Farquhar MacRae's Descendants

Commemoration of the Arrival of the William Nicol Event details and reservations.

Another Gathering This year's Gathering was spread over the weekend 6 and 7 April 2019. Altogether there were four events: Brigadoon in Bundanoon, Saturday dinner at the Mittagong RSL Club, Sunday morning tour of Buckmans Lane and nearby cemeteries, and Sunday lunch in Mittagong. Thanks to all those who participated in this year's events and who by doing so made it a great weekend.  See you again 26 and 27 October 2019 for the Commemoration of the Arrival of the William Nicol.   At Brigadoon The weekend began on Saturday morning at Brigadoon; the annual Scottish Festival that is held at nearby Bundanoon. Some of Farquhar's descendants arrived early to march behind the Clan MacRae banner, but others arrived a little later meeting up at the Clan MacRae tent. The photo below shows the descendants of Farquhar, some of whom have attended previous Gatherings, at the Clan MacRae tent. Included in the photo are descendants of two of Farquhar's children: descendants

Christianna McRae Christianna McRae from the photo album of Eliza Bourne nee MacRae According to the diary of her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Ann MacRae nee Loseby, Christianna was born on 15 November 1847, and from the transcription of her Death Certificate she was born at Bringelly near Liverpool. Birth of Christianna MacRae from the diary of Elizabeth Ann MacRae nee Loseby Little is known of Christianna's early formative years. What we know about the MacRaes first 19 years in Australia is based on the baptismal records of Christianna and some of her siblings: Farquhar, Christopher John, Catherine, and Jeanette, were born at Cowpastures, Campbelltown, Bringelly near Liverpool, and probably Cabramatta respectively. It would not be until 1856, shortly before Christianna's ninth birthday, that the family finally settled in Lower Mittagong. In 1871 when she was 24 years old, Christianna's mother Barbara died of consumption, now known as tuberculosis. Tuberc

Our Scottish Ancestors and DNA The descendants of the Farquhar MacRae, who came to Australia in 1837, are coming together to share their combined knowledge of their ancestors and their DNA matches. Unfortunately, our knowledge of our ancestors is limited. Very little has been passed down as family lore to the current generations, but slowly through DNA research progress is being made to trace our ancestors. The Fair, Black, and Strathglass MacRaes Before we look more closely at our Scottish ancestors and our DNA matches, we need to clarify some distinctions that are made in regards to the descendants of Fionnla Dubh mac Gillechriosd MacRae (aka Black Finlay son of Christopher), the progenitor of the MacRaes of Kintail. Fionnla Dubh had a grandson, Christopher (Gillechroisd) MacRae, who was the Constable of Eilean Donan Castle around 1511. Christopher had six sons, three of whom, Duncan, Farquhar and Finlay, formed three separate Kintail MacRae lines as follows: Fair Mac

Gathering Again On Saturday 7 April 2018, once again coinciding with Brigadoon, the annual Scottish Festival held at nearby Bundanoon, the descendants of Farquhar MacRae gathered. This time it was decided to hire the CWA Hall in the centre of Mittagong as there were facilities for more people, ample parking and the adjacent park provided a comfortable place to gather with plenty of shade. In addition to the afternoon tea, a morning visit was also arranged to the Maguire's old farm on Diamond Fields Road, Mittagong. Although there was some overlap in attendance, as you will see from the photos, these two activities largely attracted the interest of two different groups. Those who hadn't been in Mittagong for a while, or not before, also took the opportunity to visit the resting place of many of the MacRaes/McRaes - the Marist Brothers Cemetery also on Diamond Fields Road, Mittagong. Afternoon Tea Shortly after 1 p.m. the doors were opened at the CWA Hall on the m