James Corrigall and Catherine Sinclair - Our Direct Ancestors - my generation's gggg grandparents

James Corrigall was born on Christmas Day, the 25th of December 1785, somewhere in Harray. Catherine Sinclair was born on the 26th of March, 1797 at Midhouse of Corrigall, Harray. Catherine married James on the 26th of November in 1824, at Harray. She was 27 and he was 39. I have not found out what James was doing prior to this marriage and as mentioned in the section on John Corrigall and Elizabeth / Elspat Aim, the 1821 census records a James Corrigall aged 34, a sailor, in Stromness, about 9 kilometres from Harray, living with Euphemia Leask, aged 31, and several children. I have found no evidence that the James Corrigall in the 1821 census is or is not our ancestor, but more research is required.

James and Catherine’s children included

1. Mary - born during 1826 at Firth, Harry and died on the 26th of December 1901, aged 75 at Harray (Reference 5252; Death Certificate: 1901-018-00-0012)

2. John - born on the 25th of October, 1828 at Bluebraes Firth, Harray (Reference 40872; IGI/OPR Index: 1828-018) and died on the 12th of March, 1903 at Ballarat House, Harray, aged 74 - our direct ancestor

3. Jane (Jean) - born during 1832 in Firth and Stenness; married Thomas Clouston in 1865 in Harray when she was 33; they had four children including Mary Jane, Thomas who died in infancy, James and Edward.

Jean and her family immigrated to New Zealand on the ship ‘Tongariro’ in 1889. Her husband, Thomas had become blind, so Jean took the lead to negotiate the family’s way from Wellington to Otago by boat, then train to Dunback and a four day walk to the Ida Valley. They were no doubt inspired to go to the Omakau area as Jean’s siblings Ellen Leask nee Corrigall and Jimmie Corrigall were in the area. Her nephew, James and his family were also in the vicinity. Jean was 57 years old when she moved to New Zealand and was obviously a strong and determined woman. The family purchased land and built a cottage and the farm grew in size due to Thomas' productive methods. After Thomas' death on the 14th of November,1908, Jean moved in with her daughter, Mary Jane. She passed away on the 5th of April 1917, and is buried in Block 4, plot 28 in Blacks Cemetery, Omakau, Central Otago, NZ

Jean and Thomas’ headstone at Blacks Cemetery, Omakau

4. Ellen - born on the 10th of February 1837 in Firth; married William Hourston Leask on the 20th of October, 1867; died on the 27th December, 1907; buried in Block 1, plot 30 in Blacks Cemetery, Omakau Central Otago, NZ - there is much more about Ellen and William Leask in a separate post

Ellen’s headstone at Blacks Cemetery, Omakau

5. James (Jimmie) - christened 28th of May, 1838 in Harray (Reference 40873; IGI/OPR Index: 1838-018); immigrated to New Zealand and became a land owner with property in Lauder, Flag Swamp, Waimate and possibly elsewhere in Otago; did not marry; died on the train near Palmerston, Otago in January, 1912; buried at Blacks Cemetery Omakau, plot 0026 - more about him in a separate section

James Corrigall and Catherine are listed as living at Pow, Harray, in the 1841 Orkney Island census. However, their dates of birth as 25th of December, 1785 and 26th of March, 1797 respectively, seem to contradict the census data, which states James was aged 50 and Catherine was 40. Perhaps there was a little exaggeration or perhaps these ages were genuine errors? James listed his occupation as a farmer. Their children; Mary, aged 15, who was a straw plaiter; John, aged 12; Jane, aged 10; Ellen, aged 6; and, James aged 2 were also living with James and Catherine at this time.

By 1851 the census data tells us that James was now 65 and a farmer of 6 acres, still at the same residence, with his wife Catherine and three of their children; Mary, Hellen and James. I am amazed and intrigued at how these people survived as farming family on such small acreages! Interestingly too, although only 10 years had past since the previous census, James was now 15 years older! Our direct ancestor, John would have been 23 at the time, and travelling the world.

Catherine died on the 5th of June in 1860 aged 63, at Netherbrough, Harray. Catherine is apparently buried at St Michael’s Churchyard at Kirkwall, however, I have not found evidence of this to date.

By 1861 census details records James was a widower, as Catherine had died the year before. He remained living at Pow where he was farming 8 acres at 75 years old. He lived with daughters; Mary who was now 34, and Jane who was 29, and his sister Elizabeth Corrigall, aged 83 and who had formerly been a spinner of yarn. I wonder where Jane had been ten years earlier, possibly in employment elsewhere? And where had his sister Elizabeth been living prior to moving in with James and his family?

The following year, in 1862, Elizabeth, John’s sister, died on the 13th of May, aged 83 in Harray. On her death certificate, James referred to his mother as Elizabeth, rather than Elspat (death certificate: 1862-018-00-0004).

It is interesting to note in 1871, according to census data, that at 86 years old, James had increased his acreage to 13 acres. He also now described his occupation as a landowner as well as a farmer and widower. He was still at Pow, and was living with his daughter Mary, who was now 45.

James died on the 21st of June 1872 at Harray. He was 87 years old. On James’s death certificate his mother is listed as Elizabeth (death certificate: 1872-018-00-0006).