Catherine Robertson - Scotland
Robertson Scottish Origin
Isabella Ferns mother Catherine Robertson of Southland, New Zealand came from the Pitlochry area of Aberdeenshire, now known as the Grampian Mountains area of Scotland. Pitlochry is in the centre of Scotland's highlands, but is close to its southern lowlands and English border. [Wikipedia - Pitlochry] [Wikipedia - Grampians]
Robertson - Clan Name (part of Clan Donnachaidh - The Children of Duncan (Robertson))
Robertson Clan Territory:
Central Perthshire, east from the Black Wood of Rannoch to the River Garry and the lands around Bruar and Atholl. The Clan Museum (The House of Bruar) is situated just off the A9 at Bruar, Perthshire and close to former clan lands.
The 'New Zealand' Robertson Family
All of Catherine's branch of the Robertson Family of Pitlochry emigrated to New Zealand, with the exception of Catherine's mother who is unidentified. Therefore, this section refers to the 'New Zealand' branch of the Robertson family.
Catherine, known as 'Lilly' by her family, was one of six children born to Mr James Robertson and his unidentified wife. Catherine was the only girl. Here are the family members:
Mr James Robertson (her father) was born in Perthshire, Scotland and died about July 1880 in Invercargill, New Zealand. He was buried on July 9 1880 at the Invercargill Eastern Cemetery along with his daughter Catherine, her husband Donald McQuilkan and others.
James Robertson's children were:
Malcolm Robertson, birthdate unknown and who had no family, had been a builder in Invercargill.
John (Jack) Robertson, born in Scotland about 1823. John was possibly a millwright who had four sons and a daughter, possibly died in Invercargill.
Donald Robertson, born Kinardochy Perthsire, Scotland on 8 July 1833
Alexander (Alex) Robertson, born in Scotland about 1842, later referred to as the 'Mayor of Waikaia' and buried at Waikaia Cemetery beside his brother Colin.
Catherine (Lilley) Robertson, born in Perthsire, Scotland circa 1843, died 30 September 1913 in Invercargill, buried at Invercargill Eastern Cemetery on 2 October 1913 with Donald McQuilkan and others.
Colin Robertson, born Perthshire, Scotland about 1850, died 11 February 1933 at Waikaia, buried at Waikaia Cemetery in February 1933.
Catherine Robertson - Marriage
Catherine married William Wallace at about age 15. Being safely married and living in Tullymet, Perthshire, Catherine was left behind in Scotland when her brothers went out to New Zealand.
Catherine and William had three children. They were:
Janet (Jessie) Wallace, born in Perthshire about 1858, married William (Billie) Nichol in New Zealand about 1879, and died at Mataura, Southland about 1947.
William Junior (Hook) Wallace, born in Perthshire about 1865, and died at Riverton, Southland in June 1946.
Grace Wallace, born in Perthshire on 1 October 1869, and later married a Mr Hunter in New Zealand.
In 1869 William Wallace died, leaving Catherine as a widow in Scotland with three children.
However, when William died her father James arranged for Catherine and her family to emigrate to New Zealand and rejoin the Robertson boys.
Catherine Wallace (Robertson) - Emigration
Catherine emigrated to New Zealand in 1871.
They boarded the vessel Christian McAusland at Greenock, the emmigration port for Glasgow and, under the command of Captain Tilly, they sailed on 27 September 1871 bound for Otago.
The passenger records show them listed as:
Wallace Mrs Catherine Tullymet Perthshire
William
Janet
Grace
The Christian McAusland arrived at Port Chalmers on 28 December 1871 after a passage of 91 days. There is no indication of any Robertson relatives on the same boat.
Catherine and her family's New Zealand story continues on the Donald McQuilkan - Catherine Robertson page.
Her Robertson family's New Zealand story continue on the James Robertson page.