for years to find the best way to put up my own huge family tree on to the web. I finally agreed with myself that the best way is to show the index and then supply info to anyone who feels that we have a connection. I have therefore now placed a quite detailed index on to the site. If time allows please have a look. I have also put up some of my photographs and this will be added to as time allows together with a new links page. You will find it all on www.highlandhearts.com <http://www.highlandhearts.com/> then click on Christine’s family tree from the index page. Have a look at who one of our list members met up with last week while you are on the index page! She assures me that she still has not washed her hand!! Best wishes Christine --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.244 / Virus Database: 119 - Release Date: 4/2/01

Hi All, I have a copy of the list of who were cleared from the Dornoch parish in 1811, if anybody would like me to check for ancestors please let me know. regards Keith

I know Christine will be interested in these Gordons. Does anybody else have any connections or information about this family. John Gordon b. c.1717, Dornoch. M. Isobell Roy in 1737, they had. George Gordon b.19 March 1738, Dornoch. M. Isobell ? they had. Robert Gordon 20 January 1754, Golspie. M. Margaret McKay (daughter of Donald McKay and Christian McKay) C. 1780 . they had Isabella Gordon b.1784, Evelix. d. 4 March 1884, Pictou, Nova Scotia Doanld Gordon b. 27 October 1782 Isabella married my elusive Angus Sutherland 14 June 1811, in Dornoch. Angus and Isabella were "cleared" from Proncynain soon after they married and probably ended up on a plot of coastal land near Dornoch as their first daughter, Margaret Sutherland was born 17 March 1812, in Dornoch. Anything at all about these people would be greatly appreciated. regards Keith

My sentiments also. How I would love to go back then just for a couple of weeks to meet the folks! I would need to be certain my time machine worked real well though - would not want to stay!! Christine -----Original Message----- From: Robin Van Belleghem [mailto:robinvb@home.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2001 9:08 PM To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: The Crofting Commission Hi Everyone I used to wish I had lived in those days, but when I see all the trouble's that our ancestor's had to face each day, I have to Thank God that I was born now instead. But I still think those generations were interesting even though I'm certain my ancestor's would think I'm off my rocker. Robin -----Original Message----- From: Christine Stokes <chris@northants26.freeserve.co.uk> To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com <SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2001 1:50 PM Subject: The Crofting Commission >Hello >Thought you would all like to read this. Shows just what a hard time our >ancestors had! > >After the Crofting Act of 1884 was passed, the new Crofter's Commission, had >a meeting in Sutherland in 1886, to fix fair rents for local tenants. Among >those giving evidence were Robert Gordon, Clashmugach near Clashmore, >Dornoch, and his son and heir, John Gordon. John Gordon, tenant of 46 >Clashmugach gave evidence to the Commission. He said the croft at >Clashmugach was not enough to keep him and his family, and that he went >labouring at a daily wage of two shillings. He succeeded to his father's >lease on the croft, and according to that lease, he was obliged to >"straighten the burns on the land, and also to keep shut a gate on the road >leading into the Clashbuie wood". He was unable to do this, as there was no >gate to keep shut, but the landlord, Mr Sutherland, wanted to evict him for >failure to comply. > >Mr Sutherland said the heir of Robert Gordon, whoever he might be, was a >servant because he was a tenant on his estate, and therefore he must obey Mr >Sutherland. John Gordon said the nearest gate was 200 or 300 yards distant >from his house. It led to the highroad. He was glad to keep it shut for >his own good, to keep his own stock in, but Mr Sutherland said that this was >not the gare named in the lease. The Court upheld John Gordon and reduced >his rent by one shilling. > >John's father, Robert, 37 Clashmugach, aged 62, said he had seven and a half >acres of arable land, two and a half acres of pasture for grazing. His >father, grandfather and great grandfather had held the croft. He now paid >£6.7shilling and 6pence in rent, but his father had paid only £1.10shilling >and sixpence. In 1876 he had a lease from Mr Sutherland, but before that, >he had put up the steading himself, also the barn and the byre, and in 1884 >he roofed the house. He trenched two acres of land, and his father trenced >one acre. In 1876 a piece of pasture was taken from him, where he had >previously kept three or four beasts. The land yielded poor crops, which >were greatly destroyed by game, especially deer. The destruction was now >worse than in 1876, so that he could not take the rent out of the place, but >paid it from his earnings as a labourer. > >Mr Sutherland questioned him, saying "You were entitled to keep a certain >amount of stock, so why did you not do this?" Robert replied "Because the >land won't keep them; what is the use of having stock when the place will >not keep them?" After many questions on the subject of whether or not >Robert had kept more than three sheep the questioning turned again to game. >Robert again said there was now more game; a lot of damage caused by hares, >rabbits and deer. He goes on to say "The deer come down on the place now, >and they did not do that in 1876. I was a servant to Mr Dempster in Skibo >for 14 years, and I recollect Mr Dempster bring deer to Skibo, and he put >them in the wood. I never saw them in the parks at Skibo. In winter during >Mr Dempster's time, turnips were carted into the wood for the game. My >crops are now destroyed by fallow deer. Mr Sutherland put two wires on top >of the dyke to prevent the deer getting over, and charged me interest for >the expense. Mr Sutherland denied that it was his deer causing the damage. >He could not help it if the deer crossed over from the Duke of Sutherland's >grounds. Robert had a ten year lease granted in 1876 by which he was bound >to maintain the buldings, but he was not obliged to erect buildings. The >court decided his rent should remain the same. > >By the new law, crofters were allowed to shoot rabbits and hares if in the >act of destroying crops, but such was the power of the big landlords that if >they did shoot anything, they were imprisoned in jail in Dingwall. The >Sheriff said this must stop as the crofters were now entitled to shoot >rabbits and haries and feed their families on them, but as soon as the >Commission had gone, the old regime resumed. > >Would love to tell you which book it is from but an old lady in Dornoch sent >it to me without the source. I would guess that it is from a book in >Dornoch library. >Christine > > > >--- >Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). >Version: 6.0.244 / Virus Database: 119 - Release Date: 4/2/01 > > >==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== >You may, at times, wish to check out previous messages to this list. You can do this at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ > >============================== >Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp > ==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== You may, at times, wish to check out previous messages to this list. You can do this at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ ============================== Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 Source for Family History Online. Go to: http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.244 / Virus Database: 119 - Release Date: 4/2/01 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.244 / Virus Database: 119 - Release Date: 4/2/01

I think this would be covered by the Highland Family History Society in Inverness. They have a web site with details of how to join etc. http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/scot/Highland.FHS.home.html Christine -----Original Message----- From: Judy Meibusch [mailto:raigmore@tmba.design.net.au] Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2001 9:57 AM To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Family History Soc R & C. I wondered if someone may have the address of a Family History Soc that would cover the parish of Tain ( R & C)? I am interested in looking for a possible newspaper obituary for Eliz Henrietta Scobie died 1858 and that of her husband Kenneth Scobie died abt 1851 Loth. many thanks Judy M ==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== You may, at times, wish to check out previous messages to this list. You can do this at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ ============================== Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.244 / Virus Database: 119 - Release Date: 4/2/01 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.244 / Virus Database: 119 - Release Date: 4/2/01

I wondered if someone may have the address of a Family History Soc that would cover the parish of Tain ( R & C)? I am interested in looking for a possible newspaper obituary for Eliz Henrietta Scobie died 1858 and that of her husband Kenneth Scobie died abt 1851 Loth. many thanks Judy M

To All, maybe Diana Galb--, can send you all through the stones like Clare.. If your going to wish why not big..Guy -----Original Message----- From: Christine Stokes [mailto:chris@northants26.freeserve.co.uk] Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2001 2:16 PM To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Subject: RE: The Crofting Commission My sentiments also. How I would love to go back then just for a couple of weeks to meet the folks! I would need to be certain my time machine worked real well though - would not want to stay!! Christine -----Original Message----- From: Robin Van Belleghem [mailto:robinvb@home.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2001 9:08 PM To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: The Crofting Commission Hi Everyone I used to wish I had lived in those days, but when I see all the trouble's that our ancestor's had to face each day, I have to Thank God that I was born now instead. But I still think those generations were interesting even though I'm certain my ancestor's would think I'm off my rocker. Robin -----Original Message----- From: Christine Stokes <chris@northants26.freeserve.co.uk> To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com <SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2001 1:50 PM Subject: The Crofting Commission >Hello >Thought you would all like to read this. Shows just what a hard time our >ancestors had! > >After the Crofting Act of 1884 was passed, the new Crofter's Commission, had >a meeting in Sutherland in 1886, to fix fair rents for local tenants. Among >those giving evidence were Robert Gordon, Clashmugach near Clashmore, >Dornoch, and his son and heir, John Gordon. John Gordon, tenant of 46 >Clashmugach gave evidence to the Commission. He said the croft at >Clashmugach was not enough to keep him and his family, and that he went >labouring at a daily wage of two shillings. He succeeded to his father's >lease on the croft, and according to that lease, he was obliged to >"straighten the burns on the land, and also to keep shut a gate on the road >leading into the Clashbuie wood". He was unable to do this, as there was no >gate to keep shut, but the landlord, Mr Sutherland, wanted to evict him for >failure to comply. > >Mr Sutherland said the heir of Robert Gordon, whoever he might be, was a >servant because he was a tenant on his estate, and therefore he must obey Mr >Sutherland. John Gordon said the nearest gate was 200 or 300 yards distant >from his house. It led to the highroad. He was glad to keep it shut for >his own good, to keep his own stock in, but Mr Sutherland said that this was >not the gare named in the lease. The Court upheld John Gordon and reduced >his rent by one shilling. > >John's father, Robert, 37 Clashmugach, aged 62, said he had seven and a half >acres of arable land, two and a half acres of pasture for grazing. His >father, grandfather and great grandfather had held the croft. He now paid >£6.7shilling and 6pence in rent, but his father had paid only £1.10shilling >and sixpence. In 1876 he had a lease from Mr Sutherland, but before that, >he had put up the steading himself, also the barn and the byre, and in 1884 >he roofed the house. He trenched two acres of land, and his father trenced >one acre. In 1876 a piece of pasture was taken from him, where he had >previously kept three or four beasts. The land yielded poor crops, which >were greatly destroyed by game, especially deer. The destruction was now >worse than in 1876, so that he could not take the rent out of the place, but >paid it from his earnings as a labourer. > >Mr Sutherland questioned him, saying "You were entitled to keep a certain >amount of stock, so why did you not do this?" Robert replied "Because the >land won't keep them; what is the use of having stock when the place will >not keep them?" After many questions on the subject of whether or not >Robert had kept more than three sheep the questioning turned again to game. >Robert again said there was now more game; a lot of damage caused by hares, >rabbits and deer. He goes on to say "The deer come down on the place now, >and they did not do that in 1876. I was a servant to Mr Dempster in Skibo >for 14 years, and I recollect Mr Dempster bring deer to Skibo, and he put >them in the wood. I never saw them in the parks at Skibo. In winter during >Mr Dempster's time, turnips were carted into the wood for the game. My >crops are now destroyed by fallow deer. Mr Sutherland put two wires on top >of the dyke to prevent the deer getting over, and charged me interest for >the expense. Mr Sutherland denied that it was his deer causing the damage. >He could not help it if the deer crossed over from the Duke of Sutherland's >grounds. Robert had a ten year lease granted in 1876 by which he was bound >to maintain the buldings, but he was not obliged to erect buildings. The >court decided his rent should remain the same. > >By the new law, crofters were allowed to shoot rabbits and hares if in the >act of destroying crops, but such was the power of the big landlords that if >they did shoot anything, they were imprisoned in jail in Dingwall. The >Sheriff said this must stop as the crofters were now entitled to shoot >rabbits and haries and feed their families on them, but as soon as the >Commission had gone, the old regime resumed. > >Would love to tell you which book it is from but an old lady in Dornoch sent >it to me without the source. I would guess that it is from a book in >Dornoch library. >Christine > > > >--- >Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). >Version: 6.0.244 / Virus Database: 119 - Release Date: 4/2/01 > > >==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== >You may, at times, wish to check out previous messages to this list. You can do this at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ > >============================== >Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp > ==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== You may, at times, wish to check out previous messages to this list. You can do this at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ ============================== Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 Source for Family History Online. Go to: http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.244 / Virus Database: 119 - Release Date: 4/2/01 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.244 / Virus Database: 119 - Release Date: 4/2/01 ==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== You may, at times, wish to check out previous messages to this list. You can do this at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ ============================== Join the RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: Linking the world, one GEDCOM at a time. http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com

Rena, What a wonderful surprise, I enjoyed the type-script you sent so much. It is very exciting to read about people that you feel you know. Thank you so much for taking the time, Catherine

I sent a long posting to the Caithness List today but I am taking the liberty of sending part of it it to Sutherland as well, partly because it contains memories of Highland life which I would think would apply to Sutherland as well, and partly because it mentions surnames like SUTHERLAND and GUNN which I have seen a lot of on this list. It mainly concerns the HENDRY family - but the 'Aunt Christina' mentioned is my great grandmother's younger sister. I Sue Mackay A cousin was up in Caithness and was given a copy of a letter which was written in 1975 by a 92 year old woman who was born Williamina GUNN in March 1884. With crystal clear clarity she remembers her own childhood and recounts her mother's and grandmother's stories of life in Caithness in the second half of the 19th century. She remembers visiting 'Aunt Christina' (nee SINCLAIR, mentioned above) I quote a few extracts below as I think it will be of interest to most subscribers. It also gives a wealth of genealogical information, which I will not quote in full, but if anyone wants more info on the list at the start, let me know. The letter begins: William HENDRY married Margaret SUTHERLAND and they had 11 of a family; Alexander, Donald, William, John, George, Adam, Kirsty, Catherine, Margaret, Jean and Robertina. Alexander married Barbara SINCLAIR and had 6 of a family (listed) Donald married Christina SINCLAIR (no relation) and had 7 of a family (listed) William married Georgina McLEOD and had 8 of a family (listed) John was twice married, first to Elizabeth SUTHERLAND and they had a family of 7 daughters (listed) and by his second wife Margaret GUNN there were two daughters (named) George died in Latheron in his teens Adam married Elizabeth SINCLAIR (no relation to Barbara or Christina) and they had a family of 3 sons and 6 daughters (listed) Kirsty married Alexander COOPER and they had a family of 5 (listed) Catherine (my grandmother) was twice married, first to Murdo McKENZIE and they had a family of three, John, Angus and William. (William died in infancy). When they married they went to South Africa where her husband died and she returned to her parents in Latheron. For her second husband she married Robert GUNN (my grandfather) and they had 4 of a family, John Donald, Margaret (my mother) and Williamina, who died in infancy. Margaret married John OAG and they had 6 of a family (listed) Jean died a young woman at Bardnaclavan Robertina never married Now a little of their history and how they lived and worked in Caithness in the days of long ago which I was told by my grandmother when I was a young girl. I have always been interested in people and especially my relations so I listened to all her stories with great interest, some of them very sad, some very funny, and so on. To begin with she told me her grandfather came from Forfarshire (now Angus) where I live. He moved to Caithness and married a Caithness woman. I have found there are a great many HENDRYs round about here who spell the name the same. There had been a fairly large family of them too as grandmother used to speak about her uncles and aunts. On her mother's side she had no aunts and only one uncle. Their father William HENDRY had a small farm or croft in Latheron and was also a butcher. He had no shop; he just went round the countryside selling his meat. I don't know what transport he had or if there were vans in those days but he was bound to have a cover of some sort, although the word hygiene wasn't spoken of then. I doubt if anyone died of food poisoning although some do now. Caithness had very few industries - farming and fishing were the main ones. There were the flagstone quarries at Achscrabster in the parish of Thurso. Caithness at that time was famed for paving stones and blue slate (before concrete). When I went to Edinburgh in 1900 the only remaining street of Caithness pavement was in George Square. The HENDRY family were mostly employed in farming and fishing. In the herring season the men went to sea and the women went to gut and pack the herring into barrels. When the harvest came round they went to work there. There were no reapers, not to mention a binder. The men may have had scythes but the women had hooks, or hukes as granny called them, and she said it was very hard work. At the end of six weeks (the time they were engaged for) they were paid the sum if one pound each. No wonder Britain is suffering from inflation now. The food then was very different to what we get now. Granny said their family was a well nourished one brought up on wholesome food, as she termed it "porridge and brose, oatbreid, bere and barley-breid and fish, and there was of course the traditional dinner of tatties and herring" and I don't think they lacked for butcher meat in one form or another. The lassies and their mother had tea once a week, on the Sabbath day, and loaf which had no doubt been their cake in those days. I don't think I ever heard what the males got. In later years Donald, William and John had a boat of their own. I don't know if Adam was in with them as he was the baby of the family, but I know Sandy (Alexander) wasn't as he was already married and had a butcher's business in Wick, and also farmed Barnyards. After some years at sea they decided they would like to be back on dry land. Donald and William took the lease of a farm at Bardnaclavan (in the parish of Thurso) for their mother (who was a widow) and two sisters and Adam and my step uncles, the McKenzies, who had made their home with their grandparents. John emigrated to America. Donald and William also had a butcher's business in Thurso - sorry I can't give dates - the only clue I have was reading about 1961 or 1962 in the John o'Groats Journal old files of 100 years ago of a bad storm at sea when their boat was long overdue, but had been brought in safely by her skipper Donald HENDRY. From this I would think they had gone to Bardnaclavan in the early 1860s or not later than the mid 60s. My grandparents and their family came to live at Janetstown, Thurso early in 1870 and they had been at Bardnaclavan some time before that. [Several more pages of family history] We used to look forward to going to Achliepater for the peat cutting, but it wasn't really the peats we were interested in, it was the picnic, making a fire and boiling the kettle for the tea and getting out all the good things packed in the basket by Aunt Christina. Uncle Donald worked very hard all day keeping three or four of us going spreading out the peats to dry. On the ten mile journey back home at night in the cart we had a sing-song and some games such as 'The Minister's Cat'. Some of us would fall asleep on the way. When we got home there would be a roaring peat fire and a lovely supper of home cured ham and egg prepared by Aunt Christina.Then the Good Book was read and a prayer was said before going to bed, which was the custom in most homes in those days. Like the peats we young ones were not just so interested in the prayers, our thoughts being elsewhere, but we still would call it 'The End of a Perfect Day'. If anyone can link in to this family and would like the rest of the family information (7 pages of A4) please let me know privately. Meanwhile just to add some dates for you, below is the extract from the 1881 census with Donald and Christina (my great grandmother's younger sister), Margaret Hendry (nee SUTHERLAND) and two others mentioned in the letter. Sorry for the long posting! Sue Mackay Dwelling: Barncaclavan Census Place: Thurso, Caithness, Scotland Source: FHL Film 0203402 GRO Ref Volume 041 EnumDist 9 Page 9 Marr Age Sex Birthplace Donald HENRY M 44 M Latheron, Caithness, Scotland Rel: Head Occ: Farmer Christina HENRY M 30 F Thurso, Caithness, Scotland Rel: Wife Margret HENRY W 72 F Latheron, Caithness, Scotland Rel: Moth Robertina HENRY U 41 F Latheron, Caithness, Scotland Rel: Sis Occ: Serv Dom Donald SWANSON 14 M Wick, Caithness, Scotland Rel: Neph Occ: Scholar

Ron The 1881 only gives Creich - very few farm names. There are only two James Sutherlands born around your time so here are both - take these houses to be in or near Bonar. Christine Dwelling: James Sutherlands Ho Census Place: Creich, Sutherland, Scotland Source: FHL Film 0203404 GRO Ref Volume 046-1 EnumDist 3 Page 4 Marr Age Sex Birthplace James SUTHERLAND M 61 M Creich, Sunderland, Durham, England Rel: Head Occ: Gen Lab Isabella SUTHERLAND M 60 F Creich, Sunderland, Durham, England Rel: Wife Occ: Gen Lab Wife Alexander SUTHERLAND U 28 M Creich, Sunderland, Durham, England Rel: Son Occ: Gen Lab Isabella SUTHERLAND U 21 F Creich, Sunderland, Durham, England Rel: Daur Occ: Labs Daur James SUTHERLAND U 18 M Creich, Sunderland, Durham, England Rel: Son Occ: Scholar Hugh SUTHERLAND 13 M Creich, Sunderland, Durham, England Rel: Son Occ: Scholar Or Dwelling: Widow Mc Gregors Ho Census Place: Creich, Sutherland, Scotland Source: FHL Film 0203404 GRO Ref Volume 046-1 EnumDist 1 Page 3 Marr Age Sex Birthplace James SUTHERLAND U 18 M Creich, Sunderland, Durham, England Rel: Head Occ: Mason (Apprentice) -----Original Message----- From: J. Ronald Patrick [mailto:rpatrick@niagara.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2001 6:09 AM To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Bonar Bridge Could someone tell me if 'Ausdale, Airdens by Bonar Bridge' was in Sutherland in 1881? or was it in R&C? I'm having trouble locating a James Sutherland, b abt 1864, in the 1881 Census CD. Ron Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario Canada L0S 1J0 ==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== You may, at times, wish to check out previous messages to this list. You can do this at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ ============================== Visit Ancestry's Library - The best collection of family history learning and how-to articles on the Internet. http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.244 / Virus Database: 119 - Release Date: 4/2/01 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.244 / Virus Database: 119 - Release Date: 4/2/01

Dear Rena, How kind. Yes would definitely be interested. Jean from New Zealand Rena Singleton wrote: > "Memorabilia Domestica, or Parish Life in the North of Scotland," is a > rare book. It is a treasure to family genealogists tracing their roots > in Sutherland, especially if their ancestors and their families are > mentioned in the book. > > Since the book is not readily available to everyone, I am offering to > prepare lists of persons named in it ... if others are interested. Does > anyone want these lists? > > Rena > > ==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== > You may, at times, wish to check out previous messages to this list. You can do this at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ > > ============================== > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp

Airdens is up behind Bonar-Bridge so I have to assume it has always been in Sutherland and the parish of Creich. Elspeth