Hamilton is not a common name in Sutherland as you have probably already found out. The family below was one of the few and I now wonder if this John Hamilton could be related to your James? I am in contact with two descendants of this family if you feel it is worth pursuing. ANN MURRAY [c1810-5/8/1880] married JOHN HAMILTON [c1786-19/6/1866]. According to Ann's own death certificate, which was signed by her son, James Hamilton, she is the daughter of Robert Murray and Catherine Mackenzie. She married John Hamilton, son of Robert Hamilton and Isabella Sutherland (DC). Ann and John, a farmer, had the following children (HAMILTON) born in Clyne: Robert, born 27 September 1830 East Brora (OPR); Elspat, born 26 February 1833 Dalchalm (OPR); Florina, born 18 December 1834 East Brora (OPR); Isabella, born circa 1834 [married Robert MURRAY - see 6-035]; Catherine, born 10 February 1837 East Brora(OPR); Alexander, born 19 March 1838 East Brora (OPR); Alexander, born 13 July 1840 East Brora [died 15 February 1855 Brora (OPR/DC); Elizabeth (Betsy), born 23 October 1842 Dalchalm [married George Mackay] (OPR/MC); John, born circa 1851 and James, born 8 March 1854 [died 23 April 1908 East Brora, mason, his daughter, Flora Hamilton, signed death certificate] [married Isabella Sutherland] (OPR/DC). In 1841 at East Brora lived John Hamilton, tenant, with his wife Ann and their children Robert, Bell, Florina and Alexander. In the 1861 census we learn that John was now a lotter with a two roomed house. With his wife Ann and their children Ann, Hellen, John and James, they still lived at East Brora. John Hamilton died at East Brora in 1866 from Bronchitis which he suffered from for three weeks. His son, John, signed the death certificate. In 1871 at East Brora Ann was a widow and tenant. Her children Ann, Helen and James were still at home plus two granddaughters, Robina, age 4 and Elizabeth, age 3. Robina is the daughter of Helen. In 1871 and 1881 young Elizabeth was at Achnagarron, Rogart, with her aunt Betty Murray. Ann Murray died from heart disease in Clyne 1880. She was shown as a widow on the death certificate. At one time Clyne was the only parish in Sutherland where Hamiltons were to be found, but some families of that name have lived there for generations. Probably the Hamiltons and the Melvilles of Clyne came North at the opening of the coal pit, for the natives then had no knowledge of mining. It appears the existence of coal in Brora was known as early as 1529. Joseph Macleod in his book "Highland Heroes of the Land Reform Movement" mentions James Hamilton, son of John Hamilton and Ann Murray. This book was written in in 1917 and states that James Hamilton of East Brora, 'a good and true man' had passed away - he actually died in 1908. Christine Northamptonshire, England www.highlandhearts.com www.sutherlandheritage.com -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 01 October 2002 23:40 To: [email protected] Subject: [SUT] Hamilton's I have been trying to track my Hamilton family and have hit a dead end. I am looking for any information on James HAMILTON born around 1786 in Clyne. He married Ann CAMERON from Golspie and their first son Robert was baptised in Clyne 28 February 1814. They then must have made a move to Caithness where all there other children were born. James died in 1851 in Bower. I can find no record of either his birth or his marriage. Can anyone advise me on likely sources of information (beyond the Scotlandspeople web site which I have thoroughly searched). Many Thanks Cathy Goodwin ([email protected]) ==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== Our Member's Interest's site http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~suthlist/index.htm ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.393 / Virus Database: 223 - Release Date: 30/09/2002 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.393 / Virus Database: 223 - Release Date: 30/09/2002