Isabella Mackay (abt. 1783 - 1863)

Born about 1783 in Strathy, Highland, Scotland

Wife of Hector (MacKay) Mackay — married 3 Jun 1818 in Reay, Scotland

Descendants

Died 21 Jan 1863 at about age 80 in Melvich, Reay, Caithness, Scotland, United Kingdom

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Biography

Isabella was born in 1780 in StrathySutherland . She lived through the time of the highland clearances in Sutherland. [1]

There is a local marriage record for Hector MacKay and Isabel Mackay on 3 June 1918. if this is correct, their first child was born before they were fully married as baptismal records for children are:

• MACKAY JOHN HECTOR MACKAY/ISABEL MACKAY M 16/07/1816 040/ 10 210 Reay
• MACKAY. ----- HECTOR MACKAY/ISABEL MACKAY F. 25/07/1818. 040/ 10 215 Reay
• . MACKAY ANGUS HECTOR MACKAY/ISABELLA MACKAY M 06/10/1823 040/ 20 14 Reay
• MACKAY NORMAN HECTOR MACKAY/ISABEL MACKAY M 09/10/1827 040/ 20 23 Reay. [2]

Isabella is recorded in 1841 census at Melvich as 55 the wife of Hector McKay 55 farmer Their children are listed as John 20, Jane 20, Angus 15, Norman 14 and Mary Mackay 40 is living wth them as a labourer.

In the 1851census [3]. Isabel is living with her husband Hector at Melvick. Hector is listed as a wheel wright @;$ they are both listed as 68. They are the only two in the dwelling for the census

In the 1861 census, [.https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/view-image/nrs_census/9888961?image=24 ] She is listed as living in the village- Melvich Reay Caithness with. Hector her husband, Jane her married daughter and 8 grand children. Her son in law Hugh was likely away working.

Hector MacKay 85 head of house -married. Joiner. Born in Inverness Skye.

Bell MacKay 75 Wife. Married Born in Strathy Sutherland

Jane Morrison. 40 Daughter. Married Born in Melvich Reay

Bell Morrison. 18. Grand daughter Dom serv Born in Melvich Reay James Morrison 16. Grandson. Scholar Born in Melvich Reay Barbara Morrison. 13 Grand daughter Scholar Born in Melvich Reay Angus Morrison 11 Grandson. Scholar Born in Melvich Reay Hector Morrison 9 Grandson. Scholar Born in Melvich Reay

Alexander Morrison 7 Grandson. Born in Melvich Reay John. Morrison 5 Grandson. Born in Melvich Reay John Sellar Morrison 3 Grandson. Born in Melvich Reay

Bel’s Death is Recorded on 21st January 1863 at 7 am. She is listed as Isabella Mackay 85 (where as she was listed as 78 in the 1861 census) widow of Hector MacKay joiner (so he has also passed in the 2 years since the Census). Her father is recorded as Sutherland Mackay (lotter). Her death is recorded as decay of nature from old age for some years. No medical attendant. The death was reported by her son John MacKay a wheelwright in Thurso. [4]

Sources

• listed on the family tree sourced by Hugh / Hew Morrison JP LL.D (1849 - 1935)(brother of Bell’s. Granddaughter in law who was alive during Bell’s lifetime) who was chief librarian at Edinburgh Library between 1887-1922 and who transcribed many of the parish records in the remote north of Scotland.

• . Highland clearances. [ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_Clearances]

http://geogenealogy.ca/highland%20clearances.htm

• marriage record [5]

• Census 1841 Scotland https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/view-image/nrs_census/442963?image=5

• Census 1851 Scotland. https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/view-image/nrs_census/3198861?image=7

• Census 1861 Scotland. https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/view-image/nrs_census/9888961?image=24

• 1863 MACKAY, ISABELLA (Statutory registers Deaths 040/ 3). Reay Caithness [6]