Preface
This
is a family history of a family of
McKenzies from Achindrean north of Ullapool on the West Coast of
Scotland who migrated to New Zealand in the 1870s.
It traces
the background of these crofters and shepherds and
tells the story the first generations of
their descendant. The original research was carried out by my
mother Cathie Roxborogh for the family reunion of
the descendants of Alexander and Ann, held in Feilding in January
1990. Cathie died in November 2007.
Chapters relating to the Scottish background and to the story of
their son Roderick were earlier compiled as “Roderick McKenzie and
Margaret Cameron: The First Generation” and a limited number
produced to mark the dedication of their gravestone in Waipukerau on
Easter Saturday, 30 March 2002.
The story now includes sections relating to other of Alexander and
Ann’s children who came to New Zealand, Donald, Catherine, Isabella
and Alexander.
Like earlier versions it is offered to members of the family in the
hope that they will enjoy these stories of their ancestors,
recognise traits of personality which they may have thought were
unique, and be inspired in their time to make the most of the
opportunities and challenges that life presents.
It is not possible to mention or to adequately thank all those who
have assisted in many different ways in the preparation of this
book, but Cathie wanted to acknowledge the assistance she received,
factual and anecdotal, practical and philosophical, from MacKenzie
descendants and many others.
Special mention must be made of those such as Nan Bell, Cissie
Billett and Anne Robertson whose memories stretched well back along
the family tree.
Other descendants who have been of special help include Murray
Robertson, Don McKenzie, Elsie Campbell, Dashwood MacLean and the
late Beverly Jones who died just a short time before the Reunion in
January 1990 she had so wanted to see.
The staff of libraries and research institutions in a number of
countries were endlessly helpful, efficient and courteous including
those at the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington; Fielding Public
Library; La Trobe University Library, Melbourne; Mitchell Library,
Glasgow; Mortlock Library of South Australiana, Adelaide;
Morrinsville Public Library, National Archives, Wellington; Scottish
Record Office, Edinburgh; State Library of South Australia,
Adelaide; Ullapool Library; and the School of Scottish Studies,
University of Edinburgh. Dr Alison Sheradan of the Department of
Archaeology, National Museum of Scotland and Dr Malcolm
Bangor-Jones, University of Dundee were of special help.
Other individuals among the many to whom we are indebted for
personal help and interest are Mrs Helen MacLeod of Ullapool, Mr
Kenneth MacLeod of Inverness, Mr W G MacLeod of Strathkanaird, Miss
M MacLeod of Glasgow, Mrs K Stewart of Rhue; Mr T Bryan of
Strathkanaird and Mrs Florence Kinnear of Edinburgh.
Numbers of people lent family photos and other relics of bygone ages
which helped in the leap of understanding across the years. Thanks
are due to those who have granted permission for the use of
copyright material, in particular those who generously did so
without charge. This has been acknowledged in captions and
footnotes. If any have escaped my attention, please accept a sincere
apology.
I apologise for the errors and omissions which are bound to have
occurred, and I would be happy to hear of corrections for the
record.
It has been a privilege to at length bring this project of my late
mother towards a conclusion. Keeping in touch with family members
brought her great joy, and her own story from her childhood on the
family farm in Tatuanui to her years as a teacher, exchange teacher
in Sussex, Fulbright Scholar in New York, Teachers College Lecturer
in Dunedin and School Inspector in Northland and the Waikato, not to
mention book collector, gardener, and grandmother, will be included
in due course.
John Roxborogh
October 2011