Biography

Notes on the ancestry of Lord [Alexander] MacDonald probably collected from Margaret MacDonald, Malacleit/Malaclete, Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist stating that he is the '6 glun' [generation] from Sir Seumas Ruadh noting that Raol Mac Shir Seumas [Raghnaill mac Shir Seumas] was a celebrated swordsman. Lachlan Monc [Monk or Mac a Mhanaich] 'says mort an Udail was before Bann[ock]burn'.

Notes on the family of Donald MacColl [foxhunter, Glencreran, Earra Ghàidheal/Argyllshire] that he had seven daughters and two sons, of which three daughters died in Glasgow, one son went to sea and the other became a shepherd.

Notes on the family of Flora MacDonald 'nin Raoil ic Aonais oig ic Raoil ic Ailein' [Flòraidh nighean Raghnaill 'ic Aonghais Ò ig 'ic Raghnaill 'ic Ailein]. Aonghas Og [Angus MacDonald], the grandfather of Flora Macdonald is described as 'a celebrated soldier'. The item also lists where she was reputedly born and lived after her father died and quotes from the poem written by John MacCodrum to Allan MacDonald, Flora's husband 'Ò ran Do Chaiptean Ailean Chinnseborgh'.

Notes on the family of Gilleaspa Caimbeul [Archibald Campbell], who rented all of Fiart [Lios Mòr/Lismore, Earra Ghàidheal/Argyllshire], including that one brother was a collector of customs in Greenock [Renfrewshire], the other was his baillie at Fiart before coming to Balnangoan [Baile nan Gobhann/Balnagown], whose sons became 'Mr Donl du Rois & Mr Dul Kilmore' [Dòmhnall Dubh Rois and Dùghall Cille Mhoire].

Notes collected from Neill Macpherson, pauper, aged 95, Lianacleit, Benbecula [Lionacleit/Liniclate, Beinn na Faoghla] about his family, stating that he has 9 daughters, 51 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren and 'if he lives five years more he may see his great great grand children'. He also states that there had been 6 people over 90 on Benbecula in December [1876] and that 3 of these people have since died.

Notes on the family of Rev Aulay MacAulay of Na Hearadh/Isle of Harris, that he had six sons, one of whom was a baker in London, 'Mr Coinneach' [Rev Kenneth MacAulay] was the minister of Harris, then Ardnamurchan and then Caladeir [Cawdor] and Mr Aonas [Angus MacAulay] 'is said to have been mi[ni]st[er] of his fath[er]'. 'Coin[neach] Mac Onachai (Morrison) wrote Lord MacAul[ay] with whose people he had a comhaltas [family relationship]. No reply.'

Notes on the family of Uistean Ban Chillepheadar [Ùisdean Bàn Chille Pheadair or Hugh Macdonald of Cille Pheadair/Kilpheder, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist] and that he came from North Uist [Uibhist a Tuath], his son was Donald who lived at Daliburgh [Dalabrog] and 'was the father of the late Bean Ormicleit' [Penelope MacLellan].

Notes on the family of Uistean Mor Mac Onail [Uisdean Mòr MacDonald] probably collected from Margaret MacDonald, Malacleit/Malaclete, Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist listing his illegitimate children and their mothers and noting the burial place of one of them.

The notebook contains notes on the life of Rev. James Mitchell, who once tutored Sir Walter Scott. The author is anonymous, but the notebook may have been compiled by multiple authors, especially given that there are two distinct handwriting styles in the document.

Notes on the family relationship between Alexander MacDonald, Snaoisveal [Sniseabhal/Snishival, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist] and the Duke of Tarentum.