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Sib Folk News

Noll September 1999

Contents

Typical Scene 1 From the Chair 2

Correspondence & Queries 3 The Abernethys of Stromness 5

Nitty Grittys of F.H. Research 6 Statistical Report Part 7 7

A Revised Old Sanday Tree 9 From the Editor 10

1 ity was out of this world as From the I'm sure our editor can From the Chairman's Desk testify. Anne Cormack has Treasurer's Desk been appointed the new vice- I hope all our readers chairperson. We are grateful I must apologise to members enjoyed reading the last Sib to her and to her husband for not presenting their sub- Folk News containing twenty Alastair who is now one of scription cheques for pages and the Canadian flag our regular office volunteers. payment to the bank as soon on its front. Robbie Leslie's as I received them. This was stories have been of great I hope that all our correspon- due to the fact that the annual interest to my husband. dents are getting some subscriptions are not due Robbie came from a gener- answers to their queries. until 1 March. However, ation that spent time in con- Your letters make very inter- many members sent their versation with family and esting reading. I'd like to subscriptions 2 months early friends. He had a retentive remind readers that queries but I thought it would only mind and was a reliable to 8 Broad St. are handled by be proper to hold on to them authority on relationships up volunteers only. However, until the due date. Also, it until his death. Our editor when necessary, an inquirer should be noted that we only has taken his stories from can be put in touch with a send out receipts with the tape which would not have professional researcher. next magazine to save on been too easy. In so doing postage. he has invented a new abode Our society now has about for Robbie's cousin Mrs 400 members. I send my best Lilian who used to wishes to one and all and live at Dale, Evie [not hope that you continue to Daylavie]. She now lives at enjoy genealogy. It seems to Lambaness, . me that when Orcadians See back page for great meet 'raking kin' comes news for overseas second only to the weather in The O.F.H Soc. office at subscribers. 8 Broad Street has been busy conversation! during the summer. We Host, Scott can't be too grateful to the • volunteers who keep it open six days a week. There is a great need for more space. Personally I see a need for Future Meetings more room for interviewing, for research and for reading. 16th September However that is for the future. We are always Hall at 7.30pm Speaker: Harold Esson getting more resources. At the moment the policy is not to lend any of the material so 14th October anyone interested in it must visit the office. Commodore Motel at 7.30pm Speaker: Sheena Wenham

Following the last AGM in May we have another enthu- 11th November siastic committee in place. Shortly after his re-appoi- Ayre Hotel 7pm for 7.30pm Annual Dinner ntment as vice-chairman Billy Cardno left for Aberdeen. The good wishes No Meeting in December of all go with him and the committee wants to thank him and Catherine for all 13th January 2000 they have done for the society since even before its Kirkwall (venue to be confirmed) Members meeting inauguration. Their hospital-

2 Correspondence and Members' Queries

Martin Prentice (385) Robert Baikie (369) Upper "Mossburn" 2 Goodsburn EUibister, Rendall, Orkney, Road, Strathaven. ML10 KW17 2NZ 6PX I am interested in all kind of Brad Corrigal. (335) Box What happened to Andrew things relating to Rendall 185, Fairmont Hot Springs, Flett ( Mason, Sorepull, Parish history. In particular BC, VOB 1LO CANADA ) subsequent to the information on David death of his wife Isabella Spence, Alf Osborne & John I have recently discovered Ballantyne 9/11/1827 Wm Yorston all of whom that one of my relatives was were killed in WW1 and are born in Orkney. His name Charles Bacon (300) 107 mentioned on the Parish War was James Corrigal born Hummersknott Ave, Memorial. about 1795. Can anyone tell Darlington, Co Durham. me where in Orkney James DL38RR Isobel Irvine (338) 5 would have lived and where Burrian, Kirkwall, Orkney would his father have been I'm looking for any relatives KW15 1XB born? of my Gt Grandfather Henry Tait, born in Stromness in I am researching the family Mrs. G. Johnson (387) 36 1829. He went to sea at an of George Scollay ( b. 28-9- Bath Terrace, Gosforth, early age and died in 1800, son of John Scollay & Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 Sunderland in 1923.1 believe possibly Mary Linay ? ) & 1UH Henry left to go to sea after Margaret Logie ( dau of his mother died and he did Andrew Logie & Isabella My four times great grand- not get on with his step Meil) mother Mary Laughton from mother when his father Little Millhouse in Holm remarried. was married to William Lorraine & John H. Clift, Bews in South Shields on 27 James Louttit (299) 48 (390) 144 Upland Road March 1860. They had five Upper Cranbrook Road, Kelburn, Wellington, New children but sadly William Bedland, Bristol. BS6 7UP Zealand. was drowned in the Tyne in 1871. As Bews is an Orkney My Gt Grandfather William I am the grand daughter of name could William have Louttit was born 17-10-1827, Mary MacLellan from come from Orkney? but was this in Orkney or the Kirkwall which is proving a USA? difficult line to research as I Patrick Euson (365) 3115 have a feeling her father Grant Blud, Syracuse, New Charles Flawn (301) Peter was adopted by a Peter York 13208 "Chestwood" 33 Chesham MacLellan after marrying a Lane, Chalfont St. Peter, Jane Miller Guthrie. I have I understand that my family Bucks. SL9 0PG found a birth for a Peter may have originated in McLaren Guthrie in 1866 in Orkney. I think my ancestors I am descended from David S. Ronaldsay and have John Euson & his brother Beatton b.1808 Stromness, ordered a copy of the certifi- Elis went to USA from son of David Beatton & cate. Peter & Jane McLellan Orkney but they may have Catherine Brown. Who are are listed as being farmers on been father and son. Elis his grandparents ? the younger Peter's marriage married Mary Hathaway and cert, in 1893 to Margaret had John (1830/31) and Stout (ms Seatter ) in Lucius (1833). Elis was lost . Can anyone help ? at sea in 1834. Can anyone help?

3 WilmaHolley, (371) 16 Kingswell Park, Alloa, Members Interests Booklet Clackmannanshire, FK10 3RW Our apologies to members whose name or interests did not appear, we will reissue the booklet with the next SFN. Please My GG Grandfather Robert tell us of any amendments, errors, omissions either by writing Foubister married a 2nd time to the office at 8 Broad St, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1NX or to Rebecca Eunson but I have email to [email protected] never been able to find their marriage. Rebecca Eunson was born 16/04/1811 and died on 18/04/1855. Her From Dorothy Wilson, a descendant of the parents were Robert Eunson Johnsons (Member No 257) and Jannet Smith. Can "The Paddock", 36 Main St, Scholes, Leeds, LS15 4DH anyone help? Congratulations on SFN 10 and for the super Members' Alan Hejl, (368) Directory. Osthornveien 15 D, 0874 Oslo, Norway I am hoping to visit Orkney this year and would like to make my "'tree" more interesting with details of conditions, work, occupations etc. If any member can help me with information I have been searching my about my Johnson forebears I would be very grateful. Sabiston family and have reason to believe they originated in Orkney. My 1 am especially interested to discover how and why Henry, GGG grandfather was b 1764 and his brother John Johnson, b 1760, came to North William Howey Sabiston, Shields. I presume that they were master mariners, but in born 22/12/1808 possibly in which ship around 1789 and after Henry's possible marriage Stromness. He was a master at Jarrow in 1794. ? There did not appear to be any children mariner who moved to until 1799. Did he return to Orkney to his parents in Orphir? Tynemouth and died on 30/06/1861. He married Ann The following is a simple outline of my Orkney ancestors. Gray, born 1809 and who died 14/12/1870. His father 7 times g'grandparents William Johnson was William Sabiston ( 1787 - Marjorie Captain m 4.12.1654, Birsay 14/02/1870 ) who married Mary Howey on 18/01/1808 6 times g'grandparents William Johnson b c 1663 and who died in 1865. Does anyone have any 5 times g'grandparents John Johnson b 29.7.1695, Birsay information? Anna Langskill b 1010 1686 m10 1 1711 George R. Gray, (14) Fulmar, East Road, 4 times g'grandparents William Johnson b 13 2 1712, Birsay Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 Euphan Graham b c 1710, m 1728 1LX. 3 times g'grandparents Harry Johnson b 16 6 1734, Stromness I am seeking information on Barbara Isbester b 8 12 1728, Orphir the family of William Gray m5 12 1758 and Janet Craigie who were 2 times g'grandparents Henry Johnson b9 11 1764 living at Brandies, Westray in Eleanor Elliot 1891. They had 10 of a family, 6 died of consumption and 1 drowned. Their son I am descended from the second son of Henry Johnson and George was killed in Eleanor Elliot of North Shields. It was this Henry and his in the 1st World War. Does brother who settled in South Shields. anyone know what happened to the 2 remaining sons, James born in 1885 and John born in 1886?

4 The Abernethys of Stromness

Contriboted by Ian Abernethy of 47, Main St, Heiton, Kelso, TD5 8JR

While engaged in researching 1856 and take up his post as seaport. James had married my family history I was sur- master of Crosby Lighthouse Jean Louttit in 1818 and two prised to find that my great at a salary of £84. This was of the other brothers had also great grandfather was born in supplemented by an allow- married girls with distinctive Orkney. I had always known ance of £25 towards the Orkney names; Ann Irvine that the Abernethy line would keeping of a pony because and Cecilia Flett. lead to but I had not part of his duties was to considered a more precise superintend the Formby life- The father of James was location. I discovered boat and he needed a horse to another Thomas Abernethy Thomas Abernethy in the gallop between Crosby and who appears in the 1841 1861 census when he was Formby in an emergency. He census living with his daugh- master of Crosby lighthouse remained at Crosby for the ter-in-law Ann in Main Street, on the north Liverpool coast. rest of his life, at the same Stromness and aged 85. The He was born in Stromness in salary, and died at his post on 1821 census gives his age as 1818 and arrived in Liverpool 27th March, 1887. Eleven 53 - a discrepancy of 12 with his father, James, who years later Crosby lighthouse years! He was married to was described in the census was totally destroyed by fire Isobel Irvine in 1789 in as a 'mariner'. Crosby light- killing the keeper, his wife, Stromness and appears to be house was operated by the and a lady visitor. the first Abernethy resident Mersey Docks and Harbour there. I have looked at the Board and some documenta- James Abernethy, his father, records and there are tion was preserved in (born 1790) had moved to four children named Thomas Liverpool's Maritime Liverpool in the early 1840s Abernethy born between 1757 Museum so that I was able to with his three brothers; and 1760 who could be my trace his career in some Thomas (born 1793), William great (x 5) grandfather. detail. He was first employed (born 1797), and John (born as a seaman on board a light- 1800), When I received infor- This is the extent of my ship on 23rd June, 1845 at a mation from the 1821 census , Orkney research to date. I wage of £2.10.0 per month the reason seemed obvious. would be grateful for any and by 1851 had been promo- They were all described as information which would be ted master at a salary of £90. Straits sailors involved with of use in extending the line Lightships were very danger- the whaling indu- further back or 'fleshing out' ous places in those days with stry which had just suffered a a fairly bare list of births and the ever present risk of fire slump at that time coinciding marriages. and Thomas must have been with the rapid rise of relieved to come ashore in Liverpool as a prosperous

From Sam Harcus, (294) Cotterochan, Westray, KW17 2DE

I was interested to read the story of as told by Robbie Leslie. My family were of the same Leslies. I recall my father telling a story, which his grandmother had told him. She had a dream in which she saw a ship sail up from Rackwie (o'Moa) — a dream in which a ship sails over dry land was supposed to be a bad omen. As it passed Swartiback it knocked down a bit of dyke in front of the window at the front of the house. Very soon after, her cousin ( or cou- sin's wife) took ill and died. Because of the style of the house, i.e. a very small porch in front of the door, the coffin was taken out of the window and, to make it easier, a bit of the dyke was also knocked down to the very stone, in the dream.

5 The Nitty Gritty of Family History Research

Contributed by Janice Sinclair, (4) Nisthouse, Harray.

As members of the Society we Parish occur some 200 years ians is Christian names. One or have all tried to trace our fami- earlier. One name in particular, two names which are used for lies, some with more luck than Linnay or Linay doesn't exist males now were used for females, others. It can be easy enough to as far as births and marriages i. e. Stewart, Graham/Graeme, trace back to the late 18th. go but two children born Sinclair and Michal/Michel. century but to be able to get to shortly before 1784 had The name Bruce was used by a mothers named Linnay. The an earlier period other forms of Birsay family for females. name had existed in the identification are needed Some names were shortened or besides the parish registers. Grimeston area of Harray for at lengthened in some cases, e.g. least 200 years before that and Janet = Jessie, Wills and Land Titles are the had spread to and Marion = Mallv, main source of information but Orphir and possibly elsewhere. Marjory = May, another is the Sheriff Court Land Titles for the 1620s Elspeth = Elizabeth, Records. If a family were law mention the fact. Beatrice = Betty/Betsy, Patrick = Peter, abiding and happy with their Gilbert = Gilly, lot then they would be unlikely 27.4.1626 - Magnus Linay in Alexander = Essie. to be found in the latter. Burray, son and heir of the late William Linay in Burray, Some surnames were changed. brother and heir of James Ollay to Oliver and A family tree cannot be made Linay in Binbister (Harray), Trumblands were Turnbulls. from the I.G.I. Many births heritable udaler of land in Dickson was shortened to were not recorded as these Grimeston. Dick. Then there was the were at a cost. So when times patronymic system which is were hard and there were many 2.4.1627- Heritable Disposition still used in Iceland mouths to feed, money was by Robert Linay in Swanbister, better spent in the home. Parish Orphir (m. Barbara Sclater, Remember for boy to meet girl registers start at various times daughter of Agnes Clouston there were no 'set of wheels' so and some had gaps, some with and Magnus Sclater ) eldest most couples usually met and married having lived within births and no marriages and lawful son and heir of late close proximity to one another some, like , having William Linay and grandson and heir to late Robert Linay in either from the same parish or been torn apart and some pages Linay, Grimeston. The name parishes sharing a boundary. replaced in the wrong order Linnay/Linay/Linna exists as a Why tramp over the hills field name in the same area of looking for a wife when there Harray parish register starts in Grimeston which was the udal was a fine wholesome lass who 1784 so the names only appear land of the family Linnay. could bake a good bannock and in the I.G.I, from that time. knit the finest of hose living Names associated with the Another point for family histor- down the road!

Advert SCOTTISH CENSUS RECORDS Transcripts and Indexes to the Census Records of ORKNEY are now available on microfiche, transcribed and edited by David Armstrong, (Member of the Western Australian & the Ontario Genealogical Societies, and the Orkney Family History Society). Parishes. 1821 Census: , Orphir, St Andrews, Sandwick, and Burray, Stromness. 1851 Census: Birsay, Deerness, & Pharay, Evie and Rendall, Firth and Stenness, Harray, Holm & Paplay, and , Kirkwall & #, North Ronaldshay, Orphir, St Andrew's, Sandwick, South Ronaldsay and Burray *, Stromness *, Walls and Motta. Price: A$4.00 each or * A$4.50, # A$5.00 (incl. p & p). Discounts 10% on 5-9 sets, 20% on 10-24 sets. Agents: Aberdeen and North East Scotland Family History Society, Ontario Genealogical Society. Email: [email protected] Please make payment to:-D.S. Armstrong, P.O. Box 136, Maylands, Western Australia 6931.

6 The First Statistical Account of the Island of Stronsay and Eday 1795 -1798

Horses, Black Cattle etc.

The horses in this district, and through Orkney in general, are of a hardy nature and small in size, the largest are seldom above 14 hands high; great numbers of them, when only one year old, are brought from the neighbouring county of , to the annual fair, which lasts about ten days, at Kirkwall in Orkney, in the month of August,. To this fair, not only horses from Caithness, but cattle, and all other saleable commodities, are brought from different islands in Orkney, The annual business of all ranks is settled, horses, and such other articles, as country people require, are purchased and carried home with them to the islands of their respective habitations. The best of the Caithness staigs, or year old horses, have, for several years past, sold for from £6 to £7. The best work oxen of the Orkney breed, for £4, milch cows at £3, sheep at 6 shillings, swine at 10 shillings, geese 1 shilling and three pence, hens at 6 pence each, all in sterling money, in the town of Kirkwall, which is the only market place to which butcher meat, and other vivers, can be brought from this district, and other North islands, and east parts of Pomona, or the mainland of Orkney.

Animals of inferior size, of the sorts above mentioned, are sold at proportionally lower prices. There are in this district to the number of about

Horses Black Cattle Sheep Swine Geese Two Oxcarts Boats Stronsay 500 900 3000 300 700 27 55 Eday 120 300 2000 100 120 5 34

Total 620 1200 5000 400 820 32 89

Anoxi local t plougi female

7 Minerals:- A vein of lead was discovered, many years ago, on the estate of Huip.(John Balfour, Esq., present minister of Parliament for Orkney, is landholder) By order of Mr Thomas Balfour deceased, the late proprietor, and uncle to the foresaid John Balfour, speci- mens of ore from the vein were dug up, and sent to be examined by people of skill; but the report seems not to have been of a flattering nature, for no attempts have hitherto been made to work it. A Mineral Spring, (or rather three adjacent springs of Chalybeate water, all of differ- ent degrees of strength,) is to be found among rocks, on the east coast of the island of Stronsay. The water, clear as crystal, not unpleasant, is full of fixed air, as may be easily dis- covered by any who drink some glasses of it; for they will soon find themselves affected in the same way, as if they had drank some fine brisk bottled small beer.* * This spring is called the Well of Kildinguie. Tradition says, that it was held in such high repute when the Orkney islands belonged to the Crown of Denmark, (above 300 years ago) that people of the first rank, came from Denmark and Norway to drink the waters. Towards the south east, at about two miles distance, the greatest part of the way consists of flat sand along the sea shore; there is a place called Guiyidn, on the rocks of which, that species of seaweed called dulse, is to found in abundance; which weed, is considered by many to be a delicious and wholesome morsel. The drinking of these waters, the moderate exercise of walking over two miles of dry level ground, gathering and eating dulse on the rocks, they being exposed to a wholesome sharp sea breeze, from whatever quarter the wind could blow; this happy combination of circumstances was found such a remedy for the numberless com- plaints of those, who in ancient times resorted to this famous watering place, that it gave rise to a proverb which is still retained in this island, viz., 'The well of Kildinguie, and the dulse of Guiyidn, can cure all maladies except black death." - That is, it can cure all maladies which are not absolutely incurable.

This spring is at a distance of about half a mile from the minister's manse, in a pleasant healthy situation. There is a large commodious house in the neighbourhood, built about 40 years ago, for the accommodation of a gentleman with a large family, one of the heritors, and at that time minister of this parish; but his heirs have removed from this island. This house, therefore, might be easily fitted up, and would be found very commodious for sea-bathing or water drinking quarters, for those whose constitutions or inclinations require the application of such harmless, safe, and useful remedies.

Book Review by Anne G Cormack.

'Leaving Scotland" by Mona McLeod provides, in readable form, a short history of Scottish emigration from medieval times to this century. We learn of countless Scots who left their mark on every corner of the world from Poland and Russia to Nova Scotia, India or New Zealand, and of their reasons for leaving their native land. Its themes range from pilgrims to soldiers, engineers to doctors, missionaries to bankers, builders to farmers, scholars to crofters and many other trades and professions.

This is not a book to help readers with specific research since, as the author writes, "It is the achievers we remember". However, it does provide the backdrop to the times in which our forebears lived and worked. Many black and white photos, illustrations and colour photo- graphs enhance the text. The emigration posters are fascinating -£6.6.0 for a steerage passage to New Zealand. Why on earth did our ancestors emigrate? This book provides some of the answers.

'Leaving Scotland' is published by the National Museums of Scotland, Chambers Street, , EH1 1JF and is available from them at a special price to readers of £2.99 plus 50p postage (in the UK) If ordering several copies, add 10% for postage.

8 Comments on the Old Sanday Family Tree published in SFN10

Contributed by Ken Harrison, 202 East Osborne Road, North Vancouver, B.C. Canada, V7N1M1. (Member 108)

The "tree" contributed to SFN 10 by Eddie Sinclair is a very useful item to have in the journal, and I hope that other similar items are found and published in this way. I appreciate very much Eddie's work to bring this forward, and the cooperation of Mr Drever at Boloquoy.

Given the age of this tree (apparently written about 1840) it is likely quite accurate. However, I hope that it will be useful for me to pass on some comments, based on my own research (since this chart includes several of my own ancestors), on Dr. Wm. Traill's 1883 Genealogy of the Trails, and from genealogies by Messrs. Burke, St Clair and Norton Smith.

I am not criticizing the information in the tree, but hope that by making these comments other members may provide additional information.

I have extracted from the original tree only those persons on whom I have a comment, and list them below, followed by information which I believe to be either more complete or more correct. I have marked my own direct ancestors with ** in the left margin.

1) The printed tree stated:-

No. 2 James? Traill 2nd of Quandell Issue No 4 No. 2 Thomas Traill of Westove Jane Cok Issue No 5 No. 2 William Traill of Westness Barbara Balfour Issue No 6

This combines two persons and omits a generation, and should read as follows:-

No. 2 James Traill 1st of Westove Jean Cok Issue No 5, A&B No. 5 Thomas Traill 2nd of Westove Ann Graham Issue No 12 No. A George Traill 1st of Quandell 1 Elizabeth Irving Issue No C 2 Anna Baikie Issue No 4 No. B William Traill of Westness Barbara Balfour Issue No 6 No.C James Traill 2nd of Quendell No. 4 George Traill 1 st of Hobbister Isobel(Ann?) Louttit Issue No 11

There are several children and spouses omitted above.

2) The printed tree also stated:-

No.2 Barbara Traill James Fea of Clestron Issue No 7 No. 7 james Fea of Clestrain Barbara Traill Issue No 15

I believe this mistakenly joined two different lines of Feas, and should read as follows:-

No.2 Barbara Traill Patrick Fea of Whitehall (Issue not shown)

Several generations later, and on a different line James Fea 4th of Clestrain Barbara Traill Issue No 15

3) The printed tree also stated:-

No.3 Thomas Traill of Skail Elizabeth Scollay Issue No 9 No.3 Pat Traill Isabel Reid Issue No 10 No.9 George Traill of Skail (Ancestor of Dr Geo. Traill, Crief) No. 10 James Traill of Issue No 22

9 This confuses the children of two brothers, and makes a mistaken connection . It should read:-

No.3 George Traill 1 st of Holland* * 1 Catherine Baikie Issue No 8 2 Mary Graham** Issue No D 3 Maijorie Foulis (Issue not shown) No.3 Thomas Traill in Skail Elizabeth Scollay Issue No 9 (exc George) No.3 Pat Traill Elizabeth Baikie (Issue not shown) No.D George Traill of Skail ancestor of Dr George Traill of Crief No.D James Traill of Holland** ? Forbes Issue No 22 ??? James Traill of London Issue not shown

4) The printed tree also stated:-

No.22 Lucia Traill 1 Rev T Traill of Tirlot Issue No 39 2 D Spence of Scapay This is my 4 x g'grandmother, whose children have been mixed. It should read:-

No.22 Lucia Traill** 1 Rev Thomas Traill of Tirlot Issue No 39A 2 David Spence ** of Scapa Issue No 39B No.39A Dr Thomas Traill, 4th of Tirlot Christian Robertson Issue No 58 No.39B Margaret Spence Rev James Smellie of St Andrews Issue No 59 No.39B Jane Spence Rev Andrew Smith of Holm No.39B Three others (Nicol, James & Jean Traill Spence)

The printed tree also stated:-

No.27 John Traill of Woodwick Sibella Sutherland Issue No 46 No.44 Sibella Sutherland John Traill of Woodwick Issue No 46 No.46 John Traill of Woodwick Sibella Sutherland Issue No 62

A single generation has been split in two and should read:-

No.27 John Traill of Woodwick Sibella Sutherland Issue No 62 No.44 Sibella Sutherland John Traill of Woodwick Issue No 62 No.46 delete

The printed tree also stated

No.58 Miss Traill of Tirlot Rev John R Omond

This has confused two brothers, and should read:-

No.58 Miss Eliza Traill of Tirlot Robert Omond (Brother of Rev John Reid Omond of Carness)

10 From the Editor Publishing dates: Stan G Sutherland (225) is interested in researching his Last dates for sending in own name. material is the end of the second week in March, June, Jim Wilson (19) September and December. Please note his e-mail My publishing targets are addresses always the last week of these [email protected] months. [email protected] He has a large list of interests Internet News. which will be included in the new directory. While I am not a fanatical Roslyn Chapman has a Web browser, I do read some gedcom file of TAYLORS of the many genealogical and CHALMERS. Her Web sites. One site which I e-mail address is read regularly is Eastman's [email protected] Pop-pops and Matthew, Online Genealogy his youngest grandson. Newsletter at Carolyn Hall (not in current http://www.ancestry.com. Directory), her address is Greetings to all our readers Call it up and sign on for a 04929 Brentwood Court and welcome to new subscri- free weekly newsletter at Florence, Oregon, bers. I was so pleased to read http://www.rootscomputing. 97439-8352 our chairman's note that listbot.com numbers had reached 400. Her interests inelude:- Perhaps the deal made with Pearl and I are planning a CAMPBELL our bank will encourage trip to Australia and New DREAVER some of the original overseas Zealand in February, 2000 EUNSON subscribers to renew their when we hope to meet rela- FINNISON subscription, now that the tions and friends. Our itiner- HARCUS excessive bank charges on ary has not been fixed yet but either side of the water has it will probably include RITCH been removed. Sydney, Young, and Dubbo References to recent in NSW; distant relations in articles in the Orcadian. The bad news is that this is a Queensland; Christchurch in 12 page issue. While SFN 10 South Island and various One member has written to was 20 pages I usually aim friends in Auckland, North say that it is confusing when for 16 pages. If I can main- Island, New Zealand. I refer to articles in the tain an average of 16 pages Orcadian, a newspaper not during the year I shall be Amendments to the readily available to readers happy. This has been a busy outside Orkney. As one can summer for me and included Members' Directory imagine I have to be aware the publication of my other of copyright and also of the newsletter, Although Dave Higgins will be re-publishing the inconvenience of writing to WESTRAY ROOTS. the Orcadian every time I As it happens, my in-tray is Directory in the next issue of SFN a number of members want to copy an article. I almost empty and I could not believe that is quite in order have run to 16 pages unless I have sent me e-mails with interests and notes which to make brief references to had had time to do some an article without infringing original work myself. I am will be incorporated in the new version. copyright. This I shall endea- therefore seeking contribu- vour to do. tions from members for the December issue, SFN 12. Norman D Nicol's postal Family stories, family trees, address is now queries, family history Dr Norman D Nicol research would be most P.O. Box 1855 welcome. Shaverton PA 18708 USA Editor

11 The Orkney Family History Society Membership, Subscriptions, etc.

Membership of the Society runs from 1 March to 28/29 February and subscriptions should be renewed during the month of March.

New members joining before 1 December will receive back copies of the 3 magazines for the current year. From 1 December new members will receive membership for the remainder of the current year plus the following year but will not receive the back copies of the magazine.

The present subscriptions rates are as follows:

£10.00 1 Ordinary - Adult membership £15.00 2 Family membership-( Spouse/Partner & children under 18) £ 7.00 3 Senior Citizen - ( single or couple) £12.50 4 Overseas - ( Surface Mail) - All categories. In sterling please. £15.00 5 Overseas - ( Air Mail) - All categories. In sterling please.

Great news for overseas subscribers!

The Bank of Scotland has now agreed not to charge us any commission for exchanging foreign currency/cheques as we are a registered Charity. Overseas members should pay their fees in sterling or its equivalent. If it is not possible to send pounds sterling, please check exchange rate. Receipts will be issued along with the next magazine. Members residing in the may pay their subscriptions by Bankers Order and may also take out a Deed of Covenant. ( Forms will be sent on request)

All subscriptions should be sent to the Membership Secretary.

Cheques should be made payable to: ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY.

The Society publishes 4 magazines in the year. Members may place queries in the magazine at no charge. Queries should be sent to the Editor. Back copies of the magazine may be pur- chased at £ 1.00 per copy.

Our office address is: 8 Broad Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1NX Office opening hours are as follows: April to September Mon to Fri 2.00pm to 4.30pm Sat 11.00am to 4.30pm October to March Mon, Wed, Fri 2.00pm to 4.30pm Sat 11.00am to 4.30pm

Articles in this newsletter are copyright to the Society, and its authors, and may not be repro- duced without permission of the Editor. The Society is a registered charity in Scotland, and a member of the Scottish Association of Family History Societies. The Society does not neces- sarily accept the views expressed in letters and articles published within. The Society's news- letter Sib Folk News is registered with the British Library under the serial number ISSN 1368-3950 General Secretary; Miss Helen Angus, Kaimes, 26 Royal Oak Road, Kirkwall, KW15 1RF email [email protected] Membership Secretary: Mr Frank Eunson, Furrigarth, Downie's Lane, Stromness, KW16 3EP Editor of Sib Folk News: Mr Gavin Rendall, 55 Plough Lane, Purley, Surrey,CR8 3QL email westroot @nildram.co.uk

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