Harkness – MacGillivray Stories

The PowerPoint made by the children of Eigg Primary School says something about religion and emigration. It pointed out that many of those who served in WWI were Roman Catholics; whereas, the Catholics were in a minority towards the end of the twentieth century. The PowerPoint also refers to Eiggachs that emigrated to countries such as Canada. These themes of religion and emigration are covered extensively in Camille Dressler’s book, “Eigg” (2007).

I know that my great aunt Peggie emigrated to Canada, but have no further information. It is also evident from most of the documents that I have found on ScotlandsPeople that most of my relations were Protestants (during the last 150 years); however, beyond this fact, I have little information. In other words, regarding the topics of emigration, and religion concerning my extended family, this is something that needs further research. Thus, this requires additional information, or an addendum, that can possibly be posted online in the future (see footnote).

However, Dressler’s book (2007) lists passenger lists (emigration) from 1746 onwards, and the religious affiliation of the Eigg inhabitants (census of the Small Isles 1764-1765) (I will also post these online – see also footnote referred to above). But to relate some of these individuals to the Campbells and MacKinnons described in this book will require more research, and is something that might be posted online in the future as an addendum to this book. 

Emigration

I know little about the emigration of members of the extended family on Eigg, apart from Peggie Campbell, but I have no information about what happened to her. Of course, many of Morag Campbell’s children and grandchildren also emigrated. Her daughter, Flora, emigrated to New Zealand with her husband Robert Ralston; but after many years returned to Scotland.

Morag’s grandchildren also emigrated, not least my brother, Alexander Whitecross Harkness, who still lives in Pittsburgh with his children and his numerous grandchildren. I have also ‘emigrated’ to Norway (Ian Harkness). My nephew, Alexander Harkness (son of my brother Stuart), ‘emigrated’ to Sweden, but unfortunately died at a relatively young age. My second cousins also have relations in Australia and Canada (on my father’s side of the family). 

Eigg Mountain

“In 1821, several families voluntarily emigrated to Nova Scotia to escape both rising rents and crushing poverty; they settled on a high plateau near the coast of the Northumberland Strait, which they named Eigg Mountain.”

I most probably have many ‘Eigg’ relatives in Canada, but I have little information as of today (March, 2024).