Photograph in memory of infant Isabella Mackenzie
Monochrome photograph of a deceased baby. On the back is the inscription ‘In affectionate memory of Isabella Mackenzie (the infant daughter of Thomas Mackenzie, Sheriff Substitute of Sutherlandshire) who died 20 January 1864 aged 4 months and 26 days’
On the front is ‘Photographed 21 January 1864’ and ‘For Mrs Murray’
The story of the baby is the last anecdote in the booklet 2008.078 by Marion I Mackenzie (given to us by Catherine Charlish (nee Mackenzie), presumably Miss Mackenzie was her aunt), recounting stories told by Miss Mackenzie’s mother and father (who was Thomas Mackenzie the Sheriff Substitute).
The baby would have been a sister to Miss Mackenzie and was so poorly from birth that she had a wet nurse – Mrs Murray (who is Christy (Forbes) Murray, her husband was Alexander Murray and she was the great grandmother of the donor). After the baby died her mother had this photograph taken and it was given to Mrs Murray as she was so fond of the baby. (To confuse matters there is reference also to Mrs Murray’s baby who was a boy called George Murray who later became Inspector of Police at Dornoch)
Dimensions: jpeg file