Society in the Americas Cabar Feidh The Canadian Chapter Magazine

March, 2004 ISSN 1207-7232

In This Issue: History of the Mackenzies - Part 16...... 1 - 4 Pedigrees of the Early Mackenzie Chiefs #4 ...... 4 - 5 Who Went Before - Part 2 - “Rural Roots ...... 7 to 9 Scottish Wills & Testaments on the Internet ...... 9 Village gets a “New” Church ...... 9 Quebec Recognizes Day ...... 9 Calgary Gathering ...... 9 - 10 Castle - Report from Cabarfeidh ...... 10 In Sir Alexander Mackenzie’s Footsteps ...... 10 - 11 Why a Clan Centre? by Peadair Mackenzie ...... 11 - 12 Clan Gathering 2005 - Two Optional Itineraries . . . . . 13 Dr Christopher Kimsey Comments ...... 14 - 15 New Zealand’s Deputy Commissioner’s Visit ...... 15 Tracing your Family with the Y-chromosome . . . 15 - 16 Professor Bryan Sykes in New Zealand ...... 16 - 17 Clan Mackenzie Gathering Itinerary 2005 ...... 20 Flowerdale gets a Facelift ...... 18 - 19

HISTORY OF THE MACKENZIES CHAPTER 16 John Mackenzie, Lord Macleod, and Count Cromartie (in the Swedish THE 45 J ACOBITE R EBELLION Peerage) THE TRIAL O F THE EARL OF C ROMARTIE the law of the land, by their peers in the . The 28th of July was fixed for the date of the trial and there was no doubt n addition to those leaders captured were, of course, George that given the mood of the predominately English and protestant IMackenzie, 3rd and his son Lord Macleod. House of Lords that the lives of the three noblemen were in The English were lusting for blood and wanted examples made of extreme danger. If there were any sympathies for them then such those few leaders of the rebellion now in captivity. The Marquis lords were not likely to exhibit those sympathies to their peers in of Tullibardine, elder brother of Lord George Murray, died of his case they too came under suspicion as Jacobites. illness in the Tower of on July 9, 1746. On the 23rd of the The trial of the Jacobite lords was an opportunity for King same month, a grand jury of the county of Surrey found bills for George’s parliament to make a lasting impression on any would- high treason against the Earls of Cromartie and Kilmarnock and be revolutionaries. The English were capable of doing this in Lord Balmerino. These indictments were removed by the style. At the time appointed the three peers were transported to chancery so that the three noblemen could be tried, according to

Cabar Feidh Newsletter: Members who wish to write to the Society with contributions to the Newsletter please send submissions to The Editor, Clan MacKenzie Society, 580 Rebecca St., Oakville, ON L6K 3N9. or e-mail to [email protected] Westminster Hall for their trial in three Page 2 involved also eight innocent children, who coaches. The first coach contained the Earl must feel their parents’ punishment before of Kilmarnock who was attended by Each peer in turn was so addressed and they know his guilt. Let them, my lords, be Lieutenant-General Williamson, deputy- each stood up and laying his right hand pledges to his majesty; let them be pledges governor of the Tower of London and cap- upon his breast, said: to your lordships; let them be pledges to of the guard. my country for mercy; let the silent elo- In the second coach was the Earl of “Guilty, upon my honour.” quence of their grief and tears; let the pow- Cromartie, attended by Captain Marshall erful language of innocent nature supply and in the third coach was Lord Balmerino, The dignity and ceremony of this awful my want of eloquence and persuasion; let attended by Mr. Fowler, gentleman-gaoler, occasion continued with the other two me enjoy mercy, but no longer than I who placed the axe on the seat in front of lords being brought to the bar. There they deserve it; and let me no longer enjoy life him to remind those who were in any were told by the lord-high-steward that than I shall use it to deface the crime I have doubt of the significance of these trials. All they must return on the following been guilty of. While I thus intercede to his three coaches were guarded by a strong Wednesday at eleven o’clock to state their majesty through the mediation of your body of soldiers in their colourful uniforms objections, if any, otherwise the sentence lordships for mercy, let my remorse for my creating at atmosphere of pageantry to the of death would be awarded against them. guilt as a subject; let the sorrow of my occasion. The three prisoners were once again heart as a husband; let the anguish of my This pageantry was taken up at the returned to the Tower of London in the mind as a father, speak the rest of my mis- House of Lords where the lord-high-stew- three coaches, surrounded by the armed ery. As your lordships are men, feel as ard and the judges in their robes accompa- guard who processed through the streets of men; but may none of you ever suffer the nied by the master of the rolls and other London to the gazes of the citizens. The smallest part of my anguish. But if after officials in their respective robes of office axe, which was again in Lord Balmerino’s all, my lords, my safety shall be found added an awesome dignity to the proceed- coach had its sharp edge pointed this time inconsistent with that of the public, and ings. These officials accompanied by one towards it’s victim. nothing but my blood can atone for my hundred and thirty five peers of the realm On Wednesday, July 30, 1746 the unhappy crime; if the sacrifice of my life, in full regalia solemnly processed into House of Lords met once again to receive my fortune and family, is judged indis- Westminster Hall which was decorated to the pleas of the indicted peers. The first to pensably necessary for stopping the loud accord with the great pomp and ceremony. speak was The Earl of Kilmarnock, who demands for public justice; and if the bitter Mr. Adam Gordon was appointed as made a servile speech in which he tried to cup is not to pass from me, not mine, but solicitor to Lord Cromartie, at his request, evade taking responsibility for the role he thy will, O God, be done.” and Mr. George Ross acted for the other had played. He concluded his unworthy two lords. The prisoners were then escort- speech by saying that if their lordships did After this moving speech, the lords ed before the assembly led by the gentle- not feel themselves called upon to employ received Lord Balmerino’s presentation man-gaoler, who carried the axe with the their interest with his majesty for his royal which amounted to an appeal that as his edge pointed away from the accused, in clemency, that he would lay down his life alleged act of treason had been committed accordance with tradition. with the utmost resignation, and that his in Carlisle he ought to have been indicted After the indictments had been read last moments should “be employed in fer- in Carlisle and not in the county of Surrey. both the Earl of Cromartie and the Earl of vent prayer for the preservation of the This nice legal point caused their lordships Kilmarnock pleaded, “Guilty”, and threw illustrious house of Hanover, and the peace to adjourn the court until the 1st of August themselves upon the mercy of the king. and prosperity of Great Britain.” while this matter was debated. Thus both Balmerino, on the other hand was not The next to take the stand was George Cromartie and Kilmarnock were obliged to going to give in quite so easily and protest- Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of Cromartie who wait to learn their sentence. ed that he was not at Carlisle at the time began by declaring that he had been guilty Once again the pomp and ceremony of specified in the indictment. Balmerino was of an offence with merited the highest escorting the prisoners in their respective told that it was necessary for him to plead indignation of his majesty, their lordships coaches to the Tower was enacted and once first. Poor Balmerino did not understand and the public; and that it was from a con- again they were brought back. what was meant by this and exclaimed viction of guilt that he had not presumed to Lord Balmerino withdrew his objection loudly, “Plead! Why I’m pleading as fast trouble the lordships with any defence. He to the legal point he had raised on the as I can.” After explanations, Lord went on: advice of his counsel and proceeded to beg Balmerino pleaded, “Not guilty.” their lordships’ pardon for giving them so Evidence was brought to prove that “Nothing remains, my lords, but to much trouble. Lord Hardwicke then made Balmerino was active in the rebellion and throw myself, my life, and fortune, upon an address to the prisoners and concluded in great favour with Prince Charles. The your lordships’ compassion; but of these, by pronouncing the sentence of the court in lord-high-steward then called for silence my lords, as to myself is the least part of the following words: and addressed each peer by name as fol- my sufferings. I have involved an affec- lows: tionate wife, with an unborn infant, as par- “The judgment of the law is, and this “What says your Lordship? Is Arthur ties to my guilt, to share its penalties; I high court doth award, that you, William Lord Balmerino guilty of the high treason have involved my eldest son, whose infan- Earl of Kilmarnock; George Earl of whereof he stands impeached, or not cy and regard for his parents hurried him Cromartie; and Arthur Lord Balmerino, guilty?” down the stream of rebellion. I have and every one of you, return to the prison of the Tower from whence you came: from Page 3 informed by several officers that there was thence you must be drawn to the place of such an order, signed ‘George Murray’and execution: when you come there, you must way to chapel. When the king approached, that it was in the duke’s custody.” be hanged by the neck, but not till you are Lady Cromartie fell to her knees and Balmerino: “Lord George Murray! dead; for you must be cut down alive; then seized the king by his coat, presented her Why then, they should not charge it upon your bowels must be taken out and burnt petition and then fainted. The king, much the prince.” before your faces; then your heads must be surprised by this event, took the petition severed from your bodies; and your bodies and handed it to one of his attendants, the Kilmarnock was the first to be execut- must be divided each into four quarters; Duke of Grafton, and lifted up the count- ed by the axe. The gruesome method of and these must be at the king’s disposal. ess. He asked Lady Stair to take the execution given out at their trial was And God Almighty be merciful to your Countess to one of the apartments in the waived in favour of the axe, at least a mod- souls.” palace which was done. Further petitions est example of King George’s mercy. for the Earl of Cromartie’s life were pre- Balmerino followed and continued to The three unfortunate men were again sented personally to the king by the Dukes impress the crowd with his nonchalant air. returned with due ceremony to the Tower of Hamilton and Montrose and the Earl of He gave the executioner three guineas and of London while the lord-high-steward Stair. On the 9th August, King George his coat and waistcoat. He then put on a announced to the Peers that the business of granted a pardon to the Earl of Cromartie. tartan cap to signify that he was to die as a the court had been completed. At which, he When the writer visited Castle Leod in Scotsman. To the Jacobites he also died a took the white rod he carried and ceremo- November, 1986, the Countess of martyr. niously broke it, signifying that the com- Cromartie proudly showed an oil painting The Earl of Cromartie’s life was mission was at an end. of the King’s brother, which hangs in the spared, but he was attainted and his prop- Thus ended the unusual event of three dining room of the castle. This painting erties were confiscated. He lived the rest of peers of the realm being tried by a court of was given by him to the Countess, as admi- his life in exile in Devonshire. their peers. The public had been treated to ration for the efforts she had made to save His son, Lord MacLeod pleaded guilty a demonstration of the majesty and power her husband. and requested his life be spared on the of the British king and his lords and woe Lord Balmerino made no effort to peti- grounds that he was only a youth. He betide anyone who would dare to chal- tion the king for mercy. He showed no fear addressed the Court at his trial as follows: lenge that authority again. at all and even the king had to marvel his The Earl of Kilmarnock made immedi- high bearing and cool demeanour. “Does “My Lords, I stand indicted for one of ate efforts to obtain the mercy of the king nobody intercede for poor Balmerino? He, the most heinous of all crimes, that of in whose hands all three lives now depend- though a rebel, is at least an honest man.” rebellion and treason against the best of ed. It was now an opportunity for King Thus said King George. Kings, and my only rightful lord and sov- George to demonstrate his supreme power The Earl of Kilmarnock and Lord ereign. Would to God, my Lords, I could by granting mercy, while at the same time Balmerino received notice that their execu- not plead guilty to the charge. But as I can- he needed to make an example of these tion was to take place on August 18, 1746. not, I beg leave to assure your Lordships rebels for the benefit of others in a similar Balmerino showed little concern and his my heart never was consenting to the frame of mind. Kilmarnock asserted his manner greatly impressed those who saw unnatural and wicked part I then acted. innocence of the grievous, if false charges, him. When the Earl of Kilmarnock and Remember, my Lords, my youth, and I am of having given an order to give no quarter Lord Balmerino were leaving the Tower on in that state of life when an unhappy to the King’s troops in the battle of the way to their execution, the deputy-lieu- father’s example is almost a law. But my Culloden. His plea was ignored. tenant at the Tower cried out “God bless heart is full from the deep sense I have of The Earl of Cromartie was, if anything, King George!”. Kilmarnock gave a bow his miseries, and my own; and I shall only in a slightly better position to claim mercy while Balmerino responded with the reply, add, that as I must and do plead guilty to for he, at least, was not at Culloden, having “God bless King James!” the charge, if, on your Lordships’kind rep- been captured the day before the battle. At eleven o’clock on the morning of resentation of my case, his Majesty shall But there was no doubt that he was one of the execution, Lord Balmerino asked to see think fit, in his great goodness, to extend the leaders of the ‘45 rebellion and as such the Earl of Kilmarnock and their conversa- his compassion to me, what of future life was still in great danger for his life. It was tion was overheard and reported by a Mr and fortune I may ever have shall be his remarkable wife, Isabella Gordon, the Foster, a dissenting clergyman: entirely devoted to the service of his Countess of Cromartie, who worked the Majesty, on whose mercy I now absolutely hardest to save her husband’s life. Balmerino: “Did you ever see or know throw myself.” Although she was in the latest stage of of any order signed by the prince to give no pregnancy, she rode a horse from Castle quarter at Culloden?” One wonders who Lord MacLeod’s Leod, in Strathpeffer, to London to plead Kilmarnock: “No, my lord.” scriptwriter was! These sentiments were the life of her husband to the king himself. Balmerino: “Nor I neither, and there- clearly not his own, but such pleas were The Countess presented a petition to each fore it seems to be an invention to justify necessary to escape the axe, and the of the lords of the cabinet-council. She their own murders.” vengeance of the English, who had been then went to Kensington Palace accompa- Kilmarnock: “No, my lord, I do not truly scared by the Highlanders’ march all nied by Lady Stair and positioned herself think that inference can be drawn from it, the way to Derby. so that she could see King George on his because while I was at , I was As it happened the plea was effective. His life was spared and he received a full Page 4 “Kennacius Alexandri Kennaci and pardon, subject only to the small but vital Finvola Celestini de Insulis.” This record condition that on attaining the age of 21, he dence of Kenneth, son of Murdoch of is found in the VATICAN ARCHIVES: was required to surrender all claims to any Ross, who was then engaged in the ACTA SACRA PENITENTIARIAE of the Cromartie estates to the Crown as if pacification of that district - - ‘et APOSTOLICA, 13, 32v. The name of the he had been attainted of high treason! Keneath Murchieson de Rosse labo- husband may be translated as “Kenneth, ranti in partibus Rossie pro quiete son of Alexander, family of Kenneth [i.e. The next issue concludes the long regni ex causa considerata super com- Mackenzie],” perhaps the earliest use of series on the History of the MacKenzies. potum xli.’ Again, in 1415, Alexander, the name of the ancestral Kenneth as a sur- son of Murdoch, and Rory, his brother, name for his descendants. It may be safely were prisoners in - assumed that the Alexander of , who THE PEDIGREES OF THE EARLY ‘et pro mensa Alexandri Murcherson et witnessed the charter in 1471, was the CHIEFS OF THE CLAN MACKENZIE Ruthery fratris sui malefactorum ibi- same Alexander, who was the father of BY DOUGLAS HICKLING dem in canceribus pro utilatate repub- Kenneth, who obtained the dispensation in CONCLUDING PART 4 lice XIIIli.’ 1465. These references may, indeed We conclude this interesting research into have no relation to the Mackenzies Although Kenneth-a-bhlair is not a the various Mackenzie Chiefs’genealogies (though it is by no means clear when subject of this article, the marriage dispen- published in a number of manuscripts. that surname was first adopted), but at sation seems to resolve the issue of the least one is furnished with an identity of his first wife, frequently he only comprehensive 20th century Alexander, son of Murdoch, as claimed by the family historians to have Thistory of the Mackenzies is SOME required by the family histories. With been a daughter of John, and MACKENZIE PEDIGREES, completed Alexander the account of the family . The Munros, at 304 and by Duncan Warrand in 1937, but not pub- commences. 307, identify Finvola as a daughter of lished until 1965. Warrand was a well- Celestine/Archibald of , a son of regarded family historian, who served as 1 Alexander de Yle, Lord of the Isles and co-editor of volume VI of THE COM- Alexander Mackenzie, known as later Earl of Ross. PLETE PEERAGE. He refused to give any Alexander Ionraic (the upright), had, credibility to the existing pedigrees of the according to THE SCOTS PEERAGE, Jean Dunlop, co-editor with her hus- early Mackenzies, explaining, at 1-2: both from John, Earl of Ross, and from band R.W. Munro of ACTS OF THE the Crown, after the forfeiture of that LORDS OF THE ISLES: 1336-1493, in It is not too much to say that the his- earldom, several grants of land. His her concise THE CLAN MACKENZIE, tories of the Clan Mackenzie, histories name, however, as Sheriff Macphail first published in 1953, largely ignored the compiled for the most part in the dan- points out, does not appear in the traditional pedigrees of the early chiefs. At gerous 17th century, are wholly unreli- Register of the Great Seal or in any page 5, she states that “the original able at all events prior to 1475. The other public record . . . Kenneth, who lived in the thirteenth centu- late Sheriff Macphail, whose knowl- ry, is said to have descended from a edge of and sympathy with the Although giving Alexander Ionraic a younger son of Gilleoin of the Aird.” Her Highlands have been amply recog- place in the early Mackenzie pedigree, he detailed genealogical discussion of the nized, was clearly of this opinion . . . was unwilling to do the same for either or early Mackenzies starts with Alexander The absence of record evidence in both of Alexander’s purported wives, say- Ionraic, but she, too, does not identify his these early times may not in itself be ing, at 3, “into the question of Alexander’s wife. The first Mackenzie wife identified conclusive proof of a fabulous geneal- marriages, real or imaginary, it is not pro- by Dunlop is Alexander’s daughter-in-law, ogy, but it is at least highly suspicious, posed to enter.” “a daughter of Lord Lovat,” who married the more so that the early charters, Alexander’s son, “Kenneth of the Battle.” once cited in histories, not only do not Contemporary documentary proof of exist, but, if they did, are almost cer- Alexander Ionraic’s existence and of his The same pattern is again followed in tainly spurious . . . relationship to Kenneth-a-bhlair is set forth the most recently published pedigree of the by Jean (Dunlop) Munro and R.W. Munro, early Mackenzies in BURKE’S PEER- * * * * * the eminent Scottish historians, in their AGE & BARONETAGE (106th edition, The article on Seaforth in THE ACTS OF THE LORDS OF THE ISLES: 1999) at 723: SCOTS PEERAGE really begins with 1336-1493, published by the Scottish Alexander Mackenzie, the upright, History Society in 1986. At 160-161, the LINEAGE: According to Celtic though five supposed chiefs are Munros have printed a charter by John, genealogies the Mackenzies of Kintail placed (quantum valeant) [“for what it is Earl of Ross and Lord of the Isles, execut- stem from Gillian Og (“the Younger”), son worth”] before him. Of these, the last is ed at in 1471, witnessed by of Gillian of the Aird, ancestor also of the Murdoch who is said to have died in “Alexander McKennye de Kintail.” At Earls of Ross. Ninth in descent from 1416. In 1414, therefore, he may be 244, the Munros set forth an even more Gillian, and the first of these Mackenzies presumed to be getting on in years, the interesting record - that of a papal marriage for whose existence there is documentary father of sons, and there is record evi- dispensation, dated 13 September 1465, to evidence, was: Alexander Mackenzie of Kintail, called Page 5 Ionraic similarly lack credibility. Well into “Ionraic”, imprisoned by James I; dies the 19th century, some family historians 1488, having had with two younger sons: such ever-freshened tradition faithfully argued that his first wife was a daughter of endured. the first Earl of Argyll, and they would no Kenneth Mackenzie of Kintail . . . doubt continue to do so, but for the fact But it is not possible to construct a that it was shown to be a chronological credible pedigree based upon a supposition The foregoing shows that BURKE’S impossibility. The claim that he married that 17th century Mackenzie historians had has completely disregarded the traditional daughters of two unrelated Macdougal access to earlier sources, whether they pedigrees of the early Mackenzies, but it families seems too coincidental to be were in writing or in traditions handed does recognize the existence of Alexander accepted, especially when neither of these down orally through generations of Ionraic, clearly based upon the same families seem to have asserted the exis- Mackenzies, when: (1) the existing manu- record, relied upon by Warrand, that one tence of such a daughter or marriage. The script histories contradict themselves and Alexander, son of Murdoch, was a prison- fact that one of these alleged wives, Anna the manuscript of 1467, (2) most of the er, although the date of the incarceration is Macdougal, if she existed at all, is said to charters and other documents which may stated to be 1415 by Warrand and 1427 by have been a granddaughter of Sir Colin (of have helped sort out the contradictory tra- BURKE’S. Like Warrand, the BURKE’S Glenurchy) Campbell, himself a descen- ditions and pedigrees have now been dis- editors apparently regarded the traditional dant of King Robert III of , may credited, and (3) no one can tell which of identity of Alexander’s wife or wives to be account for the fact that earlier generations the traditions are based upon fact, conjec- lacking sufficient reliability to be included. of Mackenzie historians clung to her in ture, or a desire to glorify the clan’s histo- their pedigrees. ry and bloodlines. In partial defence of the early Mackenzie histories, Matheson argues, at I conclude that the more recent 20th There is even less reason to give cre- 208 and 226 note 51, that, in addition to century Mackenzie histories, namely those dence to the names of the wives given in earlier histories no longer existing, “the by Duncan Warrand, Jean Dunlop, and the the traditional pedigrees. Both the manu- family historians also used . . . inscriptions editors of BURKE’S PEERAGE & script of 1467 and MacVurich’s BLACK on tombstones, and the records of religious BARONETAGE, have taken the only BOOK OF CLANRANALD show the houses dispersed after the Reformation.” acceptable course in beginning their Mackenzie ancestral male line, but are Mackenzie pedigrees with Alexander completely silent as to wives, mothers, and With candor seldom found in genealog- Ionraic and his son Kenneth-a-bhlair. daughters. Their absence strongly indicates ical histories, James D. Mackenzie of Although the Mackenzie family members, that the pedigrees, allegedly recited at Findon, at 12, argues that there can be no who have continued to rely on Margaret length at family events by generations of positive certainty as to the Mackenzie Strathbogie and Anna Macdougal in main- Mackenzies, were similarly limited to pedigree: taining their claims to a royal bloodline, Mackenzie males. may be disappointed, they can no doubt Peering into the mist of ages - back find other, and provable, royal descents in Particularly flagrant is the claim of a to a time when, however high the cul- their Mackenzie ancestries, including that marriage between Margaret Strathbogie, ture in other parts of Europe, our of Agnes Fraser, who married Kenneth-a- daughter of the Earl of Atholl, and either ancestors were, from their remote bhlair. Agnes’s mother, the redoubtable Kenneth, Murdoch, or John Mackenzie. In position, yet in a state of rude bar- Violet Lyon, known for her skill in killing a society and time in which one’s class and barism and ignorance, leaving little mountain lions, was the great-great-great- ancestry clearly counted, one would tend more than the tales of slaughter to great-granddaughter of King Robert II of to remember a descent and royal bloodline, guide their posterity - it were vain to Scotland. from an earl’s daughter, who, in turn, seek a clearer determination of their descended from King John, of Magna origins; and we must be content to NOTE: The differences in the spelling Carta fame, and his parents, King Henry II accept such details as we find, oral tra- of names generally reflects the varying and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Yet, neither the ditions being perhaps the most reliable orthography of the compilers of the sever- first Earl of Cromartie nor John Mackenzie guide. al pedigrees. of mention a Mackenzie- Compiled by : Strathbogie marriage - strong evidence that In support of the reliability of oral tra- Douglas Hickling the marriage is an invention of a later cen- ditions, he quotes Sir George Mackenzie of 516 Blair Avenue tury. In such a class-conscious society and Rosehaugh (1636-1691) in his DEFENCE Piedmont CA 94611 age, a marriage between the daughter of an OF THE ANTIQUITY OF THE ROYAL earl, having a royal descent, and the chief LINE OF SCOTLAND (1685 edition), at his concludes this excellent piece of of what was at that time a minor vassal 22: workmanship by Douglas Hickling. clan, is inherently unlikely. In the absence T We owe him thanks for this useful of documentary evidence of such a mar- It was ordinary in our Highland fam- appraisal of the genealogies of the riage or even that Margaret Strathbogie ilies, not only at burials, but at bap- Mackenzie chiefs. It will doubtless remain even existed, her name does not belong in tisms and marriages, to recite the a subject of further research and controver- any credible pedigree. The names of the genealogies for many generations, and sy and we would welcome readers’ views wives assigned to Alexander Mackenzie we can well therefore understand how and comments on this subject. Above: Starting a line-up for the Parade of the Clans at the Glengarry Below: US Commissioner and our member, Angus and Pamela MacKenzie with Lady and Lord Cromartie at Castle Leod Page 7 been in Canada for some years, having arrived here in the large immigration of the mid 1800’s. (If your people are of recent arrival and you have some information about their lives in Scotland, our research overseas will be dealt with later). New arrivals today seem to establish themselves in the larger centres to suit their employment history while back a few generations the immigrants arriving mostly had a rural background and looked eagerly to the possibility of free or inexpensive land being made available, a chance to own their own property, something they were likely unable to do back in the old country. A good many new arrivals settled in lands which were made available through the Canada Company, a group set up to locate settlers in Ontario in what had been undeveloped until then. This area which now includes Huron and Perth counties in southwestern Ontario was settled during that period. Similar immigration promotions were Here is a photo from a newspaper sent to us from New Zealand. It effected which brought people into other areas of Canada, docu- shows the unveiling of a statue of the famous James Mackenzie, the ments recording these may be available in other provincial Gaelic-speaking shepherd who was sentenced to a term of imprison- ment in the 1850s for stealing 1,000 sheep and hiding them in an archives. As a starting point let us assume you are trying to trace unknown part of New Zealand, now known as the Mackenzie Country. your grandfather and you only have his name and that he died in This story was told in the September 2003 issue of Cabar Feidh. 1960. We want to find more about him and his origins and docu- ments on file may have clues to help you do just that. His age is an important item to confirm, if no other source is at hand, obtain his death certificate which will also record his origin - Ontario or WHO WENT BEFORE II Scotland, perhaps, even the county or parish. Another important document would be a marriage certificate which would require "RURAL ROOTS" that you have an approximate date and location. This Certificate would show his parents, his bride’s parents along with witnesses BY RAD MACKENZIE (perhaps other family members). Finally, if age is established, a birth certificate may be found which again would list parents and n my earlier notes I emphasized the importance of talking to other details. You should be aware that sometimes entries are not Iolder family members, asking for details they could give about complete so several sources are worth checking. These documents the family, in particular names, dates and birth locations of aunts, are available through the Registry Office in Ontario who will pro- uncles, cousins, grandparents etc. etc. With that fount of knowl- vide “Extracts for Genealogy”, write to: edge explored, you should consider another place to check if you have not already done so, go through any family papers tucked The Manager of Customer Services, away in odd corners, looking for bibles, diaries, journals, pension Office of the Registrar General, application records, marriage documents, military pension Registration Division, records. If there is a family member recently deceased, ask to look Macdonald Block, Parliament Buildings, through the papers left behind which will otherwise soon be dis- Toronto, ON M7A 1YS carded. Look for all of the above plus photo albums, old letters - check envelopes for post marks and addresses, prayer books, If you are searching in locations other than Ontario, refer to school records, baptismal certificates and Sunday school atten- the equivalent department in the provincial parliament offices of dance diplomas. (The flyleaf of a prayer book etc. often shows it the province concerned. was a gift with the donor’s particulars). Sort any papers you find and put in a scrap book for future use. There are often valuable Prime source, if you have identified a community and can thus leads found in these innocent items. When contacting relatives it identify the township involved, are the Census records which is best to provide a chart listing all the information you have and were compiled in 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881 and more recently as ask for corrections and additions. This is more effective than a well. Copies of these records are sometimes on file in the central verbal request and then waiting for them to “get around to it”. libraries of the larger towns. If you have no success through your Don’t be shy about following up on your request - - - this might local library system, you can visit: be a once around exercise so be persistent. Archives of Ontario 77 Grenville Street If you have listed all possible known relatives, the next step is Toronto, ON to try to learn about who went before these folks. You will likely Inquiries:- 416-965-4039 have blank spots in what you have written down so far but con- where many old records are available. This is a repository of a tinue on into this next area, keeping in mind that your records are great deal of historical material but organize yourself before going not closed off and likely the blanks will be filled in eventually. I there, establish just what you want to find out and the areas you will start this next level with the assumption that your family has wish to search. A phone call to learn their procedures would be wise. The material here is remarkable. I Page 8 and events. Some of these groups were once looked through the scrapbook of quite dedicated in their approach and their William Lyon MacKenzie of rebellion are now no longer part of the family (from records and scrapbooks are very interest- fame. On another visit I searched through death or going out into the world). ing. the original ledgers of the Canada Cemetery markers in nearby graveyards Company. Using the census records is a may show some family members but in Military Records - There are many slow project, you need get into the appro- many cases stone memorials were not bits of information on file for each service- priate township pages, examine each page erected and wood markers have long since man, the earliest would be his “Attestation and try to identify your target under the disappeared. Certificate” which was completed on family name and Christian name, this Interesting data can be obtained from enlisting and will show “Next of Kin” with means looking at each family entry. If you the agricultural census. This is a separate an address. This key item will help identi- are looking for “John McKenzie” and listing which describes the farm particu- fy and locate a parent you may have not know he was born in 1879 you might try lars, the acreage under cultivation, the already found. As well, if the soldier had the 1881 census, looking through all crops, farm animals and the estimated been wounded, his medical records will McKenzie entries and hoping to find a two worth of the place. This does not extend show where his treatment took place and or three-year old John. This is a name your family tree but does give a picture of also, his movements (on leave or to other which might surface in several families so the family’s situation at that time. establishments) while in the service. The you need to reinforce any discovery with Further sources of background infor- National Archives of Canada hold records the names of his siblings. Are there names mation are the township registers. These relating to the service in the military for there that you recognize as repeated later record information on most properties, list- these conflicts: in the family? Perhaps you already know ing the various owners and often some 1939 - 1945 World War II the names of a brother or sister. If you are comments about them. Along with this you 1914 - 1918 World War I certain that you have found your “John”, might also look in the area library for a 1899 - 1902 Boer War you have also found his parents and broth- copy of the local township atlas, which are 1837 - 1838 Rebellion of 1837 ers and sisters as of 1881 and as well, the detailed lot maps prepared in the 1879 1812 - 1815 War of 1812. birth location of each with their age as of period for many Ontario townships. If you the date of entry. You may find some chil- have identified the land your people settled An enquiry will need a full name and dren listed that don’t seem to fit (the same on then these maps will show you the loca- service number, include any other particu- age as others in the family, or names that tion and, if they lived there at the time the lars you know. Records from the early con- are out of sync with the usual family nam- map was prepared, their name will be flicts are rather sparse but worth checking. ing style), these could be foster children shown. At least you will have more infor- If you have an interest in the Korean or who have been taken into the family, not mation on the neighbouring families and a Vietnam wars, you may find these too an unusual thing, or perhaps cousins or better sense of the community. One more recent for the release of documents. friends visiting on the census day. The thing, if you wish, you can obtain records For Service Records write to: birthplaces of the children may vary which of the property in question, who owned it National Personnel Records Centre shows you the family moved about. In originally, the various charges against it National Archives of Canada some cases, it is possible to follow a fami- (mortgages) and who it passed on to. Go to Tunney’s Pasture ly as it travelled across the country before the Land Registry Office for the area Ottawa ON K1A ON3 settling in one spot. Others in John’s fami- involved. Most people at these places are ly, his parent’s brothers and sisters, might very helpful if you explain your interest in There have been a great many war have travelled with John’s parents and set- tracing old family particulars. There is casualties and if you wish information on tled nearby so further digging in census sometimes a fee involved. Your records someone who died in WWI or WWII, records of the earlier home communities will start to take on a meaningful look if these are recorded and particulars are might turn up more of John’s family. In the you include in your binder photocopies of available through the Commonwealth War census, the parent’s noted place of origin the various items you have discovered. Graves Commission, write to: might have been Scotland if they were not Individually they may not mean much but The Secretary-General Canadian born. To make the leap back to taken together they tell quite a story. Show Canadian Agency, C.W.G.C. Scotland it is important to know what town your young grandson the map of his G-G- East Memorial Building or parish was the family home before emi- G-Grandfather’s farm, where it was locat- Ottawa, ON K1A 0P4 grating. John’s parents’ death certificates ed, how many horses, pigs and cattle he could show that detail. Record all informa- had, how much wheat and barley he grew Until now no mention has been made tion you find about your family; it is a and what became of the property……. of using the internet. Some folk have not good idea to make a note of the various This is real history! Finally, enquire of the moved into that realm and so the forgoing nearby people as well, as the children grow nearest library asking for information on a is conventional research that can, with up some may have married into neighbour- local historical society and as well, the some determination and effort, give major ing families. Be sure to record the page local women’s institute. This last group results. This is not a fast moving hobby so number of the records you are transcribing prepared “Tweedsmuir” records, this was a don’t despair, you will likely follow many in order to return to them in the future if task promoted by our early Governor leads that go nowhere but you also will needed. Checking later census records will General, Lord Tweedsmuir, requesting the find the odd gem that will make it all show new family members or that some gathering together of local data on people worthwhile. There is nothing quite like the thrill of suddenly seeing the name of some- Page 9 Scotia Highland Village is a non-profit one you have been looking for. Society with the mission: to protect, inter- [This series continues in the next pret and further the collection of buildings Newsletter.] and artifacts at the Nova Scotia Highland Village site in ; and to preserve and NEW MEMBERS promote the and e welcome the following new mem- Islands culture as found in Nova Scotia. Wbers who have joined since the pre- Highland Village Living History vious issue of the Newsletter: Museum - Hours of Operation: 2004: May 22 to October 17 - Daily 9 Dr Margaret (Peggy) C. Allan, Ph.D., am to 6 pm R.Psych., NCSP, LSSP, DABPS Other times by appointment for group Registered Psychologist, tours. 4363 Valley Drive, Roots Cape Breton Genealogy & Vancouver, BC V6L 2K9 ments.com/ and we will be adding the Family History Centre (Visitor Centre) remainder over the next few months until Daily 9 am to 5 pm (May to November- Robert Barclay, the task is completed in June 2004. This other times by appointment #307, 18 Davenport Road, will bring to a close one of the largest Genealogist’s hours vary, appointments Toronto, ON M5R 3M3 archival digitisation programmes in the are recommended. world. Don’t worry!! - we are already Highland Village Gift Shop (Visitor Steven & Sharon Fenwick, working on digitising other fascinating Centre) 32 Killarney Street, series of Scottish records including Kirk 2004: May 22 to October 17 - Daily 9 London, ON N5X 2A7 Session records and Poor Law records. To am to 6 pm. find out more about this, ensure you Daniel MacKenzie, remain registered with us to receive our 624 Leonard, news updates. QUEBEC RECOGNIZES TARTAN St. Eustache, QUE J7R 6J5 DAY The following email was received and was HIGHLAND VILLAGE IN NOVA Isabelle MacKenzie, sent to all the clans. It is good news: 31 Wendell Ave., SCOTIA GETS A “NEW” CHURCH Greetings to you all West Bridgewater, MA 02379 ince its inception over four decades Some of you may have had this news Sago, the inclusion of a church on the as second hand. Jerry and Ann McKenzie, Highland Village Museum site has been a Some of you may not care or may not 835 Mountain Road, dream for those involved. In November be interested enough to know. Thunder Bay, ON P7J 1C1 2003 that dream became a reality. Thanks BUT just in case I wanted to let you to the generosity of the River and Lakeside know that through the work of Lou John G. MacKenzie, Pastoral Charge of the United Church of Dawson of the Sons of Scotland the Hound Ears Club, Canada (Orangedale, Malagawatch and Province of Quebec has finally decided to P.O.Box 188, River Denys), the Malagawatch United recognize and make official April 6th as Blowing Rock, NC 28605 Church was moved from its site near the Tartan Day (not yet a paid holiday). shores of the River Denys Basin to the Now at least we the people of Quebec Dr Christine Kyle Mather, Highland Village Museum in Iona. have decided that time was right to recog- 317 Wellington Road Seven, Constructed as a Presbyterian church in nize some of the Scottish contributions to Elora, ON N0B 1S0 1874, this building will make a wonderful the development of this wonderful addition to the Highland Village Museum province. . . . regardless of its sometime and its interpretive program. OVER 450,000 SCOTTISH funny political thinking . . . . . We were alerted to this church move by As I stated some of you will be pleased WILLS AND TESTAMENTS Olive Bowen in Nova Scotia who sent us to hear this, others indifferent, HOWEV- AVAILABLE NOW!! several newspaper cuttings. Unfortunately ER, I would ask as a personal favour if you the quality of newspaper pictures do not might at least put a little note in your next The following is part of an e-mail we copy well so we show a photo of the Clan newsletter so that any of your Quebec received from Scotland: church which we picked up off the Village members might be informed web site. Thank you very much, e have now nearly completed the Both the location of the old church and Doug Macfie Wmammoth task of digitising all the Highland Village are in Cape Breton 520,000 Scottish wills and testaments from and the village can be found in Iona. Many 1500 to 1901 held by the National of our members make the trek to Cape SUCCESSFUL GATHERING IN Archives of Scotland. Over 78% of Breton and this may be an interesting place CALGARY Scottish wills and testaments are now to visit. he Calgary Christmas Gathering at the available from http://www.scottishdocu- The Mission Statement: The Nova Thome of Sir Roderick (Ruaridh) Page 10 Mackenzie of Scatwell was a “huge success” according to long- their help has not only contributed financially but that time member Betty Hall. Guests totalled around 40 people, which their moral support has provided a strong background is a great turnout indeed. Included were Commissioner Cec motivation to us to improve Castle Leod so that it con- MacKenzie and his wife Phyllis, all the way from Edmonton, Alistair and wife from Ponoka, Isabelle Walcot, son John and wife tinues to be the seat of the Mackenzies in the true Mary Sheila McKenzie and Betty Hall’s brother, Bud. Ruaridh sense. Many thanks and all of us here wish you a pros- entertained the guests on the violin with Cathy on Guitar. There perous and happy 2004. were selections by Melisa, Vanessa and Isobel and carols were sung by everyone! Further accompaniment was provided by Don Cabarfeidh Sumerfield on the piano.

IN SIR ALEXANDER MACKENZIE’S FOOTSTEPS ur good friend and printer, Rob Stewart, alerted Ous to a web site about John Donaldson’s adven- tures in a canoe following the route taken by Sir Alexander Mackenzie. We found it interesting and although we did a report on his trip a few years ago it is worth reviving. Accordingly we wrote to Mr Donaldson asking if we could copy part of his web page and he confirmed we could do so.

onaldson followed the Peace River through DAlberta and battled the wild rapids of the mighty Fraser River in British Columbia. Canoeing the swift current was “like riding with ten thousand elephants at The Calgary Christmas get together: Cathy on guitar with her daughter your back,” he grimaced. singing. Sir Roderick plays the violin while Don Sumerfield (on the On the night of July 21, 1993, his transcontinental right) plays the piano. odyssey complete, Donaldson arrived at Mackenzie’s Rock, 80 km west of Bella Coola. He attended a cere- CASTLE LEOD DONATION AND A REPORT FROM mony receiving a telegram of congratulation from the CABARFEIDH decision was made to make a donation to the Clan Deputy Prime Minister, Jean Charest. AMackenzie Charitable Trust in the amount of $4,000 for the But, of all the messages he received the one he trea- Castle Leod Project. A cheque was duly sent to the Trust and a sures the most came from his family (including new response has been received from our Clan Chief, Cabarfeidh. Here triplets, Jennifer, Greg, and Alexandra) which read: it is:

nce again the Canadian Chapter have acted as a To: John Donaldson Omost welcome Santa Claus to the CMCT! Can I c/o Ray Skelly, MP, take this opportunity to thank the donors for their con- Bella Coola, BC tinuing generosity and that the money continues to be July 20, 1993 used for vital work on the Old Tower. The Castle will again be open to the public for 25 days next year and Dear Grandpa, your money helps towards restoring and refurbishing as well as replacing parts of the building which need it. We wish we could be with you today at Bella Coola Currently we are on a drive to repaint and in some to celebrate your monumental achievement, that of sin- cases replace windows which are long past their sell-by glehandedly retracing the footsteps of that other great date. Other work is the labelling and maintenance of Inverness Scot, Sir Alexander Mackenzie, from trees within the ‘tree walk’ and the resurfacing of the Montreal to the Pacific by canoe. Of course, he did it path to the Castle. And so it goes on; bit by bit the place the easy way as he took along some friends and relied becomes updated and the Canadians can be proud that on skilled local guides for assistance. It is also widely known that at least he had some private sector support. You, by contrast, have never been Page 11 me is that there are very few visitors known to do things the easy way. to Mackenzie memorabilia, etc. I Your family has, we hope, per- am wondering if the Mackenzie formed our role as effectively as Society could not let their members possible during your expedition. know more about SAM at Avoch Our job was to worry. We worried and also whether we could do when you announced you intended something to stir the Scottish to embark upon your venture. We Tourist Board out of its lethargy? worried when you actually left. We Sean Connery told me that he had worried when you turned up with own Seaforth Highlanders play the little faith in that organization when your face burnt by the sun and your stirring Mackenzie lament, he com- it came to promoting anything hands swollen and blistered. We mented, “my principal aim in pur- worthwhile! So there you go. worried when we discovered that suing this arduous and frequently Regards, you had been nearly capsized in the dangerous task was to try to bring John Donaldson wake of a laker on Superior. We to public attention some under- worried when we discovered you standing of an authentic Canadian Ed: I suggested to John that the had been held at gunpoint by a hero and to revitalise the jaded Alexander Mackenzie memorial at madman near Buffalo Narrows. We image that our history has unfortu- Avoch may well be on one of the worried when you were camped in nately become for most places to visit during the 2005 Clan a freezing blizzard at Peace River. Canadians.” Gathering! We shall see. We were worried when you had to Donaldson, along with his canoe ************************* negotiate that tricky stretch of and his Scottish West Highland WHY A CLAN CENTRE? water west of the watershed. Now Terrier, Angus, returned from [The following article has been sent we are worried about what you are Mackenzie’s Rock to Bella Coola to us by Peadair Mackenzie, who going to do for an encore. in style, as guest of the Captain on has been trying for some years to All of us simply want you to board the Canadian warship, establish and fund a Clan Centre in know that we are very proud of you HMCS Mackenzie. Scotland]. and of what you have managed to [Ed: We followed up with John accomplish. Your spirit and deter- Donaldson as we had heard he had he spiritual home of the clan is mination are an inspiration to all corresponded with and met Sean Castle Leod, Strathpeffer, the those you have met along the voy- T Connery. We asked him what hap- home of our Chief. For many rea- age and especially to us, your lov- pened. He replied as follows: “Sean sons it is not possible to create a ing family. Connery did give some money to ‘Clan Centre’ there, as such, so The Valcovs: the Avoch Heritage Society to set when a call for a separate Clan Anne, Bob, Christiana, Katherine, up a display of Mackenzie para- Centre was initiated by clansfolk Elizabeth, Alexandra, Gregory, phernalia including my canoe. from overseas the UK Society took Jennifer. Actually, it is now on loan to the . . action. Asurvey was sent out world . . would you believe . . . the Lord wide to discover if there was such a The following day precisely Lovat Arms seat of the FRASERS demand, the extent of it and what it marked the 200th anniversary of at .”] was expected to provide. Mackenzie’s reaching the Pacific. From the results of the survey it The place is named for the large Since including the above article appeared that a clan centre was boulder where Mackenzie inscribed we received an email from Mr hugely desired and should include this simple message: Donaldson and we pass it on to you numerous facilities. Accordingly a “Alexander Mackenzie from as follows: most appropriate site, with existing Canada by Land; July 22 one thou- planning permission was found, an sand seven hundred and ninety Dear Alan, outline plan was drawn up and dis- three.” One of the things that the played to much acclaim at the As Donaldson stood proudly lis- Heritage Assoc. at Avoch have told Millennium Gathering. tening to a piper from Canada’s Now our research showed that Page 12 get after this significant failure. Clan Centres per se, limited to the I have now given up my role as ‘Clan Centre’will remain a wooden interests of a single clan, soon fell Treasurer of the Scottish Studies building, 8 feet by 12 feet, located into difficulties because the num- Foundation (I remain a Governor) in a Council member’s garden, bers of visitors were relatively few as we have now raised the neces- where it is a store for archives. and not enough to generate the sary two million dollars to fund a I am happy to entertain any sug- income needed to support the ven- Chair in Scottish Studies at the gestions in the mean time and look ture. Therefore whatever is provid- University of Guelph, Ontario. The forward to any relevant comments. ed should have an appeal to the ultimate success was largely due to public at large as well as purely a small committee being raised Peadair Mackenzie. clansfolk. among our most prominent and Email: peadair.mackenzie@ntl- The ideal to be aimed for is aptly wealthy members. These in turn world.com illustrated by the facilities at the brought in their Scottish heritage Brodie Centre near Nairn, which contacts and substantial personal [Ed: A quick comment regarding offers a variety of excellent high donations were forthcoming. One smaller clans doing better at fund quality products and a good restau- individual donated almost raising: The Clan MacKenzie rant that is not expensive. This, of $200,000. Perhaps a joint clan cen- Society in Canada has sent over course, has been built up over a tre involving all clans and all of £46,000 to date for the Castle Leod period of many years but is a very their members and wealthy con- Project which incorporates a Clan successful business. If a section is tacts could be the answer to this room. The US Society has also been added to such a facility dealing with perpetual problem. Meanwhile we increasingly generous in recent a particular clan reference, then an shall continue to support the Castle years towards this project. The only excellent economically viable situ- Leod Project.] big clan success I have ever heard ation is created. of is the Macdonald Clan Centre Now we do have an excellent and that was due to a gift of around STAYING IN TOUCH site, on the Estate where the famous $4 million from a clansman related ere is a recent photo from former Brahan Seer worked, so a Brahan to the wealthy U.S. Dupont family. HPresident of the Clan MacKenzie Seer exposition would have general Society in the Americas. Roddy We also have a problem in Canada public appeal and if a restaurant MacKenzie is with his three children, in sending charitable funds over- was added initially, (because that Mary Ann, Ruaridh and Guy. seas. Some years ago we main road to Ullapool has very lim- obtained specific permission ited refreshment facilities), then we from the then Revenue Canada have the basis on which to build a to send such funds to the Clan centre. Mackenzie Charitable Trust for However, to make even this get the Castle Leod Project and we off the ground, funding is required. are obligated to submit a report When the request for assistance each year to Canada Customs with funding went out internation- and Revenue Agency on the sta- ally, there was absolutely little or tus of the project. Without a sin- no response, despite the fact that gle very wealthy member, who any funding could be matched by is prepared to put up substan- the UK Society, which is after all tial funds, fund raising is an the smallest Society in numbers. It arduous and long term task for is disappointing in view of the fact vast and costly projects such as that clans much smaller in number clan centres. We hear that the have been vastly more successful in million pound clan centre in the fund raising. Munro country folded through But unless there is more lack of support and public favourable financial support from funds are going to be hard to our overseas Societies then the Page 13 CLAN MACKENZIE GATHERING, SCOTLAND, 2005 Angus and Pam of Mackenzie Holidays have prepared two itineraries for the Clan Mackenzie Gathering in August of 2005. One tour is just before the Gathering, and the other just after. It is not possible to price the tours until after September of 2004. You may visit their website at www.mackenzieholidays.com for updates as they have them: Mackenzie Holidays, PO Box 469, Honeoye Falls NY 14472. The email address is [email protected]. Your comments are welcomed.

MACKENZIE CLAN GATHERING 2005 MACKENZIE CLAN GATHERING 2005

PRE-GATHERING TOUR AUGUST 1-8, 2005 POST-GATHERING TOUR AUGUST 15-21, 2005

‘CASTLES AND GLENS’ 'MYSTICAL ISLANDS'

(Saturday, July 30, 2005, depart from all airports in North Sunday, August 14, 9am: Depart Strathpeffer at 9am and trav- America for ) el north via the east coast visiting the Caithness Glass Factory Sunday, July 31, 2005: Arrive in Glasgow with time to adjust and Castle Mey before stopping for the night at the Northern to the time change. We will meet you at the airport and trans- Sands Hotel in Dunnet near Thurso. fer you to your hotel. Later that evening we will meet for din- Monday, August 15: Leave your bags at the hotel for we will ner. Overnight Stirling. (D) be back after an early departure from Thurso to take the ferry Monday, August 1, 2005: We begin our tour by visiting the to Kirkwall, Orkney. Spend the day visiting ancient sites Wallace Monument and then Stirling Castle where we will have including Skara Brae and the Ring of Brogar…Ferry back to lunch. Then it is on to St Andrews for the afternoon. Thurso. Overnight in Dunnet. Overnight Stirling. (B,D) Tuesday, August 16: We will depart Thurso and head for Tuesday, August 2, 2005: After breakfast we will travel to Ullapool traveling along the coast past Durness and through Rabbie Burns country in the lovely seaside village of Ayr. In Lochinver. After having lunch in the lovely fishing village of the afternoon the majestic Culzean Castle will host our lunch. Ullapool and some free time for shopping and strolling, we will Overnight Stirling.(BL) board the ferry for Stornoway, . Overnight, Wednesday, August 3, 2005: This morning we depart our Stornoway. Stirling hotel with our bags and travel to Jedburgh and Wednesday, August 17: Visit a ‘Black House’in Lewis and Melrose……In the afternoon visit the famous Falkirk Wheel. the Callinish Stones, then take the incredibly scenic drive to Overnight . (B) Harris where some of the most beautiful sand beaches in Thursday, August 4, 2005: This morning we’ll take the open- Scotland are located. Visit a Harris Tweed weaver. Lunch at top coach tour of Edinburgh, visiting the Edinburgh Castle, the Harris Hotel. Then, we will board the ferry to Uig on the Holyrood…. Optional tour in the afternoon to the Royal Yacht Isle of Skye. Overnight Portree. Britannia. Overnight Edinburgh. Thursday, August 18: With the Cuillin hills always a specta- Friday, August 5, 2005: Free-time in Edinburgh. Attend the cle we take the beautiful drive to visit the Dunvegan Castle, in famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo in the evening. Overnight the afternoon we have time to wander the lovely seaside village Edinburgh. (B) of Portree. After lunch we depart Skye for Tobermory via Saturday, August 6, 2005: Depart Edinburgh and travel north ferry. Take a walk along the seaside in this colourful village. via Glen Almond to Pitlochry. This is a beautiful village with Overnight Tobermory. sights and shopping galore. There is also the the famous Friday, August 19: We leave Tobermory for the Isle of Iona salmon ladder. Overnight Pitlochry. where you will have 6 hours to spend touring the Abbey and Sunday, August 7, 2005: We will leave Pitlochry after lunch the island. Try a hike to the other side of the island where a and visit the Blair Atholl Castle. Overnight Strathpeffer. End beautiful shell beach awaits. If you are unable to walk, a horse of Tour. and cart can be hired to take you to the Abbey. Take the late afternoon ferry to Oban. After dinner you will have some free time in Oban. Overnight Oban. CLAN MACKENZIE GATHERING, Saturday, August 20: After a scenic drive to Edinburgh, check-in at accommodations and spend the day touring the city. STRATHPEFFER Use your hop-on hop-off pass to stay as long as you like at one AUGUST 8 TO AUGUST 14, 2005 or more of the many stops on the double-decker bus tour. In the evening, see the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (SEE PAGE 20 FOR THE DRAFT PROGRAM) Overnight Edinburgh. Sunday, August 21: Coach transport to Glasgow Airport OR optional extension to Edinburgh stay. DR CHRISTOPHER KIMSEY Page 14 French. Benjamin witnessed the COMMENTS will of John Smith in 1756 and Harper’s Ferry, or did they come [Ed; If we had more letters from Elizabeth the will of Resse Thomas down the Cacapon? William members like Dr Kimsey, we would in 1758. Were these men also fight- received a land grant from never have a problem filling 80 plus ing in the war?” Proprietor Fairfax in June of 1762. pages on the Clan MacKenzie each [Ed: 1756 - 1763 - The Seven It was surveyed in 1763. Three year. He has some interesting points Years’War with France - the result Springs was probably sold to make to make and they are worth print- of which was the ceding of Canada the move. ing.] to Britain by France.] “I believe the Kinsey/Kimsey brothers, Benjamin and William, fantastic job on the December The piece about Rob Roy (pg. both served in the French and newsletter! This will probably 23) kind of correlates with the issue A Indian War. To what capacity I do always have to be repeated upon of the McGregor name change and not know. The fact that William receiving each and every issue of my Gre/agg ancestors. I have read received a land grant is the clue. Cabar Feidh. that the McGregors altered their William’s grant was from names to fit in and avoid the stig- Proprietor Fairfax. In reading the Newsletter, I ma. “Other points of interest are came across some interesting points those regarding Benjamin, William, upon which I desire to comment. It Finally, Jim McBeth’s article and William’s wife. Benjamin had was of interest to me to learn of the about the Scots fighting racism in some sort of problem with a Earl of Loudon and his connection the 1800’s brought to mind the sto- Stewart in 1753. In 1756 he is to Seaforth (pg.5). This is because ries in my own family of pressing absent from paying taxes. May in the Registers of the Chichester against the tide of bigotry, especial- 1756 is when the British declared Presbyterian Chapel, where ly when doing so was not popular. I war on the French. Was he off to Benjamin Mackenzie is listed, there would like to share some of these war? Both Benjamin and William is also mention of a Mackenzie in instances. The first recorded occa- are on the Virginia Militia Muster Loudon’s Regiment. It is also of sion is that of my 3x great-grandfa- Rolls for 1758. This was the year of note that the first Kims/zey land ther, John Alexander, who along the British expedition to was approximately 60 km from with other Kims/zey family mem- Philadelphia and the retreat of the Loudon County, VA. Here is an excerpt from my letter to my Kimsey cousin:

“I was a bit hasty in pronouncing William’s land on the Cacapon as the original point of set- tlement. It couldn’t be, because he had land pre- vious to that. This land, Three Springs, was close to Frederick County Line (Virginia?). William had this land in his posses- sion from Feb. of 1761 to Aug. 1762. I wonder if Benjamin had lived there with his brother, having Dr Christopher Kimsey (2nd from the right) in an honor guard. His father, Mark Kimsey, is 2nd from the left. crossed over possibly at Christopher belongs to the Lewiston American Legion. bers fought to free their African page 15 TRACE YOUR FAMILY USING YOUR American brothers from the barbar- NEW ZEALAND DEPUTY Y-CHROMOSOME The following article came from Scotland - ic atrocities of slavery in the South. COMMISSIONER COMING TO thanks to Mark Courtney - our intrepid John came home a hero to Illinois, CANADA and along with him the grief which source of what’s happening. It was pub- im Thwaites and his wife Betty lished in The Mail on Sunday and it is of his family carried over the loss of Jhave advised us they will be vis- great interest to the genealogist using those other brave Kims/zeys who iting Ontario for one week later this genetics to tie him/herself to an ancestor laid down their lives for their year. Alan McKenzie has invited many generations back. enslaved brothers. These dear ones them to stay at his house for the THE NORSE CODE will long stand as tribute to the ulti- first three days - July 15th to July BY NEIL MACPHAIL mate price of Liberty for all July 18th, at which point they will re you a MacDonald herding mankind. After the Civil War, John stay with friends in Guelph. Asheep on your lonely croft? A moved West. The stories are still Hopefully they will have time to MacDougall commuting home told in the family of how his Native see the magnificent Scottish from your office job? Or even a American friends would come to Library Collection at the University MacAlister living a quiet but hum- visit and pitch their teepees in his of Guelph - a Collection of National drum life? front yard, as well as how he would Importance! If so, there is every possibility hunt with a bow and arrow rather Jim, who is noted in New that lurking in your body is the than the rifle. Zealand for having one of the finest genetic fingerprint of one of Moving along to my grandfa- Jersey herds of cattle, has been the Scotland’s greatest warriors - a ther, Lloyd Wilson, named for his Deputy Commissioner of the Clan fearsome man capable of tearing uncle, Lloyd Smith, who was of MacKenzie Society of New the heart out of a Viking foe. Native America descent (Cherokee Zealand for many years. - has anyone read of the Trail of Quite apart from his ded- Tears?). When grandpa Lloyd went ication to the Clan into the military during WWII he MacKenzie Society he was loaded onto a bus with other also can claim some recruits headed for Basic. At the fame for his role in form- back of the bus sat an African ing a huge milk process- American, the son of a Baptist min- ing plant in New Zealand ister. My grandfather, Lloyd - the largest in the world! Kimsey, walked to the back of that Jim and Betty took Alan bus and sat with that brother. A bit on a tour there while he rare for the 1940’s, but true to form. was staying with them in Kims/zeys had fought to free the 2003 during a visit to slaves and now they were joining us New Zealand. to fight global tyranny. And so, time Anybody in the marches on and one bias replaces Toronto area will be wel- another and another form of geno- come to visit this very cide replaces another, but with friendly couple as we God’s help, against these we will shall hold a prevail, “Our Father . . . . Thy reception/dinner for Kingdom Come.” them. Please contact Alan McKenzie at (905) Keep up the good work. I have 842-2106 or also enjoyed the articles by [email protected] if you Catherine McKenzie Jansen and her husband Martin Douglas Hickling and look forward would like to be includ- Jansen are pleased to show this photo of their first child, to more by Rad MacKenzie, ed. Delia McKenzie Jansen. Delia is Alan and Jill Sincerely, McKenzie’s ninth grandchild and will make sure she is included as a member of the Clan in due course! Christopher Kimsey An Oxford University scientist page 16 e found this article of great has traced the Y-chromosomes, those who replied, they found a sin- Winterest and we wonder when which determines maleness, of the gle common Y-chromosome. To be the Clan MacKenzie can undertake founder of - the great double sure this was Somerled’s, a similar exercise. Can we put to Somerled of Argyll, who was born Prof. Sykes embarked on a sensi- bed a claim that most around 1100 and drove out all the tive piece of research involving the Mackenzies are Rosses who Viking invaders. living chiefs of the Clan Donald changed their name? Geneticist Bryan Sykes says this and their . The Y-chromosome can only be microscopic fragment of the fear- He said: ‘I wanted to see if the used to trace the male line. some fighter still lives on in the clan chiefs still alive, whose record- However the following article DNA of half a million clansmen ed genealogies descend from which we found on the internet throughout the world. Indeed, Somerled, also shared the same deals with connecting people with Professor Sykes says the Y-chromo- chromosome. This was a delicate their common female ancestors too. some of the Gaelic warrior, who it task. We might find one or more of seems had Norse blood himself, is the chiefs did not have it - meaning ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE so prevalent it could be among the one of their paternal ancestors ROYAL SOCIETY OF NEW most successful in the world. might have been adopted, or had ZEALAND Prof. Sykes and his team made not been the biological father of his Pete Hodgson, the Minister for the discovery almost by accident heir.’ Research, Science and Technology, while they were researching genet- can trace a direct line of maternal ic links between the Scots and the descent back to a woman who lived Vikings and looking for Norse in Syria about 10,000 years ago, chromosomes. according to results just announced He and researcher Jayne by the Royal Society of New Nicholson had taken thousands of Zealand. As part of a visit by best- DNA samples from men in the selling author Professor Bryan Highlands and Western Isles, and Sykes, the University of Otago has spotted a group that stood out. run tests on several eminent New They were at first puzzled, then Zealanders’mitochondrial DNA. Miss Nicholson looked at the The tests use the nucleotide donors’ names. These revealed that sequence of mitochondrial DNA, among the men with the identical which is inherited solely through Professor Bryan Sykes Y-chromosomes were, the female line, to create an evolu- MacDonalds, MacAlisters and He approached Lord Godfrey tionary framework going back MacDougalls. Macdonald, Sir Ian Macdonald of 150,000 years. Described in Prof. Sykes said: ‘There didn’t Sleat, Ranald MacDonald of Clan Professor Sykes’ book, “The Seven seem all that much in it until Jayne Ranald, William McAlester of Daughters of Eve”, the framework said quietly that these clans were all Loup and Ranald MacDonell of reveals that almost everyone whose supposed to be related. Glengarry, enclosing a DNA brush. maternal routes lie in Europe is The possibility that this Y-chro- The result was conclusive: descended from one of seven clan mosome was inherited from the ‘They all shared the same chromo- mothers. Eve was the original common ancestor of the some. There was now no doubt we mother of all modern humans who MacDonalds, MacDougalls and had identified the legacy of lived in Africa about 150,000 years MacAlisters was incredibly excit- Somerled.’ ago. Jasmine, from whom the ing.’ Now the only one whose lineage Minister is descended, is the most They wrote to dozens of these is in doubt is Somerled himself. recent of the seven, and lived near clansmen throughout Scotland, Tradition says he descended from Syria around the end of the last ice enclosing a sampling brush for the ancient Irish kings - but Prof. age. them to collect DNA from inside Sykes says the chromosome proves Other results announced show their cheeks. In the samples of his Norse ancestry. that Kiwis’ proportions of clan mothers seem similar to those in page 17 haps we could ask him to attend the Europe, with almost half of those At his lectures around New 2005 Clan Gathering. Now that tested coming from Helena, the Zealand Professor Sykes will look would be a real coup!] most common “daughter of Eve”. at how the study of mitochondrial Helena’s descendants include new DNA has demolished any scientific SHOP & Royal Society Fellows Professor basis for racism, revised our knowl- Alison Mercer, Professor Robin edge of the colonisation of the RESTAURANT CLOSES Smith, Dr Allan Crawford, and Pacific, and changed how we BY ALAN MCKENZIE Professor Rosalind Gibson, as well viewed Homo sapiens’ settlement mong the interesting as Royal Society CEO Dr Steve of Europe, a continent once domi- Anewspaper articles sent to Thompson. [Ed: all Scottish sur- nated by the Neanderthals. us by Mark Courtney from names!] Forty-seven percent of Professor Sykes has come to Scotland was a sad one from modern Europeans belong to the New Zealand as The University of clan of Helena, who lived around Auckland Sir Douglas Robb lectur- the Ross-shire Journal of 20,000 years ago. August 22, 2003. It reported Professor Sykes: that the Storehouse of Foulis “Everyone that lives either in Europe, or America, or shop and restaurant was to Asia, or Polynesia, or Australia, are all related to one close for good the following another and have a common ancestor, certainly as far week. Visitors to the Clan as M-DNA is concerned, living roughly something like Mackenzie Gathering in maybe a hundred thousand years ago at the very most. Strathpeffer in 2000 may, like And this is very, very recent in evolutionary times”. me, have found time to make a quick visit to this place. It was er for 2003. The Royal Society, in then known as Clanland and Professor Diana Hill, chief exec- partnership with the British High Sealpoint. Clanland was, I utive of Global Technologies NZ Commission and British Council and chair of the Marsden Fund New Zealand, is hosting additional suppose, a term intended to Council, is a descendent of Xenia, lectures in Dunedin (with entice all clan members of any who lived about 25,000 years ago. UNESCO), Christchurch, Nelson, clan to visit. Some of us were Today, about one percent of Wellington and Palmerston North aware that this property was Europeans and six percent of native as part of the celebrations of the largely a Clan Munro exhibit Americans are descended from 50th anniversary of the discovery and a very expensive one at Xenia. of the structure of DNA. Professor Sykes’genealogy test- [Ed: These lectures took place in that. The simple case was that ing company has a new “Viking” November 2003. You can see and it did not attract enough visi- test, which was done for Emeritus hear Prof. Sykes video conference tors despite the fact it was Professor George Petersen, New at: located on the busy A9 road. Zealand’s “father of DNA”. This http://www.digitalconversa- Clan Chief Hector Munro, test analysed the Y-chromosome, tions.org.nz/genes/mov/bs_clip6_e. who drank that famous toast passed down the paternal line, to php discover where his male ancestors with our Clan Chief at the had originated from. Professor A last word from Professor Sykes: 2000 Gathering pledging eter- Petersen’s Y-chromosome showed a nal peace - or something like very rare result - it seems his pater- “There are sixty million men in that, had something to say nal ancestors came from North Asia that are direct descendants about the closing of this cen- Africa about 5,000 years ago and of Genghis Khan”. worked their way up into Norway. tre. He said that although They were then part of the Viking [Ed: If any member knows how we 10,000 cars passed the centre incursions into Britain. can contact Professor Sykes per- every day at the height of the page 18 season it was too close to the public. It is only the shop and Sealpoint to The tourist dormitory centres such and restaurant space that is Storehouse of Foulis. It as Strathpeffer and Inverness closing. A spokesman for sounds like some sort of ware- for drivers to think of stopping RACE said: “We are disap- house and the name is singu- for refreshment and was on a pointed to hear that the shop larly unattractive to prospec- very fast stretch of road that and restaurant at Storehouse of tive tourists. But don’t kick a made calling in difficult. He Foulis are to close, and we guy when he’s down, eh? added, “this is a beautiful site, would like to offer or advice but it isn’t a retail site. You and assistance to any workers FLOWERDALE GETS A FACELIFT would either have to be an affected by this. The Listed Ross and Enterprise news extremely well-known fran- Storehouse building with its release issued: Monday, February 16 2004 chise such as Pizza-Hut where clan and history exhibition has n enhanced experience is in store for people know what they were been carefully restored and Avisitors to and with a facelift for Flowerdale. The project, going to get, or a business that remains a tremendous asset to which is underway and is due to be com- makes most of its revenue off- the area, and we understand pleted in the spring, is supported by Enterprise (RACE), the site.” A pretty sad state of that this will reopen again to European funded Community Economic affairs for a venture that was the public.” Development (CED) programme, Scottish supposed to have cost around RACE provided £150,000 Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Forestry Commission Scotland. $1 million including a big towards setting up costs of the Gairloch Estate has been owned by the slice of public funds (RACE venture. Mackenzie family for hundreds of years, and is the Mackenzie clan ‘homeland’. and the Lottery Fund). When I visited this place in The Estate has its historical centre at Mr Munro also sent a stark August 2000 I found it reason- Flowerdale, which includes an 18th centu- warning to others considering ably attractive but not over- ry manor house, some archaeological remains, excellent mixed woodlands and a such ventures. “Unless you hit whelming. The restaurant was system of burns, ponds and waterfalls. the ground running you are pleasant and so was the shop. Until about 50 years ago, these were managed by and for the estate but for the doomed,” he said, “We went The clan centre portion was last 20 or 30 years, the levels of manage- back to the Clan Munro who well done but it had no people ment going into the core Flowerdale estate put in cash at the outset for to advise or explain. It was lands has declined due to economic pres- sure, at the same time as public access has another £130,000 to relaunch one of those exhibits where been increasingly encouraged. Clanland as Storehouse of you read and progress and fin- RACE has assisted the project with funding of £8,607, with a further £7,950 Foulis, but you cannot keep ish up watching a film - which from the CED programme. CED is a part- going back to a small, volun- I enjoyed because it men- nership initiative that aims to target funds tary society for more money. It tioned the rivalry of the for sustainable development activities undertaken by communities most in need is a very long haul. I have spo- Munros and Mackenzies! I of support and is managed and distributed ken to people all over the thought at the time that the in Wester Ross by the Wester Ross Alliance. world and they all say the cost of this project was exces- SNH provided £4,588 as part of its same thing about projects in sive for what it was. However commitment to improving public access to rural areas.” I am sad that it has come to important local natural heritage sites. Forestry Commission Scotland contributed However, all is not lost. It is this. I have one final comment a £12,500 woodland improvement grant. stated that the exhibition will to make: why on earth did they The construction of new paths and improvements to some of the existing remain in place and open to change the name of Clanland paths has already begun. Dense growths of rhododendron and bracken are being page 19 Nicola Ewing, a development manager cleared to improve lines of sight and bring understand that this is necessary so we can at RACE added: “The project fits nicely in more light and derelict wire fences have provide them with better access and facili- with one of the CED programme’s main been replaced with post & rail. ties and take full advantage of what this priorities which is to promote green or cul- The project will also see the develop- area has to offer.” tural tourism and to support activities ment of view points with benches to allow Lloyd Gudgeon from the Wester Ross which sustain the local culture and her- visitors to overlook Loch Gairloch, Alliance, said: “Flowerdale is a very popu- itage. This is an excellent example of how Charleston Harbour and to see across lar attraction and we hope that these the CED funds can be targeted for the ben- Flowerdale. Signs giving historical, envi- improvements will encourage even more efit of locals and visitors alike.” ronmental and view information will be people to visit the area. This project will erected, along with way-markers and the help increase the number and variety of [Ed: It would have been better to call ornamental ponds will be restored to their activities on offer to people living in or vis- Flowerdale “the homeland of the former glory. iting Wester Ross.” Mackenzies of Gairloch”!] The project will enable Flowerdale to offer visitors a number of options from short, flat, low-level walks suitable for all abilities, to relatively steep climbs up to the waterfalls and beyond. They will take visitors through one hundred year old plan- tations of exotic sample trees and past sites of interest such as the ice house and the ancient Island of Justice - the place where the Laird sat in judgement between the 12th-16th century. There may be some disturbance at Flowerdale during the coming months while the work is happening, and at times access may be restricted or parts of the footpath closed. Roger McDonald, the estate manager said: “We hope visitors will Flowerdale - home of the Mackenzies of Gairloch. Photo by Mark Courtney Advertisement BURNETT’S & STRUTH SCOTTISH REGALIA LTD, 570 BRYNE DRIVE, BARRIE, ONTARIO L4N 9P6 Phone (705) 728-3232; Fax: (705) 728-2962; email: [email protected]

Come and visit us in our 9,000 sq.ft. building featuring a large selection of Clan readily available, Highland Wear and accessories. We specialise in the art of Making and Military Tailoring, Ladies Kilted Skirts and Hostess Skirts. We carry a large selection of pipe band, piping and drumming accessories. Our store offers a large selection of Celtic jewellery, fine china, linens, glassware and knitwear. We offer Highland rentals for your Special Occasion. “A Little Bit of Scotland Right in the Heart of Barrie, Ontario, Canada”.

If you cannot visit us because of the distance involved and you can still go on line and order a kilt from us. There is a measuring form on our website. The web address is www.burnetts-struth.com

“Margaret Struth, who made HRH Prince Charles’ kilt recently, made my kilt for the Mackenzie Gathering in Scotland in 1995. It is still as good as new despite constant wear. Alan McKenzie ” A Punch Cartoon

Another view of how the English viewed the Scots about one hundred years ago!