Marriage of a McKenzie to a Morison

Murfomurf

Murfomurf

Well-Known Member
I have a Murdo McKenzie from Ross-shire with this Baaptism/Birth record from Scotlands People:

Scotlands People MCKENZIE MURDO RODK. MC KENZIE ANNE MC KENZIE 29/01/1834 060, 20 / 45; Contin
Parents in full: Roderick McKenzie and Anne McKenzie (maiden and married surname).

Murdo emigrated to New Zealand via Australia, married (?) and had a family. His partner Margaret Morison was said to have been born in Crieff, Perthshire but on checking the Scotland Censues I discovered that the nominated Margaret was still Single and living with family members in 1901. SO I know which Margaret Morison is excluded but thinking she was probably born in Ross-shire like the husband, I discovered 14 Margaret Morisons of suitable age there!

If anyone can apply a naming pattern, the McKenzie children born in Ross-shire then New Zealand are:

Alexander McKenzie b. 1863 Ross-shire but registered in Stornoway- I have doubts that he actually belongs in the family.
Andrew McKenzie b. 1875 New Zealand; big gap makes me think the marriage didn't take place until just before this child.
Murdo Alexander b. 1880 New Zealand; must have died as an infant as a later Murdo (registered Murdo) is later given the 2nd name Alexander and people mix them up.
Donald McKenzie b. 1880 New Zealand; must be a twin to Murdo Alex.
Murdo 2 McKenzie, later called Murdo Alex b. 1882 New Zealand
John McKenzie b. 1907 (?!) New Zealand and no records except being recorded on his father's tombstone. If his mother was Margaret Morison it makes her about 57 years old at his birth. I think he's an "accident" from another mother. May have been registered with HER surname, not Murdo's.

The main question: Where did Murdo McKenzie marry Margaret Morison, if he ever did?
Also: Which Margaret Morison was the mother of at least Andrew, Murdo 1 and 2, and Donald?
Also: which of the offspring REALLY belong to the union of the claimed McKenzie and Morison?
All the children except John have Margaret Morison listed as their mother in official records.
 
List of children's births in New Zealand to a couple named Murdo and Margaret MCKENZIE (not necessarily yours)

1739945341652.webp

You don't say when Murdo died, there is a death in 1907 for a Murdo MCKENZIE aged 70 giving a birth of 1837 so about 3 years out.

The following paper gives his age as 73 so would be the correct birth year

Thames Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 10564, 10 June 1907, Page 2
1739944562898.webp
Thames Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 10567, 13 June 1907, Page 2

1739944579230.webp

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 16108, 24 May 1924, Page 4

1739944657087.webp


If this Murdo is he then This Murdo died intestate in 1907, his partner Margaret swore an affidavit and names some of the children.

The image is on familysearch.

The link will take you to the first page, click through to the next to get the names of the children.

Code: 
 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q93-C9YJ-7QY4-Y?view=index&action=view&cc=1865481&lang=en
 

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Wow @Chimp, you have collected a lot of data in a short time! Thank you so much- I will have to inwardly digest after going to the sources you provided. No luck with Margaret's origins though- we must dig harder!
 
The Murdo Alexander reigistered 1880/18473, I don’t think is yours because Mary Jane registered 1880/679 is registered with Donald 1888/680. Even if they were triplets, the numbers aren’t consecutive. Maybe another Murdo and Margaret in a different part of New Zealand.
 
I also have doubts about George Edward Douglas McKenzie being one of their children. Southland Times dated Dec 1909 a memorial appears for him, George Edward Douglas who died at his parents home in 1903. Inserted by his PARENTS and brothers. Meaning both parents would have been alive then. Therefor this puts a question mark over John born 1907. Also a question as to why some of these kids have 3 forenames and some just one.
 
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Archie's Mum said:
I also have doubts about George Edward Douglas McKenzie being one of their children. Southland Times dated Dec 1909 a memorial appears for him, George Edward Douglas who died at his parents home in 1903. Inserted by his PARENTS and brothers. Meaning both parents would have been alive then. Therefor this puts a question mark over John born 1907. Also a question as to why some of these kids have 3 forenames and some just one.
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Beside the fact that she would have been 66!
 
Chimp said:
I have found a marriage for a Murdo and Margaret Morison in 1861 but Murdo's father is Alexander.
View attachment 14420
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This marriage makes some sense for Murdo who died in 1907. Did ships leave from Birkenhead? Then it’s possible that they married before they boarded the ship to emigrate. Murdo was a farmer when he died in New Zealand. The only question is whether post # 1 has the correct father for him. Although MacKenzie or McKenzie and Morrison or Morison?….
 
Omaha Cemetery has the gravestone photograph of Murdo and Margaret.,at the bottom of the tombstone is written ‘also their sons, Alexander died 1915 age 52 and John died ? Can’t read it but age 49. The Find a grave info says he died in 1956 born 1907. However the only John McKenzie on NZ BDM age 49 died in 1919. This gives his birth year as 1870. You have an Alexander born 1863 Ross Shire that you aren’t sure is yours, post #1. I would guess that he probably is and that John thought of born in 1907 is actually born in 1870 but I have no idea where. Again there’s no way the John born in 1907 is Margaret’s. Also found a bit of info on My Heritage that states that Murdo and Margaret are on the Scotland census in 1861. True or not, I have no idea.
 
Daft Bat said:
Birkenhead is on the Wirral, a large promontory that is bang slap opposite Liverpool.

View attachment 14421

Liverpool was one of the main ports of departure for emigration from Britain. :)
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Birkenhead used to be the larger port at one time. Just used by Stena nowadays.

Later, most of the trans-Atlantic vessels went from Prince's landing stage, Liverpool, and to all corners of the world, South Africa, down-under etc.
 
Chimp said:
Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 16108, 24 May 1924, Page 4

1739944657087.webp
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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18717, 24 May 1924, Page 12

1739994404748.webp
 
Just found them. He is Murdoch on the list I have though. This article also includes the ships log. This is a transcription from the Southern Cross newspaper 4th Jan 1865.
 
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@Murfomurf states that Murdo and Margaret came to New Zealand via Australia, however nowhere on the ships log does it say anything but that they sailed well south of Tasmania without sighting it. So I’m wondering if she has the correct Murdo and Margaret. There are few Murdo McKenzies in Australia around that time.
 
Archie's Mum said:
The Murdo Alexander reigistered 1880/18473, I don’t think is yours because Mary Jane registered 1880/679 is registered with Donald 1888/680. Even if they were triplets, the numbers aren’t consecutive. Maybe another Murdo and Margaret in a different part of New Zealand.
Click to expand...
I didn't think those children could all have been born together from the same mother! It's difficult when the NZ BDM doesn't give the mother's surname.
 
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