NEWSLETTER OF SITHE ORKNEBY FAMIL FOLY HISTORY SOCIETKY 1WISSUE 32 DECEMBERS 2004
And a good time was had by all Another year nearly over and here are a few pictures high-lighting some of our activities over the past 12 months or more. The top row shows part of our premises within tne New Library at Junction Road. Next we have a corner of the Orkney Room and adjacent is the Orkney Archive. The smiling girl is our new chairman, Anne Rendall ready to whip the committee into shape. The happy group at the phonebox were enjoying an outing to one of the island while our next picture shows Nan and Irene Miller deeply engrossed in affairs of state on the boat to Westray. Nan again on her retired as Chairman ofOFHS being presented with a bouquet by Brigadier S PRobertson. An unusual sight in Orkney was the teepee pitched in Kirkwau by the Cree Indians as part of their '.Home- coming' celebrations. It looks as if our Research Secretary, Adrianne Leash has negotiated a bargain while shopping in Papa Westray A triumphant Dave Higgins glad to set foot in Orkney again after his solo charity walk from Land's End to John O" Groats and a up of our members grottraving the elements onoral the trip to Graemsay. 2 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY
ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY NEWSLETTR Issue No 32 December 2004 CONTENTS From the FRONT PAGE A bit of fun
PAGE 2 From the Chair. chair Dellin Roots as everyone managed to sign on to Orkney College where Donna Heddle gave the new members’ page on the web us a very interesting talk on old maps PAGE 4 site? I hope that our overseas and showing us that Orkney was recorded on Vedder Part 3 H “doon sooth” members will find it useful some of the earliest maps produced. PAGE 6 and give them an idea of what information As you will see later on in the newsletter This Massive is available in the office.We will be our October meeting was given over to the Round monitoring the useage and will be very launch of James Irvine’s latest book “Trace pleased to have your feedback . your Orkney Ancestors”, a very useful tool PAGE 8 We have had a very busy summer with for finding out where to look for The South visitors to the office and a large percentage information. Ronaldsay of them joining the society on the spot. We If you have any comment, information or Census Mystery were very pleased to get a visit from the queries that you want printed in the Sib Earl and Countess of Orkney in October, Folk News please send them to the editor. PAGE 10 and they went away with a membership I hope everyone has a very happy Washington Irving form. They are very keen to start up an Christmas and a good new year,and I hope Orkney Society in Manitoba Canada next to see you at our meetings or if you are in PAGE 11 year so no doubt we will be hearing more Kirkwall, do come into the office and see us. Red River about that in the coming months. Reunion Our September meeting was held in the Anne RendallChairman PAGE 12 Orkney Builders of Lampton County
PAGE 13 James Irvine’s Dellin Roots New Book
PAGE 14 A toon lad, Pt 2 in Shetland PAGE 16 Where are the Nan Scott reflects on her visit to the SFHS Shapinsay Heddles? rom 29th May—5th June 2004 the Shetland’s SAFHS representative from Shetland Family History Society put on a Edinburgh, whom I had met each time I had been PAGE 17 Fgreat family history week of talks, events to SAFHS meetings there. Then the treasurer, Janet Kennedy’s and outings for its members. One hundred and Olivia Tulloch said, “I think you stayed with vist twenty members in total were involved, seventy my aunt the first time you were in Shetland”. coming from outside Shetland. They came from She was right and that had been in 1955. PAGE 18 North America, Australia, New Zealand and the Everyone was so welcoming and we all felt at Just a Minute length and breadth of the United Kingdom home. PAGE 19 including the Channel Islands. Thankfully they As we were taken on the various coach Newsletter did not all try to get into the SFHS premises at 6 tours I couldn’t help comparing the Shetland submissions Hillhead at one time! of fifty years ago with the present day one. I was the only Orkney member to enrol but The tidy whitewashed croft houses had been PAGE 20 was never allowed to feel lonely.I had previously replaced by much bigger colourful bungalows. Membership had help from the secretary, Elizabeth Angus, and the occupants now spending their energies information the research secretary Merryn Henderson. The tending beautiful gardens instead of “dellin” chairman Tom Goudie was quick to give a small runrigs. Gone were the tethered beasts welcome, as was Florence Grains who had been and there were fewer peat stacks.Oil and the chairman when the society was inaugurated modern technology had probably made the in 1991. It was also good to see Mary Barron, difference. NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 3
The huge success of the SFHS is in some close quarters. It’s a delight to watch them measure thanks also to modern technology. swimming buoyantly as they catch insects on the The office has an ever-increasing list of water’s surface. Their heads bob all the time and resources which include the standard Census sometimes they will even spin around. They will / IGI / OPR microfilms and fiche for all wade with quick movements as well. After that Shetland, Scotland and some English days filming some will appear on foreign television Counties. programmes I should think. They have films of some old newspapers, On the last day of the Conference tours had Sheriff Court & Fiscal lists and Captains & been arranged for Bressay, Hoswick and Whaling lists as well. All the graveyards have Sandwick, and Burra. I chose Bressay where we been recorded and booklets are for sale. There are had the company of Alan Beattie who is the editor also many assorted books and documents of local of “Coontin Kin” SFHS’s quarterly magazine. interest. The volunteers who work so hard are to Earlier in the week he had given a talk on be congratulated on what they have accomplish- Shetland’s Maritime History and prepared a CD- ed. I came away with the story of “The 1832 Rom to hand out. We were made very welcome at Shetland Fishing Disaster” as told by Robert C the Bressay Heritage Centre. Johnson among other things. There were two evening events probably missed Shetland seems to be awash with History by no one who was invited! The first was the Civic Groups and Museums in many of the districts. Reception on the Tuesday. Florence Grains who is Members of the History Groups were on hand to now Vice Convener Shetland Islands Council, help at some of the events during the week. hosted this. After the meal there followed a talk I’d like to tell you some of my best memories. by Brian Smith, Shetland Archivist, on the My own research was to be in Dunrossness where Shetland Clearances. The second was on Saturday my Mowat ancestors came from. I found the final night of the Conference. As if the SFHS gravestones to photograph including the famous hadn’t done enough for us already they now hosted Betty Mowat’s one. It was a great privilege to a Farewell Foy where there was a buffet and an visit Mary Black who had been the last one of the opportunity to chat to old friends and new. It was Mowat descendents to correspond with us. She an emotional evening and words failed to express was now one hundred years and eleven months the gratitude of all for the welcome and kindness old. She was from a family of eight and could tell shown to all the visitors. me the names and occupations of them all and During the week there were opportunities to much more. see some of the Shetland culture.We heard young On the coach tour to that area we had an musicians, saw displays of Up Hellya items etc, excellent guide, Robin Hunter, who spoke very and saw evidence of the crafting, knitting and clearly in perfect Shetland dialect. We visited the fishing traditions.I twice got caught in the Croft House Museum and the excellent Quendale “Spiders Web” where they sold quality Shetland Mill meeting some of the Local History Groups. Knitwear.I also discovered two new Shetland Another day I went on the tour to the island of writers for myself. Fetlar. Again Robin was our guide and I was Under my arm when I left Shetland I had surprised to find that he knew as much about the John J. Graham’s novel “Shadowed Valley” based north of Shetland as he had done about the south on the Weisdale Evictions and Christine De Luca’s where he now lived. To get to Fetlar we drove poems in English and Shetland dialect. On my through Yell the homeland of the late Bobby back I had the “Dellin Roots 2004” t-shirt! Tulloch a famous ornithologist, naturalist, Front Page photographer and guide.As I listened to Robin I was constantly reminded of Bobby and I am sure Thanks to George Robin’s worth like Bobby’s will not go unnoticed Gray, Adrianne Leask, in the future. The Fetlar Interpretative Centre Joyce Mahoney, Ian & was worth going miles to see and it would have Betty Cameron and taken more time than was available to take it all anyone else who in. There was evidence of the clearances of the NEW WEBSITE contributed 19th century here. Then there was a big house Just as we were going to press we photographs for our and a Victorian folly for a laird, Sir Arthur received information about a new website front page montage. Nicolson. Another big house was built in 1900 for devoted to UK research and products Ed. Sir William Watson Cheyne, a prominent surgeon sourced entirely in the UK. of his day who had helped Lord Lister in his Visitors can log on to the site at pioneering work in antiseptic surgery. The www.GenealogyMarketplace.co.uk highlight of that day for me was stopping at Loch Site information is fairly sparse at present Funzie (pronounced Finny) and watching several but there is a short overview plus details red-necked phalaropes feeding along the shore. of a competition. The launch date of Dec. They are very friendly, colourful birds and were 25th will no doubt reveal more when not put off by several photographers from members can judge the value of the site goodness knows where, taking video pictures at for themselves. 4 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY There were seven of us in our family and their sparkling black eyes could have hailed from Spain. But I can only go back as By Isabella far as my great grandparents. Tomlinson Muir Wemyss Donaldson’s parents were John Donaldson and his wife Bell Peace and they lived in Egilsay. Grandfather had an uncle (or perhaps it was a grand uncle) who went to Peru and made a fortune in fruit farming. He was married to an Orkney woman but left no family and died intestate. The Government took possession of his wealth. Perhaps if my grandfather had gone to Peru and claimed his share, we might have been well off and I would not be writing this story now. But Grandfather did not have the money to take him to Peru, nor to engage a lawyer to take up the matter. My father was a rather stocky man with black hair, small black beard, bright black eyes and sharp features. The sharp features, I think, he took from his mother’s family.He was the eldest. Then came Aunt Mary,Aunty Maggie, Aunt Jessie, Uncle Robbie and Johnnie. My father had a genial nature and, though inclined to sulk a little, he never kept Isabella as a teenager in her ‘Sunday best’. up a grudge. He had sound principles, took an intelligent interest in world affairs and y father was James Donaldson, the politics (he was a staunch liberal) and could eldest son of Wemyss Donaldson of the crack a joke and tell a story with gusto.He Mfarm of Greenock. was always friendly with his neighbours and Grandfather belonged to Egilsay and I think ever ready to assist them, and he was also a some of my father’s family were born there good father. before he came to Greenock. He was a big Uncle Robbie was more like my grandfather, heavy man—bigger than any of his sons.I with a broad face and high cheek bones. He was only remember him as an old man of course. also dark, but not so dark as my father and Jeffrey Hamlett He came to see us quite often and we called Johnnie. We are indebted to him ‘faither’. Sometimes when he walked I always thought Johnnie a handsome Isabella’s grandson from Greenock to Vedder on a warm day (a man with his black hair and moustache and Jeffrey Hamlett, a distance of over two miles) he would seat laughing black eyes, and he had the high former member of himself in father’s chair, and after having cheekbones of the Donaldsons. He was a very OFHS who now asked for everyone and how things were pleasant, good tempered man and we all lives in the USA, for doing, he would settle back and have forty looked on him more as an elder brother than the unrestricted use winks. Mother never took any notice of this, as an uncle. of his grand- but went about her work of getting tea and, Uncle Robbie and Johnnie both married mother’s man- by the time it was ready, ‘faither’ would open sisters. Betsy and Maggie Budge of the Round, uscript. Isabella’s his eyes and take part in the conversation Aunt Mary was like her mother. She was reminiscenses were again as though he had never been asleep. in service in London with Dr Rae, the written by her in He lived to be an old man—I think he was explorer, but came back to Orkney to marry 1942 and describe eighty-four when he died. Samuel Petrie and they lived at Groatster. her early life on the Mama of Greenock died when I was about Aunt Maggie looked typically Spanish farm of Vedder in five. I dimly remember her as being short of with her raven black hair and flashing eyes. Tankerness and stature and rather stoutish. She was Mary She was a tall woman and inclined to be continue up to her Eunson of Upper Greenock, but no relation heavy. She went to London when in her marriage to James to my mother whose name was Eunson also. early twenties and spent thirty years of her Muir in 1918 in the Mama’s father was James Eunson and her life there and, although she was two or three Parish Church of St mother’s maiden name was Annie Dishan. times engaged, she was never married. Andrews,Orkney It was thought that the Donaldsons were Aunt Jessie was tall also, but not good of Spanish origin. Certainly, their features looking like Aunt Maggie. NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 5
She had dark hair and steely grey eyes; she also Uncle William took Uncle David to lived and died a spinster. Edinburgh when he was a boy, and had him My grandmother on my mother’s side was the apprenticed to the shoemaking trade with only member of her family in Orkney. Her parents him. But Uncle David was a gifted singer and brothers (she was an only daughter) all and his companions were not those of Uncle emigrated to Australia shortly after my William’s. Uncle David was a precentor in a grandmother married William Eunson, and church in Musselburgh for some years before grandfather Eunson would not not leave his he left Edinburgh for Adelaide, Australia. native land to seek his fortune in sunny Australia. Uncle Johnnie was already in Australia. From what I’ve heard my mother say, I think Mother always spoke affectionately of her Mama missed her parents and brothers very brother Johnnie much. Her father’s name was John Miller and her My Family mother’s maiden name Sally Scott, both of Stronsay. Grandfather Eunson’s father was a There were seven of us. It was often grieve at Wideford and his wife’s name was Kristy Mother’s regret that Uncle William, who was (Christina) Allan. childless and well off, had not seen fit to help Mama had been a handsome woman in give us a higher education as we were all Did you her day, although I only remember her as an well-gifted intellectually.I think if our know. . . old woman, plump of body and rather sharp parents could have afforded it, the four of tongue. She was a good woman in a sisters would have gone in for teaching.My that the Dwarfie Stone religious sense as was also mama of brother Willie would have made a good vet on Hoy was hurled by a Greenock. In all her seventy-five years she Jimmy a lawyer and Johnnie perhaps an giant in Caithness who was never attended by a doctor and she had architect. As it was Willie and Jimmy had to was angry at the little faith in doctors’ medicines, so I’ve follow farming and Johnnie learned to be a Orkney people– yes I heard my mother say. She was known to say joiner. know it is hard to on more than one occasion “the Lord has Barbara, my eldest sister, lived with believe that anyone been my physician all my life and He’ll be it mama, and on her mama lavished the could be angry at the till the end.” And it was so, for mama died wealth of her affection. Barbara was fair Orkney people but I early one day in March 1894 after only a few and slender and the essence of neatness digress– He surely had hours’ illness (heart attacks). and like all little sisters I looked up to her. not had his porridge I never saw any of my mother’s brothers. I do not remember much about her until that morning for the 1 stone never cleared the Uncle James died 4 /2 years before I was she came to teach in the Tankerness School. born. He was never married. Before that she was in Kirkwall for a time, Hoy Hills but landed Uncle William went to Edinburgh when learning dressmaking in J & J Smith’s, below Hoy’s Ward Hill, he was a boy.He stayed with Maria Mair, a then with the Rev David Webster’s family the highest hill in cousin of his father’s, and learned to be a for a short time, and finally nurse to Orkney. What! You shoemaker with Mr Paterson. When Mr Master Robert Cowan (afterwards Robert don’t believe it? Well Paterson retired, Uncle William, still a Baikie). She was appointed Assistant there are no other rocks young man, took over the business and was Teacher and sewing mistress of the of similar size in the comparatively wealthy when he retired. He Tankerness School as successor to Miss valley. was a town councillor in the ward of St Garrioch in November 1894 and remained But there’s more— Housing being what it Leonards, Edinburgh and also a J.P. He was in that position until she married Robert was in Hoy at that time a strict teetotaller and a non-smoker.He Eunson of Grimster in December 1896. By a troll and his wife died in Chalmers Hospital, Edinburgh, when the time Barbara came to teach I had long spotted the stone and he was in his sixties and we all received a got over my fears of the school. Being my liked the location. teacher,I suppose, made me have a certain small legacy from him. Postponing his child amount of respect for her and I admired her I was named Isabella Tomlinson after his stealing and pain -in- greatly, but I did not love her as a sister wife who predeceased him by a few years. the-neck activities he until after she had married. Uncle William sent me £50 after she died turned his skills instead and Ella Tomlinson, Edinburgh and Bella When she left school my sister Sarah to carving two sleeping Eunson, Adelaide (Uncle David’s youngest went to Greenock to help grandmother who chambers out of the daughter) each received the like sum. was failing, and afterwards to Kirkwall solid rock, one of which Uncle William compiled a book after he where she was housekeeper to the Agent of even contains a rock retired which he called “Thoughts coined the Commercial Bank until she married cut pillow. from the ages”. He lost a good sum of money Peter Brass. Sarah was as dark as Barbara You still doubt the on the printing of the book—money that was fair, but they had a similarity of veracity of my tale? might have been better spent surely. features. Sarah had jet black hair and Well I can only say that Uncle David wrote him a letter when he shining brown eyes. Both sisters were of the evidence is still received a copy, criticising it and its author medium height and both handsome,As there on Hoy for all to and making fun of the whole thing. He said Sarah was away from home most of the time see, exactly where the it would make a good footstool (it was a after she left school until she married stone landed in the large volume). Uncle William was deeply in1895, I did not know her very well until I valley all these offended at the letter and did not reply to it, went to live with her in 1898. thousands of years ago. nor did he write to Uncle David again. Turn to page 7 6 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY
A talk given by Donna Heddle, lecturer at Orkney College embers of the OFHS sat in rapt Eratoshenes measured the circumference of attention at the September meeting the earth with great accuracy and used a Mas Donna Heddle, a lecturer at grid system to locate the position of places Orkney College, took them on a fascinating on the earth. journey of map making through the ages. The final Greek contribution of note and Donna started by telling us that the perhaps the most important was made by earliest artifact that could be termed a map Ptolemy, a noted mathematician who in was a wall painting from some 8000 years 140AD wrote his major work Guide to ago. This was discovered at Catal Hyuk, a Geography, in eight books in which he dealt stone age settlement near modern day with the problems of map projection, that is Ankara, and it depicted houses, streets, and mapping the sphere onto the plane, and a nearby volcano. attempting to map the known world giving Did you She explained that earliest map making coordinates of the major places in terms of know. . . activities were confined to local features and what are essentially latitude and longitude. Donna then demonstrated with the aid of that the first recorded land measurements as was revealed in early computer projected maps just how Orkney wreck on Orkney was on Egyptian maps from around 1300BC. Shapinsay about 80AD. Babylonian clay tablets from about 600BC fitted into all this. It was a ship from the shows Babylon and the immediate area It appears that the earliest mention of fleet of the Roman depicted in a circular form surrounded by Orkney was in the writings of the Roman General Agricola, the water, which fits the religious image of the geographer Diodorus Siculus who described Governor of the world in which the Babylonians believed. the world as it was known in his time— Province of Britain. The Donna then moved on to the Greek 56BC. His knowledge of Orkney, or Orca ship struck a rock off the influence in map making. Pythagoras in the came from a report by a Greek sailor west coast of Shapinsay 6th century BC is believed to be the first to Pytheas of Massila who was reputed to have at a place called put forward the belief in a spherical earth. sailed round Britain some 300 years earlier Grukalty subsequently About 350BC Aristotle put forward six and had found Orca ‘a place of great waves’. corrected to Agricola. A arguments to prove that the Earth was Developing the Roman connection Donna reputed find of Roman spherical and from that time on scholars then showed the Pomponius Mela Map coins has been used to generally accepted that indeed it was a produced in the first century AD and give credence to the tale. sphere. One hundred or so years later containing the first mention of ‘Orcades’. NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 7
Orcades was also known to the second of age. Ignorance of luxuries, deriving from the Roman Emperors Claudius and the honourable poverty, does more among them to Roman General Agricola, both of whom safeguard health or to restore it if lost, than claim to have subjugated the Orkneys does the art of physicians (of whom they have although later writers dispute that the none) among other peoples. Most have a quite Orkneys were ever conquered. intelligent nature, capable of learning any skill Moving on to the 14th century Donna or discipline; many are distinguished by a touched on the Italian or Portolan maps, tenacious memory, an elegance of form, and a from the Italian word for a sailing manual. tallness of stature, cheerful in , These were produced by sailors using a strong and spirited, and display strength magnetic compass and showed wind and a fearless spirit for fighting privately or direction and information for seafarers. publicly, when the occasion presents itself. They Donna concluded her talk by introducing are themselves acute speakers according to many of us to the Joan Blaeu Atlas produced their education, or avid listeners to and in 1654. This was the first Atlas of Scotland* retailers of what is put forward acutely by containing 49 engraved maps and 154 pages others. They either express or try to express the of descriptive texts. The text on Orkney humanity and civility which they have taken contains highly detailed information on each from the Scots who live among them. Even the of the Orkney Islands and gives a country people listen carefully to the sermons, fascinating insight of life in the Orkneys in and by mutual repetition of what has been the 17th century. The following description heard recall them to mind in a surprising of the people of Orkney is taken from the manner.” Atlas and although written about 1650 could Certainly, the audience in the college were almost have applied in its entirety just one avid listeners and their appreciation of hundred years ago:- Donna’s talk was recorded in the applause “In their daily life the common people, following the vote of thanks by our past especially in the countryside, still retain chairman Nan Scott. much of the old parsimony. And so they *If you are interested in discovering more about the enjoy great and almost continuous health of Blaeu Atlas and its coverage of the Orkney Islands mind and body; diseases are rare among try
He then came across a note on the ‘History family. The logical conclusion must therefore of the Manuscript’ written by Sandy at the be that the account book belonged to James. end of the census, which reads as follows: The evidence of the handwriting suggests that “This copy of the 1821 census was in the Post James was also the ‘author’ of the census Office at Quoys shop kept by Mr Thomson returns themselves - not that he compiled the from 1821 until 1923 when William Thomson original data (he was, after all, some five his Grandson died app age 57 leaving his months short of his second birthday at the widow and one daughter.Alex T Annal of time!) but rather that at some time, probably Stensigarth retrieved this book from a bonfire in the 1880’s, he copied the details of the – it is the only record of its kind in existence. census from a document which probably no Signed by his son – Alexander Taylor Annal – longer exists into his old account book. 1997 at the age of 90 years.” Before we move on to look at why James This was clearly something that required Thomson might have done such a thing there further research; who was Mr Thomson and are a few more important pieces of evidence to how did the census come to be in the consider.We know that the original possession of a shop keeper? enumeration was carried out by the A few days later my dad was in St schoolmaster,Peter Nicholson McLaren. As Margaret’s Hope talking to a local historian, we have already seen, the government did not George Esson when George showed him a require official returns of names, ages and copy of ‘Church Life in South Ronaldshay occupations so no pre-printed forms were and Burray’ by Rev.J B Craven .As he available for McLaren to enter all the details looked at the dedication in the book, the on. He evidently decided that he wanted to following words jumped out at him; record these details and as a schoolmaster he TO THE MEMOR Y OF would presumably have had access to a large TO THE MEMORY OF selection of notebooks - so why would he JAMESJAMES THOMSON THOMSON OF QUOYSOF QUOYS, , choose to use a shop keeper’s account book? OUROUR WWARM-HEARTEDARM-HEARTED FRIEND,FRIEND ,AN Most important of all why would he start ANACCOMPLISHED ACCOMPLISHED ANTIQUAR ANTIQUARYY,, writing some distance into the book – the first EVEREVER HELPFUL, HELPFUL, SINCERESINCERE AND AND TRUE TRUE census page is numbered 23! It’s clear to me . that what we’re dealing with is not the 1821 So, was this our Mr Thomson? If so, he original but a transcription in a shop keeper’s was obviously a bit more than just a account book which was no longer required for shopkeeper. Did you its original purpose and that the handwriting know. . . Research into various South Ronaldsay is that of Thomson and not McLaren. sources provided some basic information Further research revealed that James that St Mary’s Burwick, about this James Thomson. He was born at Thomson died on 21 October 1900 leaving a an isolated church on Quoys in the South Parish of South substantial will . However, the most crucial the edge of the bay in Ronaldsay, the son of Donald Thomson, a discovery was that of a letter written by South Ronaldsay, farmer, and his wife Ann (née Gray) who Thomson to John Gray of Roeberry on 20 contains a stone, four were married in South Ronaldsay on 22 May 1870. I am enormously grateful for the feet or so long, with a February 1809. James was baptised on 10 assistance of Sarah Jane Grieve and Alison pair of shod feet carved October 1819 and is found in the census Fraser of the Orkney Library and Archive into it. Local legend has it that returns for 1821 aged 1. who were able to uncover this vital sinners were made to Later censuses provided the following document as well as offering my dad support stand on the stone and details about James Thomson: and advice. The letter, which is signed by confess all. Year Address Age Occupation James Thomson of Quoys confirmed two YEAR ADDRESS AGE OCCUPATION It has been established 1841 Quoys 20* Shopkeeper * 1841 Quoys 20 Shopkeeper things; first of all that James Thomson had however that the stone ages1851 wereQuo roundedys down31 to theMerchant nearest 5. an interest in the people and history of is certainly pre-christian 18511861 QuoysQuoys 31 41MerchantGrocer South Ronaldsay and secondly that the and probably Pictish. 18611871 QuoysWst Quo Noys.3 5141 MerchantGrocer handwriting in the 1821 census was Its original use would 18711881 WQuoest ysQuoys 6151 MerchantMerchant undoubtedly Thomson’s. A comparison of the have been as an inauguration symbol 18811891 QuoysQuoys 61 71MerchantGen Merchant two documents leaves little room for doubt. where the new king AGES ROUNDED DOWNTOTHE NEAREST 5 The final proof that we were on to something would step into his This is clear evidence that James significant was the discovery of a lengthy predecessor’s shoes to Thomson was working as a merchant/shop obituary in The Orcadian , covering nearly mark the line of keeper at the time the accounts in the two whole columns of the broadsheet succession. ‘census book’ were written. Sandy’s story newspaper. places the document in the possession of this Turn to page 11 10 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY His faither wis fae Shapinsay By member No 588 t’s amazing what a browse around the IOrkney Room of the Library throws up. I had a vague recollection of having heard that Washington Irving, author of those wonderful tales of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle” had an Orkney Washington Irving 1783-1895 connection and there it was in black and had many interests, however, he was the first white; he was the son of William Irving of American to make a living solely from writing Quholm and grandson of Magnus Irving and and is said to be ‘the father of the American Catherine Williamson all of Shapinsay. If short story’. His output was prolific and by Washington had taken the trouble, and there the 1820s he had gained a reputation is some evidence to say he did, he would have throughout Europe and America as a great no doubt been delighted to discover that he writer and thinker and he gained many belonged to a very old family of Scoto-Norman honours both at home and abroad. In 1842 extraction that has evidently been traced back President Tyler appointed him Minister to to William de Irwin, secretary and arrow Spain, today the equivalent would be bearer to Robert The Bruce. ambassador. This meant that he travelled The Shapinsay Irvings are a branch of the extensively as a diplomatic representative of Did you Irvings of Sebay; the first Irving of Shapinsay know the United States. being Magnus. Now this was probably the In 1832 he returned to New York and that the St Ola 1, built same Magnus who along with two other established a new home at Sunnyside in in 1892 by Hall Russell, brothers were dispossessed of their lands at Tarrytown. He never married but over the ran for almost 60 years Sebay in 1584 by the hated Earl Robert next twenty-five years shared his home with between Stromness Stewart, the bastard son of James V of his brother Ebenezer and Ebenezer’s five and Scrabster. For 31 Scotland. Another brother,William who was a children. of these years she was supporter of the Earl was installed in Sebay in On November 28, 1859, the eve of the Civil commanded by Captain their place. Magnus’ son William was recorded War, Washington Irving died surrounded by George Bain Swanson. as the first Baillie of Shapinsay in 1627. his family. He was buried at Sleepy Hollow Captain Swanson The Irvings held the lands of Quholm in leu Cemetery at he Old Dutch Church in Sleepy skippered her through from the Bishopric at least until 1827 when Hollow,N.Y. the dangerous years of the Bishopric lands were taken over by the WW1 and WW2 when Crown. on more than one Now Magnus,Washington Irving’s New lease of life for occasion she had to grandfather, was probably dead by 1746 when return to port owing to the land is recorded in the rentals as being in Fiona’s ancestors U-boat activity in the the possession of John Irving, son of Magnus When Fiona Williamson Pearson, OFHS Pentland Firth. and brother of William, father of the author. Member No 424 discovered an intriguing He was a native of William was a seafarer and during the French ancestor it sparked off an idea for a novel. Longhope in Hoy being War he was engaged on board an armed born there in 1870 and packet-ship of His Majesty plying between The result is ‘Merrybegotten’ a work of he died in Stromness in Falmouth and New York. fiction loosely based on the events of three 1945. It was here he met his wife, the daughter of generations of one family. He was a legend in his an English clergyman, and they were married Fiona describes it as a ‘tapestry of life and own lifetime, familiar in Falmouth in May 1861. Two years later death set on the unique landscapes of Fair with every ripple and they emigrated to America and landed in New Isle and Orkney, where fatalism, joy and mood of the Pentland York on the 18th July 1763. William gave up blind emotion play havoc with harsh Firth acknowledged by the sea and entered trade and by the time realities.’ ‘Merrybegotten’ is available seafarers the world Washington was born in 1783 in New York from
Continued from page 9 devourer of books and papers, and all kinds The obituary concentrates on James’s of information. Many, after meeting with spiritual life and in particular, his him, have declared that he was a “walking involvement with the Free Church in South encyclopaedia.”All who wished to know Ronaldsay which was clearly a very about the antiquities of these islands, about significant part of his life. The ‘obituary’ is the ministers of past and present generations, in fact a transcript of the sermon preached about the old family histories, and curious by the Reverend Alex Goodfellow, minister of stories of bye-gone days, would apply to Mr the United Free Church in South Ronaldsay, Thomson—a self-taught man, and one who at James Thomson’s funeral service. In it he did not seek after great things, for he was stated that; contented to stand behind the counter and to “He has been with us from the beginning – be familiarly known as “the merchant.”He since the Free Church was started in 1870. has not written a book, but he has spoken And but for him there might have been no volumes.His shop for long was like a public Free Church in this island. He undoubtedly reading room, and then he was in his Lord Kitchener was the main mover…” element, pouring forth all the news of the political, religious and social world.“ Did you In ‘The Soul of an Orkney Parish’ there is a know short section about the Free Church which Now this was more like it! Surely ‘the includes the following paragraph: merchant’ is a very likely character to have There is a huge tower of “In the official records of the Free Church, been responsible for transcribing the 1821 a monument at Marwick reference is made to Mr.James Thomson of census and surely this is as close to absolute Head in Orkney dedicat- Quoys, who assisted the Church early in his proof as we will ever get that Sandy Annal is ed to the memory of Lord Kitchener of life, and continued to collect for its the proud owner of a document written by Khartoum, and paid for Sustentation Fund until he was well into his James Thomson in the 1880’s and not the by the contributions of eightieth year .” 1821 original. Orcadians, to which the Interesting as this may be, it didn’t give us I am personally convinced that this is the British government any further clues about Thomson’s possible case. It does nothing to devalue the contributed not one involvement with the census. However, the document in any way. If anything it makes brass farthing. ‘obituary’ also provides a fascinating insight it more interesting, giving it a human touch Kitchener lost his life on into areas of his life which are of more which is normally lacking in documents like June 5th 1916 when the concern to us here; this. Nor is there any reason to believe that cruiser HMS Hampshire mysteriously blew up off “Let me tell you something more about the it is anything other than an accurate Marwick Head, en route life and history of this remarkable and transcript of the original – and remember to Russia.The grief of memorable man of God, for undoubtedly he that this has probably long since the nation at the loss of was “above many” if not above all in this disappeared. Without the efforts of James this great man could be island. He has not left his life behind him. Thomson, his son William Alexander compared with that His figure and personality were outstanding, Thomson and two generations of the Annal experienced in recent for in bodily presence he was neither weak family, the information would have been lost years with the death of nor contemptible, while his mind was active forever and those of us with an interest in the Princess of Wales. and vigorous, and his memory was the history of South Ronaldsay would have Many rumours circulat- ed as to the cause of the prodigious.His general knowledge was very been robbed of one the most important explosion—German great, for from his youth up, he was a documents the island has ever produced. spies; mines; Sinn Fein agents; sabotage even murder at the hands of the British Secret If you have Hudson Bay ancestors Service. What is fact however is you’ll be interested in this reunion that 643 lives were lost As part of the 175th anniversary the Lower Fort Gary Volunteer while Orcadians were Association is planning a reunion of descendants of Manitoba’s held back at gunpoint by original fur trade families who settled in the Red River settlement. the British army and prevented from attempt- This will be held from August 13-21 2005 to The event at the Lower Fort Garry will have ing a rescue. celebrate their heritage and to re-establish various activities as well as bus tours. They will Even more wicked, the connections. The committee is currently also collect and compile stories of the early crew of the Stromness attempting to locate descendants from all employees for publication. More info and lifeboat was evidently over the world and especially from Orkney downloads can be found on the reunion website threatened with the with its strong links with the Hudson Bay Co. at www.redriverdescendantsreunion.org. Our charge of mutiny if they If you are interested please e-mail the thanks to David Sutherland of Manitoba went to the aid of the organisers at rr.reunion¤3web.net Genealogy Soc. for this information. Hampshire. 12 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY The Orkney builders of Lambton County By Bruce G Jameson Member No 581
number of Mary Hazel (1886 - Orkney 1983) and Maude Amen have Alice (1891 - 1975) settled in the were born while Watford area since they lived in this LAMBTON the late 1800’s and house.Before their COUNTY have married son Bruce David ONTARIO Lambton county (1893 – 1986) was Lambton County is ladies. The first of born, they had located in south- this group was moved to a new western Ontario William Marwick large brick house and is bordered on (1855 – 1922) born in the village of the north side by on April 1, 1855 at Watford. Their Lake Huron which Fursin in Evie fourth child, Ruth flows into the St Parish in the Ann (1896 – 1989) Clair River, the Orkney Islands.He was also born county’s western was the fifth child William Marwick family of Watford, Ontario, taken about 1905 there.Mary Hazel Left to right: William, Maude, Ruth, Bruce, Alice, and Mary Hazel. boundary and part born to David married Edward of the Marwick (1820 – 1863), a tea merchant and Kidd (1887 – 1973) of Brooke Township. Canadian/USA farmer, and Margaret Isbister (1831 – 1914). Maude was a schoolteacher and taught in both border. William was only seven years of age when his Alvinston and Watford. She never married. It was one of the father died. Eventually his older brother, Bruce was a schoolteacher and became principal of the high school in Cochrane, last regions of S.W. James, took over the farm and store at Fursin. Ontario.He married Allie Stinson (1886 – Ontario to be In 1873, when William was 18, he emigrated 1956) of Rutherford, Ontario. Ruth Ann developed and its from Orkney to Canada. It is hard to understand what drew this young Orcadian to married Dr. Harold Taylor (1893 – 1985), a natural resources, dentist in London, Ontario.William, Alice and extensive flat, forested Lambton County about 1880. It certainly didn’t remind him of the barren, Maude are buried in the Watford Cemetery waterways and rich along with two of Bruce and Allie’s infant soil attracted many rolling, wind-swept beauty of the islands he left behind. Orkney is a group of about daughters. immigrants from seventy islands across the Pentland Firth It is much easier to understand why the the British Isles. from Caithness and Sutherland in northern other Orcadians came to the Watford area. Agriculture still Scotland. Less than half of the islands are William made a number of trips back to sustains many of populated. Orcadians are a hardy people who Orkney to recruit young men to come to the small towns in earn their living from raising sheep and cattle. Canada to learn the brick mason trade.In the interior of the William probably was drawn to the Watford 1888, three of William’s cousins,William county but the area by the opportunity to utilize the skills he Bruce (1863 – 1900) and John Bruce (1869 – petro-chemical had learned in Hamilton, Ontario where he 1938) of Schoolhouse, Birsay Parish and John industry is apprenticed as a brick mason. We don’t know Stanger (1869 – 1953) also of Birsay Parish arguably the most just when he came to Lambton County.He arrived in Watford, Ontario.They all important section was here in 1881 because the 100th apprenticed as brick masons with William of the county’s anniversary report of the Brigden United Marwick.William Bruce did not marry and economy. Other Church (formerly Presbyterian) in the Sarnia died in 1900, when he was 37 years of age.He parts of the county Gazette,January 7, 1981 stated that William is buried in the Watford Cemetery. In the rely almost Marwick did the brick work on the church. He 1890’s, John Bruce married Sarah Louise exclusively on was a very successful builder and built many Shannon (1871 – 1961) and John Stanger tourism and the homes and other buildings in Lambton and married her older sister, Rebecca Shannon lake and river Middlesex Counties. (1866 – 1941) John and Sarah Bruce had at areas attract many In 1885, William married Alice Josephine least two sons William (b. 1895) and John (b. thousands of Zavitz (1860 – 1944), daughter of George 1898). John and Rebecca Stanger had one tourists throughout Zavitz and Jane Elizabeth Borley who farmed daughter Mary Ann (1896 – 1991). Mary Ann never married. The Stanger family are all the summer. in Brooke Township.William and Alice moved into a brick house on the Egremont Road at buried in the Watford Cemetery as are John 1 the NW corner of Old School road (about 1 /2 and Sarah Bruce. miles east of Warwick Village). Daughters Continued at the foot of page12 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 13 Trace Your Orkney Ancestors A new book by James M. Irvine reviewed by Sheena Wenham Member No 422 racing your family tree has become a popular pastime worldwide in recent years, as increasingly people want Tto discover from whence they came. But where to begin? In this book James Irvine guides the reader through the astonishing number of sources available to the serious family history researcher in Orkney. Although some of Orkney’s relevant records remain outwith these islands, we are fortunate that our library houses the Orkney Archive, the Orkney Room and the Family History room where a treasure trove of documents and books are to be found and where further help and guidance is available. Those familiar with researching data for irritatingly difficult to prove, but it is always their family trees in Orkney will find this book good to deepen the research on the names an essential part of their library. Included in you already have. The attractive cover of the the book are sections on access to sources, book depicts a selection of various Orkney research principles, handwriting, language and books and documents etc that the researcher technical terms, census returns and may consult. Inside the book the pretty substitutes, births, deaths and marriages, comprehensive list of sources will enable the transfers of land ownership and other sources reader to ‘flesh out’ the dry bones of their such as estate and church records. The ancestors. It is most rewarding to find out appendix gives us useful information on the more about what life was like in their time. contents of the Orkney Archive and also plenty Sometimes you may hit the jackpot. When of valuable background information. All of this perusing documents such as church records, will be of use not only to the family history estate correspondence or the evidence given researcher but also to the social and economic to the Crofting Commission, some small historian. nugget of information about a named The novice and those in Orkney for a short ancestor may leap out at you from the page. time may find the layout of the book a little The name immediately becomes a daunting. The close set type, the detailed lists personality and this is to me one of the most and the frequent use of initials requires serious rewarding aspects that makes family and concentration and I would like to have seen a local history such an enjoyable pastime. simplified summary of each section. The James Irvine is to be congratulated in beginner, therefore, may find it best to read the providing us with an invaluable tool to assist book in conjunction with a more generalised us in tracing our Orkney ancestors and volume on family research. giving us the sources to broaden our picture Tracing your family history can be a of their lives. fascinating but frustrating experience as ‘Trace Your Orkney Ancestors’ is available sometimes an exact family connection can be from the ‘Orcadian’ Bookshop at £8.50.
Continued from Page 12 Their first three children, Agnes (1916 – While Orcadians were In 1902, William Marwick (1883 – 1968) of 1989) (Flegg),William, (1918) who died a not guilty of Fursin, Evie, Orkney, eighteen-year-old son few hours after birth, and David (b. 1920) supplementing their of James Marwick (1850 – 1916) and Agnes were born in Watford. William obtained income by luring ships Williamson (1849 – 1907), a nephew of work as a brick mason at the Sarnia on to the rocks, a William, arrived in Watford to learn the Refinery of Imperial Oil in 1920 and moved minister of the island of brick mason trade. About 1910, while they his young family to a house on S Brock Sanday was reputed to were building a house for James and Street in Sarnia where Mary (b. 1922) have prayed; Elizabeth McMurray in Enniskillen (Hosegrove), Laura May (1924 – 1925), Ruth ‘oh Lord, we do not ask Township, young William Marwick met (b. 1925) (Round),Lawrence (b. 1927), Thee to make any Lettie May Clark (1892 – 1976) daughter of Annabelle (b. 1928) (Jameson), John (1931 – wrecks. But if in Thy Joseph Clark (1846 – 1896) and Mary 1986) and Robert (b. 1933) were born. providence Thou seeist Valdora Smith (1854 – 1932) of Warwick William Marwick retired from Imperial Oil fit to make any, we ask Township. Lettie was Elizabeth McMurray’s at the end of 1948. William, Lettie, Laura Thee to remember the younger sister.William and Lettie were May and John are all buried in Lakeview poor Parish of Sanday.’ married in 1914 and had a large family. Cemetery in Sarnia. 14 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY A young toon lad Readers of the magazine not familiar with the islands of Orkney on an island croft might be interested in learning a little bit more about Eday. It occupies a fairly central position in the North Isles and is about seven miles long from north to south. It is rich in peat deposits and these provided an income in the past from neighbouring islands and whisky distilleries through- Marion’s sister and their mother picking flowers at Maltbarn in the 1960s. out Scotland. Eday is hilly in the eminiscing on his early years in Eday my Granny lost one of Maltbarn’s cats about middle and father remembers Retta Peace (who this time and Annie suggested that, as there agriculture is married William Wallace), who had a were plenty of wild kittens at Windywall, my concentrated mainly R father should go and collect one.He took round its shores at small shop at Roadside, deciding to put on a the north and south community play in Eday. She managed to get Granny’s wicker shopping basket as it had a ends of the island. hold of a play called “The Worm Turned” and wicker lid on it and thought this would keep The island and its many of the folks in the south of the kitten secure on the adjoining Calf are the island were commandeered journey back. The Shearers rich in prehistoric to take roles and be involved in Marion McLeod put the kitten in the basket archaeology with and tied the lid down with many chambered it. My father was dragged into continues her tale of cairns and tombs. this and can just remember her father Ernie string but the kitten got out Carrick House on having to learn some lines and Wishart, who, as a and shot off and they couldn’t the main island all of them speaking out lines young lad of 14, found find it. He called at Windywall dates originally while dressed up on a sort of himself running a croft a few days later to collect a from 1633 when it kitten and this time he took a stage in front of the population of on Eday was built and the south end of Eday—he sack with him. The kitten was owned by John duly placed in the sack, the Stewart, brother of cannot remember what the play the hated Earl was about though. sack tied and he got back to Maltbarn with the Patrick Stewart. It A neighbouring house was Windywall, kitten alright.He undid the sack tie and the also featured in the owned by John G Shearer’s family.John started kitten shot out and went completely mad capture of Gow the up his coal merchant’s business in Kirkwall dashing back and forth and then shot up into pirate when his and delivered coal to the islands on a boat. He the barn rafters, where it remained for several ship ‘Revenge’ ran days. They could not even entice it down with aground opposite didn’t call at Eday as the Eday folk used peat Carrick House. The instead of coal but when the ship sailed near food. It eventually came down from the rafters ship’s bell is still the south end of Eday, on route to the other and wandered around and eventually came preserved in the islands, they blew the boat’s whistle as a into the house where Granny took charge of it house. greeting to the family on Eday. (John Shearer’s and said it was the most peaceable and nice grandson, Jackie Shearer, bought the house my cat she had ever had. father built, Aquarius,St Ola, Orkney, many On the subject of cats—one day my father years later). John Shearer’s sister, Annie was was helping John Rousay with his threshing at recruited as a “home help” to assist with the Costahead. Johnny’s sister Jessie called them daily duties at Maltbarn when it was getting for tea but said that they might not get a cup difficult for my father to cope with the three of tea as she couldn’t get any water out of the ladies in advancing years and declining health. tap in the barrel which stood outside the Annie was called to Maltbarn one day each house. Johnny and my father went outside to week to do the cleaning, washing and cooking. look at the tap. They turned the barrel over Rainwater from the house roof was saved into and tipped the water out to get at the tap. barrels normally, but when Annie started Jessie shrieked “what’s that?” as they tipped working at Maltbarn there had been no rain for the water out. On the ground amongst the some time and the barrels were empty.My draining water from the barrel, was what had father used to have to go to the well more often been a cat! Jessie said she wondered where the after that as she was forever needing water to black and white cat had gone as it had never do more washing. come home about a year previously. NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 15
Great Granny, her sister and sister-in- parents were there to meet her and took law all being so old, had a method of her to their house. summoning help if they needed it. She had Back at Maltbarn in Eday, great Granny two different cloths she would hang in her and my father then had to pack and box house window.A white cloth meant she their belongings, which took another week, needed help in a hurry and a coloured then my father had to get this and great cloth meant she needed help but there was Granny to the steamer as he had done with no hurry. If the weather was too bad for Jeannie. He then had to remain at the farm anyone to see her house and the cloths (e.g. for another two weeks on his own and sell fog or mist) she used a whistle to summon off all the livestock before the new owners help. When the whistle was used Johnny Rousay’s dog,Podge, would bark and let the arrived. He gave his 3-year-old dog, Bob, to Rousay family know that Maltbarn needed neighbours on the island when he left. Bob help. This worked fine for many years until had liked to cool off when it was hot and all Johnny’s dog,Podge, died and the that could be seen of him on hot days was replacement dog he got was a deaf dog! his head sticking out of the sea, like a seal, In the winter of 1936, after Grandaunt in the bay in front of the house. Mimie had gone back to Westray to live While my father was dealing with with her own family, it was decided by animals in the byre he would tie Bob on a great Granny that Jeannie (who was now long bit of rope. One evening Bob was very totally bedridden) should be moved into the quiet and my father went to see what was house from the barn where she had lived wrong. Bob had jumped over one of the for many years.My father decided that the slate upright dividers in the byre and was best way to move her, as she was hanging by the rope with his feet barely completely bedridden, was by wheelbarrow. touching the ground. His eyes were He got her into the wheelbarrow but the showing their whites and his tongue was wheel stuck fast in the mud midway hanging out of his mouth and he was between the barn and the house and it was nearly a goner. Soon after my father had pouring rain. He had to carry her on his left Eday, after selling Maltbarn, he heard back from there to the house. When the that Bob had been shot for worrying lambs family moved to Kirkwall (to live with my but it transpired that he had found a dead father's parents and family) the following sheep on its back in marshy ground and year, he had to get her onto the boat for the had a free feed. journey. He got the next farm's gig and My father's grandparents had been pony to transport her to the pier.When strong tee-totallers and never touched any they arrived at the Eday pier she exclaimed alcohol but they kept a small half-bottle of that it was a very large boat. She had never whisky for the sheep they said. My father seen any boat so large before and had never never found out what use the whisky was In our left Eday in her life.With help from some for the sheep but the bottle sat in the next issue cupboard in the house for using on the friends they got her up the gangway and Marion Mcleod into the Captain's cabin on deck where sheep only. Once, when he was attending concludes the tale there was a bunk she could lay down on. some function on the island, he sneaked the of her father’s Jeannie was very worried about the boat bottle out of the house and had a swig or experiences at trip and wanted to know how long it would two from the bottle, topping it up with Maltbarn and take.My father told her it would be about water before returning it to it's proper describes in detail one and a half hours and she asked when place in the cupboard. He never saw the what little profit she would know that the boat had arrived bottle being taken out of the cupboard or could be expected at Kirkwall. He told her she would feel a the whisky being used in all the time he from a year of bump as it got into and touched the pier. was at Maltbarn. After Maltbarn was sold back-breaking work—and that She was also frightened that she would just and the old ladies removed to Kirkwall, he was just 67 years had to empty the house and dispose of be left on the pier and he had to reassure ago. her that his parents would be there to meet things.He took the bottle out of the her and that this had all been arranged cupboard and drank what was in it and beforehand. On her arrival at Kirkwall his threw the bottle away. DUPLICATION OF RESEARCH MATERIAL From time to time we find that members are groups are working on the same material which forwarding enquiries to both the Orkney Family is a wasteful use of resources.Please ensure that History Society and the Orkney Library Archive. your enquiry is sent to one source only to avoid This often means that researchers from both duplication of effort. 16 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY
BURROUGHSTON
SHAPINSAY Where are the RSPB VASA LOCH RESERVE BALFOUR MOR CASTLE Shapinsay Heddles BALFOUR VILLAGE STANE CASTLE ? BLOODY Lynton Heddle, Member No 1129 from Adelaide, would like to know fter reading Noel Cook’s article in the as we arrived. Lynton Heddle September issue,I have been inspired, With some locals providing directions, we Afor the first time in my life, to write to found our way to the farm of Linton, the a publication. I too, this year travelled to home of the Tait’s who treated us to an the Orkney’s – and what a great experience. inspection of the farm and the old house, in I intended travelling to Europe and never which “my” John Heddle resided in 1851, having been to my ancestral home,I decided prior to emigrating. Although still standing, the itinerary should include the place where the old house is now a storeroom and tool the Heddles came from. My GG shed. None, the less, it was awe inspiring to Grandfather,John walk in the Heddle who was born footsteps of my on Shapinsay in 1831, ancestor, some 150 emigrated to Adelaide years later. It was (Australia) in 1851, an incredible leaving a widowed comparison of Lynton’s mother and siblings places - Shapinsay GGGrandfather John behind. to Adelaide.Of Gillen Heddle b.on Having made previous course many Shapinsay 8.9.1831, email contact with photos were taken emigrated to some Orcadians,I felt even though it was Australia on board that at least there was in misty rain and the ‘Oregon’ in 1851 someone there who our thanks go out would point me in the Lynton Heddle in the doorway of the old farmhouse of to Edith, Ian and HELP PLEASE right direction. After Linton Farm Shapinsay where John Heddle resided in 1851. Julian for their Now that I have touring Europe, England, Wales and hospitality. It was interesting that Edith made a start I am Scotland for the previous 2 months, my wife advised me that that Linton farm has been really desperate for and I, together with our daughter and her in her ancestor’s family (the Hepburn’s) more leads. George fiancé, on 8th June, experienced a mild one since at least 1841. Gray at OFHS was hour ferry crossing from Gills Bay to St Next onto Jean and Robert Wallace’s really helpful but Margaret’s Hope. Then an incredible drive “Girnigoe”, where Jean as Registrar, went now I have caught across the Churchill Barriers, to Kirkwall, out of her way in not just bringing out the the bug I can’t let it where we spent the next 3 nights (definitely Shapinsay records for me to peruse to go. The inform- not long enough). obtain valuable genealogical information, ation I have is as The following morning we made the short but also provided afternoon tea for all of follows: ferry crossing to Shapinsay and can still us. The time just flew whilst with the “My” John Heddle recall the awesome experience of that first Wallace’s and when we emerged outside, was a child of John sight of the island as it came into view the fog had lifted to bathe the island in Heddle and Isabella through a fairly thick mist. On bright sunshine – splendid in its green Shearer (b about disembarking, we found the village quieter covering, a contrast to my home town at 1802) who married than we had expected, but nonetheless the beginning of summer. on Shapinsay 21st interesting and familiar – back in Australia We then located the old churchyard Feb 1826. Their we get your UK television programs which cemetery so we could investigate a few of children were show a typical fishing village such as this. the Heddle gravestones. The ivy draped Margaret (b 28 Nov Then there was the grandeur of Balfour ruins of the church that overlooks the sea 1826), William Castle, eerie in the stillness of that morning and the many lichen covered gravestones (b 30 Jul 1829), fog. Unfortunately, it was not open whilst surrounding the ruins made a surreal “my” John (b 8 Sep we were there, but that didn’t stop us taking picture, especially when encircled with the 1831) and known in a few photos. green, green paddocks – oops,I believe you Australia as John We then drove to the north east part of call them fields ! And - the stone fences – Gillen Heddle, the island, through the still persisting sea we may have very small pockets of them Isabella (b 14 Jul mist and light rain, to the Broch of scattered throughout Australia, built in the 1834), Malcolm (b Burroughston, a magnificent archaeological 1800’s – but in Scotland, they just go on 23 Jul 1837), and site. Our first archaeological experience of and on, and obviously so old. They make Robert (b 24 Sep this type, so again, more photos. great contrasts against the green fields 1839). Unfortunately the timid seals took to the sea and great for our photos. NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 17
After some further sightseeing, we made The next day, after more sightseeing the afternoon ferry crossing back to around lovely Kirkwall, we investigated areas Kirkwall with some vivid memories of the such as the Standing Stones of Stenness and lovely island of Shapinsay. the Ring of Brodgar – such incredible stone Back in Kirkwall for more sightseeing age type relics that had the camera shutters and investigations. The long summer nights going overtime. Unfortunately, by the time meant we forgot about our evening meal and we planned on walking aroundStromness the nearly went hungry that night. We managed rain had set in, preventing us from getting a however to locate the Hill of Heddle, the real feel for the town. Consequently, we only Heddle Quarry and Heddle Village but saw it from a car window, but what we saw Heddle Cottage, that we had located on an was a lovely fishing style location. Time was old map, unfortunately eluded us.We were marching on and we decided that the however fascinated by seeing so many Orkney’s should be placed on the agenda for places with our name, almost unknown in our next trip, considering that there was so Australia, and the surrounding green fields much we hadn’t seen. Our itinerary just with their stone fencing and housing made didn’t allocate enough time on this occasion, spectacular photos. however– next time. The next morning I visited the OFHS in So from Stromness, we made for the ferry its well appointed (fairly new, we at St Margaret’s Hope. The ferry crossing understood) premises, only to discover that was spectacular in that we sighted killer the OFHS opened in the afternoons. whales and seals, plus numerous rafts of However, the staff in the Archives were most birds. It was a fine way to finish our first helpful and whilst there, George Gray, with trip to the Orkney’s and we will be planning whom I had previously had email contact, a longer stay next time, although it may be arrived. Well I spent quite a few hours with a year or two down the track. George and he was most obliging by Where are the Heddles of Shapinsay – providing information about the siblings of there are more trees on the island ? I do my GG Grandfather. Of course, seeing such hope that anyone who may have details of a wealth of information that lies within the any connection to “my” Heddles will contact OFHS,I had no choice but to immediately me. “I really would be grateful to hear from become a member.I just hope that my anyone with some information. joining will lead to locating some Lynton Hedde lMember # 1129 descendants of my GGG Grandfather – also Adelaide South Australia a John Heddle.
Did you know. . . Thanks to OFHS Janet That the first civilian to be killed in WW2 was Kennedy went home with James Isbister who died when a German bomber jettisoned its loads of family history bombs over the Brig o’ Waithe in Stenness on y maternal grandmother died when friend, Margaret Watters. the 16th March 1939. my mother was very young, and all I We drove to Stenness and enquired at the The farm buildings and Mknew was her maiden name, Isabella Community Centre about Neigheads and a houses nearby were Harper, and that she had been born in very pleasant and helpful young woman also the first buildings Orkney in 1863. As I was finding it very there took us to a lady who she said would to be hit in an enemy difficult to trace her,I joined the Orkney tell us all about Stenness. This was air attack on Britain. Family History Society, and I am so glad I did. Adrianne’s friend, Margaret Watters, and The first German plane In April, 2004, my sister, Isabella Harper, she had more information all ready for us! to to be shot down in and I had a long weekend in Kirkwall and We had a very interesting chat with her (our Britain was on the just before we arrived George Gray of the ancestors were connected back along the island of Hoy when an Society spent a lot of time researching and line), and she gave us copies of family trees Orkney anti aircraft actually traced our grandmother, no easy etc. relating to our grandmother and her gunner brought down task, as her true surname, Morrison, had help was absolutely invaluable. the Junkers 88 on the been dropped and her father’s middle name, I would like the Society to know how 17th October 1939. Harper, had been used. She had been born much I appreciate the time that all your Both these incidents at Neigheads, Stenness. members must spend researching.We had a resulted from the On our arrival at Kirkwall we met with lovely time in Orkney and were thrilled with Luftwaffe attacking the Adrianne Leask who passed on all George’s the scenery history and friendliness of the British naval base of information plus more from herself and her people. Janet Kennedy Member # 1067 Scapa Flow. 18 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY Just a minute Minutes of the September and October meetings of the Orkney Family History Society recorded by Gillian Mooney Minutes of Open Meeting held in the Minutes of Meeting held in the MacGillivray Lecture Theatre of Orkney College Room, Orkney Library & Archive 9th September 2004 at 7.30pm 14th October 2004 at 7.30pm Anne Rendall welcomed everyone to her first Chairperson, Anne Rendall, welcomed Open Meeting as Chairperson.There was a good seventy people to the meeting which turnout for a bonny summer night. Thirty four incorporated the launch of James Irvine’s people attended including visiting members book Trace Your Orkney Ancestors. Bridget and Peter Hunter from Cambridgeshire. There were apologies from Marion and Sandy Firth sent his apologies. The office Alfie Flett, John Sinclair, Ian and Betty volunteers had spent a busy summer, Anne said, Cameron and Helen Manson. and she counted 180 names in the visitor’s book This meeting was intended for members since June. There will be reports of the summer’s and invited guests only. events in the magazine from the new editor John The next meeting will be the annual Sinclair. dinner in the Kirkwall Hotel on 11th There was a successful graveyard recording in November. Firth in July which was completed in one evening Anne said that Dave Higgins had been and now just needs to be checked. working like a Trojan since his long walk October 14th was a meeting for members and working on the website entering information invited guests only. It will incorporate the launch on what is in the office. She then introduced of James Irvine’s new book, Trace your Orkney James who, she said, seemed almost Ancestors. annually to be churning out books. The Kirkwall Hotel has been booked for our Trace Your Orkney Ancestors was a very annual meal on Nov 11th and the cost will be comprehensive list on how to find £12.50 information especially for anyone with no In January there will be an EGM immed- idea where to start. James expressed his iately before the monthly meeting to discuss the appreciation for their warm welcome and for revised constitution. Anne in allowing the launch. Evan Treasurer, George Gray, then read some MacGillivray was one of the people who had queries for help which included a William Tait inspired him, James said, so it was fitting who joined the Hudson’s Bay Co. He was one of that the launch was taking place in the fourteen children. Also Alexandra Richter born in MacGillivray Room. He said it was the late Bridge St. Kirkwall in 1871 and query on a Janice Sinclair, the society’s original connection between Heddles in Stromness and research secretary, who first encouraged him Shapinsay. on how to do research in Orkney. His book is George also mentioned that there seemed to primarily designed for folk who have started be a shortage of Family Trees from the Orkney already to come up against a brick wall but members and pointed out that the Trees were was also relevant to local historians such as very helpful when visitors came to the office. Willie Thomson. The book was printed by the Did you Anne then introduced the invited speaker for Orcadian but he had to publish it himself. know the evening–Donna Heddle, a lecturer at Orkney James then mentioned several folk who that Orkney has the College. Her talk On the borders of this massive had helped, namely his brother Bruce for the shortest scheduled air round was about very old maps. Apparently photography of the front cover, his own wife flight in the Orkney was well-known and often mentioned a Sally who was there at the launch with him, world–between Westray long time ago. Claudius added Orkney to the Orkney Islands Council for grants, local and Papa Westray–the Roman realm. The ancient Greeks knew about booksellers, people like Willie who ‘shoot me journey lasts under two Orkney. There is a map of Britain which has down when I get too strong’, Alison Fraser minutes three parts with Orca at the top. There is also a from Orkney Archives, Alison Work for food, map showing Orcades and Inde (Orkney and his brother-in-law for wine and Diane and India) as the Western and Eastern ends of the Cheryl Kelday who were on hand selling world. Editor,John Sinclair, has written a books and serving wine. separate report on the talk. The assembled guests then continued to Nan Scott gave thanks to Donna for her talk enjoy a pleasant evening with wine and and to all who work behind the scenes arranging nibbles.Teas were also available thanks to the meeting etc. before we gathered in the foyer Mags and Annie. for the usual blether over tea and biscuits. Gillian NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 19
Are you a Cecil Sinclair Member No 155 Hooshon or a It was with sadness that we heard of I am sorry to say the death of Cecil Sinclair who passed that through lack of Hewison? away at his home on the 18th October. space we’ve had to hold back some asks Tommy Robertson member No 292 from His father was an Orcadian from St articles in this Finstown. Margarets Hope where he was Post The thought occurred to him as he was Master for many years. month’s newsletter. researching his Westray forbears.He realised Cecil qualified in law and throughout Well to tell the truth then that many surnames have been altered his career was an archivist in I’m not really sorry through the years. Edinburgh. because it is great The original surnames written according to Many will be familiar with his 3 books to have some local pronunciation, are becoming forgotten. published by H.M.S.O. which were material in the Names like Hooshan has become Hewison, guides to family and local history pipeline to start off Forgus is Fergus and the original Hercus has researchers. our next issue. given way to Harcus. In recent years he suffered from So apologies to Tommy points out that when his Gt.Gt Janette in Australia Grandfather got married the entry in the chronic asthma. who has sent in O.P.Rs spelt his wife’s name as Mary Caetar His interests were in the art world with which is how Seatter is pronounced in Westray. an especial love of the Theatre and he some information took part in productions by the on the Brass family Do any of our readers have anything to add Edinburgh University Graduates of Sandwick and to this.I certainly remember that ‘doon sooth’ Amateurs. the Fletts who the Smellies were suddenly transformed into arrived in Australia Smillies. Ed. on board the ‘Marmion’ in 1852 (How’s the weather with you Janette?) NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS and to Laurie McClanahan in the US of A (we’re The OFHS Newsletter depends entirely on a Word is fine. Also include a hard copy in case trying to find out constant flow of articles, long or short, from I cannot open the file. Remember hand-typed more about those Society members. Twenty pages takes a bit of submissions have to be retyped and may be elusive Irvines filling. Even allowing for pictures we still require delayed Laurie) and nearer in excess of 15,000 words for each issue. PICTURES LENGTH Send originals if possible (but not your home to Allan Your submissions can run to one or two only copies). `include a stamped addressed Taylor who has pages, or if longer can be serialised over two envelope if you wish them returned. another tale to tell or more issues. Generally about 750 words Alternatively send on disc or as an of the misfortunes are required per page and this allows for a attachment as a JPEG, keeping the quality of poor Robbie. heading and a picture. Pictures make the ‘high’. Photocopies of photographs are not But remember story far more interesting so photographs suitable as they do not reproduce readers that still please wherever possible. satisfactorily. leaves lots of pages Shorter submissions are equally welcome—even Please address all submissions, discs and for you to fill and a paragraph is useful in filling a corner. floppies to:- share with your ‘DID YOU KNOW’ The Editor,Orkney Family History Society fellow members. snippets fit well into the narrow column on Newsletter, Orkney Library & Archive, 44 each page. Junction Rd, Kirkwall, Orkney. KW15 1A So it just remains LETTERS PAGE E-mails and attachments can be sent direct- for me to wish you A regular letters page is something we hope to ly to the editor at