NEWSLETTER OFSIBTHE ORKNEY FAMIFOLKLY HISTORY SOCIETY NEWSISSUE 31 SEPTEMBER 2004

CONTENTS Front Page Nan Scott 2 From the Chair 3 The 1997 Committee 4 Orkney’s Pirate 5 Ann’s Quest 6&7 Graemsay Visit 8&9 Brigadier S P Robertson presenting Nan with a bouquet at the AGM Vedder Part 2 10&11 Nan says farewell Wills & Testaments 12&13 A toon lad but not goodbye 14 Can you trace An appreciation by Frank Eunson, Member No 9 Robert Scollay Members will have noticed when they received committee continues to meet until the “Sib Folk News” - Issue no 30 in June 2004, inaugural meeting.Mrs Nan Scott agreed to 15 that the opening article :- “From the Chair” - chair these meetings, including the Tracing your signed “Nan” was to be the last such editorial inaugural meeting.” family tree by our first chairman, Nan Scott. Then, after a list of those agreeing to be Our society has been in existance for seven and nominated for office, there is the following 16 a half years but Nan predates even the society’s terse sentence :- The Adventure inauguration. A public meeting in Kirkwall “A chairman to succeed Nan Scott is to be was called by expatriate Orcadian Gavin actively sought” (! !) 17&18 Rendall in Autumn 1996 to see whether there So there we are, seven and a half years later, was enough interest in Orkney to form a local the committee has been active and has Just a minute family history society.From this meeting a found a successor for Nan! We must thank steering committee was formed including, as Nan for continuing to lead us and we must 19 Chairman - Nan Scott. Looking back in the apologise for really ignoring her occasionally- Whales and minutes of the first meeting of this committee, voiced wish to retire from the post. Your name in print held in Billy Cardno’s house in Finstown, one For seven years Nan has been the person in finds the following :- charge of leading the society into Paragraph 6 Nomination of Committee coordinating the written sources of Orkney 20 Members family history. Membership “After some discussion it was agreed that and subscriptions the present working party/steering Continued on Page4 2 NEWSLETTEROF THE ORKNEYFAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY

reached the pier waiting room where we sheltered until the boat came back for us. For those of you who missed the trip,Bryce has an article on page 6 where you can read about the interesting day we had. From the July is usually our chance to get a willing band of volunteers together to record the stones in one o our graveyards. This year we finished off the Finstown churchyard, on a chair lovely calm evening, a project started some time ago. This will be available in booklet s you can see from the front page we form fairly soon. regretfully said goodbye to our The next project will possibly be Burray— Afounding chairman at this years AGM next year,I think, as nights are suddenly as she has decided that it was time to retire. drawing in again. I would certainly like to thank her for her The Orkney Vintage Rally has become a encouragement and advice when I was regular fixture in our August calendar and ‘persuaded’ to take on the job as chairman. I again we were invited along to take part. certainly have a lot to live up to. Hopefully I Our lap top holds most of our census won’t be in the seat too long before I can material and this made it easy for us to persuade someone else to take on the task. show people how searches for property and The start of the year was quite difficult individuals worked. In addition to selling a with two of our members pointing out that fair number of census books we also enrolled our decisions at the committee meeting at a number of new members. the start of the year was unconstitutional Our September meeting is booked for the and had to be rectified at the AGM. I would Orkney College Lecture Room where Donna like to thank Hugh for his tactful and Heddle will give her talk “On the Border of dignified speech at the beginning of the this Massive Mound’. The October meeting meeting; only going to prove that his will be given over to the launch of James withdrawal from the office was more our loss Irving’s new book ‘Tracing your Orkney than his. ancestors’ and signed copies will be We have had a very busy summer in the available for purchase on the night. office with visitors from far and wide.A Hopefully a review of the book will appear large percentage joined ‘on the spot’ no in the next issue of SIB Folk News. The doubt encouraged by the help they received annual November dinner menu will be held from the office volunteers.Fiftyfive people on the second Thursday in November at a have joined since the AGM making it a very venue still to be decided. If any of members healthy society. from across the water are in Orkney at that Our annual summer outing to Graemsay time they will be welcome to join us. was a great success more so thanks to Bryce Now that Dave Higgins has recovered Wilson who shared his extensive knowledge from his 1100 mile walk from Lands End to on a walking tour round his native island. John O’ Groats he has turned his attention We started off in thick fog but by the time back to the web site and hopes to have more we stopped for lunch the mist had rolled information available to our members from away and the cliffs of Hoy towered over us. 1st October. l Fortunately the rain held off until we Anne Rendal

Continued from page 1 computers and to churn out rapid fire census Of course there has always been a tradition books (especially when the 1901 census of of folk knowledge being passed orally down the parishes became available). Members are the generations. There have also been family aware that the society has had the aim of trees, drawn to differing degrees of regular meetings so that we can be nearer complexity. Again, considerable amounts of than a newsletter, a phone call, snail mail, or information have been jotted by enthusiasts even e-mail contact to one another. (Is into notebooks or even on sheets of scrap someone thinking “what an old fashioned paper.Gavin was the strategist who had the idea” ?) Family history is about people and vision of a body to collect these disparate people meet and see one another and talk to scraps or bodies of information coinciding one another. Anyone who has not been able with the awakening worldwide interest of to attend a monthly get together won’t know people to connect with their roots. It has the buzz of conversation after a meeting as been left to resident Orcadians to be the members talk “family”. footsoldiers to man the office, to fire away at Continued on page 3 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEYFAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 3

Other notable THE 1997 COMMITTEE OF THE THEN NEWLYFORMED ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Back Row. Brig.S.P.Robertson, George R Gray, Gavin Rendall, Stephen Bichan, Frank Eunson, the late David Rendall, events of Billy Cardno.Front Row.The late Janice Sinclair, Helen Manson, Nan Scott, Norma Craigie, Helen Angus. 1997 Continued from Page 2 Jim Wallace had his Nan has always been a gracious In the society’s seven years we have been at fourth victory in the chairperson of these gatherings and has three addresses close to St Magnus Cathedral. Orkney and Shetland welcomed regulars and visitors alike. Our present one on the first floor of Orkney General Election and Committee meetings were often held in Library’s new building with a view across gained more votes than the Scott home and the hospitality , Tankerness House Gardens to the cathedral and the palaces is easily the most attractive all the other candidates especially the gingerbread and fatty cutties, put together. and, most convenient for location and facilities. was much appreciated by members. Two brothers were fined In obtaining each of our premises Nan played a Nan was shrewd in assessing people’s £90,000 each at considerable part as a link between the society gifts and how these could relate to the Kirkwall Sheriff Court and our landlord on each occasion - Orkney benefit of the society. She has always been a for egg stealing. This great encourager and generous in her praise. Islands Council. was later reduced to Behind the scene she was frequently making On committee Nan has served with four £6,000 and £4,000 phone contacts with people near and far in different vice-chairmen, two secretaries, three respectively. order that society meetings might go ahead research secretaries and three editors of Sib A former Kirkwall in an interesting manner, Folk News. Meanwhile the society has grown :- woman won nearly Nan has a number of interests outside 125 members at inauguration in 1997; £3,000,000 on the family history and through these the society 200 after one year; 400 at the end of our National Lottery. has become better known. This has led to third year; 500 at the dawn of this century Mastermind was invitations for speakers to address meetings in 2001; 600 one year later; 900 had joined by screened for the last of womans’ rural institutes, church womans’ the start of 2003 and finally, member 1000 time at St Magnus guilds and tourist organisations along with joining during that year. Cathedral. an invitation to provide a stall at the annual Not a bad campaign so far. Rovers FC won the rally of the Orkney Vintage Club. society.In We note in Nan’s swansong “from the Highland Amateur Cup, all these Nan has been a good ambassador Chair” in “SFN” no 30 that she was looking beating Contin 4 - 2 at for the society. forward to further travel in visiting Victoria Park, Dingwall. She has planned forays to more distant Shetland for a family history week. So it islands, using her island contacts to ensure seems that, instead of retiring from active successful viits, first to Rousay, then in duty, Nan may be engaged in campaigns succeeding years to Westray (naturally, for a further afield. Whatever she does we all native Auk), to Shapinsay, Hoy, Stronsay, would like to thank her for her attention to and lately even the small islands of Papay duty over seven years of service and we wish and Graemsay where mini invasions of her many years of interest in people in OFHS members and friends might have Orkney and of people with Orcadian outnumbered the resident population. connections. Thank you, Nan. 4 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY

Orkney’s own Pirate Gow hen Margaret Calder presented her a local girl Helen Gordon at a ceremony at husband William Gow with a the Stone of Odin at Stenness. Wbouncing baby boy in 1697 little did Authorities alerted they think that 28 years later he would still While the George lay at anchor another ship be bouncing— at the end of a rope. sailed into the bay and her skipper realised John Gow’s association with Orkney began that the George was in fact the Caroline. It was at the age of twelve when his father moved the beginning of the end— some of the crew of across the Pentland Firth. Records show the George deserted and revealed the true that in order to secure ‘freedom to trade’ purpose of Gow’s visit. In addition they had Gow senior was ‘admitted a Burgess and taken the ship’s longboat and this was to prove Guild Brother’ of the Royal Burgh of significant in a few days time. The authorities Kirkwall in 1710. had now been alerted and Gow was forced to Stromness flee but not before he had sacked the mansion Did you A house was duly commissioned to be built of Sheriff Honeyman near Stromness opposite know? in the relatively new town of Stromness on a Stromness. site opposite the east side of the harbour at Eday Lt George Stewart, an the Whitehouse Rocks, a point near the The George now sailed north making Orcadian, served inner of the two holms that help protect for Eday where Gow intended to rob his aboard Captain Bligh’s Stromness Bay. old schoolfriend James Fea. HMS Bounty. When the Ran away to sea Unfortunately for Gow the ship crew mutineed Bligh It was in these comfortable surroundings was set adrift in an grounded on the Calf of Eday directly that John Gow was educated and began his open boat with 18 of opposite Fea’s mansion. seafaring career. Life in Stromness soon his crewmen. If the ship’s longboat had not been The mutineers kept proved to be too tame for young Gow and no stolen earler it might have been possible Stewart in their boat doubt with his imagination fired by tales to free the vessel. Without this there was and abandoned him on told by the many seafarers who visited little chance of freeing the George and Tahiti. Orkney he ‘ran away to sea’. Gow then had the audacity to contact When the Royal Navy Mutiny James Fea for assistance. ship Pandora called at The experience he had gained working on Out manoeuvered Tahiti, Stewart swam his father’s sailing sloops now paid off and in Fea however was not taken in and he out to her and despite 1724 he joined the Caroline in Amsterdam eventually out-manoeuvered Gow who his innocence in the as gunner and second mate. was captured along with the remainder mutiny he was In November of that year however things of his crew. The were taken to London arrested. started to go wrong and while in the and after a cursory trial Gow and seven HMS Pandora was Mediterranean Gow led a mutiny in which of the crew were hanged at Execution wrecked on her way the Captain and officers were murdered. Dock. The bodies of Gow and one of the back to England and Gow then took command and turned seven were tarred and hung in chains as Stewart was drowned. pirate. He renemed the vessel Revenge and a warning to would be pirates. began attacking shipping in the Atlantic off And what of Miss Gordon? Such was the Spain, Portugal and France. power of the promise made at the Stone of Course set for Orkney Odin that it could only be broken by the The booty was slim and with supplies lovers touching hands or by a ritual running low Gow abandoned his plans to performed at the church in Stenness. sail to the Americas. The Revenge now Helen Gordon travelled to London to touch became the George and a course was set for the dead hand of her lover to release her Orkney where Gow intended to rob the from the vow. houses of the gentry. Gow’s Folly Word of their exploits had not yet reached the Visitors to Kirkwall can still see a islands and when the ship anchored off curious structure known as Gow’s folly or Stromness so his crew enjoyed the hospitality of the Groattie House said to be constructed the town. Gow even got himself betrothed to from the ballast stones from Gow’s vessel. NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 5 Ann’s Cree–dentials makes interesting

In May of this year, Ann reading Lyford, member No515 forwarded this article for Ann and Adrianne, the OFHS Research Secretary, hot the newsletter. She also on the trail of the Lennies on Ann’s recent visit.. mentioned that she would be visiting Orkney for and family stories and hearing about our visits to would try to come in and Orkney.We learned a lot about our different see our new offices. We were delighted when worlds and in a short time we felt we had known ne day in February 2001 while on the she and her husband each other for ever. Internet, I came across by chance a called and she lost no time We then took several internal flights and made in continuing her website with a name search facility. I O our way to Tulita, on the banks of the Mackenzie investigations into the entered the names of a few relatives and Lennie connection with River, in the Northwest Territories. This is a amazingly two of the names were found. I Orkney. followed the trail and discovered that two small community of about 400 people, with no Here is Ann’s tale of her relatives, Orkney brothers William Lennie road access.We flew into Norman Wells, 50 miles own research into her up river from Tulita, and met Angus Lennie and Orcadian background and (born1833 Stromness Orkney) and John Lennie what an interesting tale it (born 1845 Stromness Orkney) were both on page many other members of his family who had come turned out to be. 415 of a site called ‘Titamegs Children’ as to welcome us. After a family meal Angus took us descendants of Andrew Lennie. The Orkney by boat down the Mackenzie River to Tulita. We Islands were named and I wondered if these two spent 4 days meeting lots of the Lennie family boys could be my lost family members. members from Tulita and also some that came by ENORMOUS FAMILY boat from further north bringing with them I emailed Serena Willis, who compiled the freshly caught trout, for the evening’s family cook website in Canada, and we confirmed the out in the garden. It was another massive connection between our families.My lost relatives learning experience on both sides and we shared John and William Lennie had both married stories and recorded our visit with photos.We Canadian women and joined this enormous stayed in Angus’ log cabin and followed his family descended from a woman called Titameg, instructions about avoiding bears outside.Again which is Cree Indian name and means Whitefish our family bonds were evident as we said our in English. Titameg was born in 1755 in a place farewells at the airport. John Lennie who was born on the 5th called York Factory, Canada and died after 1863. RESEARCH CD About 1770 she married John Favell who was As we said goodbye to Serena she gave me a February 1845 in born in Southwark, England in 1740. He died in copy of her research on CD which is called Stromness 1784 in Fort Albany, Canada. When he married ‘Titamegs Children’. There are many names on Titameg he was second in command for the the disc including Leask, Anderson, Isbister and Hudson Bay Company at Moose Factory, Canada. Spence. Unfortunately it is no longer available on As the information was on the Internet at the the net but Serena has asked me to present this time, I spent hours looking through its many copy to the OFHS as a gift from her in the hope pages and traced the lines of William lennie, who that it will help other members researching their Serena Willis is related to, and John Lennie. Orcadian ancestors. In 2002, in response to reading a message I had Serena told us that she had read a National posted on an Orcadian message board I received Geographic article called ‘‘Strings across the Sky. an e-mail from Angus Lennie who we confirmed, about Metis fiddlers visiting Orkney. The article was descended from my John Lennie.I kept in Serena Willis touch with Serena and Angus after our first talked about the Metis people in Orkney. “I sure contact and in August 2003 I travelled to would like to get in touch with some of them” she northern Canada with my family to first visit told me. One of Serena’s lines back in Orkney is Serena Willis in Whitehorse,Yukon, then Angus from Thomas Anderson and Eupham Loutit, both Lennie in Tulita, Northern Territories.We spent 6 born in Orkney, who married in 1741 at days with Serena and her family going up Knockhall, Stenness, Orkney. Serena would also mountains, walking along the banks of the Yukon like to make contact with any descendants of this River and exploring the surrounding area. It was line. wonderful to listen to her stories of the Metis, her Any member who can help can contact Serena Indian heritage and family. She enjoyed our by e-mail. [email protected] 6 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY The day we doubled the population of Graemsay BRYCE WILSON tells of the fine outing we had to Graemsay The island of Graemsay how has some two deserted croft of Flaghill, where the smell of dozen inhabitants. In 1841 120 were regis- grasses and the numerous wild flowers and tered in the census, and numbers would the calling of many birds cast a spell of peak around 160 years later in the 19th cen- peace and tranquillity that continued tury. Situated in Hoy Sound within sight of throughout the day. On then past the ruins the international shipping which frequented of Dean, home of the spirited Sinclair lass neighbouring Stromness in the days of sail, who struck a member of the naval press a great many Graemsaymen made their liv- gang with an oar, seriously damaging his ing at sea, leaving the crofts to be tended by arm and allowing some Graemsaymen to For our readers their families. (It is recorded that in the escape in their boat (Around the Orkney who may not early 19th century their humble homes were Peat-Fires, p.259). be familiar with comparatively well furnished, and the high A bit farther on the good folk of Graemsay Graemsay rents set by the laird made a better proposi- had opened the former school, where sand- tion than clearing the island for sheep!) wiches were produced from pockets and Graemsay is that green On a morning of thick mist with a cool bags, and comfortable seats and a kettle now and pleasant place that sou’east breeze 24 members, accompanied by provided a rest and a cup of tea. Here in the lies between Stromness 4 visitors from Edinburgh and 1 from the old school the Graemsay folk hold communi- and Hoy. It is separated USA (friends of the writer who led this tour ty meetings, and church services are taken from Stromness by Hoy of his ancestral island), set out at 9.30 from every month by the minister of Graemsay Sound and from Hoy by Stromness on the Graemsay ferry. The boat and Stromness.(For centuries the island Burra Sound at the west- called first at the pier under the fog-bound was served by the minister of Hoy, who boat- ern approach to Scapa hills of Hoy, then went on to the east side of ed to the Kirk Noust beside the old kirk on Flow. There are two light- Graemsay where the party landed to explore the shore— now a refuge for hay bales. The houses—Hoy High and one of Orkney’s hidden places. Graemsay manse was built by the communi- Hoy Low—built in the There were hints of the mist clearing as the ty early in the 20th century and was lived in mid eighteenhundreds to party followed the shore road, past for some 50 years by a succession of Church protect shipping from the Skarataing, where in 1893 Mary Sinclair of Scotland lay missionaries.) Bow Rock of Hoy Sound was married to George Ritch—a traditional We emerged from the school to warm sun- and the Kirk Rocks west wedding lasting several days where the shine, the steeps of nearby Hoy revealed in of Stromness. During the oaten cake was broken over the bride’s head, all their glory. The road now ran above the second world war a twin and several more romances blossomed; up southern slopes of the island (which rises to 6 pounder battery was then to Windbreck, and down the road some 200 feet). A crown of curious stirks located at Hoy Low in retreated when we opened the field gate and 1943. The concrete towards the farm of Sandside (formerly made our way down to the remains of two installations are still in known as the Bu' of Sandisend). The large historic farmsteads, Upper and Lower place. Graemsay is an house there had been built c. 1880 by the Corrigal, better known in Graemsay as the ideal island for a leisurely laird of Hoy and Graemsay, Moodie Heddle Etherhoose and the Netherhoose. stroll and not too taxing. of Melsetter, for the brothers Sam and Alex A favourite spot is the Sutherland—each of whom had twelve chil- At the Netherhoose was born James Sinclair, Bay of Sandside, a beau- dren. Nearby we saw the misty outline of whose adventures in Samoa and the Australian tiful spot to enjoy a pic- Stevenson’s Hoy Sound High Lighthouse (lit goldfields, gleaned from a store of letters res- nic. There is a regular 1851), known in Graemsay as the East cued here, and now stored in the Orkney ferry service from Light, which is lined up by shipping with Archives, are recounted by Frank Foden in Stromness which also Hoy Sound Low (the West Light) to provide CONNECTIONS Orkney and Australia, pub- serves Moaness in Hoy. safe passage to Stromness harbour. The lished by Herald Publications in 1992. Lighthouse Commissioners built Graemsay’s Battling the nettles of the Netherhoose, the first road, linking the two lighthouses. party explored the remains of the remark- Passing the dunes of Sandside Bay and then able winding flag-roofed passage, reminis- leaving the Lighthouse Road to cross the cent of Skarabrae, which connected with island we passed the former manse and the byre and dwelling. NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 7

Back on the road, we wandered past some Harvest Home dances held here with fiddle fine red kye to Ramray, birthplace of Harry and accordion. Mowat, time served joiner and missionary in It was now time for a leisurely walk towards Calabar, who spent his last years here in a little the pier to catch the ferry which was scheduled corrugated iron house which he built himself, for 4 o’clock. The party paused again at the farm giving it the Nigerian name Oban Elu. On past of Sandside to view the probable remains of the Windywaas and Quoynanap we arrived back at Ha’hoose (now a ruinous byre) of the Stewart the Lighthouse Road which now branched off to family who owned Graemsay during the late descend for half-a-mile to Hoy Low lighthouse. 16th and most of the 17th century.(James With the kind promise from Graemsay resident Stewart was an illegitimate son of Earl Robert Bobby Mathieson of a lift back up for anyone Stewart. Having fallen out with his mother-in- who required it, the party set off down the road, law, he is famously remembered as having enjoying a magnificent view of the Cuilags and dragged her behind his boat. The Graemsay the Kame, the Black Craig and Stromness estate included the Holms of Cairston, Parish.At the lighthouse with its Egyptian style Clestrain, the Bu’ of Orphir, the Barrel of Butter, dwellings, both Robert Louis Stevenson (famed the Mill of Kirbister and some quoys in Ireland author and son of the lighthouse engineer) and in the parish of Stenness.) The island then Lady Jane Franklin (wife of the missing arctic passed through the Grahams (hence ‘Graemsay’ explorer) inscribed their names in the visitors' rather than the original Norse ‘Grimsey’, to the book, now displayed in the stromness Museum. Honeyman family, who lived in the Hall of Beside the lighthouse are the lookout tower and Clestrain. Later owners of the island included gun emplacement which guarded Hoy Sound Captain William Balfour of Trenabie, and the during the second world war. Moodie and Heddles of Melsetter. the island The party now sat in the warm sun by the estate was split up and became owner occupied west shore, above the stoney beach where still during the late 20th century. can be found the remains of the cargo of the Beside the ruinous former Ha’hoose is the ship ALBION. Bound from Liverpool to New Lighthouse Pier, built before the lighthouses to York with German immigrants, she was blown allow the landing of building materials. off course by storms and with her sails in tat- Demonstrating the skill and perfection of the ters was wrecked below Hoy Low on 1st Stevenson family, it rises like a stone wave January 1866. Ten were lost, including one from the sloping rocks of Sandside Bay, its cob- Graemsay man attempting rescue (the follow- bling undamaged after more than 150 years of ing year,Orkney’s first lifeboat was established surging seas. The blocks of freestone which line at Stromness). Fragments of china and brick its northern docking side are held firmly in from the ship’s cargo can still be found on the place by granite keys. beach. Beyond the Lighthouse pier towards the east is Rested and refreshed, the party wandered a rare stretch of coral sand, fed by a nearby reef. back up the road and commenced the gradual Here there are shells in profusion, and the party descent to the sands of Sandside, past Breckan, indulged in the time honoured occupation of hunt- Fillets,Western Horn, Garson and Quoys. ing for groattie buckies (the small cowries which Some paused to be photographed at bring with them a measure of good luck and are the red telephone box which stands like hoarded in jars in many Orkney homes). With Dr Who’s Tardis in the centre of the ferry time approaching, some then set off on the island. Again the islanders kindly road to the pier, but the more intrepid followed the opened the door of the community hall shore—and some tricky rock manoeuvres—to as a rest stop. The pine lined corrugated reach the pier in time for the ferry.To complete a iron building which dates from the happy day a splendid meal awaited in Stromness 1930s reminded some of the lively at the Royal Hotel. Finstown Kirkyard Reading the stones recording completed Gravestones provide Smiles all round from the team who, in mid a wealth of July, finished recording the inscriptions at the genealogical clues. new kirkyard in Finstown OFHS has docu- This means that all the stones in both the old mented a number of and new sections of the kirkyard have now Orcadian graveyards been completed and a booklet will soon be avail- and booklets of the able–more news in the next newsletter. inscriptions are The photograph shows from left to right; available. See Page Tommy Robertson,Hazel Goar,Betty Cameron, 15 for more infor- Mimes Manson, Gillian Mooney, Bill Irvine, mation. Anne Rendall and Ian Cameron.Missing from the picture is team member Helen Angus. 8 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY “Ah bit thoo his anither ane that should be at Isabella as a teenager. The old schoolhouse Tankerness where Isabella spent her early years. the school” Our thanks to Sheila Fleet for the use of this photograph By Isabella Thomlinson Muir

In 1942 Isabella EARLY RECOLLECTIONS “fancy” biscuit from Mrs Smith of Cockleha’. Thomlinson Muir (nee´ It was about that time too that a school of Donaldson) put pen to eing the youngest of a family of whales came into Inganess Bay, and I have a paper to record the seven, I have always thought of my “good old days” at the parents as being old. My mother dim recollection of the excitement one fine farm of Vedder in would have been thirty-six and my summer evening when father went Tankerness,Orkney. B awhaling. father thirty-eight when I was born. It is a fascinating The first thing I can remember was the My second accident was when I tried to insight of her life in building of the “new house.” We then lived in stand on the handle of the kettle with the Orkney up to the time what was always spoken of as the “old result that I overturned it and burned my that Isabella house” but I have no recollection of having leg. At that time the fire was on the hearth Thomlinson became and it was many years later that we had a Mrs T Muir in the lived in it and no remembrance of the actual building of the new house, only of its being stove built in. Certainly the fire on the Parish Church of St. hearth was more cheerful than the big black Andrews,Orkney on partly built and of a huge heap of lime on stove, although the latter was more the 19th day of what was afterwards the floor of our August 1918. kitchen. My mother would not believe me convenient from a cook’s point of view. And if any reader is when I told her in later years that I SCHOOL able to add to the remembered when the new house was built, There came a day in the spring of 1892, a reminiscences we will for I was then only two years old, but when I beautiful spring morning. My mother had be delighted to hear told her about the heap of lime on the floor, been putting out the cows and I was with from you... she had to admit I was right. her when James Louttit came to the house. In this issue of the Previous to this my Uncle William had paid Jamie was the School Board Officer, a tall newsletter we man with a long beard. In after years I continue with the for the building of a two-roomed house for second part of my grandmother and the new house of three associated his appearance with that of Rip Isabella’s tale rooms was built on to the end of it. After my Van Winkle! When my mother saw him she grandmother died, a door was taken out asked him what he was wanting, as the between the two houses so that we had a bairns (my twin brothers) were at school. fair-sized dwelling house—bigger than any “Ah bit thoo his anither ane that should be of the houses the Laird allowed tenants of at school” he said. I can see my mother make farms the size of Vedder. a sweeping gesture with her hand in my Between the ages of two and five years,I direction and say unbelievingly, almost remember only snatches, particularly of my jocularly “Surely thoo’re no efter that?” That grandmother and her spinning wheel. (We was just what he was after. He had my name all called our grandmother Mama, and and age on a slip of paper and requested father’s mother we called Mama of that I should be sent to school the following Greenock). Of my parents and brothers and week. (I believe I was very diminutive as a sisters I have only a misty recollection child. I walked at the age of nine months, during that time. and Jimmie Oddie told me in after years I had two accidents before I reached the age that he never saw such a small thing of five. Firstly, when my sister Maggie was runnin’; he was frightened I would go down swinging me by the hands and let one hand a moosehole. Going to school was to me like go, with the result that the wrist was badly going into the great unknown, and not a strained. Of the accident itself I have no pleasant unknown either I don’t think I remembrance, only of some time afterwards have ever been away from my mother before, being carried by my mother and receiving a and seldom from the house at all NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 9 Continued from page 8 school herding her father’s cattle.I waited We usually took the short cut past Burnside until the school dispersed in the afternoon, instead of keeping to the public road. Later I and then I went home, but did not mention loved the road to school but not at first. My that I had played truant all day. The next sister Maggie carried me to school on her time I played truant (I think I only did it back my first day, but after that I went with twice) I spent part of the time near my brothers. But they were not always at Burnside, and Emma Garrioch, who was the school. Attendance did not matter so much maid at that farm, came and spoke to me in these days and, if there was a special job and gave me a piece. Alas! She told Johnnie of work to be done, my brothers were often of my depravation and that afternoon he ran kept at home to help. home with the news. “Give her a good leath- Johnnie went to Burnside to herd the cattle ering Mona” he said (we called my mother during the summer months. There were no Mona) “she’s been playing truant.” I did not barbed wire fences in those days—nasty get the leathering Johnnie thought I things that tear your clothes and scratch deserved, but I think my mother saw to it your hands if you are not careful, and even if afterwards that I was always in time for you are careful. The cattle were either school. tethered or herded. I was guilty of one other delinquency when I So there were days when I had to go to first started school. school alone. That was an ordeal I never It so happened that the new books for the spoke about, but it was nevertheless a infants had not come to hand so that we sat greatordeal to me.I was afraid of the big for a week without a book and no lessons were boys and girls and terrified of Mr Taylor (the asked of me.When at the end of a week I maister) and even of Miss Garrioch, the received my little book and was asked to read Assistant Teacher. I refused to do so.I did not show any bad temper or tantrums; I simply remained dumb. I did not tell this at home either, and every night my mother heard me read my lesson, but still I did not open my mouth at school. The Miss Garrioch sent my mother a letter acquainting her of my peculiar disobedience. Miss Garrioch even consulted the Minister’s wife about such a hitherto unheard of case, and Mrs Cheyne had declared that I would never speak. A few days later, however, much to Miss Garrioch’s surprise,I read my lessons quite naturally, and so ended my three weeks’ silence. One other fear possessed me during my In our next school days. It waswith me in my dreams by newsletter Isabella night as much as it was in my thoughts by invites you to meet An old school desk of the early nineteen hundreds.Lying on the seat is the day. My father had an old black mare, the old folks—lots slate children used for writing and this was still being used in the late Maggie, a bad tempered beast, quick of hoof of interesting thirties. From the collection of Mr Harold Esson. and tooth, and of this mare I lived in dread. names that will Whether I dawdled on the road when I went by Very often when I came home from school, surely strike a myself or did my mother not send me off early our folks would be at their tea, and father, if chord with many of our readers; enough, I do not know, but there were some days he had been carting or doing other jobs with Eunson, when I was late, and the thought of going into Maggioe the mare, would leave her Donaldson, Dishan, school late was just too much for me. The “big untethered near the house. When I came Miller, Allan door” as we called the outer door of the school was over the Hill Slap and saw Maggie the mare Chalmers, Cooper. always shut when the schol-ars went in and to me between me and the house,I immediately Read about the old there was something terribly final about the began to say my prayers! I do not know if my folks and the family shutting of that door. faith in my prayers was stronger than my in our Christmas I recall one morning when I was only a short fear, but my fear of that beast was a Newsletter. distance from the school the “maister” blew nightmare. Even after I got over the childish the whistle, the children flocked in, and the fear,I would dream of being chased by her big door was shut.I simply could not face and something always held me back, just as going to that door, so I wended my way back I gained the garden gate and safety, and I and most of the day I spent with Maggie would waken with the glad relief that it was Eunson of Whitecleat, who was home from only a dream. 10 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY

Two recent developments make it timely to -Research Tools (free). These pages are excellent: review Orkney’s records of wills and those on “Document types” (the first “FAQ”), testaments. “Handwriting”, “Unusual Words” and First, some definitions are necessary: “Abbreviations” are particularly useful. - Will, legacy or settlement: Made before - Search facilities (free). These access a huge data-base of Registers of testaments.2 Two death. search facilities are provided. After entering -Inventory: Executors’ valuation of the Forename and Surname of the deceased, deceased’s “movable” assets (i.e. other the basic search (“Go”) accesses all the than land & buildings), including debts Scottish testamentary Registers. The owed & owing. “Search Results” can be sorted by name or Court confirmation, after the death of a date, and give the occupation, place of testate person, of their will and residence, spouse (if a widow), date of the appointment of executors, the inventory, registration, whether testate or intestate (if any duty payable, and appointing post 1875), the relevant source collection cautioner(s) (guarantor(s)). and, under “More Info.”, the reference of the -Testament dative: Court appointment, individual source document. However such after the death of an intestate person, of basic searches are likely to include many executors, and confirmation of inventory irrelevant entries, and to omit many and cautioners. potentially relevant entries. This is because -Confirmation: 19th century equivalent of it is critical that the spelling you enter testament. matches exactly to the data-base spelling -Warrants: Individual documents, as (which may not be as you would expect). A above. more productive tactic is to select the -Registers of Wills, Settlements, “Advanced Search”, enter a “root” surname, Testaments, Inventories, and Confirmations: Volumes into which disable “Exact Match” (so searches seek surnames “containing” the spelling entered3), individual Warrants were transcribed. leave “Forename” and “Description” blank, Very few Orcadians left a will, as this and then conduct a search in one of the involved expense, and until 1868 scottish three collections of Orcadian testamentary law governed the inheritance of heritable Registers: land and buildings. However a testament Date range of dative was often completed if the COURT Registers of “moveables” (other property) of even a poor Registrations deceased person were in dispute, and so Orkney & Shetland Testaments 1611-1689 these were relatively common. Commissary Court (various) 1805-18324 Until recently the indexing of Orkney’s Kirkwall Sheriff Court Inventories & 1831-1901 testamentary records and access thereto Settlements has been limited.1 But two websites have changed this: Kirkwall Sheriff Court Confirmations 1824-19015 1. The Scottish Documents website, with: - free explanatory pages; When the date ranges overlap it is worth - free indexes to testamentary Registers; searching in both (or all three) collections in and turn. Note that while the interval between - pay-to-view images of pages therefrom. the appointment of executors and the 2. “Members only” pages of OFHS completion of registration was usually short website: (from the same day to a few weeks), the - free index of testamentary Warrants. interval between death and the appointment of executors could be a long time - there is (1) The www.Scottish Documents.com web- one extreme example of 39 years! site was established in 2002 by SCAN, the Scottish Archive Network, a partnership - Images of original Registers (£5 per that includes the National Archives of testament). After a particular testament has Scotland and the Orkney Archive. It is been selected, a credit card payment enables currently being updated to enable on-line the on-line downloading of digital colour access to all the surviving Registers of images of the relevant pages of the original nearly 4,000 Orcadian Testaments, Register. This procedure is tricky (although Inventories and Confirmations between the “FAQs” help), but the resulting quality is 1611 and 1901. The website is of high excellent. quality, but alas its use and content are Confusingly the date of registration of each complex. It comprises three features: testament does not appear within the NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 11 individual entries in the Registers, but Once the text of a testament (typically one instead above the registrations the first to five pages long) has been obtained, as entry for the day concerned, and so may not either the digital image of a register entry be in the digital image. or as the photocopy of an original warrant, deciphering its text and understanding the (2) The new “members only” pages of the details poses further problems. www.OrkneyFHS.co.uk website include a simple alphabetical index of nearly 2,000 Awareness of the basic content of a typical testamentary Warrants of Orcadians dating testament will help. This was: between 1527 and 1930 that I have been -An introductory clause identifying the able to find in the Orkney Archive, the 6 deceased, his place of residence, National Archives of Scotland and The occupation, date of death and his National Archives,Kew (formerly the Public 7 executors (usually members of the Record Office) over the past few years.My immediate family, but not the eldest son index includes slightly more detail than the if he has inherited land) and the date of SCAN indexes (for example I include the their appointment. date of death, where given), but to obtain - An inventory listing the deceased’s the full text of any warrant involves movable assets, debts owed and owing, sighting the original at the archive net value, and quot (the court’s handling concerned, or ordering a copy therefrom. charge, if any). - How the estate was to be divided: A significant proportion of these Warrants, typically into two or three parts - one to perhaps a third, were subsequently copied the widow, one to be divided amongst the into Registers, but even when this occurred bairns, and one to the deceased’s wishes; the text of the Register was subject to minor - The date and transcript of the copying errors and so the Warrant may be deceased’s will, legacy, settlement or more accurate. disposition, if any, made before death, or reference to previous registration thereof. In addition to the above indexes, the Orkney -A confirmation clause by the commissar or Archive has two data-bases of testamentary sheriff substitute or his deputy, confirming the Registers (to 1980) and Warrants (to 1970), executors’ administration of the estate, though their contents are now “captured” by appointing a cautioner (often a close relative), the two websites up to 1901 and 1930 and adding the date of confirmation if different respectively. from that of registration. Readers will thus recognise that even if the date of death of an ancestor is known, Scottish Documents’ “Research Tools” will resolve determining whether and where their many of the detailed problems of deciphering the testament survives is still difficult. script and understanding the meanings of The following table may help: unfamiliar words and phrases.

INDEX www.ScottishDocuments.com OA OA www.OFHS Approximate Date Ork. Com’y KIRKWALL SHERIFF COURT Micellaneous date of of Court Wills & Inv’s Confirmations Wills & Inv’s Testaments Tests & Inv’s Death registration Registers Registers Registers Registers Warrants Warrants 1500-1572 ------YES 1573-1689 1614-1689 YES - - - SOMEYES Did you know 1689-1800 - - - - - SOMEYES 1800-1832 1804-1832 YES - - - SOMEYES that the ‘world’s worst 1815-1901 1824/31-1901 - YES YES5 YES SOMEYES poet’ William Topaz 1895-1930 1902-1930 - - - YES SOMEYES McGonigall, went to 1925-1980 1931-1980 - - - YES SOME - school in South Ronaldsay and lived for SOURCE REFERENCE: NAS CC17/2 OA SC11/38 OA SC11/41 OA SC11/38 OA SC11/5 VARIOUS many years with his elder APPROX. No. of entries: 2,400 1,497 c.1,300? 11,500 333 1,900 brother Thomas near St 1 Besides the original records and the two databases of Orkney Archive mentioned in this article, off-line access Margaret’s Hope. includes three microfilms of testaments registered 1611-1684 (available at Family History Centers of the His unscanned doggerel Church of the Latter-day Saints) and two publications of the Scottish Record Society: “The Commissariot reflected current events of Record of Orkney and Shetland” by FJ Grant, 1904 (alphabetical index of the 1611-84 testaments), and the day and his Tay Bridge “Orkney Testaments and Inventories 1573-1615” by RS Barclay, 1977 (abstracts and a few transcripts for Disaster would, as they deaths between these dates, plus some excellent background comments). say, bring tears to a glass 2 Also confusingly called “Wills” by ScottishDocuments, even though wills appear in less than 1% of the Register entries. eye–in more ways that 3 For example,entering “Irvin” and disabling “Exact match”finds “Irvine”,“Irving” and “Irvingson”, but not “Ervin”. one. Nevertheless 4 No Orcadian testamentary Registers have survived between 1689 and 1804,although some warrants have survived. McGonigall fans recite his works with enthusiasm 5 At the time of writing, index and images only until 1843, but extension to 1901 should be on-line in September 2004. Hopefully by then ScottishDocuments will be calling these Registers “Confirmations” rather than “Inventories” 6 I have also included a few entries of Orcadians in NAS CC8/8, the Registers (not warrants) of the Commissariot Court of Edinburgh, but I have not searched these Registers thoroughly. 7 From TNA PROB11, indexed on www.documentsonline.pro.gov.uk and clicking “Search the Wills”, then “Orkney. 12 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY A young toon lad on an island

Young Earnie Wishart, croft aged 14 at Maltbarn, Eday.

Marion Mavleod, Member N0 58, reminisces about her father’s life as a young Kirkwall lad who suddenly found himself the ‘man of the house’ in a croft on the island of Eday.

t the age of 14 my father, Earnest “Well I don’t see any calf here” (Ernie) George Wishart, was sent My father knew nothing about farming, but Afrom Kirkwall, where he lived with soon learned that if one did not do so one his parents and siblings, to the island of starved. One of the cows was due to calf and Eday to help his grandmother, Margaret although he new the cow had to be served by (Maggie) Harcus (nee Paterson and widow of the bull but, for how long before the calf was William Harcus) run the small croft of born he had no idea. Granny was consulted Maltbarn in the south of the island as his and when he thought the time was right she grandmother could no longer cope on her sent father to get the neighbour to help. own. He was there from 1934 to 1937. On Father watched in amazement as the this croft of 20 acres lived his Granny neighbour put his hand up inside the cow (maggie Harcus aged 79), her sister (Jemima and told them that the calf was the wrong Paterson known as Mimie, aged 71) and his way. Father went to the cow’s head, looked in Grandad’s sister (Jane Harcus known as its mouth and anounced “Well I don’t see Did you know Jeannie, aged 85). any calf here.” The calf was eventually My father’s grandparents and his grandaunt turned and born foot first and father was that a blind farmer from had originally lived in the north part of teased for a long time over this. Shetland had his sight Eday at West Cott, where great grandfather, A typical working day miraculously restored William Harcus, had been a fisherman and Father’s first job on rising was to rake out after a vigil at the St. crofter. After three of his or her relations the peat fire which had never bee let out Magnus Shrine in Birsay were drowned in a fishing boat accident, since it had been lit 28 years previously.He about 1117. Maggie forbade William to go fishing. (If any made sure the black cast iron kettle hanging This so impressed him reader knows anything about this incident I on a chain was full of water before going to that when the Saint’s would be pleased to hear from them). They feed the horse, the cattle, milk the cow, relics were moved from looked around for a croft on Eday but could attend to the dog and cats, let the hens out Birsay to St Olafs in not find one. The only one available was on and collect the eggs. By this time the kettle Kirkwall he again held a the island of Sanday and they were about to was boiling so it was back to the house to vigil after which his son make the move when Maggie told the local give Granny breakfast in bed. Next he was cured of leprosy. minister of their difficulties.He in turn collected the cream from the milk and this In view of the uncertainty spoke to the local Laird. The result was the would eventually be made into butter. Next which surrounds the offer of the croft of Maltbarn provided they NHS in our islands this he fed the hens and made sure therewas built a house on it. Grandfather was sent to gem of knowledge might water in their three- toed pots. The pig had prove very useful in the negotiate with the Flaws family who lived in now to be fed, and the byre, stable and future. the barn, the only building on the croft and henhouses cleaned out. The sheep wer then everything must have been concluded checked and the ducks let out by about satisfactorily because eventually Grand- 10.30. If you let them out earlier than this father, with the help of two neighbours, they laid their eggs outside in all sorts of quarried the stone and built the house of odd places, The ducks then went along the Maltbarn. shore and into the field to forage and father Grandfather’s sister Jeannie who looked after went out with the horse and cart to collect herself now lived in the steading cum barn turnips and come back home to thrash some previously occupied by the Flaws family.She was oats with flail or windmill. He then fanned separated from the barn section by old sacks hung the oats and sacked some up for next year’s over struts and had a box bed. She cooked over an seed and gave the rest to the hens. open hearthed fire and traded eggs for food. Dinner was at 12.30, after which he fed the NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 13 animals and groomed the horse. If it was the ploughing season he got on his bike and about a half mile to a neighbour for his horse to team up with the Maltbarn’s horse. He finished for the afternoon at 5pm the went back with the neighbour’s horse, fed him, then back home on his bike and fed his own horse. If the weather was bad, he spent the afternoon in the barn winding simmons which were used for thatching the buildings and tying down stacks in the stackyard. the thatching was done every two years. Teatime was at 6pm, then he carried eight buckets of water from the well for the cattle, Ernie and his grandmother Margaret (Maggie) horse, household and washing. The well was Paterson, widow of William Harcus. about 100 yards from the house but uphill and my father reckoned this water could on the grass and opened up. The old chaff have run down to the house. He suggested to was set on fire and the cover washed and his Granny that they could have a pipe from dried and refilled for the same night. the well to the house and thus have water on Granny used to officiate at the burning.My tap. Her reply was “who would pay for the father asked her why and her reply was that pipe and tap” and “what would you be doing she wanted to hear if it cracked when with the time you used to spend carrying the burning. He was puzzled at this until she water.” Some logic?? said that if it did not crack when burning it The Sabbath was OK, but that if it did it meant there The cows in the byre were fed on turnips, were bugs such as fleas, etc bursting with which had to be roughly chopped up before the heat. feeding to them. On Sundays he was not The Football Match allowed to chop the turnips up, it being the Whilst my father was in Eday a football Sabbath when no work was done and he had match was arranged between the islands of to feed them whole to the cows. they often Eday and Sanday. this meant that those who choked trying to eat them and he had to use lived in the south and west end of Eday had a long stick down their throats to unchoke to get on their bikes and go to Calfsound slip them. for 5pm where Willie Groat, the postman, There was no radio at Maltbarn and the only took them over to the island of Sanday in his music was an old gramophone with three open boat. this boat was the one he used for records (all hymns) until my father bought going alongside the steamer in the bay, as another with a song “Danny Boy” on one side there was no pier for the boat. After landing and one of Harry Lauder’s songs on the on the shore at the west side of Sanday they other side. He was not allowed to play were transported to the playing field where Harry’s song on a Sunday but was allowed there were 11 players plus a few supporters. Danny Boy and all the hymns.On Sunday, At the finish of the match, which Eday lost and this was rigidly adhered to, one did not 4-1, they were taken to Sanday pier where In our clean out the byres or stables or do any jobs they landed in the pub and had a few drinks. next issue More the worse for drink96 they arrived that could be kept till Monday, although they Marion continues back at west Sanday where Willie Groat was said that cleanliness was next to godliness! the tale of her In the evening, after taking peats in for the waiting for them for the return trip to Eday father’s adventures next day, he sat down and either read (the where they arrived about 3.30am. Those total literature consisted of the Bible, from the south of Eday had a six mile bike as a budding Pilgrims Progress, Christian Herald and ride in front of them to get home. Everything crofter. Sunday Company) or whittled a bit of wood went well and they were very happy, having You’ll read about which was usually found on the beach, or enjoyed their outing until one of them got a the CATastrophe, made candles then went to bed 10.30 to puncture not far from the manse. They Great Granny’s 11pm. stopped and decided that they would leave signalling technique A new bed every year! the punctured bike in the ditch by the and Jeannie’s Father slept in a box bed with a bed-pot roadside and collect it later and my father nautical adventure. underneath, which had to be emptied every would take the owner of the punctured bike morning. The mattress consisted of chaff home on his bike’s crossbar. Then someone which was the finer covering on the oats suggested that they check the Rev R R which when fanned away blew furthest Davidson’s garden for strawberries–which away being the lighter. This was collected they did–eventually carrying on to their and put into a sack the size of the bed and homes. The following Sunday the Minister had to be flattened every morning as it sank announced from the pulpit that the owner of in the middle and the chaff moved outwards. the bike found in the vicinity of the manse It was hard work the day the new chaff was could have his property returned for the put in (once a year). The sack was taken out price of 4lbs of strawberries. 14 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY Can you help Sonya trace a Robert Scollay of Westray with Drever, Kent, Harcus, Groat connections Despite some detailed work with the (12) is at Westbest (head of household OPR/IGI/Census returns I have failed to Jerom Harcus) and Ann is also in service at identify the parents on my g.g.g.grandfather Nistegarr,Mary is not listed. At Touckway a Robert Scollay who I assume to be born on Stewart Scollay (7) is living with Robert Westray or Papa Westray in the 1790s. Scollay (45) and Ann (nee Kent 25).Stewart My indicator to Robert’s age and place of would at first glance appear to be the con- birth is his marriage on Westray in 1822 and nection to indicate that Robert has remar- the birth of his four children there between ried, to Ann Kent,Stewart having been born 1822 and 1835. The OPR contains three 4 years before their marriage in 1838. Roberts born in the 1790s: However when the younger Robert is mar- 1. Robert Scollay b. 17.12.1794 & ried (for the second time) in 1862 his father c.18.01.1795 to Jane Harcus and Robert is listed as deceased when Ann Kent’s hus- Scollay I believe in Papa Westray. band is recorded living on Westray until his 2. Robert Scollay c. 08.10.1797 to Jane death in 1878. It therefore seems inconclu- Groat and Archibald Scollay (presumed par- sive that the Robert married to Ann was ents of Robert who marries Ann Kent ; death previously married to Christian Drever.To certificate lists Archibald Scollay as father). add to the confusion on Stewart’s death cer- 2. Robert Scollay c.07.07.1799 to George tificate in 1881 his father is not listed as Scollay and Katharine Seater. (I have elimi- deceased! A couple of interesting points: of nated this possibility from information sup- Robert and Ann’s six children none have the plied by another researcher). same names as those of Christian and Of course there may be another Robert Robert’s, suggesting this is the same Robert. who was not recorded or for whom the record On the other hand the younger Robert was lost, no others are listed since 1762 or remained in service at the Harcus house for Did you know after until 1829. at least 10 years between 1841-51 marrying My connection to Robert Scollay is Helen Stout in 1852, could this connect him that back in the 18th through his son Robert (b.abt.1830) whose to Jane Harcus above? century, Stromness own birth is not recorded but whose parents I would be grateful to hear from anyone had it’s very own are listed on his marriage certificate.His with Scollay roots or who may have come witch—Bessie Millie. father Robert married Christian Drever in across any of the listed parties and are able Bessie’s first claim to 1822 (OPR). 3 further children are recorded; to shed some light on this to confirm or Ann 1822, Mary 1825 and Stewart 1835. fame was her sup- eliminate any of the above possibilities However by the 1841 census return no fami- Many Thanks, Sonya Linskaill #809 posed ability to pro- ly of this description appears on Note new email: vide favourable winds Westray/Papa Westray. The younger Robert [email protected] for sailors leaving port. For this service she charged a fee of six- pence. Robbie’s Doonfa’ As Stromness was a A salutory tale from the pen of Allan Taylor, Member No 1055 busy port at that time and Bessie probably Hid wis aboot this time o’ new calf he hurried ower the made a tidy living. year afore the turn o’ the day, brae. Her second moment Robbie o’ Northoose wis gan All this hurrian wis because of fame resulted from aboot like a bicko that a Robbie hid his eye on Babbie o’ a visit from Sir Walter buddy wid close in fa the dogs Windywaas and Robbie hid been Scott. He did not seem that wis comin’ aboot the like this since he saa her bendan greatly impressed with hoose. Aal tell thee, this nite doon raisan paets in the Lyde last Orkney in general and he wis mackan fur aff bit his summer. Stromness and mither hid ither ideas.Just as Babbie wis a peedie prim buddy Kirkwall in particular. he hid his hand on the sneck wae a face like a neebid moose, an He certainly wasn’t o’ the door she shouted jist is fly, fur she hid her eye on averse however to “Robbie! Afore thou goes throw a peedie tait Northoose.Robbie’s mither wis an auld buddy an’ making use of charac- o’ stray afore the peedie queyo” an’ Robbie when she gaid Robbie wid own Northoose and ters like Bessie Millie be’an a mithers boy and wantan tippence in Babbie wid own Robbie. and James Gow who the shillin’ did whit he wis bidden. So aal you Robbies , if ye hiv yir eye on a bonnie turned up large as life On aff he gaid wi’oot a lantren then gaid lass and ye trip and faa in the cester, if ye hay any in Scott’s novel “The his length in the cester; hid widnae any scence ava jist bide doon—ye might be jist as weel Pirate.” winder way all his hurry. Grabban a wisp o’ aff as be’an trapped fur the rest o’ thee life by a stray and gayin himsel a rub doon like a wife. NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEYFAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 15 Tracing your family tree? Start digging here . . . The Orkney Family History Society Located within the new Orkney Library & LOCAL CENSUS BOOKLETS Archive at 44 Junction Road, Kirkwall the You’ll find a wealth of information in the local OFHS is open: census material produced by the Orkney Family Monday - Friday 2.00pm - 4.30pm History Society with the permission of the Saturday 11.00am - 4.30pm Controller os Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. It is staffed by volunteers who between them Booklets are available for the years 1841, 1851, have an unrivalled knowledge of Orcadian 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901 and cover the geneology. They are always willing to share parishes of: that knowledge with visitors and members BIRSAY, DEERNESS, EDAY & HARRAY, EVIE/REN- who want to find out more about the lives of DALL & GAIRSAY, FIRTH & STYENNESS, HARRAY, HOLM & PAPLAY, HOY & GRAEMSAY, KIRKWALL & their forbears. See the back page of this ST. OLA, NORTH RONALDSAY, ORPHIR, newletter for details of membership. ROUSAY/EGILSAY/WYRE & EYNHALLOW,ST. Information held by the OFHS includes: ANDREWS, SANDAY, SANDWICK, SHAPINSAY, The IGI for Orkney, on microfiche. SOUTH RONALDSAY & BURRAY, STROMNESS, The old Parish Records on microfilm. STRONSAY. WQALLS & FLOTTA, WESTRAY & The Census Returns. PAPA WESTRAY. Family Trees. In addition booklets are available for the 1821 Emigration and Debtor lists census covering the following districts; Graveyard Surveys (long term project) DEERNESS, ORPHIR,ST. ANDREWS, SANDWICK, SOUTH RONALDSAY & BURRAY, STROMNESS. The Orkney Library and Archive. Immediately adjacent to the OFHS office is Reading the Orkney Room, entered through the Orkney Archive. This holds a wide range of the stones records such as those of the local authority Gravestones pro- and its preceding bodies; the sheriff and vide a rich source justice of the peace courts; customs and of information excise; prebytery and kirk session records.It for the genealo- DID YOU KNOW also holds family and estate papers, census gist and the that the only survivor of schedules, parish registers and local news- OFHS have an a Russian ship wrecked papers on microfilm. ongoing project on Westray in 1730 was Sound Archive documenting the inscriptions in the a little boy who could not major cemeteries in Orkney*. even tell the rescuers holds an extensive collection of oral history Booklets are at prtesent available for: his name. recordings. DEERNESS -St Ninians His foster parents Photographic Archive HOLM - St Nicholas named him Archie Angel This archive now holds in excess of 50,000 N. RONALDSAY - Old Cemetery after the name Archangel ST ANDREWS - Tankerness & Toab which appeared on the images relating to Orkney and it’s people. SANDWICK - St Peters sternpost of the wreck. The archive can supply prints up to 20”x16” SHAPINSAY - South Church Archie Angel he remain- ed for the test of his life. or images on Cd Rom can be stored in all the ORDER FORMS FOR ANY OF THE AB OV E He married a Westray usual file formats. I TEMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM: girl and the name subse- The Secretary, Gillian Mooney, Orkney Family The Orkney Room qently died out in the History Society, 44 Junction Rd, Kirkwall, Anyone, whether a visitor or local, interested 19th Orkney K15 1AG Scotland. UK in finding out a bit more about Orkney century. should pay a visit to the Orkney Room in the Gillian can also be reached by e-mail at new Orkney Library. This room holds around [email protected] 3,500 books and pamplets relating to all *Work has been completed locally in aspects of Orkney life throughout the ages. Stromness and North Hoy & Graemsay The collection is reference only but many of cemeteries and has been published else- the titles are also available for loan from the 16 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEYFAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY My Ancestral Home Adventure By Noel Cook, Surrey. Member No 1028 Little did I know, that my Brother’s name, a maybe some local documents would help.It chance remark, plus my personal was all maybe—the only answer was that circumstances, were to set me off on an we, my husband and I, would have to visit adventure to find my Ancestral Home. Shapinsay in Orkney. My brother’s christian name is Heddle—a It was then the adventure became a reality. family name from Scotland, we were told as Books and maps were purchased; how many children. The chance remark made by my days could we take? Costings were made for Scottish Aunty Lottie about her Grandfather travel, hotels, planes and boats. .. ‘Grandfather Heddle brought some cattle At last all bookings complete, we were to over from Orkney to Aberdeen and stayed. .. arrive in Kirkwall on Saturday 1st May, story goes that three Heddle brothers came spend the day in Shapinsay on the 2nd and over from Norway to Orkney’. on Monday 3rd visit the Orkney FHS to I was intrigued; so being confined to home I complete our searches before flying back to made full use of my PC and the internet and Inverness later that day. Monday 3rd turned started my investigations, never realising out to be a bank holiday in England and we how it was to change my life for ever. checked with George Gray at the OFHS to I have truly felt the sense of being honoured find out if this also applied in Orkney.He and privileged to view entries made so many advised us it did and that years ago—little did they know that those most of Shapinsay would recordings, that meant so much also be closed. Well at least to them would be viewed we were prepared— it was hundreds of years later—it’s our ‘Adventure’. just like Brigadoon.. BURROUGHSTON But what I wasn’t SHAPINSAY Heddle was my prepared for was my first IN EIGHTY Grandmother’s maiden sight of Orkney from the name.Martha’s parents air—just like the maps we WORDS were William Heddle (1) had pondered over, but so Shapinsay is a green from Shapinsay, Orkney SHAPINSAY green, so breathtakingly real, I and fertile island and Charlotte Millar VASA RSPB was thrilled and excited to be RESERVE specialising in beef from Trough; they LOCH there. Full of expectation we married on 7th BALFOUR arrived in Shapinsay and met and lamb. The regular MOR December 1872 in CASTLE our guide and driver—Wilma ro ro ferry takes just Old Machar, BALFOUR VILLAGE STANE Brown. We were given a tour 25 minutes from Aberdeen. CASTLE of the Island and saw a BLOODY Kirkwall. Her Father’s parents number of places including The coastal lochs are were William Heddle (2) and Mary Gullion ‘Hewan’ where William both born and married in Shapinsay. Heddle (1) was a ploughman in popular with Her Grandparents were not married— 1861 census. We visited the Kirk birdwatchers and Willim Heddle (3) ‘reputed father’ and that dates from about 1540 only to find seals frequent the Marrion Work, both of Shapinsay. that most of the gravestones, besides those skerries. Balfour The lack of marriage or a death record of the Balfours, only relate to the 1800s.I Castle is well worth a meant there was no link to William Heddle wonder what happened to the earlier (3) parentage. (I believe Marrion Work later gravestones—was there another burial visit and among the married Robert Irvine). ground on Shapinsay? We did however find archaelogical sites According to the GROS Births for 1775 some gravestones relating to the Gullion side of Burroughston Broch William was born to William Heddle and the family. As the Heritage Centre was closed, is rated as one of the Christian Drever—could they be the ones? we were unable to gain any information on finest in Orkney. A Or in 1783 William Heddle was born to my Heddles and their predecessors. At the Robert Heddle and Christian Heddle.How end of the day although many questions fine Heritage Centre could I find out more detail? were still unanswered we had a sense of gives an impressive It was at this point I became a member of satisfaction, a feeling of comfort, like being insight into the the OFHS, to see if any of their records at home—this due to Wilma’s warm Island’s history, would provide the missing links. The welcoming manner and her wonderful sense as Noel will discover Shapinsay records were of interest of humour. Our gratitude goes to George especially the number of Heddles recorded Gray making our ‘Adventure’ happen. in 2005— if she in 1841; therefore the three Heddle brothers One thing I didn’t realise before my visit; avoids local holidays. must have arrived in Shapinsay many years how close the Orkney’s are.I will now widen before—or were there other Heddles? my search as some of my Heddles may have (Another question came to mind. Who would moved and settled on other Islands as well one contact in Norway; was there a register as Shapinsay. of those who left Norway for Orkney?) The As far as we are concerned the ‘Adventure census records also raised a number of with Orkney and the FHS will be ongoing questions about the location of the for the foreseeable future.We plan to return houses/farms mentioned and the answers to Orkney in 2005, but before we make any had to be found in Shapinsay. arrangements we’ll check first with George Maybe the Shapinsay churchyard could to make sure that SHAPINSAY IS OPEN. provide a hint of the family line back or NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEYFAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 17 Just a minute Orkney Family History Society. Minutes of AGM held on Thursday 13th May 2004 at 7.30pm in the Supper Room, Kirkwall Community Centre.

Chairperson, Nan Scott, welcomed everyone Adrianne Leask. thanking them for supporting the society The treasurer’s report had been circulated and coming to the meeting on such a bonny and was accepted - proposed by Anne night. She specially mentioned Jean Rendall and seconded by Alan Clouston. Nan Garrioch from Kendal in Cumbria who has expressed thanks to the accountant Steven attended several of the society’s AGMs. Sinclair for continuing to produce the Thirty-seven people attended and there were Annual Financial Statement. apologies from Sandy Firth, David Oddie Retiring Chairperson, Nan Scott, then gave and Olaf Mooney. her report saying that the most exciting event Before the AGM proper began Nan stated had been the opening of the New Orkney that she realised we had perhaps been a bit Library and Archive by Prince Edward, Duke of previous in things we had done at the Wessex, in September. Then, in December the January meeting and introduced Hugh society moved into its purpose-built room on Halcro-Johnston who had recently been the first floor of the building. elected President in place of Brigadier S P The office is next door to an exhibition Robertson. The Brigadier had wished to room that can be hired for special events relinquish his position but had accepted the and public meetings. On the other side is the position of Patron. well-stocked Orkney Room and adjacent to Hugh then took the floor and said how that is the Archives and Photo Archives. deeply honoured he had been to be made Proximity to all these resources makes President but had only learned a few days Orkney family research an entirely new ball ago that letters had been received regarding game. The Society is grateful to Orkney the unconstitutional and inappropriate way Islands Council for the provision and hopes the appointment had been made.He to be able to provide a worthy service in apologised most sincerely for any return. embarrassment this had caused the Membership roll now stands at 1050 and committee and was resigning from the there were over 700 paid-up members in 2003. position. He also felt that it would be More members are coming forward as volunteers inappropriate at this time for him to accept and induction courses have been provided. any position on the committee. The society seems to have made quite an The Brigadier spoke of Hugh’s impact on the community during the year. enthusiasm and then offered to return to his Many other groups, such as SWRIs, Senior former position of President himself for Citizens and Retired Teachers have asked another year if it was so wished. for talks on the Society’s work sometimes Forthcoming events:- resulting in a new subscriber or two and it Did you A trip to Graemsay as the Annual Outing can also be a two-way learning process. The was being arranged. Boat fare £5.80 society is working with the Orkney Tourist know? (concessions £2.90) and the boat can return Board and has provided speakers for several that Robert Louis for the party at 4pm. Hire of the boat is £50. of their members’ meetings. Stevenson, author of A two-course meal afterwards at the Royal She was grateful to those who had Treasure Island, Hotel, Stromness will cost £10.00. responded to requests for a speaker at other Kidnapped etc, came During the summer we hope there will be organisations’ meetings. to Orkney in 1869 with graveyard recording. Brigadier Robertson, on behalf of the his father who The Vintage Rally is on August 15th. committee, then presented Nan with a followed the family On September 9th Donna Heddle will talk bouquet of flowers in appreciation of the tradition of building on, “On the Borders of this Massive Mound”. “magnificent job she has done” as lighthouses. At the October meeting, on the 14th, we chairperson and is still willing to help in Loshans me! hope to launch James Irvine’s new book, anyway she can. ‘Trace Your Orkney Ancestors’. The society A draft copy of the revised constitution has received a generous cheque from him which had been composed by Alan Clouston from the profits of his last book. was also circulated and had been made Minutes of the 2003 AGM were accepted - available beforehand from the office. It was not proposed by John Muir and seconded by Continued on Page 18 18 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEYFAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY AGM minutes continued fom Page 17 display while honouring the memory of explorer Dr John Rae and will provide proposed to adopt the constitution at the information and entertainment for visitors meeting because there were a lot of questions to Orkney.John Rae, born in 1813 and to consider again, he said, but he went over spending his childhood at the Hall of each item and proposed that an EGM be held Clestrain, was employed as a surgeon with later this year for the purpose of adopting the the Hudson’s Bay Company and made many constitution and asked that any expeditions in Canada, even building boats proposals/suggestions be handed in, or sent, to there for his expeditions. the office by the end of July.When offered The Hall of Clestrain which is now there were no questions from the audience. derelict was built in 1769 by Patrick son of Volunteer Tom King has put a display board William Honeyman who copied the design in the Exhibition Room which is almost next from a fine Georgian house in Edinburgh. door to our office. Nan showed again the There will be an Open Event at the house on tapestry donated by Kathleen Kirkness which 1st June when BBC television will be there had been designed and sewn and given to her filming. The programme will feature in by Bev Auckenthaler who lives in America. It competition with twenty other properties on will now hang in the office. television in July and August. Restoration is Did you know The office now has a copy of Alan Stewart’s expected to cost in the region of £3,500,000. book ‘How to find things on the web’. that Dr John Rae of This money will also cover the cost of a new Marion McLeod offered back copies of Clestrain House in building to house the boats and a new road Family History magazines to the society and Orphir, Orkney was, in down to the slip and pier as well as anyone interested can pick ones up from the addition to being repairing the dyke round the garden. office. surgeon to the Hudson A variety of boats will be displayed, the Nan then intimated that Olaf Mooney Bay Company, a famous oldest being a neolithic log boat five wishes to resign as Editor of the ‘Sib Folk arctic explorer? He thousand years old. There are ideas for not discovered that the News’ and John Sinclair had been approached to do the September one. only having a static display but perhaps to North West passage offer boat-building etc. between the Pacific and Before taking nominations for the committee Alan, on behalf of the committee, Forms are available for anyone interested Atlantic was passable. in becoming a member of the group ‘Friends He also commanded thanked Nan for all her work saying she had really kept the society going. She replied of the Orkney Boat Museum’. They are several expeditions pleased that ‘Big Brother’ winner Cameron searching for the that among the mail that came to the society Stout has shown a keen interest and has remains of the Franklyn there were many notes of appreciation for agreed to be Patron. Fees from membership Expedition. On one such what it was doing. expedition he The committee now is:- will help to boost funds and members’ role discovered Franklyn’s Position Proposed Seconded will be to help with demonstrations at various fate and also found Chairperson - events.Visitors to bbc.co.uk/restoration can evidence of cannibalism. Anne Rendall Sheila Spence Frank Eunson ‘tour’ Clestrain and there is also a pack His report did not sit Secretary - available from the BBC on how to support well with the Royal Navy Gillian Mooney Nan Scott Helen Manson the project. who refused to believe Treasurer - Alan then spoke of his interest in Place Rae and had no further George Gray John Muir Betty Thomson Names and recording photographic evidence dealings with him. This Committee members:- of properties and scenes in his home parish unfair treatment by the Helen Angus Nan Scott Helen Manson of Orphir. (In SFN No. 26 is a sketch which navy and the establish- Alan Clouston John Muir Ian Cameron Alan drew up showing the enumeration ment denied Rae his Adrianne Leask George Gray Nan Scott districts in the 1841 Orphir Census.) He proper place in history Dave Higgins Alan Clouston Adrianne showed slides of properties and views and is Leask interested in doing a feature of old houses Betty Thomson Nan Scott George Gray which have fallen into disrepair. He had also Helen Manson Adrianne Leask Nan Scott brought some bills his family had kept from Hazel Goar Ian Cameron Helen Manson the 1940s and we could see the huge rise in Marion Flett Frank Eunson Nan Scott prices during the last sixty years. Olaf Mooney John Muir Frank Eunson Anne, in her new role as chairperson, George Gray thanked Alan for his talk and wished Hugh’s As there were no more nominations a vote group success pointing out that most of us was not needed. have ancestors connected with boats so there This finished the business part of the should be a lot of interest in the boat meeting and was followed by talks from museum. Hugh and Alan. Before teas and fattie cutties, served by Hugh spoke with enthusiasm of a new Mags and Annie, Nan amused us by handing project, the Orkney Boat Museum, a very over a whip to Anne - Anne over the last few exciting and ambitious project, he said, years and in the very nicest possible way which, it is planned, will be housed in a had often jokingly remarked on Nan restored Hall of Clestrain in Orphir.It ‘cracking the whip’. should prove an ideal venue for research and Gillian NEWSLETTEROF THE ORKNEYFAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY 19 The whale of a time on had Archie Gilbert of Kinross Sanday reaching for his family tree First let me say how much I enjoy the genealogists tut-tuting at the use of this newsletter, especially the last issue, which word) that the Charles Davidson who contained the article by Mimes Manson participated in desecration of the Sabbath about the whales on Sanday. in 1819, was the father of my Charles I was particularly intrigued by the last Davidson. If any members have any name on the list of offenders viz. Charles information on the Davidsons or Strangs Davidson. In my family research, I found a Charles Davidson b 1815 on Sanday who from Sanday, I would be pleased to hear married my great grandmother’s younger from them. sister, Grace Strang, on Sanday in 1842. He I had hoped to make a return journey to died in Kirkwall in 1888 and was the Orkney this year, but that seems to be Orkney and Shetland Steam Ship Company receding.Maybe next year. Agent.I think it would be a reasonable Keep up the good work with the newsletter assumption ( I can hear the purist Archie Gilbert, Kinross NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS

The OFHS Newsletter depends entirely on a photographs are not suitable as they do not constant flow of articles, long or short, from reproduce satisfactorily. Society members. Twenty pages takes a bit of filling. Even allowing for pictures we still require Please address all submissions, discs and in excess of 15,000 words for each issue. floppies to:- LENGTH The Editor,Orkney Family History Society Your submissions can run to one or two Newsletter, Orkney Library & Archive, 44 pages, or if longer can be serialised over two Junction Rd, Kirkwall, Orkney. KW15 1A or more issues. Generally about 750 words are required per page and this allows for a VIEWS EXPRESSED heading and a picture. Pictures make the Views expressed in contributions are those of story far more interesting so photographs the author and not necessarily those of the please wherever possible. Society. Shorter submissions are equally welcome—even The Editor reserves the right to amend any a paragraph is useful in filling a corner. copy submitted. ‘DID YOU KNOW’ snippets fit well into the narrow column on Well that’s the first issue of the newsletter each page. ‘put to bed’ as they say. It is not an easy LETTERS PAGE job cajoling and getting people cracking A regular letters page is something we hope to with their contributions—and that’s just the establish—looking for long lost relatives, friends committee! I take my hat off to Olaf for all or families—whatever takes your fancy. the hard work he put in over the many SUBMISSIONS years he occupied the editor’s chair, You If possible please type your article, plain wouldn’t recognise him now— text would probably be best, and send on the years have dropped off him floppy or disc. Also include a hard copy in since he ‘retired. I hope you case I cannot open the file. Remember have enjoyed this issue hand-typed submissions have to be retyped and if you have any suggest- and may be delayed ions (no, Olaf is not coming PICTURES back again) please let Send originals if possible (but not your me know— and let’s only copies). `include a stamped addressed have your contrib- envelope if you wish them returned. utions. Ed Alternatively send on disc as a JPEG, keeping the quality ‘high’. Photocopies of The Orkney Family History Society rkney Family History Society was formed embership of the Society runs from 1st in 1997 and is run by a committee of March to 28the/29the February and Ovolunteers. Msubscriptions should be renewed during It is similar to societies operating worldwide the month of March. All subscriptions should be where members share a mutual interest in family sent to the Treasurer at the OFHS address below. history and help each other with research and, New members joining before the 1st December from time, to time assist in special projects will receive back copies of the three magazines for concerning the countless records and subjects the current year.From 1st December new members available to us all in finding our roots. will receive membership for the remainder of the The main objectives are: current year, plus the following year, but will not 1. To establish a local organisation for the receive the back copies of the magazine. study, collection, analysis and sharing of The present subscription rates are as follows: information about individuals and families in ORDINARY Orkney Family membership £10.00 2. To establish and maintain links with other family history groups and genealogical societies FAMILY MEMBERSHIP throughout the UK and overseas Spouse, Partner and Children under 18 £15.00 3. To establish and maintain a library and other SENIOR CITIZENS reference facilities as an information resource for Single or couple £7.00 members and approved subscribers. 4. To promote study projects and special OVERSEAS interest groups to persue approved assignments. Surface Mail £12.50 We are located on the upper floor of the the new OVERSEAS Kirkwall Library adjacent to the archives Air Mail £15.00 department. Our own library, though small at the moment, Overseas members should pay their fees in holds a variety of information including: sterling or its equivalent. If it is not possible to The IGI for Orkney on microfiche. send pounds sterling please check the exchange The Old Parish Records on microfilm. rate. Our bank will accept overseas cheques The Census Returns on microfilm transcribed without charging commission. Receipts will be on to a computer database. issued with the next magazine.Members residing Family Trees. in the United Kingdom may pay their Emigration and Debtors lists. subscriptions by Bankers Order and if they wish Letters, Articles and stories concerning Orkney can have their subscriptions treated as gift and its people. donations.Forms will be sent on request. Hudson Bay Company information. Cheques should be made payable to: Graveyard Surveys (long term project) ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY This material is available to members for ‘in and forwarded to house’ research by arrangement. Locally we have monthly Members Evenings ORKNEY FAMILYHISTORY SOCIETY with a guest speaker. Orkney Library & Archive We produce a booklet of members and interests 44 Junction Rd, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1AG to allow members with similar interests to General enquires should be addressed to the office in writing or correspond with each other if they wish. to Gen. Secy. Mrs Gillian Mooney (e-mail [email protected]) We also produce a newsletter 4 times a year Treasurer. Mr George Gray (e-mail [email protected]) and are always looking for articles and Research Secy. Adrianne Leask (e-mail [email protected]) photographs of interest. A stamped addressed Editor. John Sinclair (e-mail [email protected]) envelope should be included if these are to be returned. Back copies of the magazine can be Articles in the newsletter are copyright to the Society and purchased at £1 per copy. its authors and may not be reproduced without permiss- We can usually undertake research for ion of the editor. The Society is a registered charity in Scotland and a member of the Scottish Association of members who live outwith Orkney but this is Family History Societies. The Society’s newsletter,Sib dependent on the willingness for our island mem- Folk News is registered with the British Library under bers giving up their spare time to help. the serial number ISSN 1368-3950. subscriptions etc MEMBERSHIP