Recent posts

#31

H.M.S. Curacoa / Re: H.M.S. Curacoa

Last post by Patrick Anderson - July 30, 2001, 07:45:00 PM

last summer time I was on SKYE when we found I think 16 War graves at LOWER BREAKISH CEMETERY (SOME NAMED) to HMS Curacoa and later in that holiday found more of these graves at ARISAIG graveyard (within the RC church yard) and then one more at MORAR CEMETERY (THIS ONE NAMED). I wrote to the SCOTS MAGAZINE and got replied about the sinking ... the HMS Curacoa was escorting the Queen Mary carrying 10,000 US troops of the 29 Division for training in the Normandy landings ...OCTOBER 1942 and as the HMS Curacoa was doing its Zig Zag course the faster Q Mary ran straight into it cutting it in half, luckily some of the Queen Mary crew and US soldiers on board threw down life belts but only a few surviviors were picked up later when rescue ships arrived. I recently found more 5 war graves from that ship at OBAN cemetery on the road to Ft William, only 2 of them named. That cemetery has many RAF and Merchant Navy and RN last war casualties. Info found on the HMS CURACOA can be found in the WAR AND PEACE EXHIBITION North PIER, OBAN (curator Bill Grant). There is a book on the sinking written by the only officer survivor Patrick Holmes and a former naval officer David A Thomas called QUEEN MARY AND THE CRUISER 1997 by Lee Cooper, Barnsley. The ship's Captain was the only other officer survivor .

#32

H.M.S. Curacoa / H.M.S. Curacoa

Last post by Fraser Mitchell - July 28, 2001, 07:49:00 PM

We have just spent a lovely week exploring the area around Mallaig and visiting some of the Small Isles. We visited several cemeteries from Kilchoan in Eigg to Inverie in Knoydart, and kept stumbling across the last resting places of sailors lost with the sinking of the H.M.S.Curacoa can anyone shed some light on this tragic event?

#33

Family History / Re: Crawford family

Last post by Helen Bryson - January 13, 2010, 03:00:02 PM

Hi
Alexander and Elizabeth Crawford were my great grandparents, are you needing to find out anything in particular?

#34

Family History / Re: Crawford family

Last post by Moira Reid - August 03, 2008, 06:21:59 PM

Further to my previous request I have now discovered that Alexander and Elizabeth Crawford died Loch Nevis Terrace, Mallaig 1952. Any information would be welcome.

#35

Family History / Michie Family

Last post by Fiona Ochse - December 24, 2009, 04:39:01 AM

I am trying to find any decendants of the Michie family still living in the area.
Jessie Michie was the youngest daughter of Wm. & Jane Michie and was my Grandmother. She was born 1884-5 Her married name was MacKay.
Their croft was BEORAD BEAG in Mallaig and the shell of the house is still there. I believe it was sold in the 1950's
My Mother was Jean MacKay her sisiter was Marion.
I now live in North Carolina USA and would be interested to hear from anyone with information.
Fiona MacKay (Campbell) Ochse

#36

Family History / Re: Gemmel

Last post by Mike Anderson - April 13, 2009, 01:51:19 PM

Hi mary long time , i have spent ages trying to find any one who might know them but no luck,iam going up to mallaig in august,i have seen a picture of uncle ian on this site when he was at school but no records of the rest i have been on friends united for years but that was no good even tryed the papers at staines to try and trace toms kids but again no joy,a few years ago i spoke to a lady from the scottish heritage something or an other and she said that they would help ,but work took over and it was a year later and she was no longer available,so i left it for 2/3 years but i would like now to know more about her and the rest of them.
if you want you can contact me on07832246975or my home number 01525 381203 if not all the best

#37

Family History / Gemmel

Last post by Mary Anderson - February 26, 2008, 06:25:40 PM

My name is Mary Anderson and my mothers family came from Mallaig. There was my granfather who drove the train. My mother was Annie, her sisters were Teresa and Margaret and her brothers were Ian and Roddy. Cousin Winnie lived with them also. I would be interested in any info about them and there life in Mallaig before they moved to Glasgow and what family if any left who knew my mother.

#38

Family History / Stewarts in Mallaig

Last post by Randall Stewart - March 14, 2009, 06:35:55 AM

I am looking for the descendants of a Lachlan Stewart who I believe was a police officer from Glasgow whose son or sons owned a garage in Mallaig. His sister or daughter Effie Stewart lived in Mallaig as late as 1979. If anyone knows any Stewarts from the area who might be related to this family, please contact me at: appin@shaw.ca

#39

Family History / Ronald MacLellan of Bracara b....

Last post by Ewan Cameron - July 12, 2008, 08:51:36 PM

I would be very grateful if anyone can give me any information about my g g g grandfather Ronald MacLellan and his ancestors/descendants.
Ronald's parents were John MacLellan and Margaret MacDonald.
Ronald was married twice.

His first wife was Catherine Smith and they had seven children:
Alexander b.1806, Catherine b.1809, Mary b.1813, Donald b.1815, Flora b.1815, Jane (my g g grandmother who married Angus MacIsaac of Smirissary) b.1820 and Ann b.about 1820 (twins?).
Ronald's first wife Catherine died about 1825.

He then married Margaret Macdonald b.about 1797 in Moidart.
They had eight children:
John b.1829, Mary b.1830, Donald b.1833, Margaret b.1834, Anne b.1836, Flora b.1840, Janet b.1841 and Alexander b.1843.

Ronald's residence in 1841 was 9 Bracara where he was an Agricultural Laborer and in 1851 he was living at 3 Bracara where he was a Cottar.
Ronald died at Bracara in 1855, he was registered as a Crofter.
In 1861 his wife Margaret was living at 4 Bracara.

I believe Ronald's daughter Mary b.1830 married Donald Walker of South Uist who became Schoolmaster and Registrar of Morar.
I would be delighted to hear from anyone with information regarding my ancestors.
Thanks,
Ewan Cameron.

#40

Family History / Gillis and McDonald Families

Last post by Dallas McDonald - November 19, 2003, 12:16:20 AM

Hello, I am researching the Gillis and McDonald families and family history suggests that the Gillis family came from the Loch Nevis area. My Gillis family descends from Martin Gillis who was found living in the area in 1762. He had at least four children who went to Canada. According to family stories the Gillis family was related to the McDonald family. If this is true it is possible that the McDonalds were from the Loch Nevis area as well. My ancestor was James McDonald who married Ann McLennan. They were both born in Scotland around 1810. Other than that I do not know anything of their origins. I am hoping someone can provide me with some guidance on how to do family research in the Loch Nevis area. Cheers