Alexander MacLeod and Jessie MacDonald
Alexander MacLeod and Jessie MacDonald
Family history often takes us on a journey of discovery, shaped not only by careful research but also by thoughtful correction. The story of Alexander MacLeod illustrates this process clearly. Earlier accounts suggested that he may have been born on Scalpay in the Isle of Harris. However, his descendant Anne Young conducted further research and clarified his true origins, significantly deepening our understanding of his life.
Through her investigation, Anne identified Alexander as the son of Donald MacLeod and Margaret MacAulay, who lived at 17 Knock on the Isle of Lewis. Census records from 1841 and 1851 confirm that the family lived there, firmly placing them within the local community. Moreover, a death record from 1868 lists Alexander’s age as 95. This suggests that he was born around 1773, which was a period marked by significant change in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
Birthplace of Alexander MacLeod
Anne’s research also extends Alexander’s lineage back another generation. She established that his father, Donald MacLeod, was the son of Murdo MacLeod and Margaret Morrison. Although researchers have uncovered only limited details about this earlier generation, their inclusion highlights the many lives and stories that still remain hidden. As research continues, it steadily adds depth to this branch of the family.
Meanwhile, Alexander grew up in the township of Knock, which would have been a small and close-knit settlement in the early nineteenth century. The land, the sea, and enduring island traditions shaped daily life there. Today, we can better visualise this environment by examining historic maps. Researchers have carefully overlaid the map with modern imagery, creating a tangible connection to the landscape his family once knew.
Portnaguran
A few miles away, Jessie MacDonald was born in the village of Portnaguran in the late eighteenth century. Like Knock, Portnaguran forms part of the rich cultural fabric of the Isle of Lewis, where families lived, worked, and built lasting ties to the land. When we compare nineteenth-century maps with the present-day landscape, we can clearly see both continuity and change, allowing us to imagine more vividly the world in which Jessie grew up.
Map of Portnaguran 1895
Ultimately, the lives of Alexander MacLeod and Jessie MacDonald remain deeply rooted in the history and landscape of the Isle of Lewis. Their story weaves together themes of place, family, and continuity, linking past generations to the present. Although some details still remain unknown, each new discovery brings us closer to understanding their lives and preserving their legacy for future generations.
29th July 2023 @ 10:10
I am a great grandson of the “Pilot”
I would like to contact the author of this research
29th July 2023 @ 10:46
Thanks Ian, I have replied by email.