History

Mackays
From Karen Grant

Mackay Photos From Adam & Karen Grant

Berriedale Circa 1910
I believe that this was sent by Barbara Campbell (nee Sutherland) Christie to her sister Jessie Sutherland (later Ramsay) In Winnipeg. Barbara Sutherland was married in Canada to Bert Christie in 1908, she returned to Clyne, SU and her husband died just a month before her son was born.

Here is a photo of Donald MacKay 1827-1907, blacksmith of Berriedale, with wife Marion Ross 1820-1899, and I suspect one of their younger daughters, Christina b. 1893 or Marion b. 1865, standing at back.

Standing at back is Williamina MacKay Grant (1858-1939), seated at front are her parents Marion Ross MacKay (1820-1899) and Donald MacKay (1827-1907).  At very front I would guess to be one of her sisters?  I am hoping that someone can positively identify the other young woman in the photo.

I believe that this young man is either William Donald "Don" Peters orAndrew Adam Reid. This photo appears to have been taken in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in 1914, at the home of Joseph Grant and Williamina MacKay Grant, who was born in Berriedale in 1858.

Williamina's sister Ann MacKay married William Reid, and their son Andrew Adam Reid enlisted in the CEF at Winnipeg in 1914.  Williamina's sister Catherine (Kate) MacKay married William Peters, and their son William Donald "Don" Peters enlisted in the CEF in 1914 at Winnipeg as well. Don Peters provided the address of his aunt, Williamina MacKay, as his residence in Winnipeg.

I think that the young woman in this photo could be Barbara Campbell Grant McLaren, the daughter of Joseph Grant and Williamina MacKay, born in Brora, Clyne in 1885.

I am hoping that someone can positively identify the people in this photograph.  Contact Karen Grant with any information at granter394@rogers.com

Williamina MacKay, b. Oct 4, 1858 at Berriedale to Donald MacKay 1827-1907 and Marion Ross 1820-1899 married Joseph John Grant, b. Jul 28, 1853 at Greenhill, Clyne, to William Grant 1806-1886 and Barbara Campbell 1814-1877.  They were married at Berriedale on Oct 26, 1882, and lived at Brora, Clyne, Sutherland, where Joseph was a master tailor.

In June 1904, Joseph and Williamina's eldest son, Donald John Grant b. 1883 in Brora, immigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. A few years later, Donald's younger brother William, b. 1889, immigrated to Winnipeg, and in the spring of 1909, the rest of the family followed, and lived at 350 Morley Avenue in the Fort Rouge district of the city:
Joseph and Williamina Barbara Campbell Grant b. 1885
Marion Ross Grant b. 1887
Lena Jane Grant b. 1891
Joseph John Grant b. 1901

During WWI, Donald and William both served in the CEF. William, a signaler with the 90th Winnipeg Rifles "The Little Black Devils", was killed at the 2nd battle of Ypres in April 1915. Donald was sent as an officer to the newly-formed 52nd Battalion (he had previously been with the 90th Rifles as well), and postcards sent to Winnipeg from Berriedale indicate that he spent time in Caithness during leave.

Joseph Grant and Williamina MacKay both died in 1939 in Winnipeg, and are buried at Brookside Cemetery. Donald Grant married his second cousin Elsie MacLean (granddaughter of Rev. Wm. Campbell who preached at the Free Church in Wick), and died in New Westminster, BC, in 1963. Barbara married John McLaren, died in Winnipeg in 1964, and is buried in Brookside Cemetery with her husband. Marion married William Wray, and left Canada for South Africa about 1938. Marion died at Kinilworth, Cape, in 1979. Lena Jane Grant married twice, first to George Drever, and secondly to Ian McRae, and died in Claresholm Alberta in 1966. Joe Grant married twice, first to Florence Hamilton, secondly to Isobel Meincke Anderson. Joe died in Winnipeg in 1981, and is supposedly buried at Brookside Cemetery with his parents.

Joe Grant, a Captain with the Canadian Forces during WWII, returned to Berriedale and Brora when on leave.

My husband, Adam Grant, is the great-grandson of Donald John Grant, b. 1883, Brora, and the 3x grandson of Williamina MacKay b. 1858, Berriedale.