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Matthew & Charles McDonald/MacDonald, Mary McPherson

Matthew & Charles McDonald/MacDonald, Mary McPherson

Posted: 3 Nov 2008 8:23PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: MacDonald, McDonald, Bruce, McPherson, McLeod
I am trying to track down any information on my GGGgrandfather Matthew McDonald/MacDonald. Information is very sketchy there are all sorts of bits i've found connecting him to different families etc, so here is what I have:

Matthew MacDonald/McDonald
Father: Charles
Mother: unknown
Born: 1810 Ord or Gillen house, Sleat, Isle of Skye
Spouse: Mary McPherson
Arrived Australia: 1837 onboard William Nicholl

I have found a marriage between a William MacDonald and a Mary McPherson in Croy in 1833 and this is the only I can find so far. I heard a family rumour that Mary was catholic and Matthew was presbyterian and that it was not agreed to by their parents, and thus they eventually left Skye for Australia.
Now his father was born in 1779 and I think he probably would have married, yet the only marriage I can find listed is to Anne McLeod in 1828, which makes Charles 49. I can find a marriage for a Charles McDonald to a Jean Bruce in 1810 and here the trail ends. Not a mention of children etc.
I have tried Scotlands people site, Skye-roots site (still waiting to hear back) and several other sites and can find nothing definate and certainly no birth of a Matthew MacDonald in or around 1810.
SO if anyone can help with site suggestions, reading material or anything even a vague rumour i'll take it and investigate until it is validated or completely dead.
Thanks in advance
Tanya (tanyahill1973@yahoo.com.au)

Re: Matthew & Charles McDonald/MacDonald, Mary McPherson

Posted: 24 Jun 2015 1:02AM GMT
Classification: Query
I am reasonably certain Matthew had a sister Flora and brother Archibald - both of whom came to Australia and were living nearby in the Laggan - Binda region.
Flora was married to Neil McKinnon. Sleat registers record that this was 24 April 1832. Entry states Niel McKinnon shepherd Gillen and _ McDonald.
Her cousin Alexander Macintosh of Binda provided the information for the death Certificate of Flora (died 26 April 1887). He stated her father was Charles McDonald but did not know the mother's name. From other information I have established that Alexander Macintosh was the son of John Macintosh and Flora McDonald. A newspaper announcement Inverness Journal Friday 26 September 1817 states that
Married - At Brachlich in Morar, on 30th day of August last, Mr John Mackintosh, Surveyor of Taxes. Fort William, to Miss Flora Macdonald, youngest daughter of Doctor Alex.Macdonald, Gillin, Sleat. This is correct for Alexander's parents so in a tortuous path establishes that Charles was indeed the father of Flora and Archibald.
Our family always claimed a connection with descendants of Charles 2nd family who were in Victoria.
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