Alexander Holm Mackenzie.
Alexander Holm Mackenzie, well known Cromarty identity in his day, born 9 November 1847 who built his house in Barclay Street, and is buried in the Cromarty Kirk with a lot of his kin folk. Here he is holding his grandson Alastair Ian Fraser Mackenzie outside the Cromarty Schoolhouse around 1903. Alastair was born in 1902 the eldest son of Donald Alexander Mackenzie, well know poet and author, and Elizabeth Fraser.
At the right of the picture is a high wall, where nowadays there is a low one. This is a continuation of the wall still to be seen on the south side of Barkly St. It seems to have been reduced in height when the new house was built there sometime in the 1950s.
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Alexander Holm Mackenzie was born in Cromarty on 9 November 1847. Alexander was the registrar of births, deaths and marriages in Cromarty and was also Sheriffe Clerk depute and on the burgh school board. He died on 19 July 1915 at Chalmers hospital in Edinburgh. His obituary states "a prominent Cromarty man: the late Mr A H Mackenzie: a link with Hugh Miller. He spent his whole life in his native town".
Comment left on 28 June 2007 at 09:17 by Maggie Mackenzie-Goodman
Is Holm a relatively common local name? My Granny was a Holm, and she's native to the Black Isle. Just wondering if this chap is a distant ancestor?
Comment left on 04 July 2007 at 22:52 by Kirsten Fleetwood (nee Garratt)
Alexander Holm Mackenzie - Parents: Donald Mackenzie DOB 25 November 1812, Margaret Holm DOB 15 December 1816, married 26 January 1847 in Cromarty. The Holms were from Eathie and were weavers who immigrated from France. Please let me know if there is any connection or you would like further information.
Comment left on 20 September 2007 at 11:13 by Maggie Mackenzie-Goodman
I think that this Donald Mackenzie built 'Calrossie', no4 Barkly Street ( though my father Norman told me that it could alternatively have been Donald's father, also Donald, a stonemason.- cousin Maggie may correct me).Donald the younger was stonemason and friend of Hugh Miller.
We have in our house the 'Hugh Miller chair', which had a place of honour in Calrossie for over 100 years- NOT TO BE SAT ON by us, the great, great- grandchildren of the 1950s and 60s. Hugh sat on this when he visited Donald the younger.
The chair, a very elegant 'country sheraton' carver, is as a result, in almost original condition
Donald's funeral announcement has ' M'Kenzie ' as the spelling!
Photographs to come. Comment left on 29 October 2007 at 14:25 by John Fraser Mackenzie
We have in our house the 'Hugh Miller chair', which had a place of honour in Calrossie for over 100 years- NOT TO BE SAT ON by us, the great, great- grandchildren of the 1950s and 60s. Hugh sat on this when he visited Donald the younger.
The chair, a very elegant 'country sheraton' carver, is as a result, in almost original condition
Donald's funeral announcement has ' M'Kenzie ' as the spelling!
Photographs to come. Comment left on 29 October 2007 at 14:25 by John Fraser Mackenzie
Dear Cousin John - you are correct, it was Donald Mackenzie who built "Calrossie". Sorry for getting my Mackenzie's mixed up!!
Comment left on 21 February 2008 at 10:59 by Maggie Mackenzie-Goodman
The immigrancy from France is interesting - the family looks like they were artisans - weavers and shoemakers. Holm in a form might be a French name - is there a reference for this?? Cheers.
Comment left on 14 July 2009 at 02:55 by Brian French
Thanks for your interest and yes Brian it is French.
Comment left on 07 August 2009 at 03:52 by Maggie Mackenzie-Goodman
My husband Ewen Holm Garratt came from the Holm family at Resolis. As far as I have been told it is a Scandanavian name and the first Holm's to land on the Black Isle were from Denmark.
Comment left on 07 August 2009 at 15:53 by Rhona Garratt
I'm at gathering of the clans this weekend - anyone have anything I might check?
Comment left on 07 August 2009 at 23:27 by Brian French
Form Goes Here