From the Chairman From the Treasurer Greetings to all members and especially to I am delighted to be able to inform members new members. This issue contains a report that the Heritage Lottery Fund has agreed to of the AGM and also some exciting news award a grant to the OFHS for £4692 being about grants received. The Society is the full amount requested. This is in fact 75% growing steadily and expanding its activi- of our total project costs. The grant has been ties. The trip was well attended and a awarded under the Awards for All programme very instructive and enjoyable time was to allow us to purchase computer equipment, a had. A full report appears elsewhere1 in the photocopier, copies of the census newsletter. records on microfiche and copies of the Old Parish Registers on roll film. Awards for All Sib Folk News No 5 had some queries from marks the first time that the Heritage Lottery members. I wonder if these will be answered Fund has made small grants to small local in No 6 or maybe No 7. It seems we now community based groups involved in increasing have a readership of at least 200 people and it understanding, appreciation and enjoyment would be lovely to hear a little family news of the heritage. Any group with an income from everyone. Please consider writing of under £15,000 can apply for a grant of something to the magazine even be it ever so between £500 and £5000 under the Awards short. There is no lack of conversation at our for All programme. monthly meetings so why don't we use SFN as another means of communication? I must also inform members that the has agreed to give us a grant Recording Graveyard of £1564 being the other 25% of our Project Monumental Inscriptions costs. This grant is awarded under the Community Project Scheme. Therefore, we Summer hasn't reached Orkney yet but the have now been promised the full cost of our July get-together was on the best night, project and we hope to have the new equip- weatherwise, in that particular week. Twenty- ment in our office within the next few five people turned up at the months. churchyard and completed recording the gravestones in the old part. Max and Janette George Gray Thomson from Vermont, Victoria, Australia on holiday looking up their ancestors, joined us on this exercise. Family History in There have been several visitors to the office The Aberdeen University Centre for during the summer months. So far we Continuing Education will give lectures on haven't had the volunteers to extend office "Family History in Scotland" in hours but on occasions we have been able to during the autumn period. Dates and times let people in when their schedule prevented have to be confirmed but it is expected that it them coming in office hours. will be fortnightly on Saturdays from the beginning of October to the end of January I hope our readers have a pleasant holiday 1999. Anyone interested should watch for season and happy hunting if on the genealo- advertisements in the Orcadian and for leaflets gical trail. in the library etc. On behalf of the Committee I must apologies to some members for not replying to their Front Cover queries but with the new equipment our research, hopefully, will be much faster. Noup Head Lighthouse was one of the places visited by the OFHS on their trip to Westray. The lighthouse and its keepers over the years is the subject of the Heritage Centre's display in Nan Scott Westray this year. This unusual view was painted by the editor during his visit to Westray in May.

2 Let's Write Better Family History Transcript of the address to Orkney Family History Society's Annual General Meeting By Gavin

Soon after I retired I attended one of my be inherited" and so concerns the many church's Away Days when we were invited facets of our heritage — land, buildings, to consider what our gifts were and how we customs, and culture. No problem, I think. could use them in God's service. The We have common interests and should be method adopted was to answer a series of able to work together. structured questions, the analysis of which gave an indication what one's gifts were. My next thought was of the historical societies because if we write about the history of our The first broad question was "What is your forefathers we are entering their field. The passion?" Now this created a lot of problems dictionary meaning of history is — "the for some people who struggled to give an continuous methodical record of important or answer. For me, after some thought, 1 found public events — a study of past events or no real problem, for looking back over my course of human affairs". Again I see no life I had had many passions. When young, it problem. While we are not professional his- had been my job and involvement in the torians we can learn much from them. Scout organisation. Later it became my family and growing cacti. Although, as a Lastly I looked up the dictionary meaning of Christian, I had strong convictions about genealogy which is — "an account of God I couldn't say I had a real passion for descent from ancestors or a pedigree". Many Him — I didn't think about Him as much as I of us do just that and that is our sole activity. did about my family or spend as much time in We are more genealogists than family histor- His service as I did tending my cacti. ians. As family historians we are really part Passions are about what you live, eat and heritage people, part historian and part gen- sleep with constantly. ealogist. So! What did the questionnaire reveal my As editor of both WESTRAY ROOTS and current passion to be? To cut a long story SIB FOLK NEWS I have been striving to short it turned out to be " To help people widen their scope and to include all three improve their performance through aspects of family history. The following are training." Hence my involvement in teaching some of the sources and methods which I art and church home groups. have used to make family history, as I know it, more interesting. What has this all got to do with family history, I hear readers say? My subject for Rendall Family Tree this evening is As I said at the inaugural meeting of the Let's Write Better Family History OFHS last year, my first efforts at family history was the traditional method of con- In presenting this address I hope to help you structing a family tree on a piece of wallpaper write better family histories by sharing with helped by my grandfather, Gavin Rendall of you some of my experiences. While I am not a Skethaquoy and Ha'Breck. During my visit professional writer myself and I am always to Westray last week I came full circle when looking for ways to improve my style, I hope I displayed a 27 foot long family tree in the that some of my ideas will inspire you to Community Centre during a write better family histories. RENDALL family get-together. On it were the descendants of my two grandfathers, My first thought was of the heritage societies Gavin Rendall on my father's side and Seater because some of their interests are common Rendall on my mother's side. ( Yes both my to family historians. Looking up the diction- parents were Rendalls but not related ) My ary I noted that heritage is "what is or may grandparents and many of my aunts and

3 uncles and some of my cousins have passed Feuld in 1881 and age 17 in 1891. This find away but there were 87 people present at the was straight forward and not unusual. I try to gathering. Of course many of those present trace the forebears back as far as I can. In this were no longer Rendalls because the females case there was no father or mother. Had they of the line had married but their children had died or had his parents placed him with his Rendall blood in their veins. There were, to grandparents because they had no room in be strictly accurate a few people who were their own home? This is where detective work not descendants. They were cousins of my comes in. I referred to the 1871 census and father or mother and had been invited as part found that the grandparents had a daughter of the wider family. There were some cousins called Elizabeth of the right age to be who could not attend George's mother. because they live in When in Westray last Kirkwall or as in some week I searched through cases because they the marriage certificates were involved with the in the Registrar's lambing on their farms. Office and found that All the children had Elizabeth Bremner had to stick a star on the married a Thomas tree when they found Reid. I also found the their names. Altogether birth certificate of there were five gener- George Bremner Reid ations represented at which confirmed my the gathering. The supposition that the accompanying tree George Reid at Nether shows how these two Feuld was the same Rendall families person. This still did multiplied. not answer the question “Where were CENSUS RETURNS are one of the most Thomas and Elizabeth Reid?" I now looked fruitful sources of information for family his- through the death certificates of the time and torians. They can be scanned from microfiche discovered that Thomas Reid had been killed copies in the Kirkwall Archives — a very as a result of an accident with a horse and slow and laborious method — or they can be cart. There remained one piece of the puzzle. obtained as printed copies of the microfiches. Where was George's mother? I guessed that The microfiches are sometimes difficult to she may have remarried. Using that wonderful read as they are in effect photographs of the computer facility of searching through a data- original census returns with all their wear and base I looked for anyone called Elizabeth, tear and poor handwriting. Modern techno- aged 31 in Westray and came up with an logy in the form of computers has enabled Elizabeth Rendall married to a William good clear copies of the census returns to be Rendall with two step children, Richard and produced as hard copy printouts. An added Jean REID. Furthermore William Rendall was bonus of computers is that the census returns living in his widower father's house. As head may be scanned electronically for any name, of the household all the occupants' relation- date or occupation, so speeding up and ships were with reference to him. The two increasing the accuracy of searches. I frequently Reid children were recorded as nephew and receive letters or e-mails from folk seeking niece. So, it might be deduced that old man their forebears and I am often able to Rendall was the brother of Mrs Bremner, produce a mini family tree for them solely Elizabeth's mother. That of course would with reference to the Westray census returns. make Elizabeth and her husband, cousins. Last month I had an e-mail from a Reid in New Zealand. He thought that his grandfather What is my point in relating this story? came from . I searched my Census returns are an invaluable source of computer database for a Reid in Papa with no information, especially in an island community success. Thinking that he may have been like Westray. In Mainland parishes their uses mistaken I searched the Westray censuses are slightly more complex as often more than and found a George Bremner Reid, aged 7, one parish needs to be researched. My tip is — living with his grandparents at Nether get to know your census returns. Have

4 access to a computer database for searching if returns and drew up a casagram for all 9 possible but if not a printout is a must. farms on that island — Leaquoy, Doggerboat, Cott, Windywall, Quoy, Hamer, Holland, the RECORD STORIES is my next tip. I have Bu and the Ness. Not only does Robbie's often said that I regret not recording my stories tie in with the censuses but the inter- grandfather's stories. He and his generation marrying between the families becomes clear had most retentive memories — partly due to with casagrams. The central pages of this the oft repeated anecdotes told around the issue illustrates a typical CASAGRAM. fireplace or meal table. Alas the television has largely replaced these family meeting places. WHERE DID YOUR ANCESTORS COME FROM? One rewarding experience of mine — yet to be published— was when I received a copy of All the census returns except the 1-841 census the late Robert Leslie's (Robbie o'Swarti- return record birth places. This is a useful back) tape account of the inhabitants of . piece of information. In my research of In it, in a broad Westray accent, he tells the Westray schools for example the birth places of story of each family and farm on that little all the school teachers is recorded showing island between Westray and . The stories from where Westray teachers were recruited of the "Coo boat disaster", the "HopeHeroes", after the Education Act of 1873. In my own the "Storm bound birth" and many others are case nearly all my antecedents were born and fascinating. They are stories which put meat died in Westray. Thus I have 4 grandparents, 8 on the bones of family history. So, if you great grandparents, and 15 of my 16 great want your family history to be more than a great grandparents all born and buried in dry tree, collect stories and write them down. Westray. The one exception was Gavin Mowat from whom I have my ^Christian name. He was born in Shetland. Naturally I often wondered why he came to Westray. I carried out the usual research and discovered that his father and mother came to Westray but some of their family were born in Shetland after their first move to Westray. So they obviously did not settle in Westray immediately for good. But why did they come? It was when I was loaned a book entitled " The Hay Company of Shetland" by James Nicholson that a clue as to the possible reason for the Mowats' emigration emerged. The Hay Company in the period 1820 to 1840 had grown to be a very successful company involved in many aspects of trade with Scotland, Norway and the continent. They owned over 100 half deckers ( a common Shetland fishing boat ) and supplied fishermen with nets, tackle and food in return for a share in their catch. So prosperous were they that they founded a bank and even had their own bank notes. Alas in the late 1830s there were several very bad harvests followed by a severe RESEARCH YOUR ANCESTRAL storm which resulted in many fishing boats HOMES. being lost and nets destroyed. So great were these disasters that Hay and Co. were Early in my WESTRAY ROOT publishing declared bankrupt and hundreds of days I "invented" a chart called a Shetlanders were made idle — fishermen, fish CASAGRAM. It was simply a record of who curers, coopers, and tradesmen. The Mowats had lived in a particular house during the six were living in Scalloway where Hay had large decades of the published census returns. I.E. installations. It seems reasonable to deduce from 1841 to 1891. As an example of the use that this Mowat family saw an opportunity in of this device, I obtained the Faray census Pierowall where there was an established fish catching and curing business.

5 In these olden times jobs were not advertised book entitled FROM MY in newspapers. It was word of mouth via SCHOOLBAG. Elsa Rendall, my late aunt, friends and relations. It is interesting to find devotes a chapter to Westray schools in her that young Gavin Mowat and his sister book LEST WE FORGET, but there is little obtained jobs in Westray at the farm of detail. A detailed look at the Westray school Breckowall where the mistress of the house- log reveals much of interest, e.g. the develop- hold was a Mowat from Scalloway, ment of the school curriculum, the appoint- Shetland. Furthermore .both she and the ment and resignation of teachers, reports by Mowats were Baptists. None of these facts the governors and inspectors, mention of have been passed down verbally — they are weather conditions and the outbreak of observed from a study of the census returns disease. Included in the Westray school log is and marriage certificates. the old school library record book. This has particular interest for me because in it I find You will have discovered that there are few my father's name against a number of books recorded accounts of our ancestors. They borrowed. These are the kind of particulars were poor crofters or fishermen eking out a that can add more meat to the bones of your living from the land and sea. The only way family history. to put flesh on the bones of their family history is by deduction — by inference — When I was delving into some records in and by building a hypothesis. There are Edinburgh I came across the minutes of the numerous booklets and papers written on original School Governor's meetings in Westray Orkney trades — weavers, kelp burners, — more meat. blacksmiths, stone masons and in books like Fenton's THE NORTHERN ISLES which LOOK FOR OLD MAPS gives graphic descriptions of the way of life of our ancestors. Did you know that you can buy copies of the old 6 inch 1883 Ordinance Survey Maps of NEWSPAPERS Orkney? These are particularly fascinating because they contain not only farm field Readers of WESTRAY ROOTS will be configurations at the time but also the layout familiar with my series called NEWS FROM of farms. My grandfather was born at the old WESTRAY LONG AGO in which I publish Ha'Breck below Breckowall in Westray. All extracts from the Orcadian and the Orkney that remains of Ha'Breck are a few walls Herald. By systematically scanning microfis- used as shelter for cattle. The 1883 six inch ched copies of these newspapers from 1854 map shows all the Ha'Breck buildings. onwards in the Kirkwall Archives I have Similarly many of the old crofts, now deserted obtained useful accounts of happenings in and even completely demolished, are Westray. e.g. weather reports, farming news, marked. livestock prices, shipping arrivals and depar- tures sometimes with names of skippers, The Kirkwall Archives may have on file tragedies, and emigration adverts. This is a some old maps for your parish. Allison found particularly tedious form of research but an 1859 sketch map of Pierowall for me. On rewarding. I find that scanning through two it were marked the names of tenants in some years issues ( 100 copies) at a time is enough of the dwellings. What a find? Gavin for me. Not only can local events be noted Mowat's father, Thomas Mowat's house is but these newspapers recorded events in marked. I have started but not finished parliament and the world in general. As writing an article on Pierowall in 1859 with there was no wireless or TV our ancestors the aid of the 1851 and 1861 census. relied on the newspapers for national and international news. e.g. There was a weekly THE RENT BOOKS OF THE LAIRDS update on the American Civil War in the Orcadian in 1862. I was fortunate to find the rent book of the Balfour estate in Westray at the Kirkwall RESEARCH THE OLD SCHOOL LOG Archives. In it I found valuable information BOOKS. on the crofts in North Westray. I was even able to formulate a hypothesis on why there Articles and books have appeared about were no mention of certain crofts in the 1841 Orcadian schools from time to time. Robert and 1851 census returns. Marwick for example recently published a

6 READ THE CROFTERS' COMMISSION REPORTS The proceedings of this famous enquiry into unfair crofters' rents were reported in both the Orcadian and the Orkney Herald. Unfortunately for me my relatives seemed to have had no gripe or settled out of court because they are not recorded. There are however many detailed and humorous con- versations between tenants and the chairman of the enquiry. You could find more meat to put on the bones of your family history. e-mail addresses contacted since last SFN SUMMING UP: Joan Smith [email protected] — WHERE DO YOU GO FROM HERE? interested in contacting Orcadians. I recommend a book to all potential writers Ron Garson at [email protected] — of family history. It is called WRITING researching Muir, S'inclair in LOCAL HISTORY by David Dymond. ( Sanday/Evie/Rendall/; Linklater in Published by the Bedford Square ; Anderson, Nicholson, Cromarty, Press/NCVO, ISBN 07199 1048X) It is a Oman & Banks in S.Walls; Garson in practical guide and well worth reading. Sandwick. Dymond suggests various approaches to writing local history and I believe they can Murray Kennedy easily be adopted by writers of family at [email protected] — history. He suggests three general topics — a researching Smith place, a time or a theme. Choose one. A place could cover a parish, a district, a Please note that Helen Angus 's e-mail address village, a town, a church or a farm/croft. A was wrongly quoted in SFN No 5. Her address time could cover a specific period, like my is [email protected] Pierowall of 1859, a season or period of reli- gious awakening. A theme could describe aspects of local life. e.g. in agriculture, church life, fishing, poor law, population Have you visited this web site? growth and decline etc. There are many authoritative books pub- [email protected] lished on all sorts of Orcadian subjects that You can download the Rendall IGI births can be drawn upon to swell your knowledge and marriages for the whole of Orkney. of your family. Work can be done by indi- viduals but also by groups as the OFHS are Ann Rendall also has a discussion forum planning to do this summer when they make a start on recording graveyard monumental plus many other items. inscriptions. Finally. I look forward to receiving many articles from readers of WESTRAY ROOTS Have yon discovered any other sites and SIB FOLK NEWS who have risen to the worth visiting? Send the editor an e- challenge of writing their own family mail and tell him about it history.

7 Other Committee members are Steven The A G M of the Bichan, Norma Craigie, Hazel Goar, Helen Society Manson, David Rendall, Janice Sinclair, Betty Tulloch, Olaf Moonie and David Higgins. The Annual General Meeting of the Orkney Family History Society held in the Supper The chairman expressed her thanks to Mary Room of the Kirkwall Town Hall on 14 May Crisp who had retired from the committee. 1998 at 7.30pm A sub-committee was appointed to handle The Chairman, Nan Scott, welcomed approx- urgent business and to handle grant applica- imately 50 people to the meeting. These tions. Helen Manson moved and Hazel Goar included friends from Canada and one from seconded that the four office bearers and the States. Intimation of the forthcoming office equipment adviser be appointed. meetings was given at this point. Annual Review Apologies for absence were received from Sandy Firth, David Rendall, Sandy Annal who The Chairman in her review said that she was in hospital as the result of an accident, wanted to report on what had been done in and Alastair and Anne Cormack who were on this first year and to mention what might be holiday. accomplished in the future. She went on to list those who had helped during the year. There Reports: As this was the first AGM since the was the staff at the Orkney Library, Shetland Inaugural Meeting there were no minutes to Family History Society, Radio Orkney, all approve. those who had been speakers at the monthly meetings and the volunteers who had kept the The Treasurer's report showed an income of office open. £3089.11. £884.34 was the amount in hand. This was enough to cover the final instalment "We are indebted to them all and to those who of the lease and other expected bills. have given gifts that are now on the shelves in the said office - the latest is this lovely The Membership Secretary said that there Dictionary of Genealogy per David Gray of were now 225 in membership although some Radio Orkney. had still to renew their membership. At this point the chairman thanked the office The Society is now a registered charity which bearers for their hard work during the year allows Taxpayers to pay subscriptions by and for their input into the setting up of the Deed of Covenant which is work considering. office in Broad Street. It is also a full member of the Scottish Association of Family History Societies. Hon President - Brigadier S P Robertson was then asked to make a contribution to the Plans for the future:- A priority is to get some programme. He praised the committee for equipment of our own in the office and what it had accomplished during the year and funding is being sought for that. The accom- from his wide knowledge of Orkney and its modation we have may become too small but characters he went on to tell some true and we have hopes that we are to get an office in very amusing stories. Finally he proposed the new library." that Nan Scott be appointed Chairman for one more year. We could be busy in 1999 from July 1st - 9th during the Canadians "homecoming". We Committee: The committee appointed is as would like to draw up a questionnaire to send follows :- to any who might like some research done Chairman Nan Scott prior to their visit. It is planned that the OFH Vice Chairman Billy Cardno Society may have a room at, the Pickaquoy Secretary Helen Angus Centre where the Canadians can meet us. We Treasurer George Gray are looking for a volunteer to be a co-ordinat-or

Membership Sec Frank Eunson for this occasion." Computer & Office Speaker for the evening was Gavin M Rendall Equipment Adviser Eddie Sinclair from London. In welcoming him back the Editor of SFN Gavin Rendall Chairman said that it was thanks to him that OFHS was born and also it was thanks to him

8 that we have a magazine. This was also an opportunity to thank his wife, Pearl, for the Account off the OFHS proof reading that she does and for allowing Gavin to spend so much of his time on our Trip to Westray behalf. Following the talk there were ques- tions and answers and then the secretary, Helen Angus presented Olaf and Julie Moonie with a gift token from the Society in apprecia- tion of the many hours they have spent in the office. Billy and Catherine Cardno and friends provi- ded tea, coffee, sandwiches, scones and bis- cuits which were enjoyed by all.

aak aak aak aak From the Editor

Greetings to all sib folk and especially to new For the summer outing this year the Orkney members. I hope that you enjoy our newsletter. Family History Society travelled to Westray The newsletter will flourish if members keep on June 14. The weather on that day was very submitting articles and news regularly. good and there were 36 people in the party. That included John Scatter, wife and family, The publication details for the next two issues from North Carolina who were taking the are:- opportunity of visiting the home of their SFN No 7 — 17th October ancestors. Deadline for copy 3rd October Three mini buses transported the group to the Westray Heritage Centre. This had been spe- cially opened for the visit and was much SFN No 8 — 19th December appreciated. All agreed that they could have spent all day there and not just the allotted Deadline for copy 5th December hour. I have reproduced my talk given at the AGM because I hope that my experience in Next it was on to the community room at researching my family history will give Pierowall School where the ladies Lifeboat members, unable to be present on the night, Guild had prepared a delicious lunch. ideas. If you have experiences which you Members were then free to walk along the would like to share with the society I would village to the Lady Kirk cemetery and War be pleased to hear from you. Memorial. George Drever, Swanson Cottage, who is an authority on Westray cemeteries From The Birsay Trust was with the party all day and was most helpful. The St Magnus Church Birsay Trust has a number of leaflets which it feels would be of After it was on to the buses again and then interest to Orcadians living outside Orkney. some sightseeing which included a visit to The Trust would be grateful if anyone in the Noltland Castle, Noup Head lighthouse and OFHS could supply them with addresses of RSPB reserve bird cliffs there. There was also the following societies, or any other societies. time for a run around the north end of the island as far as Skaill and then on to the Cross The Glasgow Orkney and Shetland Kirk cemetery. The gravestones here were of Association. The Edinburgh Orkney and interest to several members including the Shetland Association. The Caithness Orkney Scatters who found the resting place of some and Shetland Association of Aberdeen. Orkney of their ancestors. and Shetland Society of Toronto. Orkney and Shetland Society of Australia Before leaving to catch the ferry all the trip- pers, guides and drivers were provided with J. R. Harvey, The St Magnus Birsay Trust, tea , savouries and home bakes, by Tommy Lower Palace, Birsay, Orkney, KW17 2LX and Helen Pottinger at Tuquoy.

9

The First Statistical Account of the Parishes of and Eday 1795 -1798

Written by the Rev. John Anderson, Minister.

Part 3: Manufacture of Kelp at an average; during which period,- the annual quantity did not exceed 400 tons. This valuable, and, as it may now be consid- ered, staple commodity of Orkney, was first In the year 1744, kelp fell so low that Mr of all in this county manufactured in the Thomas Balfour, then a merchant, and after- island of Stronsay, by James Fea, heritable wards heritor of the lands of Huip and others proprietor of Whitehall, and Wadsetter of in Stronsay, bought a small cargo of it, at £1 North Strynsie, in the year 1722. This gentle- and £1. 10 shillings per ton in Orkney, carried it man of an enterprising spirit, brought a man to Newcastle, and sold it there for current of the name Meldrum, from Fraserburgh, to prices; and, on balancing accounts, found that introduce kelp burning in Orkney; Meldrum, he had lost 15 per cent by the adventure; as taking the Orkney inhabitants to be an ignorant the author hath often heard him declare. For and superstitious race 19 years afterwards, of men, pretended Orcadians taught how to the average quantity that the kelp ashes was about 700 tons, would not acquire manufacture kelp by price £2. 10 shillings. such a hard and solid The heritors of the consistence as was Fraserburgh man in Stronsay district had about one requisite, unless a tenth of the whole certain powder was quantity annually thrown into the kelp kiln before it was raked, made in Orkney.; for each ton of which, the accompanied by certain mysterious words, to heritors drew about £1, the makers and the use of which powder and mysterious purchasers the remainder. words, he claimed right in the island. In 1763, and for 15 years following, the He, however, soon found that the inhabitants average quantity made annually in Orkney of Stronsay had more penetration and less was 1800 tons. Of which the heritors in this superstition, than to be long hood-winked in district have about 180. this manner; for they found, on trial, that the kelp ashes, merely by labour usually adhibited The heritors, in general, during this period, posterior to this mystical application, became merchants of their own kelp, or sold it became equally solid and good in quality, on commission. The annual average price at without the aid of the magical words and market was £4. 4 shillings sterling; the price powder. of making was raised to about £1.6 shillings and freight 12 shillings per ton. This commodity sold for several years posterior to the date before mentioned, to a bottle- The heritors and kelp proprietors of this dis- maker at Newcastle, for £3 sterling per ton of trict, drew annually about £350. The tenants 20cwt; but the manufacturers or employees, and makers about £230. The remainder went desirous to make as much as possible by this for freight and commission. new concern, began to adulterate the kelp ashes, by mixing small stones or sand there- In 1778, and for fourteen years after, the with; which composition being soon disco- average quantity annually burnt in Orkney, vered, the price was reduced to £2. 10 shil- was 3000 tons, at £6 per ton. The heritors of lings, and the ton fixed at 21 cwt., which has this district had about 300. the price of making ever since been held the weight of a ton of was raised to £1.15 shillings per ton, of which kelp. The last mentioned price continued for the tenants chiefly reaped the benefitThe heritors about 20 years, to be the rate for which it and kelp proprietors of the district, drew sold,

12 annually about £1050. The tenants £527. The nine times as much money; that is, £262,727.10 remainder went for freight and commission. shillings, being 36 years; purchase of these islands, at the present gross rent; both sums In 1792, the extraordinary good season for the amount to £291,976 sterling, which is more than growth of seaweeds, of which kelp is made, and 36 years' purchase of all the islands of Orkney; for the manufacturing of it, produced in this the gross rent of which is only £8000 sterling district, to the incumbent's certain knowledge or annually. best information, no less a quantity than 400 tons; when, at the same time, the whole of In these calculations, the profits and advantages Orkney did not produce above 4000 tons. It is in accruing to the traders and others in Orkney, by this ratio therefore, that he has calculated the carrying this commodity to market, are not produce of this district from the year 1744, included. When, however, it is considered, that during the several subsequent periods above the ships belonging to Orkney have been almost specified, and 60 tons, the average quantity the only carriers of it for many years past, the annually produced preceding that date;which, in profits and other advantages derived from this the earliest period, is a somewhat larger branch of trade in these islands, must not only proportion, which Stronsay (where kelp was first have been great to them as individuals, but also manufactured in Orkney), may reasonably be of no small importance to the nation at large, by supposed to have produced. extending its commerce, increasing its wealth, and producing a nursery of excellent seamen. In 1793, the season proved rainy and unfa- vourable for kelp. Mr Clouston con- This district did not Sounds a great deal for the cludes his remarks produce above 300 by recommending tons, price in Orkney crofters but the lairds took that the public and £4 per ton. The heri- institutions in tors and kelp proprie- two thirds of the sales general join together tors drew £775; the to create a suitable tenants and kelp 'permanent testim- makers, £525 sterling, clear of all deductions, ony of gratitude' to James Fea for having being in the same proportions as the year pre- introduced the manufacture of kelp to Orkney. ceding. This season, 1794, being remarkably favour- able for kelp burning, promises an abundant Editor's Note: Some of Anderson's calcula- crop in Orkney, which may equal, or perhaps tions are confusing but the literature below exceed that of 1792. brings out the propers figures. The quantities of kelp made, with the average Readers may wish to refer to the following prices at the different periods above specified, works which contain excellent accounts of the are taken, in a great measure, from the infor- kelp industry in Orkney. mation given by the Orkney gentlemen in the year 1766 to Mr McTavish, who was directed Probably the most authorative account of kelp by the Board of Trustees to procure informa- making is William Thomson's monograph tion respecting that and many other particu- 'Kelp Making in Orkney' in the series Aspects lars.* of Orkney published in 1983 by the Orkney Press, ISBN 0 0907618 02 2 * J.J. Storer Clouston's Notes on the above extract. Fenton's THE NORTHERN ISLES, pub. by John Donald Publishers Ltd 1978,. ISBN By the above state it appears, that heritors and 085976 019 7 parishioners of this district, have drawn kelp, since the manufacture of it was introduced by Berry's THE NATURAL HISTORY OF James Fea of Whitehall, in the year 1722 no ORKNEY, pub. by Collins, 1985. less a sum than £29, 197. 10 shillings during a period of 71 years; being 41 years' purchase Nicolson's SHETLAND has a very concise of the whole district at the present gross rent. but informative note on the kelp industry in Those of other islands of Orkney have drawn Shetland.

13 Memoirs of Rev. John Omond with notes researched by Dr Ray Fereday

(continued from Sib Folk News No 5)

10. James Rae as recalled by J Omond Elizabeth Rae, spouse of Robert Watt, resi- ding at Kirkwall, Orkney, and John Rae, We were, when young, intimate friends, and factor to Lord Armadale. Fifty pounds was to attended Edinburgh College at the same be paid to James Rae, surgeon, in Jamaica. time. He fell into bad habits, and had, among There was also reservation of life rent to other things, to support a baby of whom he Marion if and when she were widowed. was the reputed father. He went on board ship as a surgeon, and died on the coast of Three of these siblings are of some interest to South America of inflammation of the brain. Orcadians. John Rae (b 1772) by becoming factor of the estate, which was - Notes on James Rae apart from the Earldom and Bishopric estates, researched by Ray Fereday the most valuable estate in Orkney if judged by the annual rental of £4,000. (J Storer This early friend of Omond's was the eldest Clouston: , 1932, pp 368- son of John Rae (1772-1834), factor of the 9). Elizabeth (b 1786) married Robert Graham Graemsay estate, and the eldest brother of Watt (b 1779), the younger brother of William that Orcadian hero, John Rae (1813-95) the Graham Watt (1776-1866) 7th laird of Hudson' s Bay man and explorer. Breckness. James Rae (b 1781), by becoming a surgeon and going overseas, set an example James Rae was the first of the family to be that was followed by two of his Orcadian born in Orkney, being christened in nephews, James Rae (b 1805) and the famous on 29th May 1805, son of John Rae (1772- John Rae (b 1813). 1834) and Margaret Glen (1783-1855), who had married at St Cuthbert's, Edinburgh, on William Honyman, (1756-1825) who succeeded 15th April 1804. (IGI Orkney and to the Graemsay estate on the death of his Midlothian). father, Patrick Honyman, in 1798, was more involved with Lanarkshire than with his John Rae had been baptised at Douglas, native Orkney. Though in 1796, 1802, 1806, Lanarkshire, on 31st October 1772, son of 1807 and 1812 he managed to have a James Rae, merchant and property owner in Honyman elected to represent Orkney and Douglas, and Marion Slbbald. (IGI Shetland in parliament, he resided mainly at Lanarkshire). There were five other children Smyllum Park, near Lanark, where he built a of this marriage who lived to be adults. Their huge new mansion in 1800. Thus it was quite baptismal dates were as follows: natural for him to choose a talented Lanarkshire man and send him to live at the Thomas, 30 September 1774 Hall of Clestrain and manage the Graemsay Mary, 23 June 1778 Jean, 11 estate. The appointment of John Rae (b 1772) February 1781 James, 11 February in his twenties by William Honymen, Lord 1781 Elizabeth, 1786. Armadale matches the appointment of James Watson (b 1770) to be factor of Lord Dundas' s The Lanarkshire sassine abridgements show lands (the Earldom and Bishopric estates) in James Rae of Douglas to have been a mer- 1799. Watson was from Dumfries, Rae was chant with some property and on 31 st March from Lanarkshire, both were talented, energetic 1813 he made his disposition and settlement by and trustworthy, with some knowledge of which he left his property in and about business and the new methods of agriculture Douglas to his son Thomas, farmer at adopted in the south of Scotland. Hazleside, Douglas, on condition that he made certain payments to his brothers and Since John Rae (b 1772) talked in 1827 of sisters. Two hundred pounds each was to be having lived 30 years at Clestrain, it would paid to Mary Rae, spouse of John Inglis, appear that he arrived there in 1797. That was millwright, Stableston; Jean Rae, spouse of the year William Honyman was made a Judge Francis Winter, miller at Millheugh;

14 and took the title of Lord Armadale. (OA Letter from Joyce Mahoney, 33 Days Lane, D2/23/6 Capt. Balfour to John Balfour 7 Sidcup, Kent, DA 15 8JL December 1827). Lennie Presumably the childhood of James I am a newcomer to family history having Rae (b 1805 ) at the Hall of Clestrain was started two years ago and was fortunate in my much the same as that described by his mother having numerous pieces of paper with younger brother, John Rae (1813-95) in the family stories together with details of her autobiographical article 'Roughing it, Boy- grandparents, great grandparents and numer- life in Orkney' reprinted in The Orkney ous aunts. She has also remembered quite a Herald, 16 February 1887. Once free from the lot of names — all of which have been a great apron strings of their mother and nurse the help. boys could spend time roaming about sailing and shooting. Omond does not actually say With regard to the connection with Lennie — that James Rae (b 1805) attended school in my great grandfather, John Calder (b Kirkwall but this is highly likely. The Rae 23/11/1847, d 28/10/1914) married 5/12/1872 boys also had a succession of tutors at Sarah Omand ( b 9/11/1848, d 15/8/1882) and Clestrain, one was Mr Forbes, probably James their second daughter, Annie Elizabeth Calder Forbes who was schoolmaster in Outertown. married Malcolm Rosie Lennie (Linnie). (Information from Mr Troup) Besides being the close friend of J.R. I have a copy of Malcolm's birth certificate Omond, James Rae (b 1805) consorted with which gives his DOB as 3/5/1873 at Hoxay: less pious contemporaries. At the age of father William Linnie, mother Isabella Rosie, twenty when visiting his aunt Elizabeth and married 18/12/1866. (Name shown as Linnie her husband R.G.Watt in Glasgow, he looked and Lennie on birth cert.) up that 'black sheep' Peter Lendrum Scarth. (OA D3/275, R.G.Watt to W.W.Bain, 7 January From my mother's recollections, there were 1826). five children: Malcolm (called Mackie), killed Omond does not mention that James in 1944. He married Catherine Rae (b 1805) married. Yet the IGI for Orkney Thomson from Grimness. notes that a James Rae married Katherine Campbell on 15 December 1832 in Walls. Daisy married John Sutherland. 'Jock' suffo- Was this the eldest son of the Factor of the cated in a roadman's hut. Druscilla and Annie. Graemsay estate? There was no other family Harvey, a son from a second marriage. called Rae established in Orkney at that time. According to Omond, James Rae (b Apart from extricating Lenny, Liny, Leany 1805) died on the coast of South America of and Lennie from 1841 to 1891 South inflammation of the brain. However, Ronaldsay North Parish census returns, I have Richard Rae, in a letter to James Hargrave as yet, not done any research — but from dated 22 March 1833 referred to the melan- census information it looks as though William choly intelligence of the death of my eldest Lennie could have been married twice — brother, who died on the coast of Africa, Isabella Rosie as the second wife. during a sickness of three days. So James Rae (b 1805) had sailed My grandparents, Jemima Omand Calder and away and died almost immediately probably William Wylie Sinclair lived, for a number of early in 1833. He left an illegitimate or years, at the Howe of Hoxa (where my mother natural, daughter called Helen Rae, who was was born) — an Andrew Lennie, who lived brought up by James Rae' s mother and there before them, and my great grandfather, admitted into all the narrow society of the John Calder ferried the mail ashore by boat to village, [Stromness]. She got married... (19 the pier at the Howe. (1891 census shows March 1846) to a young fellow named Andrew as the 'postman'). (George) Jobson (son of a Lieut. Jobson RN) .... See Rae's arctic correspondence 1844-55, I would be interested to learn if pp 178-9, Hudson Bay Record Society. John Harcus/Hercus are variants — I had a great Rae (1813-1893) writing in April 1851, asked grand aunt, Isabella Calder b 1/1/1836 in George Simpson to find George Jobson Orkney d 8/1/1905, buried Cheltenham, South employment with the Hudson Bay Company Australia — they arrived in Australia on the — being anxious to help Helen and her 'Earl Dalhousie'. husband. ‘Concluded on page 19

15 Letter from Dr Wallace Graham Breck, William Breck what his middle name was and 165 Ontario St., # 306, Kingston, Ontario, thus found out that both he and her husband K7L 2Y6, Canada. had identical three names. Alan's father, Ivan, showed us a coat of arms which definitely showed their Norse origin. Maureen was kind enough to have a duplicate made for us in colour. Alan told us that all the Brecks in the phone book, although now dispersed, stemmed from Birsay. Now its just too bad Breck that my brother and I didn't get to Birsay as well as Rendall, but by then we were short of

A rare Orcadian surname time and weren't allowed car rental.

Last August (1997) my brother and I visited Orkney for a week. Our surname, BRECK, is quite rare in the western world. For example Advertisement. in the phone book of a major city such as Edinburgh or Toronto one might not find one. SCOTTISH CENSUS RECORDS Yet in Orkney there is to be found Breck Ness, Breckaquoy, and nine Brecks in the Transcripts and Indexes to the Census phone book, about a dozen Breck entries in Records of ORKNEY now available on Lamb's "Orkney Surnames" and most impor- microfiche, transcribed and edited by David tant 'The House of Breck" in Rendall as well Armstrong, (Member of the Western as "Breck Designs" at Rendall Farm. Add to Australian and Ontario Genealogical all this the places in Shetland called "The Societies, and Orkney Family History Breck" and farm names in Orkney of Society). Brettobreck, Curcabreck, Breckau, Breckaskaill, Breckswall, Breckness, Parishes: Breckquoy, Brecks and Breckan (From 1821 Census: , Orphir, St 'Orkney farm Names' by Hugh Marwick) Andrews, Sandwick, and , Stromness. Gregor Lamb has given one explanation for the prevalence of the name in that it arose 1851 Census: Birsay, Deerness, Evie and from the Norse word 'Brekka' which in Rendall, Firth and Stenness, , Holm Orkney meant a 'divide' or 'piece of common & Paplay, and Graemsay, Kirkwall & land', so one with the name Breck could #, Orphir, Sandwick, South signify one living on such a property. Ronaldsay and Burray *, Stromness *, Walls and . There is also a suggestion that the origin of the name Breck might be Gaelic and derived Price: A$4.00 each or*A$4.50, #A$5.00 from a follower of St.Brioc and with first (incl. p & p). Discounts 10% on 5-9 sets, 20% names Brek or Brec. There is also a possible on 10-24 sets. Gaelic derivation from the word 'breac' Agents: Aberdeen and North East Scotland meaning spotted or speckled as in trout, Family History Society, Ontario Genealogical tartan or smallpox. Thus the name Breck Society. occurred in Ballachulish in the Glencoe area. Our great grandfather, John Breck had a slate Email: [email protected] quarry there. In Robert Louis Stevenson's "Kidnapped" Alan Breck Stewart, John Please make payment to:- Breck MacCall and others. There are many D.S. Armstrong, place names based on 'breck' in Argyle, Skye P.O.Box 136, and even in Wales (Brecknock) Maylands, Western Australia 6931. While in Kirkwall, my brother decided to phone the first Breck on the list, named Alan Breck, which resulted in him picking us up and taking us to his home to meet his family. His wife Maureen asked my brother, Alan

16 ision with H.M. Destroyer GRENVILLE. I Members' Interests know of the rumours concerning this incident and have completed a fairly extensive search and Correspondence into the circumstances. There were no survi- vors but later three bodies were recovered — 1. From Graeme Somner those of John Cooper (mate), George Foulis (Member No 215), (deckhand) and John Rendall (steward). They 1, Bure Haven Drive, Christchurch, are now buried in Orkney. Were there any Dorset, BH234BS other bodies subsequently recovered? If so, who were they and where are they buried? Over some 40 years I have been gathering together details of Scottish East Coast ship- If any reader has any information or knows of ping companies. Currently I am working on anyone who may be able to help I would be those that worked out of Orkney and whilst I most grateful to hear from them. have found out a lot about the major ship owners, there are still some aspects of the 2. From Thelma Ragas family histories that have eluded me. One of (Member No 150) these families is the Cooper family. 9 Hall St., Cheltenham, Victoria 3192, Australia, e-mail: [email protected] Orkney Shipping Houses

The Coopers ISBISTER AND STOCKAN I have traced all William Cooper's family of six sons but have been unable to ascertain I have been researching my Orkney forebears what happened to Robert Peace Cooper born for a number of years but I have been unable 19.2.1889 at Kirkwall — I believe he went to to trace the family of my g grandfather John the USA and died there. Has anyone more Isbister. John and his wife Janet Stockman information on him? Peter Shearer Cooper, emigrated to the Colony of Victoria in 1852 born 17.1.1879, at Leith, died 6.4.1952 at on the ship the TICONDEROGA, with their Kirkwall, went to sea in 1895 and I have ten children; Margaret, twins John and traced his sea-going time until 3.1903 when William, Alexander, Jessie, Peter, Anne, Nancy he signed off the Glasgow registered CLAN and James. At the 1851 census the family MACPHERSON. From there on all the were living at CREYA, Outertown, records that I know off are blank. He was Stromness. The 1841 census records them as known locally as the "Captain" but I can find being at Innertown. The 1821 census records no evidence that he ever had a command, he Jane as living with her family at DALE, held a master's certificate from 1903 but Innertown, Stromness. Her parents were unfortunately the copy of that certificate is Alexander Stockan and Janet Muir. Siblings missing from the records held by the were Elizabeth, Mary, Margaret, Alexander, National Maritime Museum. The Lloyds John, Peter and William. A possibility in the Captains' Register is no help as all the 1821 census of Stromness for John is an entry at columns are blank. It was said that he served the town of Redland, house name Airuan on the China coast. Can anyone provide me Lower, with two families recorded: (1) John with any information such as on which ships 20 years, farmer: (2) Marion Louttit 61 years, he served, in what capacity and when? I widow: Eliza Brass 21 years, straw plaiting: know that he was back in Kirkwall by 1911 Ann Brass 19 years, straw plaiting. when he and his father are shown as owners of the small steamer BARMORE. If the naming pattern adhered to in Orkney in the 19th century was followed then perhaps Turning now to the ships that the family John's father was either John or William. owned. BARMORE, acquired 7. 1911 and From Australian records, John's birth date sold again 11.1912, was originally a steam could be anywhere from cl8Ol -1811, pos- yacht. How did the Coopers employ her — sibly at Stenness. Janet Stockan was born c1807 inter island or on cargo sailings to Leith? Do at Sandwick. any photographs of her exist? My fourth cousin Ian Isbister, of Melbourne, William died in 1915. Peter Shearer Cooper Victoria, a descendant of Alexander, recounts purchased the HEBRIDEAN in May 1917 and renamed her the EXPRESS. The EXPRESS was lost on 0.2.1918 after a "coll-

17 an interesting piece of family hearsay concerning were producing children in the 1820s and the arrival of the Isbisters in Orkney. Thirty 1830s in South Ronaldsay. I will be visiting were shipwrecked off the coast of Shetland the local LDS Family History Centre to search and then moved down to Orkney where they the 1841 census in due course but in the interim settled. I wonder if any Sib Folk Reader has can anyone help? My current e-mail address is heard a similar story concerning the Isbisters. [email protected] which changes on 27th July 98 to Ted.Gosbell- I look forward to hearing from anyone who @canberra.defence.gov.au may be able to help me with John Isbister and his forebears. 5. From Andy Murray, Journalist, 2 Blacketlees Cottages, Annan, Dumfries and 3. From Ken A Harrison, 202 East Osborne Galloway, DG12 5PB Rd., North Vancouver, B.C., V7N 1M1, Canada, email address: In the course of my research into the [email protected] Quintinshill rail disaster of 1915 someone from Penrith has written to me to say that Skea and St Andrews Manse, : Are there Tulloch are Orkney names. A Peter Skea and a many graves in the grounds of the ruined old Thomas Tulloch survived the catastrophe and I manse at St Andrews? I cannot locate burials want to get to their descendants to find out how for any of my ancestral family (surname they coped etc. Has any one in the OFHS any SMELLIE) who lived at this manse from 1805 ideas? Thank you. until the disruption in 1843. At least 12 family members died during this period, and do not 6. From Robert Whitton, 28 Weavers show on any burial records yet located. I Knowe Crescent, Currie, EH14 5PL would appreciate any information on this (and email address: [email protected] transcriptions, if possible). Have you any ancestors who came from 4. From Ted Gosbell, 39, White Crescent, Graemsay 1800 to date, or with surnames Campbell, ACT 2612, Australia. RITCH (all Scotland) or LYON (mainly Graemsay). Interested if finding out if I have I would like to register my interest in tracking located them in my search to document my my g g grandfather, Robert Woolridge, who family history? I would be pleased to share was born in South Ronaldsay, in September what I have found so far. 1832. As a member of the Royal Artillery, he arrived in Sydney on 12th October 1856 on 7. From Alan Spence, (Member No board the ship NIMROUD having sailed from 110) 10 Eleanor Place, Blockhouse London on 28th June 1856. Bay, Auckland 1007, New Zealand The passenger record for the ship lists Robert I am researching the SPENCE surname and as single, a baker to trade, age 24 and one would like to contact any member doing the month, able to read and write and that his same. native place and country was South Ronaldsay, Scotland. I have searched the GRO In No 4 of SFN you published my request for indexes for Scotland and while I had a number information on Spence relatives. of hits for Woolridge, almost all from South Ronaldsay, I cannot find a birth or christening I have received responses from a number of record to match Robert Woolridge. countries including Canada and, believe it or not, from New Zealand. But the first and most Robert died on 27th December 1910 at East significant response was from Janice Sinclair in Maitland NSW and his death certificate con- Orkney who proved to be of immense help both firms his birth in South Ronaldsay in 1832 but with family history and also by putting me in provides no further clues to his antecedents touch with an unknown cousin in Canada. other than to state his father was a Woolridge. The birth and christening indexes I did find I genuinely believe that I would not have suggest he could be the son of either George achieved these results without the Orkney FHS Woolridge and Margaret Ross or Peter and Sib Folk News. Thank you all. Woolridge and Jean Ross as both couples

18 Rendalls and Howats

Jean Howat, the great aunt of the author of some misunderstanding with immigration this article, emigrated to the USA in about 1882. officials! There she met and married Peter Beatty Rendall. At the present time there are no Jean Howat came from Ayrshire. Her father, fewer than 40 living descendants of Peter and James Howat of Sorn, had two wives. His Jean Rendall living in the USA, and covering, first wife, Janet Morton, had seven children four generations. Two more are expected but died from complications following the during the early part of 1998. birth of the last. His second wife, Jean Mitchell, also had seven children. Of the 11 Peter Rendall was born April 8 1858 in the children who survived infancy eight emigrated parish of Evie and Rendall on the Orkney to the USA. (The author is descended from Mainland. His parents were Jeremiah Rendail, one of those who did not.) Jean Howat and born February 20 1829 on Westray, and Mary Peter Rendall were married on November Stevenson born February 16 1832 on 12 1884. They had five children: Frances Westray. Jeremiah Rendall's parents were Jean, Mary Stevenson, Robert Howat, Peter Rendall and Margaret Couper, of Evie Guy Andrew and Kenneth MacAlpine. and Rendall. Mary Stevenson's parents were Peter Rendall died in 1920 and Jean in 1942. George Stevenson and Ann Seator, from Bowl*, Westray. (The spelling of the sur- The present Rendall descendants in the USA names Couper and Seator is inconsistent in are mostly from the female line but the the records ) Rendall surname does exist in three sons of the latest generation. Other descendants of * Editor's Note: Bowl must be the Bull, Peter and Jean Rendall have the surnames pronounced 'the Boo'. Reynolds, Arons, Fisher, Grillon, Bridge, Applegate, Harshbarger and Maranto. It is known that Jeremiah and Mary Rendall (nee Stevenson) had at least three sons. Peter If any reader can add to any of the informa- was the first and was followed by George, tion regarding this branch of the Westray born in 1861. The name of the third son is Rendalls the author will be delighted to hear. uncertain. In one version it was John and in another Thomas. It is known that Peter tra- Patrick Howat, 14 Alwyne Grove, York. YO3 velled from the Orkney Islands to Canada 6RT. e-mail PW [email protected] possibly under the aegis of the Hudson Bay Company, although one version has it that he Editor's Note: Copies of the Rendall -Howat worked on a farm, accompanied or not by his trees have been deposited with the OFHS office brother George". Little is known of Peter's in Kirkwall. movements until approximately 1881 when he arrived in New Jersey, and became a citizen of the USA. He was naturalised in 1888. The brother, George, also lived in New Jersey. Concluded from page 15 Contact with this branch has been lost. There is a memory of a further Canadian branch but P.S.. The William Lennie, father of Malcolm contact there has also been lost. is listed in the South Ronaldsay 1871 census return as being aged 64 born in Stronsay and One mystery is how Peter came to acquire his his wife Isabella aged 37 born in South second name Beatty. There is no known Ronaldsay. My grandfather sailed a Zulu history of this name in the family. One theory named 'Emulator'. Mum recalls him sailing is that it may have been added as an acknow- to Shetland and also bringing stones from ledgement of a benefactor but this is, at best, a Orphir when the Hope pier was being con- guess. Perhaps it was acquired by mistake, in structed.

Best wishes for Sib Folk News.

19 Calling all Smiths. Can you help?

Letter received from: Marion McLeod, Parkview, New Scapa Road, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1BL. In the 4th issue of Sib Folk News (December 1997) there was an article on John Smith and the Covenanters by Eva Anderson from Dumfries. This is the large tree I nave been working on and trying to update for some years. I, too, have found no definite connection between the Covenanter, Rev Alexander Smith, and his supposed children but have the entire story and tree from his supposed children up to the late 1800s — early 1900s. [13 generations] with some large parts updated to the present — all on computer. Many families descended from John Smith have their own, or access to, copies of this tree [as I do] because copies were distributed within the large family. I would be interested to hear from anyone who can help me bring the rest of the Smith Tree up to date with information from about 1880 up to the present. The Smith Tree families, originally from East Mainland of Orkney, are Foubisters, Linays, Spences, Hourstons, Eunsons, Kirknesses, Muirs, Oddies, Maxwells, Smiths etc. I would dearly love to bring the entire tree up to the present day but, as it is already so large, I fear I may never be able to complete it by searching birth, marriage and death records on my own. There are too many names to follow up. My late uncle updated and left his copy of the tree to me so that I could continue his work. To date I have roughly 4,000 people entered on Smith and other full trees [going back as far as the 1600s] for several families who married into the Smiths [e.g. Redland, Wishart, Harcus from Papa Westray, Paterson and Tait etc.] I also have a large database which includes each individ- ual's data, stories and photographs. It is interesting to note that in 1706 John Smith married Margaret Redland and three generations later in 1832 John Smith's great grandson [also named John Smith] married a descendant of Margaret Redland's family [an Elizabeth (Betsy) Redland] — the latter are my great great grandparents.

Marion McLeod

The Society is open to anyone interested in family history. Articles in this newsletter are copyright to the Society, and its authors, and may not be reproduced 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 necessarily accept the views expressed in letters and articles published within. The Society's newsletter 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 SEP Editor of Sib Folk News: Mr Gavin Rendall, 55 Plough Lane, Purley, Surrey,CR8 3QL email westroot @nildram.co.uk

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