114862: Murdo Mackenzie

Murdo Mackenzie (1816-1852) lived in Gairloch, but it is not certain he was born there.

Murdo married Mary Macrae, of Strathpeffer, but it is not certain where the couple lived during their early marriage.

In 1851 the family were recorded, in the census, as residing in North Tolsta. Murdo worked for the Edinburgh Gaelic School’s Society and taught at Taigh-sgoile Beag; they lived at the Schoolhouse, North Tolsta. It is possible they had been in Tolsta since as early as 1843, when the former teacher left, but this is not certain. By 1851 the couple had four children: Mary, John H, Murdo and Farquhar. Their daughter Murdina was born the following year, it is not clear if this happened before or after Murdo’s death.

After his death his widow and children moved to Stornoway.