Guestbook
Our old site used an external guestbook - an archive of it is available here.
Introduction
Posted by Keith Blankenship on 13 July 2026
Hello Keith, of course, the surname Cheyne (an armigerous clan) is considered a sept of the Sutherland clan. You can, of course, use the Sutherland tartan. Generally It is preferable to use your family’s tartan (or that of the clan or family to which you feel the strongest connection); there are even tartans for specific geographical regions, etc. As a Chaney, you can, of course, use the Sutherland tartan.
Posted by François Sutherland on 05 August 2026
Sutherland family connection
Hi all,
My Grandad David Sutherland born 1940 in wick was and will always be an incredible man, I was so greatful for all the years we had together. We branch of the Gunn clan as my Grandads mother was before marriage a Gunn.
I was just wondering if anyone could tell me more about my Scottish family history please? I'm from the Isle of Man,
Thanks
Nathan
My Grandad David Sutherland born 1940 in wick was and will always be an incredible man, I was so greatful for all the years we had together. We branch of the Gunn clan as my Grandads mother was before marriage a Gunn.
I was just wondering if anyone could tell me more about my Scottish family history please? I'm from the Isle of Man,
Thanks
Nathan
Posted by Nathan Harwood on 19 June 2026
Good evening Nathan, I suggest you email me to discuss this.
Posted by Mark Sutherland-Fisher on 29 June 2026
Upcoming lecture
The next online lecture from the Society of Highland and Island Historical Research, this coming Thursday (15 Jan 2026), will be ‘From Sutherland to Glasgow and Back Again’, Sandy Johnstone’s account of his own crofting ancestors. He will be describing the influence on their lives of the Kirk Session, their service in the Sutherland Fencible Regiment, their crofting activities and the effect of the clearances, which for them meant migration to Glasgow - no easy journey, as Sandy will explain. A must for Sutherlanders, this lecture can be viewed for a mere £5, or free of charge for students. Follow the link at highlandhistoricalresearch dot com lectures page.
Rupert Willoughby, Communications Officer for the SHIHR
Rupert Willoughby, Communications Officer for the SHIHR
Posted by Rupert Willoughby on 12 January 2026
South African Sutherland
I'm trying to gather more information on James Sutherland
Born 2 June 1871 in Wick Scotland
Died 5th Aug 1942
Born in Wick but moved to Peterhead in early years. Then moved to South Africa in 1898.
He was in the Cape Coloney cyclist corp during the Boer War 1899 - 1902
His Father William Sutherland
Born 1827 in Latheron Caithness Scotland
died on 26 August 1900, at the age of 73.
His mother Janet Matheson
Any information on any of the above would be greatly appreciated
Born 2 June 1871 in Wick Scotland
Died 5th Aug 1942
Born in Wick but moved to Peterhead in early years. Then moved to South Africa in 1898.
He was in the Cape Coloney cyclist corp during the Boer War 1899 - 1902
His Father William Sutherland
Born 1827 in Latheron Caithness Scotland
died on 26 August 1900, at the age of 73.
His mother Janet Matheson
Any information on any of the above would be greatly appreciated
Posted by Hein Botha on 12 February 2025
Good Morning, i recomend you to contact Mark Sutherland-Fisher, the genealogist of the clan, with the informations that you have. You can contact him at info@clansutherland.org.uk
With best wishes,
François Sutherland
Webmaster and & Social Media Administrator
With best wishes,
François Sutherland
Webmaster and & Social Media Administrator
Posted by François Sutherland on 01 March 2025
Hi Francois
Thank you for your response and suggestion.
I will definately follow this up.
Groete
Hein Botha
Thank you for your response and suggestion.
I will definately follow this up.
Groete
Hein Botha
Posted by Hein Botha on 13 April 2026
Youre welcome, always a pleasure.
François
François
Posted by François on 16 April 2026
Family tree
Hi Everyone, I hope all the Clan Sutherland Family are well.
I have just started to complete my Family tree and have got so far as James Sutherland 1769 Baptised in Walls and Flotta Orkney. According to Scotlands People, His Birth father was William Sutherland and Elspeth Baikie and his wife was Belles Melles.
Now, this is where I get lost, I cannot find James death place and year. I cannot find Belle Melles anything. From what i see on Archives, they had 4 children James, Andrew, John and Ann ( however, John and Ann might not be theirs), I’m so confused.
Also, Belle Melles name is different on all the baptised and marriage records, making is even more confusing.
My family are:
Lee Sutherland 1969 -
Stephen James Sutherland 1947 -
Ronald William Sutherland 1920 - 1998.
Stephen Sutherland 1879 - 1942.
James Sutherland 1842 - 1882.
William Sutherland 1819 - 1887
James Sutherland 1788 Stromness - 1857
James Sutherland 1769 Walls and Flotta - ?
Hope someone can help.
All the best to you all and Thank you.
Lee Sutherland
I have just started to complete my Family tree and have got so far as James Sutherland 1769 Baptised in Walls and Flotta Orkney. According to Scotlands People, His Birth father was William Sutherland and Elspeth Baikie and his wife was Belles Melles.
Now, this is where I get lost, I cannot find James death place and year. I cannot find Belle Melles anything. From what i see on Archives, they had 4 children James, Andrew, John and Ann ( however, John and Ann might not be theirs), I’m so confused.
Also, Belle Melles name is different on all the baptised and marriage records, making is even more confusing.
My family are:
Lee Sutherland 1969 -
Stephen James Sutherland 1947 -
Ronald William Sutherland 1920 - 1998.
Stephen Sutherland 1879 - 1942.
James Sutherland 1842 - 1882.
William Sutherland 1819 - 1887
James Sutherland 1788 Stromness - 1857
James Sutherland 1769 Walls and Flotta - ?
Hope someone can help.
All the best to you all and Thank you.
Lee Sutherland
Posted by Lee Sutherland on 03 February 2023
Lee the Society does not have a Genealogy service so I suggest you post your query on social media like Facebook.
James' wife was Isobell Mellis also written as Isabella Mellish. Their children James was baptised in Stromness in 1788 and Ann in Stromness in 1802.
Remember most people did not appear in the Parish Register and a great many Parish Registers have not survived.
James' wife was Isobell Mellis also written as Isabella Mellish. Their children James was baptised in Stromness in 1788 and Ann in Stromness in 1802.
Remember most people did not appear in the Parish Register and a great many Parish Registers have not survived.
Posted by Mark Sutherland-Fisher on 03 February 2023
Hi Mark,
Thank you for the reply and information, it is much appreciated.
I understand the society does not have a genealogy service, I was just stuck on the part that I mentioned in my post and was hoping that somebody from the society or members may have a some information that they know about, to help me move on.
Thank you again for the information that you gave me.
All the best
Lee
Thank you for the reply and information, it is much appreciated.
I understand the society does not have a genealogy service, I was just stuck on the part that I mentioned in my post and was hoping that somebody from the society or members may have a some information that they know about, to help me move on.
Thank you again for the information that you gave me.
All the best
Lee
Posted by Lee Sutherland on 03 February 2023
There have been some 74 posts and replies on this page. To view older ones search here.
This only searches posts, not replies.
I just learned that I'm 20% Scottish with 8 generations of Chaney's going back to 1724. Does this mean I can wear a kilt with clear conscience? I wouldn't want to falsely claim that it's okay for me without a proper nod if that sounds right? Thanks.