Wanted Information: Sergeant Donald McKay - Thurso circa1776

kinsearcher · Post by **kinsearcher** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:17 am

(Posted for a friend.)

Sergeant Donald McKay was originally of Thurso, Caithness, Scotland and a member of the 76th Regiment of Macdonald Highlanders. He was Donald McKay's (Famous Clipper Shipbuilder) grandfather. Sergeant Donald McKay is my great great great great grandfather. At the end of the American War for Independence Sergeant Donald McKay was granted 500 acres of land along the the east side of the Jordan River in Shelburne, Nova Scotia. He purchased passage for several of his siblings living in Thurso. David McKay a younger brother took advantage of the opportunity. He married into the McPhearson family living on the next farm over from McKay. Hessian soldier Christian Schweinsberger also recieved land and owned property also adjacent to the McKay farm. These three gentlemen along with another Anglo-Norman family (Clifford once the Fitzpons) form the core of my family here in America. My grandfather Anthony Kohler immigrated from Glasgow.

Any information on the McKay family in Thurso would be much appreciated.

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James.

Post by **marilyn morning** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 2:39 am

Hi James,

I see that nobody had any ideas when you first posted your question. Over on worldconnect there are over 20 pages of listing for Donaly McKay. Maybe one of them holds some clues to this family, may be worth having a look?

Regards
Marilyn

kinsearcher · Post by **kinsearcher** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 11:11 am

Marilyn,

Many thanks for your reply. Have been there/done that, mystery remains.

James.

Post by **HeatherH** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 1:34 am

Hi Kinsearcher,
I just want to be sure I understand. You are looking for information on the MacKay family in Thurso, Scotland not in The Americas. Is that correct?
HeatherH

kinsearcher · Post by **kinsearcher** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:02 pm

HeatherH wrote:Hi Kinsearcher,
I just want to be sure I understand. You are looking for information on the MacKay family in Thurso, Scotland not in The Americas. Is that correct?
HeatherH

Hi Heather,

Sorry I never got back earlier. Health problems took me off.

I have today, emailed the person on who's behalf I posted originally.
I suspect any information would be appreciated, but, I feel Sergeant McKay is maybe the priority.

Thanks,

James.

martha · Post by **martha** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 6:41 am

Dear James:

I am a Mackay or McKay. My family has come from Dornock, Scotland and Dewsberry, Yorkshire England. I am trying to find out information on Sackville Sutherland McKay. He was born in Skelbo, or Dornoch, Sutherland, Scotland about 1782.

I have his children's names and parents' names, and he married a Margaret Leslie.

I just have so many Donalds in my line that I am going to try to find out if we are related.

Martha

kinsearcher · Post by **kinsearcher** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:47 am

Hullo Martha,

I guess you have noted Sergeant Donald McKay was originally of Thurso, Caithness. Caithness and Sutherland are 'neighbours' and contain many many with that Surname and variants.

I may be able to help you further, but please pm me.

Thanks,

James.