The Emigrants

I also hope that this would be a way of introduction to researchers whoare looking at family histories about people in the area. My researcheffectively stops with Alexander McDonald Munro who was Donald'sfather and a cryptic remark that Donald's mother Barbara McKay wasa relative of the Chief of the McKay's in Burkes Colonial Gentry, anextract can be found attached.”One thing I can say about my ancestors they were a tough lot. On mymum's side one line has the matriarch of the family, Johan Munrocoming down the gang plank after sailing into Port Phillip Bay eightmonths pregnant, having her baby and then walking with babe inarms and a little girl in hand with her husband up to the golddiggings in 1854. Another ancestor missed the hangman's noose, butwas transported for life to Tasmania. By the time he died he had 1000acres under cultivation as a diary farmer up around central Victoria.

William Bell – AustraliaWrites on 14th March 2004:

“One branch of the tree came from Armadale, Parish of Farr viaEdinburgh in 1854. The head of the family group was Donald Munro,who was married to Georgina Ann Sutherland MacKay, immigrated toAustralia using funds for their journey supplied by the Duke ofSutherland. One of Donald's sons, James Munro, became Premier of Victoria in1890, while my great great grandmother was a daughter JohanMcKenzie Munro. Please find attached some information on my family tree and thecareer of James Munro. The above information may be of interest toyour project of how a family that was part of the clearances made theirway on the far side of the world in Australia.

Lynette Mackay Matheson – USAWrites on 21st September 2004

“My ancestor was Thomson Mackay born July 27th 1845 in Durness toJohn McRitchie Mckay and Jean Mckay and their other children wereHughina who wed William Manson , Donald, Margaret and Augusina- I think [well records are hard to get]. Anyway Thomson andHughina and her husband migrated to New Zealand on the "BlueJacket" in 1866 to New Zealand. I think about how long and hardthat journey by ship must have been for them and how far away theywere going from their famiy to an unknown country.I myself left New Zealand in 1967 [married an American] and havelived here in the USA since then. Once a Mackay though always aMackay and nothing stirs me like the sound of the bagpipes [alwaysmakes me cry].Again a great web site “- Lynette Mackay Matthiesen

Amanda's [William’s wife] ancestors are as tough. One was a son whosefather, Robert Reid, went bust in Scotland around 1855, andimmigrated to Victoria. The ship the family was on struck an Icebergand it was all hand to the pumps. The experience killed the boy'sfather as he died three months later, so at thirteen Robert junior wentto work to support not only his dying father, but his mother and foursisters. By the time he died he was the Honourable Robert Reid, lateSenator in the first Federal Parliament, and the owner of a wholesalebusiness that had branches in all states of Australia and a Head Officein London. For services rendered to the Paris Exhibition of 1889 theFrench Government awarded him the Cross of the Legion of Honour.There is not much to tell about the modern decedents of Donald Munroand Georgina MacKay. There is a lot of us. Starting with theirdaughter Johan there is a little over 4,000 individuals in the familytree with the usual doctors, lawyers, church ministers and peopleearning a crust. All have, in some way, been involved in buildingAustralia. Curiously no politicians, except for James Munro, forpoliticians you can find them on Amanda's side of the tree.

The Mackay Country Project

The Emigrants