Biography

Donald Connell Macdonald c1853 – 7 May 1898

Donald Connell Macdonald was born about 1853 in Oban, Scotland. He was a seaman in Scotland before arrving in New Zealand where he worked as a carter. On 20 March 1878 he married Christina Nyland nee McLennan in Dunedin. Christina had been married to Mikel Nyland with whom she had two sons before he was killed in an accident. Donald and Christina had eight more children, three of whom died in infancy. The children were Angus born 1879, died at 8 months; Donald born 1880, died at 18 months; Daniel Donald 1882-1968; Catherine Christina 1884-1963; Jessie Ann 1885-1890; Hugh Allan 1886-1970; Johanna Alice 1888-1979; and Jane Mary 1889-1976.

Christina and Donald liked to speak Gaelic with their many friends and relatives and maintained a great interest in all things Scottish, the girls all learning Highland dancing and the boys dancing and piping.

Several of the children were born in North East Valley, later the family moved to South Dunedin. In 1895 Christina took over the ownership of a Grocery store which was established on the corner of King Edward and Oxford Streets in South Dunedin. The store had living quarters above and to the rear of the shop and the family lived there. Donald was a carter and probably delivered goods to many such stores.

During the course of his work Donald suffered a fatal accident on 7 May 1898 aged just 45.

In New Zealand, Donald always used his full name on birth and marriage certificates, Donald Connell Macdonald, son of Hugh Macdonald and Catherine Connell, of Oban, Scotland. Hugh and Catherine were married on 28 November 1852 in Glasgow.