Kevin O'Brien Family Connections

John CORMACK - promising student died unmarried Parents: Alexander CORMACK - farmer of Brubster and Christina INNES.

John ? CORMACK b. abt 1750 was born birth abt 1750.

Some of this is tentative and the unsourced details are mainly from Neil Austin. Dates in some cases have been inferred from births and marriages but should be in the range of ± 5 years.

The Alexander line has been attached because naming conventions make it highly probale that he was a bother of John.Cormack Snr's father is likely to be Robert.
Mostly gleaned from the Northern Ensign published in Wick in 1903, copied by JRSD in Caithness.

A lot of detail is available in the Ensign about life in Caithness and the Cormack family, some of whom had lived inThrumpster continually for over 300 years. Great stories too of fishing life which explains why the Cormacks were hardy and long livers.

See James Cormack (gso) for further detailed notes about family.
------------
From: Helen Cormack <helen.c@clear.net.nz>
To: <GENANZ-L@rootsweb.com>
Subject: Life in the 1500's
Date: Monday, 12 July 1999 09:40

A little off topic but you might enjoy this excerpt from my mailbox this
morning;
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Life in the 1500's
>
> This is pretty interesting (and TRUE!!)
>
> Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May
> and were still smelling pretty good by June. However, they were starting
> to
> smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the b.o.
>
> ~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$
>
> Baths equaled a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had
> the
> privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then
> the
> women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the
> water
> was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying,
> "Don't
> throw the baby out with the bath water".
>
> ~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~*

> Houses had thatched roofs. Thick straw, piled high, with no wood
> underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the
> pets... dogs, cats and other small animals, mice, rats, bugs lived in the
> roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would
> slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying, "It's raining cats and
> dogs."
>
> ~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~

> There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a
> real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could really
> mess
> up your nice clean bed. So, they found if they made beds with big posts
> and
> hung a sheet over the top, it addressed that problem. Hence those
> beautiful
> big 4 poster beds with canopies.
>
>
> ~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>
> The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt, hence
> the saying "dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors which would get
> slippery in the winter when wet. So they spread thresh on the floor to
> help
> keep their footing. As the winter wore on they kept adding more thresh
> until when you opened the door it would all start slipping outside. A
> piece
> of wood was placed at the entry way, hence a "thresh hold".
>
>
> ~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>
> They cooked in the kitchen in a big kettle that always hung over the fire.
> Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They mostly ate
> vegetables and didn't get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner
> leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the
> next day. Sometimes the stew had food in it that had been in there for a
> month. Hence the rhyme: peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas
> porridge in the pot nine days old."
>
>
> ~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>
> Sometimes they could obtain pork and would feel really special when that
> happened. When company came over, they would bring out some bacon and hang
> it to show it off. It was a sign of wealth and that a man "could really
> bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests
> and
> would all sit around and "chew the fat."
>
>
> ~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>
> Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with a high acid content
> caused some of the lead to leach onto the food. This happened most often
> with tomatoes, so they stopped eating tomatoes... for 400 years.
>
>
> ~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>
> Most people didn't have pewter plates, but had trenchers - a piece of wood
> with the middle scooped out like a bowl. Trenchers were never washed and
> a
> lot of times worms got into the wood. After eating off wormy trenchers,
> they would get "trench mouth."
>
>
> ~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>
> Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of
> the
> loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the
> "uppercrust".
>
>
> ~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>
> Lead cups were used to drink ale or whiskey. The combination would
> sometimes knock them out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the
> road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid
> out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather
> around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence
> the
> custom of holding a "wake".
>
>
> ~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>$<~**~**~>
> England is old and small, and they started running out of places to bury
> people. So, they would dig up coffins and would take their bones to a
> house
> and re-use the grave. In reopening these coffins, one out of 25 coffins
> were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had
> been burying people alive. So they thought they would tie a string on
> their
> wrist and lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it
> to
> a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night to
> listen
> for the bell. Hence on the "graveyard shift" they would know that someone
> was "saved by the bell" or he was a "dead ringer".

-----------

l

Children were: Robert CORMACK, Alexander CORMACK - farmer of Brubster, John CORMACK , William CORMACK.

John Sutherland CORMACK⁽⁴²²⁾ was born on 12 Oct 1801 in Forse, Caithness, Scotland.⁽⁴²³⁾ Witnesses: John Robertson at Muird? and Mr George Smith at latheron He was baptised on 17 Oct 1801.⁽⁴²⁴⁾ A posible child is 'John to John Cormack at Achnagel, baptised 21 Sep 1814' Parents: John CORMACK and Henrita SUTHERLAND.

Josephine Ellen CORMACK (Ellen) (Private). Parents: John CORMACK (Mink) and Josephina MEYER (Josie).

She was married to William Alphonsus O'BRIEN (Bill) in 1938 in Basilica Hill Street, Wellington.⁽⁴²⁵⁾ Children were: Kevin Arthur O'BRIEN, David William O'BRIEN, Josephine Shirley O'BRIEN, Donald Leslie Graham O'BRIEN, Jennifer O'BRIEN .

Lieut. Robert CORMACK was born about 1795. inferred to match marriage of parents Parents: Alexander CORMACK - farmer of Brubster and Christina INNES.

He was married to Elizabeth INNES Mrs Lt Robert Cormack, Brubster.⁽⁴²⁶⁾ cousins

Margaret CORMACK was born in 1872 in Blue Spur Otago Goldfields.⁽⁴²⁷⁾ She resided in Oamaru about 1920.⁽⁴²⁸⁾ Parents: Alexander Mowat CORMACK and Mary Ann DAVEY.

She was married to Unknown MARGCOEMACKSP.

Margaret CORMACK was born on 3 Mar 1798.⁽⁴²⁹⁾ She was baptised on 8 Apr 1798 in Roadside, Latheron.⁽⁴³⁰⁾ 12 children according to Neil Austin. From Forse/Latheron/Berriedale area Parents: John CORMACK and Henrita SUTHERLAND.

She was married to William ROBERSON on 13 May 1815.⁽⁴³¹⁾

Margaret CORMACK (photo) was born on 29 Dec 1834 in Forse (County).⁽⁴³²⁾ She was baptised on 30 Dec 1834 in Latheron, Scotland.⁽³³⁹⁾ She died on 11 Sep 1911 in Dannevirke.⁽⁴³³⁾ She was buried on 26 Sep 1911 in Dannevirke.⁽⁴³⁴⁾ She was living 1841 census in Burrigill, (next to Forse, Latheron).⁽⁴³⁵⁾ She emigrated arriving in NZ on 29 Dec 1862 from SCT, aboard 'Pladda' to Pt Chalmers.⁽⁴³⁶⁾ She resided Lawrence central Otago.⁽³²⁷⁾ Only one child is shown as being alive at the date of her death. [JRSD to SC 20 Apr 1981] Parents: James CORMACK and Janet MOWAT (Jessie).

She was married to Joseph POTTER (Joe) on 23 Jul 1864 in East Taieri (Mosgiel).⁽⁴³⁷⁾ At Office of Mr Postvar, East Taieri. Witnesses: George Fothergill, engine driver & Mary Clair (her mark) [Interview (by JRSD) with Mrs Josphine Mabel Garston (Calder) August 1982-
Marie Calder was an asthmatic invalid.
Margaret C. lived with their family
They moved north from Balclutha when she was 2 years old
All Franklin 11th Floor Stet Insurance]

Potter family: 11 listed in phone book, 'some still living at Pt Chalmers wher Joe Potter lived with a family of 14 circa first world war'. [SCJul1981]

Mrs HM Franklin has old photos.
Last address (1981):
266 Sunset Road
Mairangi ay, Auckland
Children were: Maria Jones POTTER.

Margaret CORMACK Parents: William CORMACK and Janet.

Mary Ann CORMACK (Polly)⁽⁴³⁸⁾ was born in 1869 in Gabriels Otago goldfields.⁽⁴³⁹⁾⁽⁴⁴⁰⁾ 'Aunty Pol' [SC] Parents: Alexander Mowat CORMACK and Mary Ann DAVEY.

She was married to John GIBSON (Bub/Jack). The children's names with exception of Ethel came from Syd. [SC] Children were: Ethel GIBSON, Jack GIBSON, Jim GIBSON, Henry GIBSON (Harry), Olive GIBSON, Pene GIBSON (Rene ?).

Maxine CORMACK Parents: Stanley CORMACK and Natalie STOVE.

Mrs Donald McDonald nee CORMACK⁽⁴⁴¹⁾ Parents: Alexander CORMACK - farmer of Brubster and Christina INNES.

Mrs George Gunn nee CORMACK⁽⁴⁴²⁾ Parents: Alexander CORMACK - farmer of Brubster and Christina INNES.

Mrs Grant nee CORMACK⁽⁴⁴³⁾ Parents: Alexander CORMACK - farmer of Brubster and Christina INNES.

Myrtle CORMACK⁽⁴⁴⁴⁾ Wellington [SC] Parents: Alexander Mowat CORMACK (Brigham) and Elme Reynolds DICK (Annie).

She was married to Len BOWCOTT.⁽⁴⁴⁵⁾ Children were: Graham BOWCOTT, Russell BOWCOTT , Alison BOWCOTT.

Nona CORMACK⁽⁴⁴⁶⁾ 2 children [JRSD] Parents: Sidney CORMACK (Syd) and Leah Catherine REARDON.

Olive Henrietta CORMACK (Ollie)⁽⁴⁴⁷⁾⁽⁴⁴⁸⁾⁽⁴⁴⁹⁾ was born on 8 Jul 1917. She died on 10 Jan 1997 in Algies Bay, Nth Auckland. She was ill with liver cancer, dementia.⁽⁴⁵⁰⁾ She was also known as Ollie. Nearly died in the 1918 influenza epidemic. The undertaker told Mary Cormack, who was present when Olive's mother Josephine died "might as well take the child" (SM& JR). Olive was only 18mths old, possibly unwell or distressed and was too young for the orphange. Mary nursed her and ensured her survival. There remains a strong bond with Olive's family with Mary. Olive went the orphange when she was three.
A bit of a playgirl in her youth. Her sister Ellen told JS Stables that Ollie and Gwen each helped the other with abortions.
There was a Mrs Bloxham, who is believed to be a relative of Jenny Bloxham MP, that she used to call aunty. JR thinks there is some blood relationship there. Parents: John CORMACK (Mink) and Josephina MEYER (Josie).

She was married to John Alexander ROBERTSON on 20 Mar 1937 in The Manse, Methodist Church, Dunedin. Children were: Gwenneth Joan ROBERTSON, Alexander ROBERTSON, Ian ROBERTSON, Sally ROBERTSON, Stuart ROBERTSON.

Others CORMACK⁽⁴⁵¹⁾ Parents: Alexander CORMACK.

Peter CORMACK Parents: William CORMACK and Elizabeth (Elspeth) SUTHERLAND.

Peter CORMACK was born on 28 Apr 1771 in (Knockinnan, bapt).⁽⁴⁵²⁾ He was buried Wick, old cemetery.⁽⁴⁵³⁾ Parents: William CORMACK and Unknown WMSNRSP.

Phyllis Annie CORMACK⁽⁴⁵⁴⁾ Oamaru [SC] Parents: Alexander Mowat CORMACK (Brigham) and Elme Reynolds DICK (Annie).

She was married to Gray REID.⁽⁴⁵⁵⁾ Children were: Robert Bruce REID (Bruce).

Rachel CORMACK was born on 20 Oct 1802 in Latheron Parish.⁽⁴⁵⁶⁾ She was baptised on 23 Oct 1802.⁽⁴⁵⁷⁾ She died on 30 Aug 1883.⁽⁴⁵⁸⁾ No issue [JRSD]

Is this right? Syd in his letter of 23 Jul 1981 quotes from Roloff 'the Fergusons who married Rachel born 23 oct 1802 do not come from Caithness', perhaps the reason for the second Rachel in the family. Parents: John CORMACK and Henrita SUTHERLAND.

Rachel CORMACK was born in Jul 1812 in (Bapt Roadside, Latheron).⁽⁴⁵⁹⁾ She died in 1882.⁽⁴⁶⁰⁾ Is this the right Rachel? Syd in his letter of 23 Jul 1981 quotes from Roloff 'the Fergusons who married Rachel born 23 oct 1802 do not come from Caithness', perhaps the reason for the second Rachel in the family. Parents: John CORMACK and Henrita SUTHERLAND.

She was married to James FERGUSON.⁽⁴⁶¹⁾ Children were: Rachel FERGUSON.

Rex CORMACK Parents: Stanley CORMACK and Natalie STOVE.

Robert CORMACK was born on 4 May 1808 in (bapt).⁽⁴⁶²⁾ Parents: John CORMACK and Henrita SUTHERLAND.

Robert CORMACK Lieut. was born about 1800 in date inferred. Parents: Alexander CORMACK.

Robert CORMACK Parents: John ? CORMACK b. abt 1750 and Rachel ? DONALD ?.

Ronald Barry CORMACK was born on 20 May 1934.⁽⁴⁶³⁾ He died in 1990 in Gore NZ.⁽⁴⁶⁴⁾ Parents: Sidney CORMACK (Syd) and Leah Catherine REARDON.

Sidney CORMACK (Syd)⁽³²⁷⁾ was born on 6 Feb 1906 in Tees Str Oamaru.⁽⁴⁶⁵⁾⁽⁴⁶⁶⁾ He was living in 1912 in Moeraki.⁽⁴⁶⁷⁾ He died on 2 Oct 1995 in Invercargill.⁽⁴⁶⁸⁾ For an account of Syd's trip to UK see his letter to JRSD 7 Jul 1980. He was badly ill.

Cormack S Kaikoura (Kiaora No 171393 1940- my fishing boat)

See Syd's letter to JRSD 19 Feb 1985 for account of his health.. 'now a curiosity'.

-------
Waiting for new heart valve. 'Looks amazingly like his father' . Told of searching in Scotland, how he was locked in Wick Public Library on evening .. [EP to JRSD 18 Dec 1982]

Parents: Alexander Mowat CORMACK (Brigham) and Elme Reynolds DICK (Annie).

He was married to Leah Catherine REARDON. Children were: Ronald Barry CORMACK, Nona CORMACK.

Some CORMACK⁽⁴⁶⁹⁾ Parents: Walter CORMACK and unknown AUSSIENURSE.

Son1 CORMACK Parents: John CORMACK and Isabella DUNNETT.

Son1 CORMACK merchants in aberdeen⁽⁴⁷⁰⁾ Parents: Alexander CORMACK.

Son2 CORMACK merchants in aberdeen⁽⁴⁷¹⁾ Parents: Alexander CORMACK.

Stanley CORMACK died unknown.⁽⁴⁷²⁾ Parents: Alexander Mowat CORMACK (Brigham) and Elme Reynolds DICK (Annie).

He was married to Natalie STOVE.⁽⁴⁷³⁾ Children were: Stanley Peter CORMACK, Rex CORMACK, Ian CORMACK, Maxine CORMACK, Eric CORMACK.

Stanley Peter CORMACK Parents: Stanley CORMACK and Natalie STOVE.

He was married to Annette WARE .⁽⁴⁷⁴⁾ He was divorced from Annette WARE.⁽⁴⁷⁵⁾ Children were: Child1 CORMACK, Child3 CORMACK.

Vera Elsie CORMACK⁽⁴⁷⁶⁾ Canberra [SC] Parents: Alexander Mowat CORMACK (Brigham) and Elme Reynolds DICK (Annie).

She was married to John MATHEWSON.⁽⁴⁷⁷⁾ Children were: John MATHEWSON, Valerie MATHEWSON .

Walter CORMACK (Private). Parents: Alexander Mowat CORMACK and Mary Ann DAVEY.

He was married to unknown AUSSIENURSE WW1.⁽⁴⁷⁸⁾ Children were: Some CORMACK.

William CORMACK was born on 28 Apr 1806 in (Bapt Roadside, Latheron).⁽⁴⁷⁹⁾ Parents: John CORMACK and Henrita SUTHERLAND.

William CORMACK was born about 1775. Parents: John ? CORMACK b. abt 1750 and Rachel ? DONALD ?.

He was married to Janet on 4 Jan 1795 in Wick. Children were: Janet CORMACK, John CORMACK, Margaret CORMACK, Christian CORMACK, Isobel CORMACK.

William CORMACK was born on 1 Jul 1777 in (Bapt Knockinnan).⁽⁴⁸⁰⁾ He was a farmer in 1841.⁽⁴⁸¹⁾ He died between 1841 and 1851.⁽⁴⁸²⁾ He was buried in Wick, old cemetery.⁽⁴⁸³⁾ He was a crofter & fisherman.⁽⁴⁸⁴⁾ Parents: William CORMACK and Unknown WMSNRSP.

He was married to Elizabeth (Elspeth) SUTHERLAND on 8 Jan 1805 in Latheron.⁽⁴⁸⁵⁾ OPR Latheron
'1804 Dec, 7
Willm Cormack in Knockinnan and Elspeth Sutherland in Buanillich Contarcted in Order to marriage and married 8 Jany. 1805' Children were: Peter CORMACK, Catherine CORMACK.

William CORMACK was born about 1742.⁽⁴⁸⁶⁾

He was married to Unknown WMSNRSP about 1768.⁽⁴⁸⁷⁾⁽⁴⁸⁸⁾ History of area in : "Caithness in the 18th Century (1938), John E. Donaldson" Children were: Elizabeth CORMACK , Peter CORMACK, Donald CORMACK , William CORMACK.

William CORMACK

He was married to Janet GUNN.⁽⁴⁸⁹⁾ Children were: John CORMACK.

William CORMACK - wealthy Aberdeen merchant Parents: Alexander CORMACK - farmer of Brubster and Christina INNES .

William H CORMACK (Bill) (Private). Parents: John CORMACK (Mink) and Josephina MEYER (Josie).

William Henry CORMACK (Milligan)⁽³²⁷⁾ was born in 1879 in Palmerston (south).⁽⁴⁹⁰⁾ NZ BDM B#1744/1879 Palmerston Q2 He was living in 1896 in Vine Street, Dunedin.⁽⁴⁹¹⁾ He died in 1943 in Port Chalmers Dunedin.⁽⁴⁹²⁾ Went to World War 1 (Syd Cormack) Then returned to fish at Moeraki.
Parents: Alexander Mowat CORMACK and Mary Ann DAVEY.

He was married to Margaret EDMONSON Prior to 1918.⁽⁴⁹³⁾ Children were: Edna Margaret CORMACK (Margaret).

Catrina Joan CORNFORD⁽²⁴⁾⁽²⁾ was born. Parents: Nigel Patrick CORNFORD and Susan Ann HICK.

Christopher James CORNFORD⁽²⁴⁾⁽²⁾ was born. Parents: Gordon CORNFORD and Audrey Joan JAMES.

He was married to Denise LEWIS. Children were: Jessica CORNFORD , Thomas James L CORNFORD, William CORNFORD.

Gordon CORNFORD⁽²⁴⁾⁽²⁾ was born on 16 Feb 1924. He died on 8 Sep 1989.

He was married to Audrey Joan JAMES. Children were: Christopher James CORNFORD, Nigel Patrick CORNFORD , Marie Joan CORNFORD, Sandra Mary CORNFORD, Timothy Joseph CORNFORD.

Jessica CORNFORD⁽²⁴⁾⁽²⁾ was born. Parents: Christopher James CORNFORD and Denise LEWIS.

Marie Joan CORNFORD⁽²⁴⁾⁽²⁾ was born. Parents: Gordon CORNFORD and Audrey Joan JAMES.

She was married to Ross SOWERBY. Children were: Shannon Marie SOWERBY , Amber Leigh SOWERBY, Holly SOWERBY.

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