James Wishart Mackenzie Mackay

Father	Peter Murray Mackay
Mother	Margaret Ann Gilfellon
Date of Birth	13.6.1887
Born at	Choppington, Northumberland
Married	Ethel Hall	08.7.1911
	North Shields, North Tyneside
Children
	Margaret Jane (Jean) Mackay
	Ethel Mackay
	Olive Mackay
	Nellie Mackay
	Peter Murray Mackay	29.4.1924
	James Wishart MacKenzie (Jim) Mackay
Date of Death	22.5.1968
Documents

Occupation, travel ......
Granda was born near Bedlington, where his mam and dad met, but they moved soon after to 15, Brandling Village, Jesmond. Granda was Christened at Jesmond Parish Church on 4th February 1888. His father was a miner in the Parish Record entry. They must have moved again fairly quickly as in the 1891 Census the family are living at 33 Holywell Square (between Backworth and East Holywell). Granda also has a sister, Margaret Ann aged 1 year. ( I think that was Auntie Tan who married James(?) Guthrie and was Peggy's mam. Peggy lived at Seghill.).

Granda also had other brothers and sisters but this is one of the areas I need some help. I'm not sure of birthdays, weddings or children. He had sisters Gladys and Olive and brothers William(Bill) and Peter. I've been told William played cricket for Northumberland County and that Peter never married but died young of T.B.

Granda was living at 17 Percy Street, Backworth when he married Grandma. Auntie Jean told me they had to sneak away because Grandma's family were staunch Chapel goers and thought the Mackays were too riotous a family to marry into!

Grandma and Granda ended up living at 8 Hotspur Street, Backworth. Granda worked as a miner, becoming a Deputy Overman like his father. He played for the Royal Earsdon Sword Dancers from about 1920. Not long before he died he made recordings of the music which is probably what you've found. He is mentioned in an article by Bill Cassie called The Living Tradition. I have a photocopy of the photocopy(!) from the library which I'll send to you.

Go to Peter and Margaret's family page