| James, was born at Rogart, Scotland. He married Flora Mathewina Paton Mackay (note different spelling) in 1851 and they landed in Australia in 1952 aboard the “Europa.” He was indentured to work for Mr Cameron for 12 months for £75 per year as a shepherd. (As a result of the extreme hardships caused by “The Clearances” in the Scottish Highlands forcing crofters off their land, and because of the shortage of workers in Victoria due to the gold rushes, a scheme was devised whereby Victorian landowners would pay for the passage of people who would then serve them for a specific period of time. The recruits had to sign an indenture guaranteeing their service.) Cameron’s Westernport holding was vast, and James was sent to the part near Clyde. |
 James Hall McKay 1822-1902 |
Clyde derived its name from the Clyde watercourse, the natural boundary between the Mayune and Garem Gam runs. James McKay, one of Cameron’s shepherds is said to have cut the name on a tree whilst watering sheep and the name stuck.
Children of James and Flora McKay| 1 | Donald William, 74 | 1853-1927 | m. Sarah Robins |
| 2 | Christina, 77 | 1855-1932 | m 1873 Cranbourne, David M. Henderson of Clyde and moved to Tooradin. |
| 3 | William, 2 | 1857-1859 | |
| 4 | James | 1859 | |
| 5 | Ann, 6 mths | 1861-1862 | |
| 6 | John, 83 | 1862-1947 | m. Charlotte Orchard |
| 7 | David, 19 | 1864-1883 | |
| 8 | Mary Ann, 36 | 1868-1904 | m James W Walton, Phillip Island. |
| 9 | Robert | 1868-1868 |
Grandchildren of James Hall McKay who lived in Clyde
Children of Donald William and Sarah Beatrice McKay (nee Robins)
| 1 | Donald William, 10 | 1877-1887 | |
| 2 | John Richard, “Jack”, 78 | 1878-1957 | |
| 3 | Archibald James “Tom”, 80 | 1881-1961 | m. 1909 Florence Stick |
| 4 | Elsie May, 85 | 1883-1968 | m. John McDonough |
| 5 | Grace Evelyn, 66 | 1886-1952 | m. 1912, Clyde, Frederick Lineham |
| 6 | Edith Miriam, 70 | 1889-1959 | m. 1917 Henry John Jones |
| 7 | Stella Rose (twin), 79 | 1893-1972 | m. Fred Oldknow |
| 8 | Donald William (twin) | 1893-1893 | |
| 9 | Sarah Beatrice, 82 | 1897-1979 | m. Harry Sells |
Great Grandchildren of James Hall McKay who were born and/or lived in Clyde
Grand Children of Donald and Sarah McKay
Children of Archibald “Tom” McKay and Florence McKay (nee Stick )
| 1 | Lorna Mavis, 91 | 1921- 2013 | m. Ernest G Frost |
Children of John McDonough and Elsie May (nee McKay)
| 1 | Helena Catherine, 92 | 1903-1995 | m. Arthur Oakley |
| 2 | Archibald E McDonough, 91 | 1909-1990 | m. Ailsa Milbourne |
| 3 | Henry J. “Harry “McDonough, 71 | 1913-1982 | m. Maisie (?) |
Children of Frederick and Grace Lineham (nee McKay)
| 1 | Thomas Frederick, 1 wk | ||
| 2 | Frederick James “Jimmy:”, 63 | 1914-1977 |
Donald and Sarah McKay offered their land for community use. Following on the tradition of the Rutters the McKays saw cricketers, returned soldiers, children, play matches and have picnics on their ground. Like most Clyde men of his time he took part in the cricket team, Debating and Social Club. Sarah was described as being kindly disposed and of a friendly and charitable disposition. Their property was referred to by us as McKay’s corner even after Blundy’s had bought it.
Donald ‘s son Archibald “Tom” McKay was a regular team member of the Clyde cricket team from 1911 to the 1930’s. in the Tennis Club, School Committee (No.3664) and valued member of the Cranbourne Turf Club. His home was on the corner of Ballarto Rd and Station St Clyde next to the automatic telephone exchange.
Jimmy Lineham was the Honorary Librarian/Historian of the Cranbourne Historical Society and Secretary for the St Paul’s Church of England, Clyde North. He contributed much to the history of the Clyde North School. Lineham Recreation Reserve has been named in his honour.
Background Explanations.
Indentured labour – Work under a restrictive contract of employment for a fixed period in a foreign country in exchange for payment of passage, accommodation, and food.
Indentured labour was the means by which many British people emigrated to Australia.
Crofter- a person who rented and worked a small farm, especially in Scotland or northern England.
The Highland Clearances was the forced displacement of a significant number of people in the Scottish Highlands during the 18th and 19th century, as a result of an agricultural revolution carried out by the British Government and Scottish landowners. They led to mass emigration to the sea coast, the Scottish Lowlands and the British colonies. Under Scots law, the year by year tenant land renting agreements changed and were not protected by the legal system. People were evicted from their homes and land.
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Sources
1. Kath Soulsby – McKay Family historian
2. The Argus Newspaper
3. Clyde Cricket Club History by Terry Stanley 1992
4. Photo - courtesy of Kathy Soulsby
5. Ancestry.com
6. Marilyn Grimme - Henderson and Mckay Family history
7. Springvale Botanical Cemetery