McKechnie Web Site

My name is John McKechnie and I am the Webmaster of this site.This site was created using MyHeritage.com.If you have any comments or feedback about this site, please click here to contact me.Enjoy!The McKechnies belong to Clanranald MacDonald, motto "Gainsay who dare" our territory is Moidart, South Uist, Rum, Egg and Benbecula our coat of arms is a "left hand sinister holding a spur" our gaelic surname is MacEachairn meaning Horse Lord, or one skillled with Horses . In 1745 young Clanranald (the Chiefs son)was one of the first to join Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) when he raised his standard at Glenfinnan taking with him 400 of his clansmen several Mckechnies or MacEachairns are mentioned from time to time during the campaign. One Neil McKechnie (a young teacher of Charles's age and a lively fellow) was sent by Clanranald as a guide and companion for the Prince in his wanderings after defeat by the English at Culloden , in Clanranald territory. At some point after Culloden one (or more?)  of our family fled to Ireland , never to return to the Highlands Some remained in Ireland (possibly around Cork) my Great Grandfather or his Father ( also Alexander) is remembered by my Great Aunt Margaret to have "gone to visit the Irish relatives" This is the gap that needs to be filled the 1745 link (if there is one) between young Neil McKechnie  and the birth of my great grandfather Alexander born Johnstone in 1820. His Father was Alexander possibly a Farmer born about 1795 his Mother may have been Agnes who it is said lived to be 100 and nine months. ( both Alexander and Agnes have now been traced both appear to have come from Ireland and taken up residence in Johnstone around 1800) Margaret was told her Great Grandfather was a Sea Captain, this may be traceable via Maritime records .The Pictures are the first recorded McKechnie Alexander and his family and the two newest family additions Joshua and Oliver, spanning nearly 200 years Now there are two more McKechnnie's Lily  born to Duncan and Kelly in August 2010 and Natalie born to Andrew and Charlotte in January 2011These are the first female McK's born for a 100 years the last being my great aunt also by pure coincidence a Lily !There are noe 237 relatives in the Mc|Kechnie Family Tree at ancestry.co.uk  and its a public tree that all can look at this is now the most up to date tree please look there if you wish too