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Sib Folk News The Newsletter of the Family History Society No 10 June 1999

Celebrating the Canadian Homecoming to Orkney, June 1999

Contents

From the Chair 2 Homecoming Appreciation 13 From the Editor 3 Sanday Family Tree 14 Correspondents' Queries 4 An Orcadian - Canadian 16 Statistics No 6 7 Skeleton in the Cupboard 17 Outing 10 Greer Garson 18

• Part 4 11 OFHS Information 20 happy holiday season and good luck if you go From the Chair in search of your roots. The OFHS office at 8 Broad Street was the The Orkney Homecoming Service was held scene of much activity during the last three in St. Magnus Cathedral, , on or four months. There has been a push on to Sunday 6th June at 6 p.m. Almost every seat get as many censuses on computer and in was taken and the whole church was bathed book form as possible before in light and colour as the sun the Canadian Homecoming. shone in through the beautiful Folders were made ready for west window. The Rev. some of the Canadians who Ronald Ferguson welcomed had made enquiries earlier. everyone, especially the On the evening of the 3rd Canadian homecomers. The June, the flitting of equip- Cathedral choir sang and the ment etc. from 8 Broad St. to organist, Heather , the Supper Room in the played beautifully. Town hall across the road, took place. This turned out The first reading was read by to be an ideal situation for George Marwick, Lord dealing with our Canadian Lieutenant of Orkney and the visitors, although the site second by Jaques Bilodeau, was not in the original plan. Tables had been Deputy High Commissioner of Canada. set out along three walls to hold equipment, "Amazing Grace" was performed by the books and other materials on display. There "Strings Across the Sky" and over thirty dark were comfortable chairs down die middle of haired children from the High Arctic played the room which were appreciated by the their violins. In a complete colour contrast older guests. The oldest visitor that I spoke they were led by blonde Andrea Hansen, vio- to was 86 years old. linist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. They were then joined by local children led The first visitors were in at 9 a.m. on Friday by Douglas Montgomery. As they played morning. Business was brisk all day. We they walked up along the north wall, down stayed in the supper room on Saturday and the aisle and back again. Their performance then again on Monday. received great applause. Our contact person for the Homecoming, Another highlight of the service was the Dave Higgins, said that the exercise had signing of the Treaty of Friendship between been a great success and everyone had been Orkney and Manitoba. The declaration was impressed with what we had been able to do proclaimed by Alistair Buchan, Chief for them. This opinion was shared by our Executive of the and President, Brig. S.P. Robertson who made a then signed by Hugh Halcro-Johnson, point of speaking to every Canadian visitor Convenor of the Orkney Island Council and on each of his visits to the Supper Room. Winston Hodgins, Deputy Minister of Rural There was always a member of the OFHS to Development, Government of the Province of supply tea, coffee, and homebakes on the Manitoba. house. The Rev. Ferguson likened the ceremony to Many members did a lot of work to ensure that of a marriage and he reminded the con- the success of die reception of the Canadians gregation that a magnificent "wedding" and one or two even took holidays from banquet had been prepared at the Picky centre work. We are grateful to them. Without for ticket holders. exception they admitted having enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Many Canadians said that the Homecoming Service had been the highlight of the week's The Society has learned much from the activities. The Treaty of Friendship is to be in experience of the Homecoming and feels effect for five years and the signatories agree that it will be even better equipped for the to meet annually. Hence historic bonds have next occasion "whenever". been renewed and new friendships made. On a personal note, I wish all our readers a 0H*M> Scott

2 From the Editor was alive in 1881 in the UK will show up on the screen with the parish in which they The Canadian Homecoming has certainly lived. It is then easy to examine every parish been the highlight of this summer's activi- census for all the Balfour Rendalls. Hence if ties. In this issue, Nan Scott and Ken one had emigrated to Leith, he would be Harrison have given readers who were there, or to or wherever. I have unable to be there, a gist of what went on. I ordered a set but have been waiting for three for my part had planned to be there too but weeks so far. The cost is under £30.00 which by early May I realised must be a bargain. It that I had bitten off more should be possible to than I could chew and I compile a complete list decided to forego, regret- of people living in 1881 fully, the pleasure of in the UK who had emi- being in Orkney in June. grated from Orkney — in I know that members of other words what is the OFHS did very well known as a "strays" list. without me. It is a really good feeling to launch something and when one steps aside things go so well under the direc- Sunday 20th June was Fathers' day. tion of others. Normally I have no time for these commer- cialised affairs but on this occasion my son This issue contains the last instalment of sent me a card produced on his new compu- Robbie Leslie's feature on Faray. It contains ter. On one side I was given a marvelous quite a lot of rather nostalgic memories of new name. I am now a FAMILY TREE Robbie but I decided to include them SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR. How's that because it paints such a lovely picture of the instead of Family Historian or Genealogist? simple things of island life. The series was On another side was a graphic of a fierce transcribed laboriously from a tape. I may viking waiving a monstrous axe — presumab- have spelt some of the farm names wrongly ly ready to chop down some family trees!!! as they are rather indistinct in the recording, because of Robbie's accent and my unfami- Publishing dates for Sib Folk News liarity with some of the place names. I have (Reminder) another recording made by Robbie entitled "A " which I may use at Last dates for sending in material is the end some time. of the second week in March, June, September and December. Members' and correspondents' queries take up quite a lot of space in this issue and I Publishing dates will be the last week of have had to hold back some submissions for March, June, September and December. another time. Despite our high technolgy I have to confess Accompanying this issue you should find a that we have failed to produce a photograph supplement containing Members' addresses of the Canadian Homecoming for this issue and interests. I hope that there are not too of SFN. Dave Higgins sent me by e-mail a many errors but if there are please accept couple of photographs taken with a digital David Higgins and my apologies. We shall camera. Those of us who remember the old correct them in the next issue of SFN. hi-fi audio systems will recall that the quality of sound produced was dictated by the The Church of the Latter Day Saints, or poorest element in the chain. If the pickup LDS for short, have produced yet another was poor quality it did not matter how good winner recently. They have put all the our speaker was. Similarly the quality of census returns for every parish in the United picture depends on the resolution of each Kingdom for the year 1881 on a set of 25 element in the process. The photographs CD ROMS. Included in the set is an index of were in colour but far too 'grainy' for photo- names which enable researchers identify copying. Sorry! which parish ( and therefore which CD) to examine. Thus if you are looking for, say, Balfour Rendall, every Balfour Rendall who

3 Queries from Correspondents

From Kelly Work, Fairfield, California, From David Armstrong of PO Box 136, USA. [email protected] Maylands, WA 6931, Australia e-mail [email protected] My great grandparents emigrated from Orkney in 1902 and 1904. My great grandfa- 1 was interested to read Stanley Sutherland's ther was from Stronsay or Shapinsay. I am letter in SFN 7 concerning his Sutherlands in trying to locate any remaining family, last Gravesend. I too have Sutherlands among my known to be Jim Work, Daisy Bank, ancestors being a descendant of Alexander Stronsay, KW17 2AF. Sutherland and Janet Budge. My great grandfather was James Twatt Work, I have not done any serious research on the born March 30, 1876, died March 23, 1960, in Sutherlands having concentrated more on the San Diego, Ca, USA. My great grandmother Stewarts, Stouts, Heddles, Bailies, and was Margaret McRae Bews, born March 4, Malcomsons in Walls and . However 1869, died September 22, 1943, in San Diego, one really interesting point is in the mobility Ca, USA. of the family as the following table shows. Any information or assistance would be Alexander Sutherland/Janet Budge, greatly appreciated. married 1766 olrig From Lisa Conrad, 318- 10th A venae East, Children #A-6, Seattle, Washington, 98012, USA Margaret Sutherland baptised 1767 olrig I am descended from James Budge and Janet Christina Sutherland Duncan who were members of St Mary's baptised 1772 Halkirk Parish Church. They married 24th July 1784. Stewart Sutherland Their 5th child, William Budge, is my 3rd baptised 1775 great grandfather. William married Barbara James Sutherland Matches on 26 February, 1822. William and baptised 1777 Barbara farmed Thurrigair, it having been in Janet Sutherland the family since at least the 1780s. baptised 1780 Kirkwall Samuel Sutherland I am trying to pin point the deaths of William baptised 1788 Walls and Barbara Budge, and other related Budges. I know the decade time-frames of their deaths The three daughters married and raised fami- from looking at the census records, and I have lies in Walls and Flotta. However I have not been consulting the civil death records for sighted the three boys since their baptisms. at my local LDS Reading Library, in search of them, but with no luck. My Baikie ancestors also settled in Walls and Flotta having migrated there from Canisbay in I wonder if anyone knows of any records/ Caithness in the mid 1700s. I have also transcriptions/ etc which might exist for the noticed indications of other families from old kirk cemetery located near the ferry dock Caithness in the southern isles and so would on the southern tip of South Ronaldsay for suggest to Stanley Sutherland that he might the years 1863 onwards? 1 will be visiting consider Caithness as the origin of his line. Orkney in September 1999 and any pre- knowledge would be most useful. Thank you. I am also in contact with a lady in the Western Australian 'bush' who is a Peebles by descent and is doing a one name study of that name. If Stanley is interested 1 can put him in touch with her.

4 From Mary W Rendall, 618 Lincolnway records as Harcus. Court, Morrison, IL 61270-2018, USA With regard to your great grandfather Imagine my surprise when I received my first Gillies Hercus my reading of the 1841, copy of SFN and found die editor to be a 1851 and 1861 census return for Rendall. I understand it is a fairly common Doggerboat in Faray is that his name name in Orkney but here in the US it is very was spelt Harcus there. He was the rare. son of John Harcus, head of the I am hoping to trace my ancestry from Peter household. Maybe they subsequently Rendall who owned a farm near Arcadia changed the spelling of their name. which I guess to be in the parish of Rendall. He was a shepherd among other things and a My second query is that I would like to trace very devout member of the church to which what happened to my grandfather's only he and his eldest son walked 15 miles each brother Gillies b 1863. who emigrated to way regularly. I guess his birth to be circa America and the only knowledge we have of 1770 and 1785. His first wife died when very him is that he was a salesman in St Louis in young and when his son Isaac was two or 1892. It would be interesting to know if he three years old. Peter remarried and his next ever married and where he is buried. Has son, Hugh, was my great great grandfather. anyone an idea how we could find out? Hugh lost the farm as a guarantor of his church's heavy debts. Hugh then went to sea Editor's reply. Can anyone help Joan? and settled in Halifax, Nova Scotia for a short I note that Joan spells her ancestor's time. From there he moved to Utica, NY name as Gillies whereas the spelling where his first wife, Harriet Watson died. He on all the census records is Gilles. The remarried and his son John was bora. John name is very unique in Orkney married a Jane Ballard and they became records. missionaries in Madura (Madras?), . Their son, John Ballard Rendall born 1847 From David Rendall, Green Holm, Graine was sent to the US when he was only ten to be Park, , Orkney, KW15 1AU, educated and under the guardianship of his David @ rendalldrendalld.demon.co. uk uncle, Isaac Rendall who was president of Lincoln University in Oxford, Pennsylvania Can anyone help find John Corrigal b 1860 at for 40 years. Mossitar, Rendall, Orkney. He was last heard of in Sydney, Australia around 1930. His I hope to be in Orkney for the Homecoming parents were Jacob Corrigal and Jane Miller. in June but I would appreciate any help members worldwide might be able to give. From Marion McLeod, Park View, off New Scapa Road, Kirkwall. From Joan P Tait, Langburn, , Also at [email protected] Orkney, KW17 2QU I am trying to identify the parents etc. of my I have been browsing through SFN and g/g/grandfather who was William Harcus of Westray Roots and am wondering why in WR . His family Bible starts with him writing No 31 you refer to William Hercus, whereas his own and his wife's name (Isabella Rendall in previous articles you spell his name b Calf Sound, Eday 1816) then all their child- Harcus. Is this a mis-spelling? My branch ren. At some later stage someone has written seems for the most part to spell their name in the Bible "b approx. 1815' and another Hercus. My great grandfather was Gillies entry in biro "of P. Westray" beside Hercus (b 1841) of Doggerboat who married William's name. No one in the family knows in Stronsay, Mary Winnie Chalmers (b who made these additions. 1835).My grandfather was Peter Peace Hercus (b 1875) and my father Gillies On the 1841 census, William and his family Bonneton Hercus (b 1900). are at Heatherhouse; on the 1851 census they are at Swinehouse and on the 1861 census Editor's reply. William Harms' name they are at Viequoy, all near each other in was miss-spelt on the Westray School North Eday. William and Isabella later lived Log Book. He like most Harcuses in at West Cott, North Eday before moving to Westray is recorded in the census the south end of Eday to Maltbarn, which

5 was built by William. From Con Scott Reed [email protected] I cannot find any trace of William in any parish records for or Eday. Salt Pans of Eday. There is an entry in Sanday for a William Harcus baptised in 1812 of parents John Con wrote in SFN 5 where he indicated his Harcus and Rebecca Scott. This John was interest in the origin of Simon Scott in from Westray or Papa Westray and was Sanday and in the production of salt from married in Sanday. Rebecca Scott was born peat. In a recent letter Con enclosed a photo- in Eday. They lived and died at Vinequoy. graph of an old Dutch etching which shows a Could my William be the son of John and typical salt pan which used peat both as the Rebecca Harcus , born in Eday and baptised fuel for heating the pan and the material from in Sanday? Can anyone help me on this one? which salt was extracted. He says that on Eday, possibly from 1633 onwards, the Earl From Alan Beattie (Member No 30), of Carrick had at least two salt pans. He editor of Coontin Kin, the FHS wonders if it was Simon Scott who intro- magazine. Address 9 Burntwick Drive, duced the process to Eday. Peter Mason of Lower Hals tow, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 Ruah, Eday has apparently done considerable 7DX. work on this topic. E-mail [email protected] In the etching piles of peat can be seen in the I was interested to read Names and Bynames distance and a boat transporting it to the by Mimes Manson in Sib Folk News No 9. pans. The work was dangerous and carried a Bynames were very important means of dis- very high sickness rate. The pans were made tinguishing family members in Orkney and of cast iron and research has shown that the Shetland and their use still persists in places. same type was used in England and presum- ably in . Mimes mentioned that one family of Muirs were known as "whaups". Whaup is a word in current usage in Shetland meaning curlew. Chambers Dictionary gives it as a Scottish word, and I know that the word is also used in Dutch. The curlew is a bird with a very long beak. I wonder whether the Muir family had rather large noses....?

From George R. Gray, (Member No 14) Fulmar, East Road, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1LX. I am seeking information on the family of William Gray and Janet Craigie who were living at Brandies, Westray in 1891. They P had 10 of a family, 6 died of consumption a and 1 drowned. Their son George was killed r in France in the first World War. Does t anyone know what happened to the 2 remaining sons, James born in 1885 and John born in 1886?

6 The First Statistical Account of the Parishes of Stronsay and Eday 1795-1798 Written by the Rev. John Anderson, Minister.

Part 6 From these it appears that during a period of 20 years subsequent to 1673 the number of (The Editor: This part of the report itemises baptisms in the parish of Stronsay was 382, the value of rents in the parish which I have of marriages 109. That during 20 years sub- decided not to publish. The section con- sequent to 1743, the number of baptisms was cludes with the following.) 601, viz. of males 309, of females 292. Rentals In the united parishes of Stronsay and Eday, during a period of 14 years subsequent to The present gross rental of Stronsay and 1779, when the present incumbent was Eday, comprehending superiority, property, admitted, the number of baptisms, marri- and stipend, amounts to only £746-7-6d ster- ages, and burials, in the separate years of ling, a small part of which is paid by stipula- that period were as follows: tion between some of the heritors and their tenants, for liberty to the latter to burn kelp Table of Births and Marriages, in the United and to sell it on their own account. Parishes of Stronsay and Eday.

The advance of rent, in these united parishes, Stronsay Eday during a period of no less than 140 years, Bapt. Mar'ges Burials Bapt. Mar'ges Burials appears inconsiderable, but this is accounted Year M F M F for by a very great proportion of the gross 178011 13 5 4 8 14 5 11 rental in 1653, being paid in kind; some part 1781 18 10 7 27 11 5 6 30 of which hath been converted into money by 1782 13 13 6 17 12 10 4 11 the heritors to the tenants, about 40 years 1783 9 8 8 16 11 8 4 12 ago, and such part as is still paid in kind, 1784 13 11 6 18 8 7 3 13 calculated at the then selling prices of the 1785 7 6 6 21 9 9 3 6 country, which did not much exceed the 1786 12 18 6 21 16 12 6 16 valuation prices in 1653. 1787 7 12 12 29 8 9 7 8 There are, exclusive of Lord Dundas, thir- 1788 12 8 10 18 11 5 3 15 teen heritors, of whom six have a large 1789 13 9 4 15 17 12 2 10 extent, and seven have a small extent of 1790 7 11 7 17 7 11 6 13 property lying in this district. There are no 1791 17 12 4 16 10 4 5 11 residing heritors of property except the heirs 1792 17 10 8 15 7 9 3 14 of Patrick Fea of Kerbuster, whose property, 1793 17 12 4 16 8 9 4 9 at his decease, fell to be divided equally amongst his three daughters. Total amount

State of Population, Parochial Records. 173 153 92 251 143 124 61 179 The ancient state of the parish of Eday cannot now be ascertained with exactness, as records of an old date for that parish are not to be found. Records for the parish of Number of house and of souls, in the united Stronsay, from the year 1673 and down- parishes of Stronsay and Eday, at different wards, with chasms of several years at dif- periods were as under: (see on next page) ferent periods, in a decayed state, as may be supposed, are yet in existence.

7 In Stronsay respect to fuel and peats; and the partial Year Houses Souls Married increase of servants' wages. 1761 170 - 1772 - 1015 160 Fuel. 1781 182 819 The inhabitants of these parishes have used 1787 178 887 peats only, as their firing, from time imme- morial; in which necessity of life they have In Eday been greatly restricted by the proprietors of Year Houses Souls mosses in both parishes, as to quantity, during 1781 143 675 the last period of seven years. 1787 126 601 Notwithstanding, there remains an inexhaust- ible fund of that article in this district; at least, Of the above mentioned number of souls conjecture itself is at loss to ascertain the the parish of Stronsay in 1787, there were: number of centuries which the mosses in the islands of Stronsay and Eday would supply Years Number their inhabitants with such annual quantities From 1 to 10 223 of peats as they were accustomed to provide " 10 to 20 101 for their families, before such restrictions " 20 to 30 57 were imposed. " 30 to 40 105 " 40 to 50 97 J Storer Clouston's Notes. " 50 to 60 78 The proprietors of peat moss in the island of " 60 to 70 81 Eday have been pleased, for some years last " 70 to 80 37 past, with a view to save their mosses, to " 80 to 90 9 prevent the meanest of the inhabitants, their Total number 887 own small tenants, sub-tenants, cotters, or delvers of their little spots of ground, to boil J Storer Clouston's Notes: certain quantities of what they call salt, (of a The number of house, souls, and married in mean quality, it must be acknowledged,) over the parish of Stronsay, in the years 1761 and the only fire burnt in their cottages, which fire 1772, are stated in the report of certain of the is used also for all culinary purposes. The parishioners; but the number in 1781, and whole quantities of peats to supply which 1787, were taken up by the clerks of the par- fires, are so inconsiderable as to be carried ishes under the minister's inspection. home by the indigent tenants of these cottages on their backs in creels or casies made with The arithmetic, is not always correct. It has, straw; the extra quantity required for the said however, been left uncorrected, since it is purpose must be small indeed! quite possible that some of the items may have been misprinted and the totals be quite This salt, such as it was, used to be carried in correct. small parcels by the makers of it to other neighbouring islands, where they received Observation. from the poorest of the inhabitants, who could During the period of seven years, preceding not afford to purchase salt of a good quality, the present year 1794, the number of bapt- equal quantities of meal for the salt which isms, marriages and burials, in these parishes, they brought. By such traffic, the poor people appear, by table first, to have been nearly of Eday procured, in a very laborious way, a equal to the proceeding 1787, so that, had scanty supply of meal for their families in the emigrations (which are not a few) from these winter season, when the stormy weather did parishes to other islands in Orkney, or to not permit their going a fishing, on which places more remote , been as few in the last business many in this island depend chiefly seven years, as during the preceding seven for daily bread. years, the population would nearly be the same as now, as it was seven years ago; but This restriction has induced some, and, if not from certain regulations or practices , lately removed, or some other remedy provided, introduced, unfavourable to the increase of will probably induce many more of these population, and to the improvement of the soil families to migrate to other islands , if not to of these parishes, there is ground to appre- other countries. hend, that the population is decreasing, and will continue to decrease, if suitable remedies The whole mosses in the island of Stronsay be not speedily applied, particularly with belong to the one proprietor of Rothesholm,

8 from which mosses the whole inhabitants of and perquisites, received by them annually this island, for some time immemorial, have from their masters, have arisen to, and in supplied their families with peats, upon some instances exceeded the amount of what making small acknowledgements, in money a cotter or bollman, and his wife can earn or other articles, to the tenant of Rothesholm. annually for the support of themselves and This practice continued to the mutual satisfac- family of young children. This injudicious tion of the inhabitants, and of the tenant of the practice, if persisted in, cannot fail of being a said lands, (without any interference from the mighty discouragement of marriage and of proprietor) until the last general election of population; but it may be rectified, in a great members of Parliament, when the election for measure, by the united exertions of the the county of Orkney happened, (unfortunat- tenants, or society of farmers in Stronsay, ely for a great number of the inhabitants of with the concurrence of the heritors, by adopt- this island) to be disputed; for in conse- ing the plan explained under the 6th article. quence thereof, such tenants of the successful candidate, as live in this island, and the The before mentioned grievances, under tenants of his political friends, by the express which many of the parishioners labour, are order of the proprietor of Rothesholm to his prejudicial to the general interest of the dis- tenant, were strictly prohibited from casting trict; and to the community at large, it is pre- in, and leading peats from his mosses on any sumable, therefore, that adequate remedies terms whatsoever. These tenants, when laid will be applied, as soon as circumstances will under this intolerable hardship, conscious that permit the necessary regulations to take they had not done any thing to merit this gen- effect. tleman's displeasure, thought it exceedingly hard, and even unjust, that they should be so From the EDITOR; severely punished for offences of which they were not guilty; did venture, notwithstanding This census series continues in subsequent the foresaid order and prohibition, after pre- issues. The subjects still to be dealt with are : viously having made offer to tenant of Domestic animals. Rothesholm of the usual acknowledgements, Minerals. to persist in their possession of the said Ecclesiastical State, Ancient and mosses, by casting, winning, and leading Modern. peats for the use of their families, according Poor Funds and Schools. to custom, and ancient practice. But this Climate and Diseases. conduct of these tenants occasioned a lawsuit Character and Manners of the before the Court of Session, which was lately Inhabitants. decided in favour of the proprietor of the Miscellaneous Observations. moss, at whose instance it had been raised. I trust that readers will value this series for This restriction and decision will soon be what it does to paint a picture of a typical found a great cause of diminishing the inhabi- island and what the establishment, at least, tants of this island, as the tenants above men- thought was important. tioned, and their cotters, cannot live without such a necessary article as fire; and their cir- cumstances in general, are not such as to The RGM in Brief enable them to purchase and carry coals from England or from the Firth of Forth, to supply Three new committee members were elected their families, and the families of their sub- and two retired. Nan Scott spoke in appre- tenants and cotters, with firing. ciation of the work done and being done by the committee. Financially we are solvent Moreover, an improper practice hath crept but quite a number of members have not into this district, of not only increasing the paid their subs for this year. wages of unmarried men servants and boys, employed in farm work, to more than three The speaker for the evening was Richard times the amount of what they were satisfied Shearer who spoke about his researches on with about thirty years ago; but certain por- War Memorials and the Orcadians who had tions of land have been given to many of them died during the First World War. He showed by their masters, from which they have reaped many slides and had a large selection of crops of victual, which they have sold for books and papers on display which members several years past, after defraying the expense perused during the refreshment time. of labour, at such sums, as, with other wages

9 One has the feeling when in the castle that the Summer Outing Balfours had just slipped out through the secret door in the library and were waiting to to Shapinsay return when we visitors had left. Everything about the castle is a real tribute to the many by Helen Manson people who have cared for it through the years. On Saturday 12th June, twenty two raincoated members of the OFHS gathered in pouring Out into the rain and reality hit us again. It rain at Kirkwall Harbour Ferry Terminal for was much too wet to go into the gardens, but our summer outing. . . we did catch a A day on the island glimpse of blue- of Shapinsay was the bells, still in choice for this year, bloom under- and as we boarded neath the trees. the ferry Torsvoe at Once back in the 1130 a.m. we all village we went hoped for an impro- into the Smiddy vement in the Museum Cafe weather. where the Smiddy Although not windy Committee there was a decided members had lift in the sea and the prepared an small boats bringing excellent buffet passengers ashore lunch. Everyone from the liner enjoyed the meal FUNCHAL, moored immensely. in Kirkwall Bay, were bobbing along on a dull sea as they made their way in to Kirkwall After lunch the rain hadn't let up so it was Pier. A little further out in the bay we met the decided to return home on the 3.15 p.m. ferry Orkney Island Council pilot boat escorting rather than wait till the 7 p.m. ferry. The another cruise liner into the bay. museum with its wartime memorabilia and relics of early life and work in the island for Almost before we turned round it was mid- the past 100 years is a real "must go back" day and we were at the Shapinsay pier where place and the adjacent shop is a little treasure we were met by Patricia Lidderdale and con- house of homebakes and every sort of craft. veyed to the 150 year old Balfour Castle. With about an hour left before the ferry we There her mother, Mrs Zawadski, the owner opted for a quick tour of the island. of the most northerly castle in the world, gave us a most interesting and informative talk George Smith, the driver of the Senior about the Balfours of Balfour Castle. Citizens' Bus took us to the RSPB bird hide and the Mill Dam with its rare ducks. We had Everyone was very impressed with the condi- a glimpse of an old meal mill just waiting to tion of the plaster ceilings and the paint work. come alive. Then we drove slowly past the Even the wallpaper is in remarkably good new council estate houses which just sit far condition after more than a century and a half. enough from the old village so that you do not The oak doors and panelling were just as get a clash of old and new. We passed beautiful as the day they were made from the through the old Balfour village with its low packing cases which carried the Balfour's stone slate roofed houses stretching along the marble from Italy. The dining room was seashore but set far enough back from the graced by a magnificent sideboard, a huge shore to allow for pretty hedge-bordered dining table and 12 dining chairs, all ornately gardens. The scene just begs one to have a carved and different from each other. These leisurely stroll, (provided the weather is dry) and all the other woodwork in the Castle had With perfect timing, George decanted us at been carved and fashioned by the Balfours' the ferry and all too soon we were on our way carpenter, James Tinch, a lasting memorial to home. The rain still fell but our spirits had not his great talent. been dampened one little bit. We had a most enjoyable day.

10 The Island of Faray, Part 4 by the late Robert Leslie sometines known as Robbie o'Swartiback

The first tenant in Holland that I know of was Wullie took his boat and went over to Eday a Stewart Drummond, followed by his son, and next Sunday Wullie and Mary Peace were Robert who left Holland and went to the farm cried in Kirk. Mary subsequently had a son, of the Ness before the Seatters went there. * William Wallace. That was how the name Thereafter it was Allans, then Reids. The Wallace came to Faray. (William Wallace is Reids went to Garth in Westray. Following recorded on the census as a step son and born the Reids there were Meils who later went to in Eday). Fers Ness in Eday. After the Meils a Leslie family was at Holland. They moved to Thirst for News Rapness in Sanday. Whenever a boat went to Westray and on its Drammond Genealogy return there would be some old men to meet the boat. As soon as the boat touched the When James Seatter was at Holland, my great beach they would ask "Anything new in grandfather John Drummond, was the first Westray?" When they got the boat half way tenant of the Ness, the new farm. His son, up the beach and were having a rest the crew William who was also a boat builder, succee- were asked again "Are you sure there is ded him. William died when he was still a nothing new in Westray?" When they got the young man. (in his sixties) Tom was a second boat right up — "Are you fairly sure there is son . He was a sailor and was skipper of one nothing new in Westray?" So news has of Traill's smacks. Tom was married to a always been a great thing and we still like to Miller wife from Papa Westray and he died at hear the news. Broughton, Westray. John Drummond, another son, lived in Eday and was married to The War Years a Binston wife. My grandmother, Mary Drummond, was the only survivor of two I was in Faray all the war years. It was very daughters. She was five years old when the quiet there— the rationing was a bit of a job. family moved from the Bu to the Ness. There You could only get your rations every week were three other sons, Alexander, Robert and and I, living alone, found it was a bit of a job David. to get it to run out, especially if it came bad weather. It was just once we were cut off for My g-grandfather, John Drummond's father two weeks at a time when I was there. We got was William Drummond bom 1768 and two Orcadians at one time. Folk were very married to a Babby Groat. They had a large good to me when it came bad weather. family, all born in Faray. John's grandfather was another John Drummond born in In 1935 the County Council put on a concrete Kirkwall, 1729 and married to a Jean Drever. jetty which made a great difference to It is no wonder that the Faray graveyard is full boating, especially for shipping cattle. It was of Drummonds. passed about the time we left Faray that another concrete jetty was to have been put up In the old days there was a boat load of at Geuth which would have been very good in people who went to church in Eday when it getting eggs landed and feeding and oil was weather. Wullie Drummond always met loaded but it was never needed because we the boat on its return from church. This had all left. Sunday he was down as usual and the first thing he asked was "Anything new in Eday? One morning a spitfire plane came down with "Oh yes" was the reply. "Mary Peace has engine trouble on a field of Lakequoy. I was been cried in the kirk to some going about the only one in Faray that heard her come man". " Oh my", said Wullie, " we will have down. It was a May morning at about 5 to see about that". So, some time that week o'clock in the morning. The plane was taken

11 to pieces and a boat came from Kirkwall to Ness pier and laid out in lots. Then I got the take them away. Another plane came down beasts put over to Warrenha' and got the sale between Eday and Faray. It made a funny arranged. I could not advertise the sale until I noise and went nose first into the sea. The was sure all my stock was in Eday. Mr and pilot came down by parachute . We got him Mrs Mainland were very good to me. I stayed ashore but it was not long before a launch with them and they looked after my cattle. came from Shapinsay to take him away. I Gordon gave me straw and hay; the Meils of remember one day we were making ready to Fers Ness put over neeps for them. Mrs go over to Eday to the van when a patrol boat Mainland thought that if anyone came over came up the sound along the east side of from Westray they would need tea. Faray Holm. Whether he thought Holm Sound Everything was still on ration at that time so I was Fers Ness or he thought he could get went to the late John Miller of Sandy bank — through Holm Sound we did not know. It was he was a merchant in the Westside of Eday. the top of the tide and he stuck in the middle He gave me flour, sugar, margarine and some of the sound. We could not help so we went to other things. Mrs Mainland baked a lot of the van in Eday. It was dark when we bread, buns and so on. There were 12 people returned and after I had had my tea I thought who came over from Westray for the sale and I'd take a walk down to Holm Sound to see they and the auctioneer had tea after the sale. the boat. It was fairly ebb tide and it was stream tide so the boat was fairly dry. I I did not like to see my cows being sold. One walked around the boat and heard men speak- was a special pet. She was a very witty cow ing inside but I came away again. They had (witty in the Orcadian sense is not funny but put out an anchor west with a heavy cable. I rather "clever or wise") I had nothing to do in suppose they intended to pull her right the summer but to go to the gate and shout through the sound at high water but another "Milking time" and she would come right up boat came and towed her eastwards . They left to the gate to get milked. I remember one time a buoy and the cable which the Faray men when I went to Kirkwall, my brother looked salvaged. after the beasts and on the night I came home my brother happened to be in the house. The Exodus When the cow heard my voice she boggled (lowed loudly) and we ran to the byre think- After the war got done, folk got very discon- ing that some of the beasts had broken loose. tented and it was a job to get teachers. There She licked me all over as much as to say it were just two bairns to go to school and the was good I had got home again. My pet cow authorities wanted the parents to board them was led out last to be sold and I did not like to out. The two children were very young and lead her out. My good friend, the late John the parents did not agree. They decided to Fouls (of Jericho, Westray) who was over clear out and get a farm where there was a from Westray led her out and when I heard school. who had bought her I was pleased because I knew she was going to a good home. I also In 1947 everybody decided to leave the had a dog and two cats. He was called Fred. I island. The Seatters left Doggerboat and went put him down; it was the worst thing I ever to Elsness in Sanday; the Rendall family went had to do. I thought he might be cruelly to Scalbigger in Tankerness; the James treated for he was used with nobody but me Seatter family left Holland and went to and would likely not do any good any other Brendale in ; my brother and family place. The cats — John Fouls took one and went to Bigswell in ; the Wallace my brother the other. There was a bull sale in family went to Orphir. Kirkwall and I had to go over to Eday the night before to catch the boat in the morning. The First and Last Auction Sale Wullie Wallace went down to the jetty to see if the boats were all right before he went to I was living alone and was not yet married bed. What do you think he saw but my white and had no farm to go to, so I decided to have cat sitting where I had gone on the boat earlier a sale of my stock and so on in Eday. I knew in the afternoon. that Gordon Mainland had the farm of Warrenha' — the Tulloch family had gone to That was the only auction sale connected with Sanday and Warrenha's steading was empty. Faray. Whenever anyone left Faray they went Gordon Mainland was fairly willing to let me to another farm or a son took over the farm have my stock put there, so I got all my after the father. So, Faray is all sheep now, implements and hen houses put over to Fers 600 ewes, run by John Harcus of

12 Chalmersquoy, Westray, the nephew of my wife, and Marcus Hewison. Faray is fenced in 5 or 6 different sections and tide Harcus/Hewison folk go there for five or six weeks at lambing time. My wife's sister, Mimes, cooks for them.

Conclusion So that is the history of Faray from the 18th century. I still think that before that Drummonds would have been the most common name in Faray. At the present time there is only one Drummond in Orkney and that is Mrs Rendall of Daylavie. Her father and my father were second cousins.

The island of Faray up to the end of the 19th century was spelt Faray or Fara^ but there were letters which went astray and ended up in the Faroe Islands, a dependency of Denmark. The old folk used to call the Faroe islands, North Fara. The postal authorities decided to spell Faray as Pharay to ease the problem. But the problem would not have lasted long because everyone left.

1 Note by the Editor: It would appear from an examination of the census returns that the Seatters and Allans must have been at Holland for short periods between the census years because Stewart Drummond was in Holland in 1861,71 and 81. The Reids were there in 1891. 2 Johan Blaeu's 1654 map of Orkney spells Faray as Fara.

"Thanks Orkney" from Ken Harrison, uia e-mail

From the moment that the "St. Ola" tied up to the pier on 2 June with the Canadian flying at the bow, with the Pipe Band playing on the dock, Orkney treated the Canadians on their "Homecoming" to a wonderful week. Kathleen Hogarth took us in her hands, and the results of her fine organizing were evident for the next six hectic days, until the "St. Ola" took us back to Scrabster.

Many times during those days I heard people on the tour exclaim about the friendliness and help- fulness of everyone they met, not just the persons who had the task of looking after us. And those of us who went to the OFHS room at the Town Hall were amazed at all the informa- tion that the volunteers had dug out for us. The island tours were all very informative, with guides who put themselves out to answer all of our (often naive) questions, and took a personal interest in what they showed us. And the enter- tainments at the Pickaquoy Centre and the Stromness Town Hall, with the Orkney and Canadian fiddlers,.... Well, I could go on and on, but instead I will just express my appreciation to all the wonderful people I met on this brief trip. I know I speak for all the others as well. I didn't meet everyone who worked so hard to make our trip one of the best I have ever had, but I would like to person- ally thank those persons who were so kind to me: Kathleen Hogarth for her marvelous organiza- tion and energy, Eivor Cormack and Rosemary Jenkins for their informative (and patient) tour commentaries, and David Higgins and George Gray of OFHS for the research work they did on behalf of everyone.

I hope that the Homecoming lived up to your expectations, and I'm sure that many of us (and our friends) will be back again and again. Ken Harrison, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

13 Old Sanday Family Tree circa 1840, from Boloquoy, Cross, Sanday, reproduced by the kind permission of Oliver Drever, Boloquoy. Contributed by Eddie Sinclair

George Traill, son of Blebo in Fife married Jane Kennedy of Carmunks name daughter of Lady Jane Kennedy daughter of Gilbert 4th Earl of Cassiles who was married to Robert Stewart - George became factor for the Earl and acquired and settled on the lands of Quandell in the island of Rousay. He had issue by Jane his wife a son No.l who became 1st of Holland - George afterwards married Isabell Craigie of by whom he had Issue No.2. The earl died in 1598.

No. 1 Thomas Traill of Holland Marion Craigie Issue No 3 No. 2 James? Traill 2nd of Quandell Issue No 4 No. 2 Thomas Traill of Westove Jane Cock Issue No 5 No. 2 William Traill of Westness Barbara Balfour Issue No 6 No. 2 Barbara Traill James Fea of Clestron Issue No 7 No. 3 George Traill of Holland Catherine Baikie Issue No 8 No. 3 Thomas Traill of Skail Elizabeth Scollay Issue No 9 No. 3 Pat Traill Issabell Reid Issue No 10 No. 4 George Traill Chamberlain Ann Loutit Issue No 11 No. 5 Thomas Traill of Westove Ann Graham Issue No 12 No. 6 George Traill of Westness Mary Ballendon No. 6 William Traill Isabella Fea Issue No 14 No. 7 James Fea of Clestrain Barbara Traill Issue No 15 No. 8 Thomas Traill of Holland Marion Traill Issue No 16 No. 8 Elizabeth Traill William Douglas of Issue No 17 No. 9 George Traill of Skail ancestor of Dr.Geo Traill, Crief No. 9 Thomas Traill 1 st of Tirlot Elizabeth Traill Issue No 18 No. 9 Marion Traill James Mackenzie writer Issue No 19 No. 9 Elizabeth Traill John Balfour of Trenaby Issue No 20 No. 9 Mary Traill Rev William Blaw Westray Issue No 21 No. 10 James Traill London Issue No 22 No. 11 George Traill of Hobbister D.D. Jane Murray Issue No 23 No. 11 Rev Thomas Traill Sanday Isabella Grant Issue No 24 No. 11 Sibella Traill John Traill of Elsness Issue No 25 No. 11 Ann Traill William Mowat of Crock? Issue No 26 No. 12 James Traill of Westove, ancestor of the present Walter Traill Sanday No. 14 Robert Traill Boston N America Issue No 28 No. 14 Lieutenant William Traill R.N. Issue No 27 No. 15 James Fea of Clestron Janet Buchanan No. 15 John Fea succeeded his brother and left Issue No 29 No. 16 George Traill of Holland Jane Traill Issue No 30 No. 16 William Traill of Frotoft Elizabeth Liddle Issue No 31 No. 17 Janet Douglas James Baikie of Tankerness Issue No 32 No. 18 Thomas Traill 2nd of Tirlot Mary Blaw Issue No 33 No. 19 Thomas Mackenzie Elizabeth Blaw Issue No 34 No. 20 William Balfour of Trenaby Elizabeth Coventrie Issue No 35 No. 20 Thomas Balfour Mary Mackenzie Issue No 36 No. 21 James Blaw Barbara Donaldson Issue No 37 No. 21 Jane Blaw Rev Andrew Cowan Issue No 38 No. 22 Lucia Traill 1 Rev T Traill of Tirlot 2 D Spence of Scapay Issue No 39 No. 23 James Traill Sheriff of Caithness Lady Janet Sinclair Issue No 40

14 No. 24 Barbara Traill RevJoeehnYu le Issue No 41 No. 25 Elizabeth Traill John Urquart merch. Issue No 42 No. 25 Isabell Traill Andrew Baikie of Customs Issue No 43 No. 25 Margaret Traill Rev Hugh Sutherland Issue No 44 No. 26 Isobel Mowat Rev James Bremner of Walls Issue No 45 No. 27 John Traill of Woodwick Sibella Sutherland Issue No 46 No. 28 William Traill daughter of Sir George Colbrock Issue No 47 No. 29 John Fea of Seatter Anne Scott Issue No 48 No. 30 Thomas Traill of Holland Anne Stewart Issue No 49 No. 31 Thomas Traill of Frotoft Robina Grant Issue No 50 No. 32 Robert Baikie of Tankerness Mary Balfour Issue No 51 No. 33 Thomas Traill of Tirlot Lucia Traill No. 34 Kenneth Mackenzie Anne Wolf Issue No 52 No. 35 John Balfour of Trenabie MP for Orkney No. 35 Cd. Thomas Balfour Francis Syinaer Issue No 53 No. 35 David Balfour WS MissMacktosh Issue No 54 No. 35 Mary Balfour Robert Baikie No. 36 Elizabeth Balfour Robert Nicholson sherrif sub Issue No 55 No. 37 Barbara Blaw Robert Laing Strengie? Issue No 56 No. 38 Thomas Cowan purser R.N.? Isabel Laing Issue No 57 No. 39 Dr. Thomas Traill 4th of Tirlot Christian Robertson Issue No 58 No. 39 Margaret Spence Rev James Smellie St.Andrews Issue No 59 No. 39 Jane Spence Rev Andrew Smith Holm No. 40 George Traill of Hobbister Advocate MP for Orkney No. 41 Sibella Yule Rev George Barry Shapinsay D.D. Issue No 60 No. 42 John Traill Urquart of Elsness Advocate No. 42 Marion Urquart Capt. Sterling India Issue No 61 No. 42 Janet Urquart James Urquart banker London No. 43 Ltn. John Baikie Isabella Hutton No. 44 Sibella Sutherland John Traill of Woodwick Issue No 46 No. 45 Dr. John Bremner Sibella Urquart No. 46 John Traill of Woodwick Sibella Sutherland Issue No 62 No. 47 George William Traill new of Frotoft No. 48 James Fea Seatter Elspeth Linklater Issue No 63 No. 49 George Traill of Holland Mary Swan Issue No 64 No. 49 Isabell Traill Rev W Clousten Issue No 65 No. 49 Jane Traill Dr Robert Groat Issue No 66 No. 49 Anne Traill John Mitchell writer Issue No 67 No. 49 Margaret Traill Rev John Simpson Strenzie No. 50 William Traill of Frotoft Robina Fotheringham No. 50 Robert Traill surveyor of taxes No. 50 Ltn. Gilbert Traill Francis Baikie No. 50 Anne Traill William Graham Watt of Breckness No. 51 James Baikie of Tankerness advocate Elanor Wemys No. 52 Capt. Thomas Mackenzie Elizabeth Ayton Issue No 68 No. 53 Capt. William Balfour Mary Manson Issue N 69 No. 54 Lt. Capt. William Balfour No. 55 Capt. James Nicholson India No. 56 Malcolm Laing of Papdale advocate Margaret Craigie No. 56 Samuel Laing MissKelley Issue No 70 No. 57 Capt. Malcolm Cowan R.N. Eliza Digreaves No. 57 Capt. Thomas Cowan R.N. London No. 58 Miss Traill of Tirlot Rev John R Omand? No. 59 Rev George Smellie Sanday No. 60 Rev John Barry Shapinsay No. 60 Lt James Barry Laticia Berbridge No. 60 Anne Barry Rev William Malcolm Firth No. 61 Elizabeth Sterling Alex. P. Graham Crantit, chamberlain No. 62 William Traill of Woodwick Harriet Sarrel? No. 63 John Fea of Seatter Margaret Murray Issue No 71

15 No. 63 James Fea Helen Goar Issue No 72 No. 63 CaithrenFea James Angus Issue No 73 No. 63 Janet Fea James Couper Issue No 74 No. 64 Thomas Traill of Holland No. 65 Rev Charles Clousten Sandwick No. 66 Alex. G. Groat of N Hall advocate No. 67 J. Mitchell writer Anne Osbura No. 67 Margaret and Ann Mitchell No. 68 Thomas Mackenzie of Groundwater No. 68 Eliza Mackenzie Alex. Russel Duyum M.D. No. 69 Thomas Balfour advocate MP for Orkney No. 69 David Balfour W.S. No. 69 Maiy Balfour Mr Kenneir W.T.? Edinburgh No. 70 Samuel Laing younger of P&pdaleA.M. No. 70 Dorothy? Eliza Laing Mr. Baxter of Oerves? advocate No. 71 James, John, Janet, Eliza, William Fea No. 72 Betsy and Barbara Fea No. 73 Daniel, William, Betsy & Mary Angus No. 74 James Couper

Orcadian-Canadian Remembered SCOTTISHCENSUS Richard Shearer's talk at the AGM on War memorials reminded me of a visit my wife and RECORDS I made in May to France where we visited the grave of my father's uncle, David Rendall. He Transcripts and Indexes to the Census had emigrated to Canada before the first Records of ORKNEY now available on World War and then had returned with the microfiche, transcribed and edited by David Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was killed Armstrong, (Member of the Western three weeks before the end of the war in the Australian the Ontario Genealogical Societies, final push near the Belgian border. We found and the Orkney Family History Society). his well kept grave in a small military ceme- tary devoted exclusively to Canadians. Parishes: Information regarding the location of graves 1821 Census: Deeraess, Orphir, St Andrews, of soldiers can readily be obtained from the Sandwick, South Ronaldsay and , War Graves Commission. Stromness. Their address and telephone number is: - 2, Marlow Road, Maidenhead, Berks, SL6 1851 Census: , , Eday & 7DX. tele.no. 01628 634221 The Editor. Pharay, Evie and Rendall, Firth and Stenness, Hairay, Holm & Paplay, and , Kirkwall & St Ola #, North Ronaldshay, Orphir, St Andrew's, Sandwick, South Ronaldsay and Burray *, Stromness *, Walls and Flotta. Price: AS4.00 each or * A$4.50, #A$5.00 (incl. p & p). Discounts 10% on 5-9 sets, 20% on 10-24 sets. Agents: Aberdeen and North East Scotland Family History Society, Ontario Genealogical Society. Email: [email protected] Please make payment to:- D.S. Armstrong, P.O.Box 136, Maylands, Western Australia 6931.

16 The Skeleton In the Cupboard Compiled by Mimes Manson of (Member No 132)

A sasine dated 7th Feb. 1650 records the making liberty to put a loom in the house where he over of Skelbister in Sanday from John Cok (old dwelt. He said the ground belonged to his father- spelling of Cook) to John Miller and Helene Fea in-law but he expected to succeed to it. Another his spouse. There was always a John Miller there was offered a pair of white trousers and anything until 1826 when John Miller made it over to he set his mind on out of a merchant shop. Barbara Miller and her Husband James Slater. The name Miller was retained as a middle name The Jury found him guilty, but for several cir- in the Slater family and Skelbister was their cumstances recommended him to mercy. possession until it was sold in 1964 by John Miller Slater. The following record dated 6th Feb. 1817 proves without doubt that I was on to the correct man. Nobody was able to supply information as to who James was but I chanced to find in Ladykirk James Slater residing in Skelbister, son of John accounts 1816 the record of John Slatter in Gorn Sclater of Gorn, was guilty of stealing an iron being paid 10 shillings, part payment of a fine backhand, part of a cart harness, belonging to for his son, resident in Cross parish. His son John Traill Urquhart of Elsness and was impri- James had been accused, by Traill Urquhart of soned in jail in Kirkwall 'til Thursday 20th Feb. Elsness, of stealing a backhand of a cart from his and at 12 o'clock noon that day to be taken by property and as he did not wish to push the the officers of the court from the prison and deli- matter to extremity, would fine the accused f 1 to vered over by them to the common prosecutor be paid to the poor of the Parish. If it was not of the burgh to be carried by him from the prison paid in 10 days he would take criminal proceed- to the market cross of Kirkwall and there to ings. stand for the space of half an hour with a label on his breast and another on his back each label The letter was delivered to Gorn and the father bearing the word THIEF in large characters and being an old man whose upbringing in earlier having the stolen backhand fastened around his days made him fearful of men in Urquhart's posi- neck and thereafter to be drummed from the tion and fearful of his son's position had gone to cross to the head of the town of Kirkwall and the minister with 10 shillings, all he could thence to the shore by the town drummer, town afford. officers and prosecutor with the backhand about his neck and the labels on his back and breast. A Mr. Urquhart was not satisfied with part copy of the sentence was to be read by the payment and had gone to the public prosecutor church officers at the doors of the churches in to raise a criminal action so the 10 shillings was Lady Parish and Cross Parish in Sanday on returned, as a man should not be punished twice Sunday the 23td Feb. after divine service. for the same crime. At the time Skelbister was the one small place in I had a hunch that this was my man, so went to Cross Parish still owned by the family as most of the sheriff court records held in the archives and the places had been taken over by big landlords. was able to find a wad of documents concerning Walter Trail Dennison wrote of a man who sold the case. his place for a lifetime supply of snuff and then died very shortly after. (Old time drug trade?) There were letters from witnesses excusing their absence, Patrick Gore of Warsetter had 3 child- James .and Barbara had ten children. He died ren very bad with a gin cough, his wife had been before 1851 and she died at Skelbister at 8.30pm ill for some time and he had a severe cough. May 28th 1866. Two grandchildren became provosts of Kirkwall, and there are many descen- James Spence, merchant, had a cold and his dants in Orkney and elsewhere. father was in a weak state and not expected to recover. He stated that Slater was a near neigh- bour for the last 2 years and he had often employed him and found him to be honest. Several witnesses appeared. Some said Slater had tried to bribe them. One had been offered a piece of land to build a house, a keg of malt and

17 Greer Garson's Orkney Ancestors by Ronald Garson (member No 80)

Preface. birth in Sandwick, 25 Dec 1833 and his marri- age on 24 Jan 1860. Peter was the son of My own connection to the tree on the oppo- George Garson, 1792-1866 and Margaret site page is through Davin Garson b 1747 and Sibeston 1798-1833, Margaret having died on Marjory Yorston b abt 1750, my 4th great New Years Eve' six days after Peter's birth on grandparents. This would make Greer Garson Christmas Day. Their gravestone is in St my 4th cousin once removed. I believe there Peter's Kirkyard, Sandwick. is a bit of interest among Garsons in claiming kinship to Greer. I have a fair amount of From Troyan's book we learn that the Greers information on the Garsons of Orkney and on her mother's side, from Castlewellan, would be glad to share any information that I County Down, were descendants of the Clan have. The summary of Greer Garson's life MacGregor of Glen Orchy. It would appear ancestry has been agreed with the author, that Greer Garson was more Scottish than Michael Troyan. Irish.

Greer Garson's Orkney Ancestors Michael Troyan describes Greer's childhood in London. Troyan had had the opportunity to A well researched and very readable biogra- read an unpublished autobiography by Greer phy of Greer Garson has recently been pub- written in 1943, which gave details of her lished; "A Rose for Mrs Miniver. The life of family and her youth. She was interested in Greer Garson" by Michael Troyan. This book her roots, and she speculated on how her finally gave me the connection of Miss family had influenced her life and career. Garson to Orkney. I had been attempting to make the link for some time but had been Greer was only two when her father died thwarted by earlier misleading Hollywood suddenly during an appendectomy. Her father accounts of her being born in County Down, George had been a talented man, speaking . The year of birth was also incorrect. three or four languages and he travelled Greer was referred to as an Irish-born redhea- widely in Europe. It was said, he could recite ded actress. Her father was given as George whole pages from Goethe, Schiller, (Garson a businessman in County Down. Shakespeare and the Bible. Greer attributed About the time of her death in 1996, resear- her own love of music as inherited from her chers from the University of Ulster had disco- father. After George's death, grandfather Peter vered her birth location was actually London. Garson who lived nearby in London, read The London Times published an obituary, constantly to the frail Greer who spent much headed. "'Irish' star Garson dies an Essex of her early years, bedridden with chronic girl." Even the London Times was not without bronchitis. Her Garson aunts, strict error. Her father was referred to as a London Presbyterians, also came to the help of her police sergeant. I obtained a certified copy of widowed mother and they played a part in her birth certificate; "Eileen Evelyn Greer Greer's early development. Her uncle Peter Garson, born to Nancy Sophia Greer and Garson, a vaudeville artist played an inspira- George Garson on 29 September 1904 in the tional role in her interest in dramatic art. county of Essex". George entered his occupa- tion as a Commercial Clerk. For those interested in her remarkable career and her later philanthropic involvement in her From Michael Troyan's book I learned about community 1 would thoroughly recommend her father George who had been born in reading Michael Troyan's biography, 'A Rose London to a cabinetmaker Peter Garson and a for Mrs Miniver.' Jane Firth from Kirkwall. Peter and Jane had two children in Orkney before moving in the 1860's, to London where George and four other children were born. From the Registry Office 1 obtained the information on Peter's

18 Ancestors of Greer Garson

Parents Grndprnts Gr-Grndprnts 2nd Gr-Grnd 3rd Gr-Grndprnt

David Garson b: Abt. 1747 Evie & Rendall, Orkney m: 17/1/1772 in Evie and Rendall, Oricney d: Unknown

David Garson b: 7/11/1772 Vetquoy, Sandwick, Orkney m: 22/2/1801 in Sandwick d: Bef. 1821 ?Vettjuoy, S'arKftvick, Orkney

Mariorie Yorston George Garson b: Abt 1750 Orkney Vctquoy d: Unknown b: 26/3/1792 Sandwick, Orkney. m: Unknown d: 6/6/1866 Glebe, Stenness

Margaret Harvey b: Abt. 1772 Sandwick, Peter Garson Orkney Horness d: Unknown b: 25/12/1833 Kirkness, Sandwick, Orkney. ro: 24/1/1860 in Kirkwall St Ola, Orkney. ± Aft 1906 1 London, Peter Sabiston England b: Unknown m: Unknown d: Unknown

Margaret A. Sabiston aka: Marjory Sabiston Tenston b: 1798 d: 31/12/1833 ? Horness Sandwick

George Garson 88 First Avenue Margrat Rouland Manor Park b: Unknown b: 15/7/18GE London, d: Unknown England m: Abt. 1900 in ? London d: 1906 London, England James Firth b: Abt 1810 Orkney m: Unknown d: Unknown

Jean Firth b: 1838 , Orkney

Eileen E. Garson Jane Louttit aka: Greer Garson b: Abt 1815 Orkney b: 29/9/1904 88 First d: Unknown Avenue, Manor Park, East Ham, London, England m: 15/7/1949 in d: 6/4/1996 , David Greer Spouse: E. E. Fogelsoo b'. Unknown Ireland m: Unknown d: Unknown

Nancy S. Greer aka: Nina Greer b; Abt 1880 CastteweHan, County Down. Ireland d: 27/11/1958 Los Alleles, California

Sophia» b: Unknown d: Unknown

19 The Orkney Family History Society Membership, Subscriptions etc. Membership of the Society runs from 1 March to 28/29 February and subscriptions should be renewed during the month of March. New members joining before 1 December will receive back copies of the 3 magazines for the current year. From 1 December new members will receive membership for the remainder of the current year plus the following year but will not receive the back copies of the magazine. The present subscriptions rates are as follows: £10.00 1 Ordinary - Adult membership £15.00 2 Family membership - ( Spouse/Partner & children under 18) £ 7.00 3 Senior Citizen - (single or couple ) £12.50 4 Overseas - (Surface Mail) - All categories. In sterling please. £15.00 5 Overseas - (Air Mail) - All categories. In sterling please. Overseas members should pay their fees in sterling. If it is not possible to send £ sterling, please check exchange rate and add equivalent of £5.00 to 4 and 5. All subscriptions should be sent to the Membership Secretary and cheques should be made payable to: ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY. Receipts will be issued along with the next magazine. Members residing in the may pay their subscriptions by Bankers Order and may also take out a Deed of Covenant. ( Forms will be sent on request) 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: Orkney Family History Society, 8 Broad Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1NX. Office opening hours are as follows: April to September Monto 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

From George Gray, Treasurer. I must apologise to members for not presenting their subscription cheques for payment to the bank as soon as I received them. This was due to the fact that the annual subscriptions are not due until 1 March. However, many members sent their subscriptions two months early but I thought it would only be proper to hold on to them until the due date. Also, it should be noted that we only send out receipts with the next magazine to save on postage.

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

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