Sib Folk News September 2000 Issue 15
The Newsletter of the Orkney Family History Society
An interior view of St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall from a sketch by the Editor
k Chairman's Report
Welcome to Sib Folk News No 15. We are always a lot of memories exchanged have several new members to welcome to which would make interesting reading. the society, especially our first from South There are over 400 of us now and I would Africa. She is Mrs. Middleton from Sandton like to plead with you to think about writing S. A., member no. 492. We may soon have a small article about yourself or your family, people from other countries interested as the or just write a letter for us all to enjoy. treasurer and others are making contact with people via email. At the moment we have The next series of meetings starts on 14th over 400 paid-up members. September when we meet in Evie for the first time. This will be in the recently We are still functioning in 8 Broad Street opened Woodwick Gallery when Orkney's with difficulty. The committee has viewed Heritage Officer will be our speaker. On premises nearby which are marginally better 12th October the meeting is in the Royal but the wheels of officialdom turn slowly. Hotel. Nancy Scott will speak about the However, the volunteers are undeterred and Westray Heritage Centre. There should be press on faithfully. George Gray, with help lots of Westray exiles at that meeting. We from Irene Miller, has completed the list of are also looking forward to the Annual records held in the office. It is hoped that Dinner on 9th November which we hope to this list will be available in some form, have in the restaurant in the Hospitality perhaps in the next magazine. Department of the Orkney College.
The summer months have been quite busy I close with best wishes to all the "family" for the society. Many visitors have been to of O F H S and also to the many other the office over the months. In June twenty family history societies who receive our seven people enjoyed a great day in Hoy. magazine in return for theirs. July is usually set aside for graveyard recording but the weather was not the most suitable this year. Members are free to carry on with this project whenever they wish. In In This Issue August, the day after the County Show, the O F H S had a stall at the Orkney Vintage Chairman's Report 2 Rally held in the Orkney Auction Mart. From the Editor 3 Some Orcadians who visited us confessed to Letter to the Editor 4 having been unaware of the existence of the Correspondence & Queries 5 society so lots of membership forms were Westray Roots 10 given out. We have the opportunity to take Old Maps 11 a similar display to the Pickaquoy Centre on The Ticonderoga Voyage 12 16th and 17th September. Summer Outing 2000 15 Graveyard Puzzle 15 The editor would like more material to print One Name Study 16 in YOUR magazine. Visitors from "foreign Errata 17 pairts" have such interesting stories to tell. Crossword 17 After our public meetings in Orkney there Committee Photograph 20
2 From the Editor
The Blood of the Vikings A Genetic Survey
UK readers may have noticed in the press that the BBC, in conjunction with University College London, are running a project to sample the DNA from a random selection of men living in particular sites around Britain. Orkney is one of the sites, presumably because Vikings settled in the islands and their descendants may still be there. Hello, Sib Folk, Welcome to another edition of our Being born in Westray from a Rendall newsletter. I use the term 'newsletter' in family who appear to have been on the preference to 'journal' as I like to think island for at least two centuries or more, and bearing a name which is first of it as an informal, sometimes chatty, th sometimes formal medium in which we recorded in Orkney in the 13 century, I can communicate easily with each other. volunteered. I have been told that the This does not mean that we should response for volunteers was great and tolerate slovenly writing. that I may be selected in phase two of the project. It would be very interesting I have had some serious correspondence to know whether I am of true Viking with several members about the stock or a crossbreed produced by the BEATTON article in SFN 14 and I have invading Scots. If any reader is selected apologized to David Blair, the author, would they let me know? for the typing and formatting errors contained therein. (See the Errata note This edition contains many suggestions elsewhere) I fully agree with Brian from members, especially Robert Smith, the Shetland archivist, that a Marwick, for articles in future editions. genealogical society should publish only These are suggestions for members, to the most accurate information. respond to and not just the Editor. However, I think we have to draw a line While I, as editor, must improve my between what is current local news and editing and proof reading, authors have true genealogical information. There are other media for current news and the responsibility of checking the weather. For those of us on the Internet accuracy of their work. Everything sign on www.orcadian.co.uk for the should be checked again and again, if latest news from Orkney. our newsletter is to be seen as a quality genealogical production. One member was 'thrilled' to read SFN 14 and in SFN is now available on the Internet. particular the Beatton article, the Mike Clouston, of Ramsgate, Kent (37) contents of which he was very has transcribed all editions, text only, of knowledgeable. SFN onto his web page which is :- http://web. ukonline. co.uk/orcadian We are very grateful to Mike for this piece of work.
3 A Letter from Robert Marwick to the Editor
Dear Editor, Orcadian to sell them. That advert brought in 300 orders and a few more hundreds have There is no doubt that family history been sold since then. When information research in Orkney was given a great boost about the book appeared on the Internet it when the OFHS was set up. Many was picked up by the grandchildren and enthusiasts, who had been working away on great grandchildren of people who had their own before that, soon learned to emigrated from Rousay, Egilsay or Wyre a appreciate the help they could obtain from hundred years earlier. They were thirsting co-operating with other enthusiasts who for information about their Orcadian were often pursuing the same lines of ancestry and I was happy to supply them enquiry as themselves. Through Sib Folk with it. Many of them bought my book as News new sources of information became well. available and beginners profited from the lessons already learnt by more experienced My experience has shown that there are lots searchers. The result has been a tremendous and lots of people out there who would be increase in the number of those engaged in delighted to see some of the material Orkney this interesting pastime and in the volume of researchers have tucked away in folders and research that has been done in recent years. computer files and would be happy to pay for it. I published mine as a book, but it does All this is good news. The bad news is that not have to be a book. What about using Sib very little of this work is being published. Folk News to publish pieces of your work? I You, Mr. Editor, and I seem to be the only am sure that you, Mr. Editor, would be people who have published anything. There delighted to get it. If someone's material is are people in Sanday and Westray, to name too bulky for a magazine article but too little just two parishes, who have now for a book, then what about a booklet? accumulated masses of material, none of Anyone with a computer can produce a which has been published. I wonder why professional looking booklet - an easy and this is so? Is it because they think so few cheap way of publishing. people would be sufficiently interested to buy a copy of their work that the cost of Let me address myself directly to the printing would not be recovered? That is Orcadian researchers. What are you waiting what I thought when I was being pressed by for? Till you have finished your research? relatives and friends to publish the results of The truth is you will never finish it. It my researches into Rousay families. When I somehow just goes on and on and if you enquired about copyright clearance I was wait till you think you have finished, the rest told I could print 100 copies. I pondered of us out here will never see the fruit of your long but could not think of 100 people who labours. After doing all that work you surely would be interested enough to buy them. want others to see it. I urge you all to go ahead and publish. In the end I decided to take the plunge by printing the 100 copies under the title Yours sincerely, Rousay Roots and to rely on an advert in the
4 Members' Correspondence and Queries
From Jim Lancaster, 2) Transcripts of talks given at OFHS of Bury, Lancashire (20) meetings. 3) Just local stuff. It may be common Is it possible to organise an on-line place to those familiar with the area, but forum for members to help one another not to those of us who have never been with queries? I belong to the Manchester there. & Lancashire FHS and this has an 4) Even the weather is of interest, if you Internet group. Members send their don't live there. queries, which are generally about their family history in the Manchester area, From the Ed. 1) I do endeavour to but sometimes further afield. Sometimes supply information from the committee the questions are more about local minutes when I can. 2) I have suggested history than genealogy. It provides the this in SFN 14 and hope that someone facility to raise questions and have them will take up this challenge. 3) Local stuff answered quickly by members who have could mean current local news or just knowledge of that topic. It has the added notes about places mentioned in articles. advantage that the responding 3) and 4) would open the door, in my member(s) may not live in Manchester, opinion, to a wider canvas than family but anywhere. I have seen a question history. As regards 4), I do endeavour to about an area of Manchester answered make notes to clarify subjects or supply within 24 hours by a member as far maps of places mentioned in articles. away as Arizona, USA or Queensland, Perhaps more of this could be done. Australia. What do other members think?
One disadvantage of setting up such a group is that members who are not on From Mike Clouston, the Internet cannot participate. The of Ramsgate, Kent, (37) M&LFHS gets around this by editing some of the discussions for inclusion in My birthday is 11th June 1939, usually their journal. Sometimes members who written as 11/6/1939. I once received a are not willing to put pen to paper will birthday card from an American cousin join a discussion group on the Internet. in time for 6th November or as we in the UK would have it, 6/11/1939. She had assumed that I had used the American From Jim Seatter, date format (month/day/year) in the of Mass., USA, (116) family tree print-out which I sent her, when I had used the UK format May I suggest some topics to include in (day/month/year). Sib Folk News. May I suggest that we all, no matter 1) Notes from OFHS committee where we are, spell out the month, or at meetings least use the first three letters of the
5 month when we are quoting dates. Doing Also from Jack Harcus. this would reduce confusion. In my own research I often come across variants of surnames. Here are some I From Jack Harcus, have listed. of Shetland, (27) Arcus Garriock Heddle Wylie I picked this up in Walt Custer's Guest Harcus Garrioch Huddle Willie Web page at www.cursiter.com Hercus Garrick Haddle Wiley I thought someone might find it of Harcas Garioch Headle Wylly interest if they missed it. Harcarse Gariock Headlay Wyllie Harcaz Gerrick Hoddle Quotation from an article in "The South Harkness Garriook Hedley Australian Genealogist", Oct. 1988 by Harcares Garriok A.A.McCullum of Stromness) Garrioh
The only Orcadian convict transported to From Edna Cromarty, Australia was William SINCLAIR, of Aberdeen (92) postmaster of Stromness in 1851. He was "charged with 7 counts of I would like to request a new edition of embezzling and secreting letters with the the Membership List each summer. purpose of stealing the postage money" Updates could appear in each issue of Other names in the article were: James SFN. There are still many of us out there Lanskaill, c/o Thomas Brown in St not on email. I could have contacted Lisa John's, New Brunswick; John Louttit, Conrad (386) about her South Ronaldsay sailor c/o S. Hume, Buffalo, America; Budges if you had also given her postal Wm. Croy, mason; Thomas Stanger, address. shoemaker in Port Adelaide and John Rendall, seaman on board "Hudson", an I'm sure that you will have been told that American ship, in Gibraltar. All your request for help in identifying the presumably were Orcadians awaiting sender of the request on page 4 of letters from home! Today we'd blame SFN14 was Elizabeth Mann (You our country's inefficient postal service. published a letter from her on page 3). I (Last week we received a postcard do the proof reading for my local journal posted in Rome from our daughter, and do appreciate how easy it is to get in which took over three months to reach a tangle. us!!!, ) Wm SINCLAIR was convicted and sentenced to 7 yrs transportation. The amount stolen was approximately Ed. Thanks. You were the only one to one or two pounds. The then minister help. spoke of his good character as well as ten years honest service in the Stromness With reference to Elizabeth Mann's P.O. Hopefully someone will find a letter in SFN 14, June 2000. -.missing link! Janette THOMSON, (FOULIS)
6 published by Birlinn in From Michael Rendall, Edinburgh, price £20.00. Black of Glasgow, (325) does not mention "Gullion", nor could I find it in the other works Orkney Stones I consulted. Perhaps this is why it does not appear in Gregor I have recently been corresponding with Lamb's book either. Helen Norman of Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Through her and Cathy 2) Maps. Mr Rendall is quite correct Rendall of Wyvern, Westray, I've in quoting the Ordinance Survey gathered some information about Landranger 1:50,000 series (3 Yorkton* and the book, Orkney Stones. parts, not 2). However, for detailed coverage of a small area A great many Orcadians emigrated there their Pathfinder 1:25,000 series is in the 19th century and presumably the more useful. Again these are early 20th. So much so that there is an available in all good bookshops. Orkney District with an Orkney School 3) Books. Speaking as a librarian, and an Orkney Church. Both of these the most satisfactory way to list a have been renovated. The Orkney book is by author, title, publisher Historical Society of Yorkton produced and date of publication. ISBNs a book in 1989 with sections on the old are still mostly used in the book families in the Orkney District. There trade. In these days of desktop are a great many of Westray and Eday publishing many local works descent. don't have an ISBN. Your review title was a case in point. The names ring like a 'Who's Who' of Orkney surnames: Reid, Sinclair, Peace, Ed: Thanks again. These were most Rendall, Seatter, Patterson, Muir, useful tips from which we can take note. Rousay and Stout. A Rendall built the pulpit in the church.
From Thelma Ragas, They have just reprinted the book and of Victoria, Australia, (150) Helen Norman would be happy to send a copy to anyone who is interested. I Re your request for articles, I think ones thought that this was something which by Orkney members on the unique could interest a few folk if they knew historical sites of the isles would be about it and wondered if you might favoured and would be of great interest mention it in Sib Folk News \ Westray to those unable to visit Orkney. I find Roots. your art work most evocative It runs to some 356 pages and has lots of particularly the last one of the Standing pictures as well. It also tells us a bit Stones. Articles to match other artwork about the place as well as the sections on of yours, or vice versa? I think general the different families which take up most articles could be written by anyone well of the book. The cost is Canadian $43 read or informed. It would give members (inc postage and packing) which I think a well rounded understanding of the ends up at just short of £20 according to home of their ancestors. the last exchange rate. I dare say that
7 folk should try and get a cheque or have included being a crew member on warrant in Canadian $ from the bank. the ship.
The address: Mrs Helen Norman, I do know a few names of ships that left RRNo2 Orkney for America in 1857 from Yorkton looking at the The Orcadian newspaper Saskatchewan, SK, S3N-2VA for that year. In fact, one of them, the Canada City of Quebec sounds quite promising, so I'd like to hear from anyone who may Telephone 00 1 (3 06)782 5 8 1 0 have information on this ship.
Helen isn't on the Internet although she Extract from The Orcadian, Monday, now has a computer. March 2,1857, page 1, col 1: "J Bruce is now prepared to give * The name Yorkton seems very similar information to parties who intend to the old Orkney name Yorston and the emigrating to America this year. Early mention of Cathy RendaH's name application is necessary to secure a reminds me that she has researched that passage by the new ship City of Quebec. name. Charges moderate."
From Lisa Conrad, Also from The Orcadian, Monday, May of Seattle, USA, (386) 4,1857, page 4, col 4: "The City of Quebec passed through the Is there anyone who had an Orcadian Pentland Firth upon April 19, outward ancestor emigrate to the USA or Canada bound from Aberdeen. All emigrants in the year 1857? If so, do you know the well. This was ascertained from some details of the ship's journey and also the Orkney emigrants who were on board names of fellow passengers? My family writing some letters to friends, attaching have long sought more information of them to pieces of wood and throwing my immigrant ancestor's journey to the them overboard. They drifted ashore on USA. All we know is that he settled the island of Swonna that same initially in Oswego, New York. I would evening." like to know his ship, the date/port of departure and the date/port of entry. If you have any clues, hints or information, please contact me. My ancestor was George Budge, son of William Budge and Barbara Matches, Lisa Conrad grandson of James Budge and Janet No A6, 318-10th Avenue, E, Duncan. He was born on South Seattle Ronaldsay, 10th July 1834, and after emigrating, he worked his way up from WA 98102 USA sailor to ship's captain, working the - Great Lakes for the coastal trade. Since Email: [email protected] he was familiar with working on ships, his 'journey of emigration' may even
8 James Irvine, In fact the practice in the 19th century of of Ashstead, Surrey, (96) giving Orcadian children a second name of the landlord or the church minister Congratulations on SFN 14. Several was commonplace. My own great comments arise which readers may find grandfather, son of a tenant of the Watts, useful. was William Watt Graham Irvine. Another example is the Rev. Clouston as 1. p3. Most common names in the "patron" middle name of individual Orkney. There is also a list of 2. 1 b 10 on pl2 of SFN No. 14. 1 am surname frequencies c. 1920 in not sure whether this widespread OA D49/2/12, by parish. (OA is practice was being obsequious or in hope the abbreviation for Orkney that the child would be stimulated by its Archives) namesakes' learning/affluence, or both. Why the Laird's son was given two 2. p5. Watts in a Name. "Watts" I have no idea, but clearly Leask Copy of a letter to AJ Tucker was named after him. of Manitoba, Canada The Watts of Skaill House were the I read with interest your article "Watts largest landowners in Sandwick, in a Name" in Sib Folk News No. 14. William Watt having bought the Having visited Orkney many times and Breckness estate from his brother-in-law studied the history of the Watt family Patrick Graham in 1787. His son and their lands for some years, I think I William Graham Watt, the discoverer of can throw some light on some of the Skara Brae, was laird from 1810 to 1866 points you make. and his grandson Dr. William Watt Graham Watt, was laird from 1866 to In Orkney, "clearances" of crofters by 1876. WGW was a benevolent landlord, Scottish lairds for their sheep farming and there is evidence of his waiving ambitions only occurred in Rousay (see tenants' rents in hard times. Flora Watt's WPL Thomson's The Little General & book The Watt Line 1984 (privately the Rousay Crofters 1986 ISBN 0 printed; she lives at 6084 Essex Center 85796 062 6) and, I believe, in Hoy. Road, StJohns, Mich 48879, USA) When the enclosures came to v gives a comprehensive history of the Sandwick in the 1830s, an family, but no mention of any Leask "opportunity" for eviction, the relatives. population did not fall. It is of course possible that John William Leask was The 1861 census for Sandwick records in arrears with his rent, but there is no for Briamira, shows John Leask junior, tradition or evidence (e.g. the Crofters aged 39, head of the household, his wife Commission of 1888) of the Watts not Marianne Leask, also 39, their children being compassionate to their tenants, John (9), Mary (7), Samuel (5) and or, so far as I am aware, of the 1850s William WGW (3). He employed two being "hard times" (Sandwick's labourers James Spence and niece Mary population was higher in 1861 Moar, and his widowed mother-in-law, than 1851). Janet Moar a stocking knitter. From the
9 sequence of crofts in the census, Briamira was, I feel sure, Brymeadow, Westray Roots northeast of Quoyloo, right on the border between Sandwick and Birsay parishes. Did you know that there is a newsletter I think neither Briamira nor Brymeadow covering the genealogy of Westray and was part of the Watt's Breckness estate, Papa Westray, two of the North Isles of but as John was fanning 60 acres and my Orkney? The newsletter is published th copies of the 1855 and 1862 valuations three times a year and is now in its 38 indicate he was not a landowner, I issue. suspect he rented some/much of his The population of Westray, at its peak in probably scattered 60 acres from the the mid 1800s, was about 2200 but has Breckness estate. Alas I can't find any now dropped to nearer 500. Many reference to Briamira or Brymeadow in people emigrated resulting in numerous these valuations - but the descriptions of descendants in the USA, Canada, properties in these valuations are poor. Australia and New Zealand. It is of particular interest therefore to The 1851 Census has John Leask (29) as descendants of Westray people a servant, apparently unmarried (my worldwide. Many topics have been copy is barely legible on this detail), at covered such as in Issue 38 where the the farm of Pow (half a mile south of Sandisons of Westray were reviewed. In Brymeadow), born in Sandwick. There Issue 37 it was the Reids of Bigging in are no other Leasks in this household. Rackwick who were under the Nor is there a John Leask of about 19 in microscope. Many Rendall families have the 1841 Census (in which the ages are been studied as well as Harcus and rounded down), although there is a John others. One feature of the newsletter has Leask (45), an agricultural servant in been to scan The Orcadian and The Newgarith with his wife Maijory (40), Orkney Herald newspapers for news and in the 1821 census there is a John about Westray through the years thus Leask (38), shoemaker, his wife bringing to light some of the activities, Maijorie Wood (34), and a son John(l). tragedies and highlights of Westray life. Westray schools, their teachers and The Old Parish Register for Sandwick, logbook entries have been of great accessible on the Internet via interest. Various crofts and farms and www.origins.net would help clarify all their inhabitants during the census years this. have also been featured. A reprint of the two Westray Statistical Reports was made in the early issues. As in Sib Folk Answers to Crossword on page 17 News, many correspondents from Across: 2.HAY 5.ANNAL 6.DOULL Westray and around the world contribute 8.IMP lO.ENDSON 12.AFRICA articles, family trees and obtain help in 14.ARGO 15.OLA 16.SCAM searching for long lost relations. Westray 17.DREVER 19.EUNSON 21.SIR Roots is obtainable on subscription from 23 .ROSE 24.RITCH 25. ANN the editor of Sib Folk News whose - Down: l.DASS 3.AIM4.MOAR address appears at the end of this issue. 5 .ALEXANDER 7.LEARMONTH UK - £1.95p for three issues per annum. 8.INDOORS 9.PALAVER ll.DOGIE Overseas - £4.89p for three issues by 13.INCAS 18. VEIN 20.NEIL 22.IAN airmail or £3.06 by surface mail.
10 Ordnance Survey Historic Maps of the U.K. Online
This article was downloaded from Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter which is freely available on the Web.
Are you looking for a location in the United could insert the picture file into Microsoft Kingdom in the nineteenth century? Word or into a graphics editing program to Landmark Information Group has a new view and to print. When I printed this map online database of Ordnance Survey Historic on my own printer, the readability increased Maps. Best of all, the service is free. dramatically. The printed black and white Around 85,000 images are available for map could be enlarged to a full page or viewing using a standard Internet browser. cropped and enlarged to show closer detail of No additional plug-in software is required to a portion. After finding a location on the view the maps. The maps are dated between printed map, I would then go back to the 1846 and 1899, and are at 1: 10,560 scale. screen version to see the location close up or More than 40,000 place names are available to repeat this process with adjacent map on these online maps. areas.
The Web site is simple to use. I wanted to The Ordnance Survey Historic Maps Web see a map of Weeting, Norfolk. From the site is free for everyone. However, main page, I clicked on Norfolk. A list of all Landmark Information Group operates the the Norfolk maps appeared, I clicked on site, and they also sell decorative maps which Weeting. A few seconds later I was looking are advertised on the site. These maps are at a circa 1887 map of Weeting, showing all also derived from the Ordnance Survey the houses, the churches, roads and footpaths. County Series First Edition mapping Some of the locations shown included Devil's published between 1850 and 1890. You can Woods, Broom Belt and Shoulder of Mutton. order a map, which will be reproduced using Colourful names! the cartographic style of the period and printed on parchment-style paper to reflect I found it a bit difficult to read the maps on the age of the map. The resultant map of the computer screen. Even at 1024-by-768 your ancestors' home area is suitable for screen resolution, the window frame could framing, much nicer than what you can only display a small part of a map at a time; produce on your own laser or inkjet printer. however, tike displayed portion was quite readable. I could scroll the frame across If you would like to order an authentic- about 3 times and down about 4 times to looking A3 decorative map, centered on the view the entire area Directional arrows site of your choice, you can print out an order allowed me to repeat this process with form, add a cheque and then send the order adjacent maps. Printing maps directly from by regular mail. I could not find an online the Web browser yielded marginal results. ordering capability. The decorative maps However, I had much more success when I cost £19.95 plus £1.50 shipping and right clicked on the Web browser's image and handling. used the "Save Image As" selection in the Netscape drop-down menu (With Internet To view the Ordnance Survey Historic Maps Explorer, the selection is "Save Picture As".) of the U.K., go to: www.old-maps.co.uk then saved the map as a GIF file. I then
11 THE TICONDEROGA VOYAGE by Thelma Ragas, Victoria, Australia. (Member 150)
This is the synopsis of a much longer article currently being published by Orkney View in two parts.
The year 1852 was a significant date in were either listed as "Domestic Servant", the lives of four Orkney families: they, or "Wife". like many others, made the momentous and life changing decision to leave their Little did the families know how homeland and journey to a new and hazardous and life threatening this virtually unknown land. On the 4th voyage would become: even when the August these pioneers left Liverpool for Ticonderoga reached its destination of the Colony of Victoria, which had just Port Phillip Bay, where settlement was marked its separation from New South burgeoning along its shoreline, their Wales. Their sailing ship was the lives would still be at risk. Ticonderoga, a four masted vessel built in Williamsburgh, New York State, There were a number of contributing U.S.A. in 1849; it had been fitted to factors to this situation. The new colony carry general cargo from Liverpool to was desperately short of labour. This New York. The Master was Captain was exacerbated by the discovery of Thomas Boyle. gold in New South Wales in April 1851 and in Victoria in mid 1851. Pressure The Orkney families were John and had been brought to bear on the British Janet Isbister from Creya farm, Government by the cloth manufacturers Outertown, Stromness, and their ten of northern England to secure and speed children, including my great the supply of wool from the Australian grandfathers, twin brothers William and colonies. An ongoing labour market John; James and Jessie Papley and their needed to be in place swiftly, with the two children, accompanied by 18 year 1852 spring wool clip in peril. The old Phoebe Papley; George and Janet Colonial and Emigration Commissioners Harcus, with their five children; John had been unable to fill emigration quotas and Jean Smith with John five years. (A for 1851. Rules regarding families were male infant was born during the voyage relaxed with more young children to the Smiths.) All the families were allowed. The Commissioners accepted Presbyterian, except for the Harcuses, the tender of four vessels including the who were Baptist. All the adult males twin deck Ticonderoga, with space for were listed as "Agricultural Labourer" in many more emigrants. Previously this the ship's records; this did not design was used exclusively on the much necessarily indicate their usual shorter Atlantic emigration run to North occupation, but favoured selection as a America. This decision was also suitable emigrant. The adult females influenced by the tender cost for each emigrant, which was considerably lower
12 than other vessels. Probably without emigrant ship in its twin deck design, the understanding or realising the vessel would be found wanting in many consequences of their actions, the aspects. Long voyages were conducive Commissioners had created a formula to the spread of contagious diseases; for disaster. little was understood about the most feared of all, typhus. Sickness was soon The favoured route to Australia by evident. The ship's two surgeons were sailing ships' operators and masters, was unable to access the sick easily, the Great Circle Route, using the hampered by the dark, crowded and Roaring Forties increasingly insanitary conditions. The Ticonderoga reached The Heads, the
This space was to have been occupied by an illustration of emigrants on an emigrant ship in the mid 19th century having a meal. The etching showed families sitting at a long table between decks and on either side behind them, their sleeping bunks. One can imagine the squalor, lack of privacy, and smell in these cramped quarters after 90 days at sea.
The illustration, unfortunately,could not be obtained from the National Maritime Museum in time for this publication.
trade winds to expedite the journey. entrance to Port Phillip Bay, on 3rd This would mean a direct journey by the November 1852, 90 days after leaving Ticonderoga to its destination without Liverpool with the Yellow Jack, or calling at any port. The vessel would Yellow Flag at the mast. The Colonial move into near Antarctic conditions, authorities had dealt with typhus before, experiencing freezing temperatures and but not on the scale they faced with the extreme seas. Shipboard diaries attest to Ticonderoga. the privation and unhealthy conditions experienced by all on this route, but Official documents differ as to the most particularly the emigrants in number of passengers on board, the steerage. On the Ticonderoga, although number of deaths and the reasons for the specially fitted out for its life as an high mortality rate. The Victorian
13 Health Officer's Report for 1852 states experience. During the voyage Jessie the total number of passengers was 811, and John Isbister lost their youngest and deaths were 96. The Land and child two year old James. Five year old Emigrant Commissioners' Report to the Nancy died at Point Nepean. George British Parliament said 102 passengers Harcus suffered the death of his wife died of typhus and scarlatina on the Janet, daughter Elizabeth 21 and James voyage, with 300 passengers sick on an infant, during the voyage. Mary 16, arrival at Port Phillip, officially with died at Point Nepean. There were no scarlatina. Whilst the Ticonderoga was deaths recorded for the Papley and Smith in quarantine at Port Nepean on the families. southern tip of Port Phillip, 74 more deaths occurred at the hastily organised Over the years, headstones and quarantine "Station", (initially two lime monuments have been erected to burners' huts) other makeshift shelters commemorate the tragedy of this and on board the hospital ship, the voyage. In November 1992 descendants Lysander. The primitive conditions of the Ticonderoga immigrants erected a experienced by the immigrants during memorial stone at the Point Nepean their incarceration at Point Nepean cemetery to those who lost their lives further enraged the colony. The British on board and at the Point Nepean Government was forced to review its quarantine station. The first burial decisions, after a report on the high ground was located close to the mortality rate on "certain" immigrant shoreline, vulnerable to tides and ships. The decision was made to engage weather. Over the years graves had been no more twin deck ships on the exposed, forcing the relocation of the Australian run. The voyage of the cemetery to its present site. It lies within Ticonderoga entered into the annals of Point Nepean National Park, with the old 19th century Australia, as one of the quarantine station part of commonwealth most disastrous in terms of death rate government property. and suffering. The vessel was never After six weeks in quarantine, the engaged again for immigration purposes. Ticonderoga moved up Port Phillip Bay The losses suffered by the four Orkney to anchor at Williamstown on the 22nd families typifies the total emigrant December. Finally the remaining immigrants were able to begin their lives in their new homeland.
1992 memorial to the Ticonderoga dead, set between the only remaining six grave sites.
14 and airy public rooms with their Arts and SUMMER OUTING Crafts decor and furniture, some of the nine bedrooms and the private chapel. Elsie is 2000 justly proud of her magnificent home. by Anne Cormack Despite the grey skies, the rain kept off, and we had such an action packed day that it On the 25th June, twenty-five members of kept the cold at bay. Thanks to driver Billy, the OFHS set off on the Hoy Head to Lyness Ethel, Phyllis, Willie and Elsie for looking ferry for the annual summer outing. It was after us so well and to Nan for organising a the first time the Society had been to Hoy, most enjoyable outing. and Nan, our president, had put together a busy schedule. The school mini-bus, with its helpful and knowledgeable driver Billy Hill, met us at Lyness Pier, and he drove us Solution to first of all to Rackwick. Nan's printed programme read "Opportunity to leave the Graveyard Puzzle bus en route and visit Dwarfie Stane". The grey weather and chilly wind had made Ethel Young, of Stromness, (45) cowards of us all, however, and everyone sat suggests a solution to the puzzle. tight. At Rackwick, member Ethel Young See SFN 13, page 6 put her holiday cottage, Park, at our disposal, and she and her friend Phyllis Ethel Young writes: Is this the solution to a dispensed welcoming cups of tea and coffee kirkyard puzzle? The gravestone A26 has and homemade shortbread to accompany the posed a puzzle which we have so far been packed lunches we had brought along. unable to solve, but Alan Watts, (Member Ethel's snug but roomy cottage was built 367) writing from Eastbourne, has now about 1840 and is one of several renovated suggested a very interesting and plausible houses bringing back life to an almost solution. On the stone, it reads that two deserted area, at least for part of the year. children are "both interred 3FT NE by E of After lunch, members were able to stretch this stone." their legs at Rackwick, before we rejoined the bus for the drive right down the island to The place of interment of these children is, Longhope. There we stopped at the we believe, a grave marked by a heart- Osmundwall Cemetery with its poignant shaped stone which simply states "Dear memorial to the Longhope Lifeboat men lost Children." This stone is 60 feet distant. in 1969, and the Moodie Mausoleum. A Could FT be a shortened form of a short drive then took us to Willie Groat's measurement other than a foot? house where Willie kindly laid on afternoon tea (or something stronger) and a tour of his Alan Watts writes: "There is an old Scottish home. He still sleeps in the same box bed measure called a 'fall' equalling 6.1766 yards he was born in eighty years ago, although which roughly seems to fit the bill. I his beautifully renovated house must have wonder whether, perhaps, the abbreviation changed a lot since his parents' days. for 'fall' was FL, and that the stonemason During this stop four intrepid members took had either never heard of a 'fall' or else just the opportunity to climb up, and be misread his instructions and cut FT into the impressed by, the nearby Martello Tower at gravestone at A26 in error?" Hackness. Our last port of call was Melsetter House, home of the Moodies and the Middlemores. In a visit that was all too Ethel Young considers the suggestion from short, Elsie Seatter gave a brief history of Alan Watts "a very acceptable explanation." the families and showed us round the light
15 A One-Name Study Experience By Robert Whitton ofCurrie, Midlothian, (218)
I initially researched all my RITCH non-relatives. I have tried to make forebears from the island of Graemsay contact with current RITCH families in and how they linked into virtually all the England and about 10 out of 50 replied. residents 1821 - 1891 and onwards. I They were all Orkney linked. I have then found links with RITCHes in Hoy also tried Canada, but only 3 out of 70 and RITCHes who went to Shetland. replied. These seem to be from There were not many RITCHes or Deerness, so I have had some success. RICHes (at times spelling particularly in As many people are not interested in the IGI, seemed to be interchangeable) their family history or not aware that in the 1881 census so I sorted them out they might be linked, perhaps my and after extracting all the information response rate is acceptable. I didn't put from the Registrar General's Office, I in a reply paid envelope as I hoped that now seem to have a full file from which if they were sufficiently interested they anyone who has a Scottish would be prepared to pay for a stamp. I RITCH/RICH in their ancestry could tend to find I provide more information well benefit. Although Scotland i.e. than they do (I am Scottish so need to mostly Orkney, seems to be a main keep down the expenditure). I am always source of people with this name there are surprised that when I send out people overseas whose family name information, particularly by email, how seem to be derived from Ritchie, few people actually respond. I am not Richard, or German or Eastern European looking for thanks, just feedback on extraction. I have however found accuracy or perhaps additional RITCHes in Australia and Canada who information. Perhaps a message to your are linked to Deerness families and some readers might be to give information of "my" linked relatives in USA and freely without thought of responses and Canada. This is not a study of great to look on any additional information or academic importance or methodology connections as a bonus. but bom out of the necessity to eliminate
Errata A number of editorial inaccuracies occurred in the Beatton article in SFN 14 which the editor apologizes. Copies of the corrected article and the Beatton Descendant Report are available either from the editor by email or hard copies from the OFHS office. In particular would readers note the following. 1. Reference to the Washington Irving connection on page 11. Two members have written to the editor and to David Blair re his assertion that there was a connection between the Beattons and Washington Irving. There is no connection and he accepts this. 2. On page 13, the first5.5. 2 should be deleted and the date (1849-1926) inserted after Charlotte White on the previous line. 3. On page 9, column 1, line 8. The sentence should read 'Actually, virtually all turn out to be Beattons of Stromness'. The word 'virtually' is important to David Blair as he was not certain that all Beattons hailed from Stromness.
16 ORKNEY SURNAMES CROSSWORD Those clues marked with a * are Orkney surnames
ACROSS: DOWN:
2.* Cattle feed? (3) I. * The German south (4) 5. * Miss Sewell - learner (5) 3. * Am I disorganised! (3) 6.* What a to-do Ullswater provided (5) 4. * Sounds like what Oliver asked for (4) 8. One member of parliament is a brat (3) 5. * The great one? (9) 10. Finishes with N.E. dons going off.... (4,2) 7. * Shakespearean king got thirty days (9) 12 to the continent, if Cara is prepared (6) 8.1 do Ron's workout - but not outside (7) 14. * Load with a hundred missing (4) 9. Dad with composer Ravel makes a fuss (7) 15. Orkney girl's ferry to Scrabster (3) II. Dog that is an American motherless calf (5) 16. Mac's back on the fiddle (4) 13. Cain's mixed race found in Peru (5) 17. * Medical man always (6) 18. Carries blood from sample I've injected (4) 19. * Direction with a French offspring (6) 20. Mr Kinnock, the politician... (4) 21. Aristocratic schoolmaster? (3) 22... and Mr Powrie, the dance band leader (3) 23. * Utterly cheerful and in the pink — (5) 24. * and wealthy, I hear (5) 25. Take a learner off 5.across for this girl (3)
Compiled by Anne Cormack (73) Answers on page 10
17 ROUSAY ROOTS by Robert C. Marwick 360-page book of family histories in Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre in the Orkney Islands By the same author ROUSAY CENSUSES incl. Egilsay, Wyre & Eynhallow 1841-1891 (In a single volume) Cross referenced to ROUSAY ROOTS
UK price (incl. p & p) £12 per volume. Please enquire about overseas prices Orders to Robert C. Marwick 10 Graystones, Kilwinning, Ayrshire KA13 7DT e-mail: [email protected]
The Orkney Family History Society
Census Records for the Years 1841 to 1891
The Society has now available for sale copies of all Orkney parish census returns (records) in booklet form. Prices vary according to the size of the parish. For details of prices please contact the Orkney Family History Society, 8 Broad St., Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1 NX or email the treasurer at [email protected]
SCOTTISH CENSUS RECORDS Transcripts ofj and indexes to the census records of ORKNEY now available cm microfiche, transcribed and edited by David Armstrong, (Member of the Western Australian and Ontario Genealogical Societies, and the Orkney Family History Society). Parishes: 1821 Census: Deerness, Orphir, St Andrews, Sand wick, South Ronaldsay and Burray, Stromness. 1851 Census: Birsay, Deemess, Eday & Pharay, Evie and Randall, Firth and Stenness, Harray, Holm & Paplay, Hoy and Graemsay, Kirkwall & St Ola #, North Ronaldshay, Orphir, Rousay & Egilshay, St Andrew's, Sandwick, Sanday, Shapinshay, South Ronaldsay and Burray *, Stromness *, Stronsay, Walls and Flotta Price: AS4.00 each or * AS4.50, # AS5.00 (incl. p & p). Discounts 10% on 5-9 sets, 20% (m 10-24 sets. Agents: Aberdeen and North East Scotland Family History Society, Ontario Genealogical Society. Email: [email protected] Please make payment to:- DJS. Armstrong, P.O.Box 136, Maylands, Western Australia 6931.
18 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 three 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 ster- ling or its equivalent. If it is not possible to send pounds sterling, please check exchange rate. Receipts will be issued with the next magazine. Members residing in the United Kingdom 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 purchased 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 newslet- ter Sib Folk News is registered with the British Library under the serial number ISSN 1368-3950 General enquiries should be addressed to the office in writing or to [email protected] by email
Editor of Sib Folk News: Mr Gavin Rendall, 55 Plough Lane, Purley, Surrey, CR8 3QL email: [email protected]
N.B. The editor's email address has been changed but westroot @nildram.co.uk will remain until January 2001.
19 The OFHS Committee, August 2000 Back Row:- Frank Eunson, Betty Cameron, Ian Cameron, Helen Manson, Brigadier Sidney Robertson (Hon. President), Norma Craigie, Hazel Goar, Janice Sinclair, Theresa Moylan and Davina Brown. Front Row:- George Gray (Hon. Treasurer), Anne Cormack (Hon. Vice Chairperson), Nan Scott (Hon. Chairperson), and Helen Angus, (Hon. Secretary). Missing from this photograph:- Dave Higgins, Olaf Mooney and Gavin Rendall (Newsletter Editor)
Publishing Dates for SFN 16 News from the Society
December 2000 Issue Meeting on 12th October 2000 Talk by Nancy Scott on the Westray Last date for receipt of material Heritage Centre 13t h November 2000 The OFHS Dinner on 9th November Publishing date To be held in the restaurant of the 27th November 2000 Orkney College
SFN should be in post by mid December
20