Norman Mackay (1827 - 1902)

Born 9 Oct 1827 in Melvich, Sutherland, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Died 30 Nov 1902 at age 75 in Rookwood Asylum Granville, New South Wales, Australia [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Ming Speirs [send private message]

Biography

Norman Mackay was born on 9 October 1827, the youngest son of Hector Mckay and and Isabell / Bell Mackay.^[1]

Norman is listed in 1841 Census living with his parents and siblings at Reay Caithness. Note in 1841 census, ages were rounded to the nearest 5.

• Hector Mackay 55 M Farmer N. Not born in this county
• Isabella Mackay 55 F Y. Born in this county
• John Mackay 20 M Y. Born in this county
• Jane Mackay. 20. F Y. Born in this county
• Angus Mackay. 15 M Y. Born in this county
• Norman Mackay. 15 M Y. Born in this county

It would seem that Norman travelled in his life, fIrstly south In Scotland where he met his wife. His first son was born in his wife’s home parish, their second in Nova Scotia, Canada, their daughter back in Scotland in Aberdeen, then after being recorded in Caithness in the north of Scotland In the 1961 census, their 4th child was born in Brisbane Queensland Australia. (NOTE: Norman was listed on Banns as a 'porter', he and Helen were residing in the same town when they met : Tracey Mackay May 2023) At 25 Norman Married Helen Walker from Forfar Montrose on 23 November 1852 in St Cuthberts, Edinburgh Midlothian.. ^[2]

They had at least 4 children (NOTE: they had five children the last did not survive but I have listed her farther down the page below: Tracey Mackay May 2023)

• Alexander Walker Mackay 1854 born in Montrose Scotland died Melbourne Victoria Australia 1937.
• John Hector Mackay Born Nova Scotia died Melbourne Victoria Australia 1916
• Isabel Mackay. Born 2 Oct 1860 Aberdeen Scotland m Carmichael d Melb 1941
• William Elijah Stubben Mackay - Born 12 Jul 1862 South Brisbane Queensland Australia died 1926 Melbourne Victoria.

In the 1861 Census, they are found living in Thurso and Norman is working as a plumber /gas fitter. He had been listed as a book seller in Aberdeen on his daughters birth record... and returned to this vocation in Melbourne.

Name Age. occupation Place of Birth

• Norman McKay Married 32. Head Plumber Gasfitter Farr Sutherland
• Helen McKay Married. 36. Wife. Forfar, Montrose.
• Alex McKay. Umm 7. Son. Scholar. Edinburgh
• John McKay. Umm 3. Son. America ( note John Hector MacKay died in Melbourne Australia 1-10-1916.. other records say he was born in Nova Scotia)
• . Elizabeth. McKay. Umm. 6 months. Daughter Aberdeen
• Elizabeth Swanson. Umm. 15. Domestic Servant. Caithness. Thurso

(NOTE: Elizabeth Swanson is also mistakenly listed as 'daughter' on one census record clearly a transcription error at the time : Tracey Mackay May 2023)

Norman and his family emigrated to Australia in 1861 or 1862. Their 4th Child William Elijah Stubben Mackay was born in Queensland In July 1862. (NOTE: the name STUBBEN is NOT on any of Normans records legally, gg daughter and genealogist Tracey Mackay has proven that this name comes from another direct MacKay ancestor - the name 'stubbin'/stubben was not on his birth or other records but comes from ancestors surname 5 gens back Edward Stubbin. Added by T MacKay 10th May 2023)

The family moved south to Melbourne where Norman became a bookseller. (NOTE: Norman and Helen parted ways around 1871/2 and never rejoined. Norman died on 30 November 1902 in Granville, New South Wales, having lived a long well travelled life of 75 years, and was buried in New South Wales. NOTE: Norman left on his own travelled to NSW in January of 1883 on the steamship Lyee Moon. There he remained until his death. added by T Mackay May 2023))

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AND DETAILS ARE NOW ALSO ADDED 10/5/2023 BY GG GRANDDAUGHTER TRACEY MACKAY/PROF GENETIC GENEALOGIST/HISTORIAN.

1. Norman was born in Tarr Sutherland Thurso Caithness Scotland. The date given above by others here is 'not' his birthdate but is actually his baptism. (as seen on my family tree)

ARRIVAL 10th April 1862 • Queensland, Australia Arrival of Norman, Helen, Alexander, John & Isabella on the 'Clifton' direct from Plymouth to QLD. Helen was heavily (6 months) pregnant with William Elijah giving birth to him in early July in Burnett Swamp Qld. Norman is listed as a 'laborer' on the Clifton upon arrival Brisbane Aust. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/125596400 arrival of the Clifton into Aust.

2. Helen Walker (Wife Helen was one of triplets along with James & Alexander..Also on some records as Ellen) 1826–1895 Helen and Norman were both living in

2a. Marriage Name Norman Mackay Gender Male Marriage Date 23 Nov 1852 Marriage Place Saint Cuthberts, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland Spouse Helen Walker FHL Film Number 1066767

3. NOTE:after leaving QLD, 1874/75 the family first lived at Bullengarook Vic, not long after Norman and Helen parted ways, he mostly lived alone for the remainder of his life in varying places. Son Alexander marries his wife Elizabeth Thomson at Bullengarook and the marriage notices state father Norman 'late of Richmond' but of course we know that Norman left to head up to NSW in 1883 ) (All residences are noted by records on my family tree at Ancestry Lady Tracey Mackay is my profile. Main Mackay/Matthews Family Tree. )

4. Norman remained a book seller/distributor for the remainder of his residence in Victoria, he was also in and out of local courthouses to do with small debts and other sundry issues nothing major but it was clear his 'finances' never rallied! Baccus Marsh Bench and others see family tree for records. He is noted by police gazettes and the judges that he is of 'Scotch' origin, red haired with beard and can be loud! lol

One record below Name Norman McKay Age 45 Birth Date 1828 Year 1873 Place Victoria, Australia Reference Description AU7103-1873 Victoria Police Gazette 1873

5. A fifth child was born 3 years after son William.. this child did not survive. Name Christina E H Mackay Birth Date 1865 Birth Place New South Wales Registration Year 1865 Registration Place Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Father Norman Mackay Mother Helen Mackay Volume Number V18652000 45A

6. Burial Burial was at the Old Presbyterian part of Rookwood Cemetery, grave number 6D/6570 buried with an 'Anthony Nicholson' non related poor soul at the Rookwood Asylum. Added by Tracey Mackay May 2023.

Sources

1. ↑ Birth or Baptism: "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms"
   National Records of Scotland, Parish Number: 040; Ref: 20/23
   ScotlandsPeople (accessed 21 June 2024)
   Norman MacKay born or baptised on 9 Oct 1827, son of Hector MacKay & Isabel MacKay, in Reay, Caithness, Scotland.
2. ↑ Marriage: "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Banns and Marriages"
   National Records of Scotland, Parish Number: 685/2; Ref: 470/583; Frame: 2944
   ScotlandsPeople (accessed 21 June 2024)
   Norman MacKay marriage to Helen Walker on or after 23 Nov 1852 in St Cuthbert's, Edinburghshire, Scotland.

• 1841 Census: "Scotland Census, 1841"
  National Records of Scotland, Ref: 040/ 12/ 5
  ScotlandsPeople (accessed 21 June 2024)
  Norman MacKay (15) in Reay registration district in Caithness, Scotland.

• 1861 Census: "Scotland Census, 1861"
  National Records of Scotland, Ref: 041/ 1/ 36
  ScotlandsPeople (accessed 21 June 2024)
  Norman McKay (32) in Thurso registration district in Caithness, Scotland.

NOTE: Please feel free to contact me if youre a relative or if you have or would like any further info, or please feel free to visit my tree LadyTraceyMacKay Mackay / Matthews Family Tree on Ancestry.