Hello,
I am seeking information on Henry Macdonald. He immigrated to NZ from UK in 1874 with his family on the "James Wishart".

Henry was a soldier & served with the Royal Scots Greys (2nd Royal North British Regiment of Dragoons) from 1846-1865. My father is Malcolm James Macdonad b 1928 is Sinclair's Grandson - Sinclair was known to the family as St Clair). My father has some of Henry's medals from Balaklava & Sebastapol.

Henry Macdonald married Jane Robinson on 20 January 1859 at Atherstone, Warwickshire. Jane was born at Atherstone in 19/4/1840 - her parents were Matthew & Mary Robinson. Matthew's occupation was servant.

On the 1861 Census Jane is listed as a vistor at her parents home and is listed as a soldiers wife. Their first child (1)Sinclair Nathaniel was baptised 29/3/1861 at Atherstone Warwickshire, but newborn son St Clair was not mentioned on the Census. On Sinclair's birth registration on 5/5/1861 Henry is listed as a soldier, resident in Dublin Ireland.

Another child was born while the family lived a Atherstone (2)Alfred Robinson b 4/1/1863 but he died April-June 1868. The death was registed at Chorlton, Lancashire.

Henry was discharged as unfit from the army in 1866 at Hulme, after he was injured by his horse.

(3)Violet Mary was baptised at Hulme near Manchester 23 Sept 1866, but died April-June 1867. Her death was registered at Chorlton, Lancashire. (4)Charles Rawlinson was baptised 16/2/1868 at Hulme then (5)Henry John was also baptised 13/6/1869 at Hulme, Manchester and (6)Olive Grace was baptised 19 March 1871 at Hulme.

On the 1871 census the family, Henry, Jane, St Clair, Charles, Henry & Olive lived at Queen St, Hulme where Henry is listed as a Beer Retailler, born in Scotland about 1828. On the census it is noted that 49 people lived in two houses.

(7)William Arthur was baptised 23/3/1873 at Hulme, and Olive's death is registered for April-June 1873 at Chorlton.

In 1874 the family were listed as Assisted Immigrants on the passenger log of the "James Wishart" which left London in March 1874 and arrived in Auckland in July. Henry was listed as a carpenter and the family was classed as a "Scotch" from Lanark. The log shows Jane, Henry, St Clair and three unnamed children.(Charles, Henry & Willliam)

The family settled in Auckland and two more children were born - (8)Eva b1874 and (9)Amelia b1881.

Henry died in 1886 (aged 58) and Jane died in 1925 (aged 85. Sinclair died in 1939, Charles in 1947, and Henry John in 1948, all aged 79.

Can anyone shed any light on Henry's parents & birth in Scotland about 1828. Family mythology is that the family originated in Skye.

This all started when our daughter Flora McDonald was visiting Scotland & I was trying to find where the family came from. I located my husband's family (McDonald's) as immigrants to Victoria from Skye on the New Zealander in 1854.

If anyone can shed any light on the family I would be pleased to hear & happy to share any source material I have. Life can't have been easy for Jane with Henry away in the army for so long, and then trying to raise such a large family.

Thank you,
Priscilla McDonald