- Family History For The Lord Reay
- A Review by Kenneth Morgan
The Clan Mackay is blessed to have excellent histories. Some clan associations are limited to rudimentary summaries like those found in tartan books. Clan Mackay has the Reverend Angus Mackay's "Book of Mackay," and the wonderful "Strathnaver Trilogy" by Ian Grimble. Now comes John Barth of Australia, with "The Chiefs of Clan Mackay and Their Cadets." This is the first of an ambitious project, sponsored by Grub Street Bookshop, to publish a whole set of definitive genealogies of prominent Scottish clans and families.
Barth's book is a genealogy, not a narrative of clan history, so it consists of sequential lists of descendants. It begins with one Duncan, Hereditary Lay Abbot of Dunkeld, passes down through two Kings of Scotland and the aristocracy of Moray, until the death of Kenneth MacAoidh, who fought with his cousins, the MacWilliams, and others against the King of Scotland. It was his son Aye who removed to Strathnaver to become the founder of the Clan Mackay. Barth gives us some information on the wives and descendants of these early progenitors of the clan, but the bulk of his book expands upon the descendants of Aye.
The book is stronger in these later genealogies. Barth provides a good account of the descent of the Chief, and also seven prominent lines or cadets: Baine/Bayne, Mackays of Scoury, Bighouse, Strathy, Melness, and Sandwood.
Only cursory treatment is given to other surnames. Barth gives only mentions of some of the other surnames in the Clan, such as Morgan, William, Scobie, and Nielson. I could find no mention of Paul or Allen.
Barth gives us only a general idea of what sources he used and how. A critical discussion of the strength and weakness of his sources would have been helpful. Barth is silent on the relationship, if any, to the ancient clan Morgan of Moray. There are several different and contradictory schemes for history of the clan in Moray. Some authors insist on an entirely Irish origin for the clan, while others see strong ties to the Pictish aristocracy of Moray. Unfortunately, Barth is silent on this whole controversial topic. Despite these criticisms, Barth's work is still a noteworthy achievement.
The entries often include interesting and sometimes extensive biographical details. For instance, we learn how Alexander Mackay, the 21st Chief, was a retired Army major living on half pay, when his brother's death thrust the chief ship upon him in 1847. Of real property, he inherited only enough to sell to pay off the debt owed on the estate. We learn that in 1846, Alexander Baine patented the first practical method for the automatic transmission of telegraphic messages. We learn how in 1807, Colin Campbell Mackay was a captain of the Grenadier Company of the 78th Highlanders serving in Egypt. He forced the heights of Alexandria from the French. Sixty-one of his 70 men were killed. He survived a saber cut to his neck, and a ball in his head with another in his foot.
The book is an expensive investment at fifty-five US dollars, but the price is typical of what you could expect to pay for a special-interest limited edition like this. Although it is a paperback of only 109 pages, it is in large format with quality paper, and does have a nice cover illustration of the arms of the chief in their "full achievement." We usually see just the arms and crest, but not the supporters--an idealized pike man and musketeer in full armor from the reign of King Charles I. This book would look nice on a coffee table or clan tent at the games. Although this book is not the last word on the origins and history of the Clan, it is a welcome addition to my bookshelf.
"The Scottish Clan Chiefs; Volume 1: The Chiefs of Clan Mackay and their Cadets" by John Lawrence Cairns-Smith-Barth. Grub Street Bookshop, Victoria, Australia.
$55 US from The Grubstreet Bookshop available at: http://www.eisa.net.au/~grubst/
Ken Morgan is a member of Clan Mackay USA from Ohio. His family has been in America since before the civil war, but the origin of his Morgan surname is unclear. His Morgan ancestors were married to Scots and included one Reay.
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