NEWSLETTER OFSIBTHE FAMIFOLKLY HISTORY SOCIETY NEWSISSUE 35 SEPTEMBER 2005

A fine sunny day in 2 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY Issue No35 September 05

ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY NEWSLETTER Issue No 35 From the chair September 2005 We have had a very busy summer in the Office again with over 160 visitors, some of whom wrote and told us they were CONTENTS coming, which was great as it gave us a chance to get some information ready for them when they arrived, sometimes even FRONT PAGE a cousin or two lined up to meet them. Sunny Finstown As you will see from the AGM minutes Nan Scott was PAGE 2 appointed as our Honorary President in recognition of all her From the Chair. hard work in helping to found a very successful and popular Just a minute society with over 800 members worldwide. Our annual summer outing was to this year and I would PAGE 3 like to thank everyone in Eday who helped make our day so Just a minute enjoyable. There is a full report of our visit on page 4. PAGE 4 We haven’t managed a gravestone recording evening this summer as the weather has been Our trip to Eday so unpredictable, hopefully we’ll have better luck next summer. PAGE 5 We now look forward to our monthly meetings starting in September with James Irvine as The inspiration guest speaker and Joyce Peace in October.  behind Anne ‘Merrybegotten’

PAGE 6 and 7 Vedder Part 5 PAGE 8 Nan’s bookshelf Just a minute

PAGE 9 Minutes of the AGM on Thursday 12th May 2005, The Oregon Trail at 7.30pm in the Supper room, Town hall, . PAGE 10 Robbie again hairperson, for auditing the accounts. PAGE 11 Anne Rendall, Most of the committee meetings had been welcomed thirty- General Custer C taken up discussing the constitution, she six people to the said, and Alan had done a lot of work PAGE12 & 13 meeting on a bonny drafting it. Flanders Field Gillian Mooney - Secretary night again. The society had advertised itself more this PAGE 14 & 15 There were apologies from Adrianne Leask, year placing an advertisement in the The second Dave Higgins, Helen Manson and Davina ‘Islander’ and leaflets designed by John Sergeant Stove Brown. Sinclair had arrived home and were being PAGE 16 & 17 Minutes of the EGM as well as the 2004 AGM distributed to various relevant locations. Still climbing and a statement of accounts were circulated. Web-master Dave Higgins had kept a close Family trees Adoption of the Minutes of the AGM was eye on the society’s web-site. Three PAGE 18 proposed by Alan Clouston and seconded by hundred and twenty-eight members had Helen Angus, Adoption of the Minutes of the logged on so far. emigration EGM was proposed by Nan Scott and seconded by Sheila Spence. Forthcoming Events:- PAGE 19 Arising from the Minutes of the AGM Hugh June 26th - Summer outing to the island Old books’ secrets Halcro-Johnston expressed the gratitude of of Eday. PAGE 20 the Friends of the Orkney Boat Museum for July - Graveyard recording. ‘Strange’ goings on OFHS’s help and support. Their group has August - Anticipate having a stall as now raised £17,000 so are able to make their usual at the Vintage Club Rally PAGE 21 first applications for grants. Sept 8th- James Irvine will give a talk. For Norquays & Anne gave thanks to the committee, the October 13th - Joyce Peace, whose father Cromartys volunteers and a few members working very was a Norwegian on the ‘Shetland Bus’ PAGE 22 diligently at home and also to Steven Sinclair November 10th - Annual Dinner.  ‘Medieval Churches

PAGE 23 Cover picture years he had left Orkney after a disagreement with Do you know this Our picture this month features Finstown, or ‘Finstoon’ as his partner who ran the Mill of . The inn was man? it is pronounced in Orkney. popularly known as Phinn’s and, as the village grew According to legend Finstown was founded by David around it, a name was required. And what better PAGE 20 Phinn an Irish veteran of the Napoleonic wars. He had than Finstown after the popular landlord. Membership been stationed in Orkney, married a local girl and ran a Finstown is a sought after location, green, pleasant details small inn known as the Toddy Hole. Phinn’s skill in and scenic. It is ideally positioned about midway storytelling made this a popular house but within four along the main road linking Kirkwall and . Issue No35 September 05 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 3

Treasurer, George Gray, gave his report until that meeting. saying the main reason we had done so well The new committee is:- financially this year was because we had Proposed Seconded less expense due to our position in the new Dave Higgins Hugh Halcro-Johnston George Gray Library & Archive. Adoption of the Adrianne Leask Alan Clouston Nan Scott Statement was proposed by Anne and Gillian Mooney Nan Scott Helen Angus seconded by Hugh. Alan Clouston Hugh Halcro-Johnston Anne Rendall The healthy bank balance meant there will Helen Angus Joyce Moore Pat Sinclair be no need to raise fees. This was proposed Hazel Goar Betty Cameron Helen Angus by Hugh and seconded by Alan. Betty Thomson Alan Clouston Ian Cameron Brigadier S P Robertson had intimated that John Sinclair Nan Scott Alan Clouston Did you he wished to stand down from his position as Helen Manson George Gray Gillian Mooney know? Honorary President and Anne expressed Hugh Halcro-Johnston Nan Scott S P Robertson James Petrie Chalmers very grateful thanks to him for all his There were no other nominations. was born in the parish of support. The committee had agreed that it Anne then introduced Sarah Jane Grieve , Orkney in would like to put forward a recommendation who had been invited to give a talk and to 1866. that Nan Scott be elected the new Honorary show slides on ‘Parish Churches and His father was a grocer Parishes in Medieval Orkney’. Sarah had President reminding us that Nan had been a but young James did did major factor in making the Society what it is been studying towards a Ph D and exploring follow in his footsteps; today. Brigadier S P Robertson proposed medieval Orkney by looking at churches.As instead he began his that Nan be elected his successor. There she pointed out a lot of our source material working life as an seemed to be unanimous agreement with came from records held by the Kirk. She had apprentice printer with Alan remarking that it was thanks to Nan found that there were thirty-five parish the Orkney Herald. that we were all here. In reply Nan said that kirks and posed the question, ‘Why is this This early taste of the Brigadier had been a great encourager. church here and not there?’ and looked at publishing probably She had noticed that he always kept his how they were situated in the landscape. determined the future word, had a She discover- course of his life. sense of hum- ed that about As a young man he our and a twenty-six are emigrated to the USA genuine inter- next to high and settled in New York. est in folk and status settle- It was here, in 1907, that she would try ments, near he published the first to be the same. properties world film magazine The Brigadier with names called the ‘Movie Picture showed this like Bu, Skaill, Guide’. sense of hum- Bea or ending He was instrumental in our when he in by or bay. transforming the cinema replied that he Most of the from a sideshow never knew he kirks were on attraction to a popular was such a nice lands ass- form of entertainment. chap. Nan said ociated with He succeeded in she would like Earls or Chief- preventing Thomas to remain a tains - per- Edison from placing volunteer in haps to show restrictive constraints on the office and that they were various aspects of film help any way Brigadier S.P.Robertson steps down as Honorary President practising technology which would she can. She also and recommends Nan Scott as his successor. Christians. Also have prevented the expressed a wish tithes were medium being made to be invited to ‘sit in’ on committee created to be paid to the owner of the land. available to wide meetings occasionally. Sarah has promised to supply a separate audiences. Anne then asked Nan to take the chair for copy of notes on her talk. He died at the age of 46 nomination of officials on the committee. Before the usual teas etc. from Mags and in a tragic accident in Position Proposed Seconded Annie Anne thanked Sarah very much for Ohio where he fell to his Chairperson her interesting talk and expressed death down a liftshaft. Anne Rendall Helen Angus Betty Cameron appreciation for her hard work.  He was mourned by the Treasurer Gillian. greats of the industry George Gray Hugh Halcro-Johnston Gillian Mooney and it was said of James As Gillian wished to step down from the Chalmers that he was position of secretary and there were no other From time to time we nd that members are forwarding ‘the saviour of the the same enquiries to both the Family HistorySociety proposals or offers from the floor Alan cinema who put his and the Orkney Library Archive. This means that livelihood and home at suggested that ten members be elected to researchers from both groups are working on the same the committee and a secretary be chosen material. Please ensure that relevant enquiries are sent risk to advance the from the ten at the next committee meeting. to one source only to avoid duplication of effort. industry’. Gillian agreed to remain as acting secretary 4 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY Issue No35 September 05 Nan Scott reflects on our trip to Eday On the 26th June the icious soup from a seemingly members and friends of the bottomless pot! This was foll- OFHS, twenty-six persons in owed by the usual island all, made their way to the hospitality of sandwiches, island of Eday. In the morn- homebakes and clootie duff ing the weather was cool and (Ena’s speciality). the sky overcast but the rain The party were next conveyed held off until the afternoon. to Carrick House. The owners, On reaching Eday some Peter and Rosemary Joy, “kent” faces were spotted showed them over the entire including Charlie Tulloch, a garden and the house. The former serviceman and re- house dates from the 17th tired Pier master.Alan century and there is a coat of Stewart of Stackald and Sue arms above the gate in the Thomson of Pulhoy were wall of the courtyard dated waiting with the buses to 1663. With such a long his- take us on our adventures. tory the house manages to Eday is situated in the The first stop was at the old feel welcoming, warm and centre of the Orkney Churchyard. Time was spent lived-in. A modern touch was Islands with views of taking pictures and trying to the table set as it was for the Sanday, , decipher inscriptions. This visit of the Duchess of , and was made difficult by the Gloucester in 1988. Shapinsay. abundance of lichen and moss It was from “big hoose” to It is approximately 8 growing in the pure Eday air. “peedie hoose” when the party miles long and 3 miles Next the bus drivers were visited the Red House Croft wide. It is hilly in the waiting to take the party on Restoration Project. There middle and agriculture is to visit the Kerrs at was an Interpretative centre concentrated round the Redbanks. They run a fine with information on local furniture makers business edges. that is well named “Sui history, archaeology, natural The island and its Generis” Colin, Sherry and history and genealogy. Betty adjoining Calf are rich their son Leo are all involved Thomson had helped with the in prehistoric in making the beautiful, latter.Peter Mason who had archaeology with many unique items that furnish met us when he was wearing chambered cairns and their home and also the his Pier master’s hat was in tombs. pieces that are for sale. charge. The croft, built of red Carrick House on the Samples of their skills can be sandstone, is famous for it’s main island dates from found far and wide including water driven mill wheel. 1633 when it was built St Magnus Cathedral. Sherry The visit ended with another and owned by John provides tourist accommod- stop at the school for tea and Stewart, brother of the ation and again nowhere else could one find similar goodies, then we joined a very hated Earl Patrick furniture and furnishings. busy ferry bringing a crowd of Stewart. It also featured Tea and coffee, beautifully people from a week-end of in the capture of Gow served, was enjoyed by all music in . the pirate when his ship before leaving Redbanks. Would a visit there be a good the Revenge ran We were soon at the School idea for an outing in the aground opposite and the lovely warm smell of future we wondered! Carrick house. The food greeted us. Ena Hewison The trippers are very grateful ship’s bell is still and Jacqui Laughton were to all the folks who made the preserved in the house. waiting to ladle up the del- day so very special. Issue No35 September 05 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 5 The inspiration behind my novel ‘Merrybegotten’ by Fiona (Williamson) Pearson. Member 424

n intriguing an- So my grand- cestor from Fair father,William AIsle led me to a Williamson, new venture – novel was born illegit- writing. imately in 1879 on the island of Mysteries within my Westray in Orkney, and the life of my great- great-grandmother’s un- grandmother, and that of her merrybegotten settled life fed my son, was resolutely set out of kilter. The imagination, fuelling word ‘merrybegotten’ indicates an my thoughts with illegitimate bairn. My fascination grew. ponderings and wonder- With an acorn of facts my family tree ings until an unstop- emerged – and on its branches I began to pable flow of fiction hang a story. poured from my finger- Initially I knew very little about the tiny Fiona Pearson tips and into my island of Fair Isle, its name synonymous computer. Loosely based on facts my with yoke-patterned natural wool jumpers document developed and thrived until, with and Radio 4 fishing reports. On a map I Did you publication, my novel entitled “Merry- found Fair Isle to the far north of the know? begotten” was born. I wonder now what my Scottish mainland, sitting like a stepping great-grandmother might say about my re- stone over twenty miles equidistant betwixt The Press Gang was a creation of her – if she could return from her the archipelagos of Orkney and Shetland. party of seamen unmarked grave in an Orkney cemetery – for My imagination was captured by such a commanded by an I have given her new life, a different identity, microcosm of life in such a remote 19th officer who forcibly and an essence of eternity. century fishing community. recruited men into the My name is Fiona Pearson; my pseudonym ‘Merrybegotten’ is a tapestry of life and Navy against their will. Fiona Williamson Pearson is in tribute to my death, a tale woven around different kinds It was legally based on Williamson ancestors from Fair Isle who of love, where fatalism, joy and blind emotion the Royal right to call migrated and segregated time and time again play havoc with harsh realities in a story men up for military around the far northern isles of .This spanning three generations. service and was desire to research my Scottish roots began Dave Wheeler, host of the wonderful necessary as no better long before the recent spate of ‘Who Do You www.fairisle.org.uk website, very kindly gave way had been found to Think You Are?’ style television programmes me two of his evocative photographs of Fair provide crew for ships. It where celebrities are encouraged to research Isle for the front and back covers. continued until 1815 their ancestry.I knew that as a boy my father ‘Merrybegotten’ is published by Kennedy when it was supposed to and his family used to visit relatives in and Boyd in Glasgow and is also available in have been discontinued. Orkney, and as a young man had cycled there a Large Print version. During the Napoleonic from Glasgow, but as is often the case with You can contact me on: wars over 2000 Orkney family historians it was only after the death [email protected]  men served in the Royal of my parents and their siblings that I became Navy, many of them curious about my ancestors. press ganged. This I joined both the Orkney and the Shetland figure represented about Family History Societies, where kind vol- WANTED 10% of the population of unteers unearthed details from birth, If you have a family tale to tell the islands at that time. marriage and death certificates, and I we would love to hear about it. obtained census reports.I discovered that my Long or short, you decide. great-grandmother was born in 1860 on Fair Contributions for the December Isle, part of the Shetland archipelago. As an newsletter by 18-year old farm servant she was working October 17th far from home in Orkney when shunned by please to allow for Christmas her lover, who deemed her “too lowly” to holidays and mailings. marry. 6 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY Issue No35 September 05

Kirks, Picnics and my first dance

By Isabella Tomlinson Muir hen first I remember, most of the Thou art our God and our guide and our Tankerness folks went to the U.P. upmaking portion, through life and through WChurch in Kirkwall. A few families death and through all eternity... Give us went to the Free Church in St Andrews and peace, oh Lord, give us joy and peace and a very few went to the Established Church believing in Thy thrice holy name. Do make or ‘Auld Kirk.’ our peace like a river, and our righteousness The Turfuses of Wethick went to the Free like the waves of the sea... Do Thou keep our Church in Kirkwall. From Ness to Rerwick - feet from falling, our souls from sin and our the two furthermost corners of Tankerness - eyes from tears. Soften our hard hearts, In 1942 Isabella they went to the U.P. Church in Kirkwall. warm our cold hearts and remove the Tomlinson Muir (ne´e They did not go just once in a while: they darkness and doubt from our minds and Donaldson) comp- went regularly. Some went by cart, but most enable us to see light out of Thy light clearly.’ leted the reminiscences of people went on foot - anything from five or These are some of their prayers I recall at her years at the farm of nine miles each way. They went for the Vedder in Tankerness, the moment. There was never any hesitancy forenoon service and stayed for the afternoon in their prayers, for they had such a good Orkney. service (and sometimes for the evening In this,part 6, she tells of knowledge of the scriptures that they were services too) and in the winter time it was never at a loss.Family worship was on the important part dark before they came home. It must have religion played in the Sunday evenings.We never dreamt of been a glorious walk in summer time.I can reading a newspaper on the ‘Sabbath Day’ or lives of her family and remember seeing the ‘Kirk folk’ coming over neighbours. any book save a religious one, and as for the ‘Brae of Savily’ on a fine summer sewing and mending, it was never done. The On a lighter note she evening, quite a crowd of them too, in little recalls leaving school at ‘Christian Herald’ was the popular week-end groups of twos and threes. When they went paper. fourteen and being out of sight at the White Dyke it was time to allowed to go to her first When first I remember, Sunday School was put the kettle on and set the table. Religion dance...with a partner. held in the Temperance Hall for all the was part of people’s lives. There was nothing This episode finishes children belonging to the U.P. Church, blatant or ostentatious about their religion; with the celebration of the Kirkwall. I did not go very long to this it was used like an everyday garment. It was coronation of King Sunday School for after the union of the U.P. Edward VII which took natural to go to church, to read the Bible and and Free Churches most of the U.Ps. went to place in 1901. other religious books, and to hold family the U.F. Church, St Andrews, whose minister worship. There was no hypocrisy about it; it was the Rev.James Cheyne.I do remember was part of the routine of life. going to the Sunday School in the Family worship had no particular meaning Temperance Hall, however, with Maggie, to me when I was a child, but as I grew older whose teacher was Jean Banks.James I listened to my parents’ prayers and to this Eunson of Whitecleat, mother’s cousin, was day I can recall certain parts of them, and my teacher, and James Spence of Aikers very often I come across quotations used by taught the big boys. my father and mother in their prayers in the Prayer meetings were held in some houses, old and new Testaments; in fact, much of especially at Scarpigar. There Mr Cheyne their prayers consisted of scriptural came in his gig on a Sunday evening.Mrs quotations. My mother very often started her Cheyne with him, and when he gave out the prayer with ‘Most merciful Father, what can psalm or paraphrase, he would turn to Mrs we render unto Thee for all Thy goodness to Cheyne and say ‘Helen, raise the tune.’ (In us’ to be followed by such affirmations and later years at Guild meetings and the like, exhortations as ‘Thy long-sparing and tender when there was no male singer available,Mr mercies have been over us and ours during Cheyne sometimes said to me ‘Bella, raise another day, and it is of Thy mercies that we the tune.’ are not consumed... they are new unto us A baptism in the house was another every morning and fresh every moment. occasion for a prayer meeting or religious Great, oh Lord, is Thy faithfulness... Whom service. It would be intimated from the pulpit have we in Heaven beside Thee? And there is that a service would be held at a certain house none upon earth that we desire before Thee. when the Sacrament of Baptism would Issue No35 September 05 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 7

be dispensed. Before the union of the Grimster then, and I have many happy memories of it. I liked the old house of churches, the minister from Kirkwall came Grimster with its big, old fashioned kitchen out to visit his country congregation (not and open fireplace. The back window looked very often be it said) and to hold a service out towards the Old Road and beyond it to for them at the Temperance Hall or school. Inganess Bay. The kitchen table, which was The Parish minister, the Rev. Oliver Scott, a long one, stood opposite the window, and there was a long wooden seat at that side visited us once in a while. He was a distant which held at least four people during Did you cousin of my grandmother’s. He was a meals. know? patriarchal looking man with a flowing When I was a little girl, I often spent a white beard, and a sense of humour which night at Grimster and on a winter evening, Noltland Castle even his ministerial office could not before supper, they would get me to sing to In 1560, Adam Bothwell, suppress. He drove a four wheeled carriage - them. ‘When London Sleeps’ was a favourite. the last catholic bishop a kind of brougham, I think. The Laird had For supper they always had bere bread of Orkney, granted lands the same type of carriage. After the union of broken in small pieces in a bowl, with hot in Westray to his broth- er-in-law Gilbert Balfour, the Churches, our family left the U.P. (or milk poured over it and supped with a spoon; but as a reward for my singing Mrs founder of the Balfour Paterson Church, so called after the Rev.Dr Eunson (Rob’s mother) would give me loaf family of Orkney. Paterson, a former pastor) and went to the bread instead of bere with the milk. Little Soon Mary Queen of Scots was to make United Free Church, St Andrews, which was did she know that I much preferred the bere fully three miles from Vedder. Balfour Sheriff of Orkney. bread! Home baked bread at Grimster was Now Balfour had made SCHOOL DAYS OVER always good, especially bere bread. many enemies in his life I was fourteen and a bit when I left school. The new dwelling house at Grimster was and to protect himself he My sister, Maggie, had been appointed built soon after I left school. My sister then built Noltland castle in assistant teacher the previous summer, so had two children, Daisy and Nanny, and Westray. This was indeed a stronghold with the mother really required my help. Bobbie was born in the new house. It was a two-storey building, a very nice house, but walls of the lower floors I was at my first dance shortly after pierced by 71 gunloops. leaving school. Girls only went to dances there was something homely about the big rambling old house that never, to my mind, In 1567 James Hepburn, with partners then. My partner was Johnny Earl of Bothwell, married Mowat from the Barns, and Bobbie found its way into the new house.I have Mary Queen of Scots and Stevenson was Jeanie Banks’ partner.I felt happy memories of Mrs Eunson (mammy) some sources contend grown up, and Jeanie who was a year and when I was a child. Whenever I came to the that Noltland Castle was nine months my senior put her hair up for house, she took down the biscuit tin and to be her refuge after her the occasion and remained grown up ever gave me something to eat as ‘bairns were defeat at the Battle of after.I remember how attractive she looked always hungry’ she said. My brother Willie, Langside. More confusion arose with her black hair piled on top of her head. and his wife Maggie, were in the farm of Valdigar when I left school, and had two over names and position The pleasure of the dance was somewhat when the Queen bestow- marred by a rather unfortunate, though children, Billy and Minnie. George was born later at Valdigar. The house of Valdigar was ed the title of Duke of slight, accident, which befell me. It was a Orkney on her husband. lovely frosty morning when the dance was not attractive, but Maggie had a knack of After yet another defeat finished and Jeanie and I decided to walk making a place look homely. This she did at the Battle of Carberry home in our shoes (we didn’t have dancing with Valdigar, and many pleasant evenings I Hill near Edinburgh, slippers then) and carry our boots. Our have spent there. The great game at both Bothwell fled to his new young escorts were not lacking in manners, Grimster and Valdigar in the winter dukedom in Orkney but so they carried our boots. Surely my parcel evenings was ‘Tiddlywinks’ and Maggie was his plan was thwarted by Gilbert Balfour who was not sufficiently secure, for when I such an adept at the game.We played ‘Tiddlywinks’ at Vedder too as well as card turned the guns of arrived home there was only one boot in it. Kirkwall Castle on him, Johnnie Mowat had dropped the other boot games. My sister Sarah had three small boys at driving Bothwell out of near Whitecleat, and the Eunsons had Orkney and to his event- found it; but I received such merciless this time and she and they spent many of ual imprisonment and teasing about the incident at the time that I the summers days at Vedder; Peter coming death in Norway. would not go to Whitecleat for it. So my first out at the weekends.Afterwards, the Brass After twenty years of dance cost me a pair of boots. children came to Vedder for their holidays. imprisonment Mary was I joined the Good Templars when I was The Coronation Picnic (King Edward’s) beheaded at Fotheringay fourteen and was a regular attender at the was held at Nearhouse the year after I left Castle. Gilbert Balfour met a Lodge for many years and took part in school. Maggie was still teaching, and Uncle William gave the children of the Tankerness similar end in Sweden various activities and offices. but his family went on to Life at Vedder went along quietly and school enamel Coronation mugs. Maggie had been to Edinburgh the previous summer and have a long and honour- happily after I left school. I was at home to able association with help mother, Jimmy to help father, Maggie spent a holiday with Uncle William and she Orkney until 1961 when was teaching and Johnny was home at the went again the summer following the the line died out with the weekends.We were a happy family. Coronation. There was a huge bonfire at death of David Ligonier I often visited my sister Barbara at Mount Pleasant the night of the Coronation Balfour in 1961. Grimster. The were living in the old house of and another at Fea 8 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY Issue No35 September 05

From my bookshelf By Nan Scott Member No 8 have recently read three interesting books. Interesting from a family history Iresearch point of view in general rather than Orcadian. “Knowing Your Grandfather Joseph William Wilson 1879-1958” was a Christmas present. Malcolm Cant, the author, probably just newly retired, sets out to learn about his grandfather’s life before he had come to Edinburgh where he was a policeman. Malcolm had a difficult task. His grandfather had been one of a big family born to a shepherd in Minnigaff, Kirkcudbrightshire. They were living in Creewood Cottage at the time and Malcolm was thrilled to come across the carved lentil stone of Creewood and it now adorns his patio in Edinburgh. This is a book with soft covers and few Malcolm’s research of the lives of his pictures but has an Appendix of poetry and grandfather and grandmother took him all songs composed by people of Ulva. When I the way from Minnigaff through Ayrshire mentioned this book in the OFHS office one and the Borders to Newington Cemetery day to my surprise Leslie Thomson waxed where his Grandparents are buried. He poetical with verses from “Lord Ullin’s spent a lot of time visiting the relative areas Daughter” by Thomas Campbell. Sure where he met helpful people. He spent time enough this describes an incident in Ulva in New Register House and he searched when a young couple tried to elope with Valuation rolls, Edinburgh City Police disastrous results.Many people of a certain records, hospital, school, and church records age had to learn this poem by rote. Donald etc. In the latter I found an Orkney Mackenzie has printed his collection of connection! One of the family had been a poems in both Gaelic and English. member of Duncan Street Baptist Church. I My third book was “A School in the Hills” too was a member there when at college and by Katharine Stewart. This is the history of I sat in the same pew as John and Jeannie the school at Abriachan, which is about ten Rendall from Westray. John was also an miles south of Inverness along the north side Edinburgh policeman. Maybe he knew of Loch Ness. It was similar to the story of Joseph Wilson as he was about the same age. other one and two teacher schools in out of Do you Today Duncan Street people know all about the way places where children have to move know? Orkney as one of the deacons and their away for further learning.No Orkney minister of fifteen years spent time in connection here until Katherine mentioned Which son of an Westray to which they often refer. that Mollie Hunter, the author of children’s Orkney father The book has a hard cover and contains books had lived at Abriachan for a time.I appears every night many black and white pictures of buildings, could not recall having heard of her so at the London artefacts, people and family trees and looked in the library and found two of her Palladium? portraits. It has many helpful ideas for the books one set in Orkney and one in family researcher. Shetland. It may be that I am in my second Peter Russell, My next book was, “As it was (Sin Mar A childhood but I enjoyed both. The Orkney member 161 came Bha)”, An Ulva Boyhood by Donald W one was “The Stronghold” that being the up with this teaser Mackenzie. He came to the island of Ulva as original . The Shetland one was “A and the answer is a baby, the son of a minister, in 1918 and left Stranger came ashore” the story of a selkie revealed on it in 1929. He gives an interesting and man. page 15. detailed account of the people, the Katharine’s book has several pictures of happenings, and the customs of the years places and people including school groups. that he lived there. The MacQuarries were There is one drawing of a sculptured grave an important family in Ulva and this rang a slab found nearby at Kilianan which bell. A MacQuarrie from Ulva had been a reminds me of the “Westray Stone” I think lighthouse keeper at Noup Head in Westray. there is a museum near the school now and His sister was his housekeeper until she from the map it looks as if you can reach it married Alexander Bain, the general from the A82 from Inverness. merchant, who delivered the groceries. They Those of you who have read to the end of built a house in and called it Ulva my story will have noticed that I have read Cottage. five books!  Issue No35 September 05 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 9

Did you know? In the great storm of rcadians John Cummin and his filled up with timber so that they would have 1952 seven thousand brother William, both born on the dry fuel at the next stop. henhouses were Oseven mile long island of South There was also a box for provisions built destroyed and 86,000 Ronaldsay beside the , sailed on the rear of the other wagon and it hens died as hurricane to North America in 1857, making their way contained supplies of dried fruit and force winds, in excess to Chicago from where they started working vegetables, cured meat, sugar, flour and of 120mph, left a trail their way around the United States, soap. Their bread on the trip was always of destruction that eventually freighting on the Oregon Trail. sourdough buns. made headlines This pioneering route across the American The family trekked like this across Idaho worldwide. continent, from Independence in West and came to a lake they had to swim their In today’s terms the Missouri to the Columbian River country of outfit across. Since they were herding 50 damage to Orkney ran North Oregon, was utilised throughout the head of extra horses, it must have proved a into millions of pounds 19th century and measured around two hazardous task. and was so severe that thousand miles. They always camped near water and at the then Lord John met and married Martha Starcher in night the herder kept the campfire going. Lieutenant of Orkney 1864. She was of Pennsylvanian Dutch Mosquitoes and coyotes were a nuisance but set up an emergency descent from West Virginia where her the smoke helped keep them at bay. relief fund and made a parents had been plantation owners. During One stretch became scary as it took two general appeal for the Civil War, her father and mother had days to find any water.A small can of donations. been on their way by covered wagon to drinking water was all that was left and the The response from the Oregon when they met the Orkney boys on restive horses were becoming hard to British public was the big trail. control. immediate and The Cummin brothers took out At the end of the second day, and with generous. homesteads in Kansas and the deeds were time running out, they spotted a number of The King and Queen signed by President Grant himself. On one cattle congregating at a water hole. They sent messages of sympathy and followed memorable occasion, the redoubtable Jesse were wild beasts and became terrified of so this up with donations James and his gang of outlaws galloped many parched horses galloping down on to the fund. Princess pellmell into John’s front yard and traded them. The cattle stampeded and the boys Elizabeth, The Duke of horses leaving their exhausted mounts took off their shirts and waved them Edinburgh and the late frantically at the maddened animals, turning behind. Naturally no-one objected! Queen Mary also made them just before they smashed into the John sold out in 1872 and, with his wife contributions. wagons. and infant son Alexander, headed west once Despite an appeal in more by covered wagon. On the treeless prairies of Montana they Parliament, by the Another son, William, was born on the used dried buffalo chips for fuel while the Orkney and Shetland trail at Pilot Rock in Oregon and from there boys whittled wood from telegraph poles for MP Jo Grimmond, for the family settled down on a farm in kindling. more state aid this was Washington State for 20 prosperous years, At the border on entering Canada they refused by the producing six more children, until they were were met by six Northwest Mounted Police- Secretary of State and hit by three years of bad weather. *men, all splendid in their distinctive scarlet government support So once again John and Martha loaded up uniforms, who performed inspection duties. amounted to a big fat their covered wagons and headed with six of It was nearing the end of June and some of zero. their family for Canada (two of the girls the horses had become ill through so much This naturally caused stayed behind). exhausting travelling. Progress was held up resentment as Orkney One wagon was drawn by six horses, and while these sick animals were treated. and the Orcadians were the other by four; and they were heavily By now everyone was feeling weary from left to pick up 90% of laden with machinery and household effects. the long trip but continued onwards finally the bill. Martha and the youngest children travelled arriving at their destination, Wetaskiwin in in a separate carriage. the northwest territories (now Alberta) on On the rear of one wagon an extension had July 26th, 1891, the summer before the first been made by a smithy especially for the railway came in. The trip had been 900 miles trip. There was also a large wooden box built and had lasted ten weeks. on this wagon and at each campsite it was For a year they lived in the Gwynn  10 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY Issue No35 September 05 Robbie’s keeping mum . . . and mum’s not pleased! by Allan Taylor, member No 1055 obbie o’ Northoose that’s why Robbie is wiz gan aboot his luckan sae plaised wi It is no exaggeration to Rwark, singan awa and himsel. We saw the unkan say that almost every aafil plaesed wi himsel; an wife settin oot fae her person who has been to there wis his auld mither hoose wi her twa white Orkney and probably winderan whit it wiz that barkin dogs, peedie bits o’ nearly every Orcadian wis mackin him sae blide. things— jist fur luckan at has visited the Italian She tried tae speer him an no workin. Your Robbie Chapel; many more than but aal he wid dae wiz gae a wis watchin her fae ahint once. smirk an mak for oot. It the peat stack and the The chapel was a gift to wind got up jist as she Orkney from the Italian wisn’t till she went tae the prisoners of war of van on Monday night that cam oor the brae.Weel her Camp 6o on Lambholm, she fund oot the reason. coat gaed up ower her a tranquil spot just Wha wis there at the van haid an the peedie dogs across the first of the but peedie Babbie o’ wir gan like heather Churchill barriers. Windywaas an anither cowes, nearly liftin aaf the After one has seen the gentry luckan wife, turned grund. There she wis, no chapel it is difficult to oot in a grand plaited skirt an button boots, an seein whar she wis gaan an skrekin “You, believe that the talents apin her heid a hat like ye wid see at the kirk young man, can you HELP?’ Well it wis then of the prisoners could or a waddeen, but no at Jock Yorston’s van. that thee Robbie cam gigglin fae ahint the transform two Nissen peat stack an no kennan whit tae do.When huts with scrap “Whit’s all this tae do wi Robbie luckan sae scrounged from the old plaesed wi himsel?” Robbie’s mither speered o’ the wife heard Robbie commin, doon she gaid block ships and bully Babby when the unkan wife wis mackin for on her back on the whins at the sde o’ the beef ration tins into a home.“An whar came she fae anyway?” burn wi Robbie standin gappin at her. chapel of such “Weel” said Babby, “They say she’s up fae Weel when I saw she wisna hurt and outstanding beauty. sooth an cam fae America an she’s aired Upper widna be needin my help I made for home The moving force Bigging fae auld Davy. Thou’ll remember that but thee Robbie’s been keepin his eye on behind the project was aafil windy Wednesday efternuin? Weel Upper Bigging ever since”.  Domenico Chiocchetti who did most of the artistic work including Valley before moving to the John As an alternative they feverishly the painting of the Knox district. A corral was built to danced until daylight just to keep Madonna and Child contain the horses and that first themselves warm and left after a which he based on a winter they lived mainly on hearty breakfast of pancakes holy picture, Madonna rabbits.Having no guns or and home cured ham. of the Olives, that he ammunition they dug a pit John became caretaker of had carried with him about four feet deep, the Government Barometer throughout the war. covering it with small for years and some winter In March 1960 after an branches and twigs and readings showed record lows appeal on Italian radio then put some hay on top. of around -60 degrees F. Chiocchetti was traced When the rabbits came Martha, meanwhile acted and he returned to along to eat the hay, they as county midwife and Orkney where he and a fell into the pit and were never refused a call for local man set about unable to get out. help, no matter how cold it restoring the paintwork Meals were necessarily got or how far away the of the chapel. On the plain. There was a small log expectant mother lived. last Sunday of his visit a cabin just large enough for a John and Martha stayed on service of rededication kitchen and living room so the farm for several years was attended by 200 that the family slept in their before moving into town. They Orcadians. Over the tents while a larger habitation prospered and never regretted their years a number of was being constructed. long trek to Canada. prisoners returned This new house was the John & Martha (Staecher) Cummings John had a stroke and together with members biggest in the district and passed away in September of the Chiocchetti family soon became the focal point of celebrations. 1914, at the age of 81. Orkney must have to renew the strong ties During the winter of 1896, for instance, they seemed a long way away by then. of friendship with the held a big party and the neighbours for miles Martha later remarried but spent her last people of Orkney. around attended: but before the festivities years in a wheelchair because of a broken The chapel is still used were over, the weather turned nasty and cold hip that did not heal properly. She passed for services. so Martha would not let anyone go home away in 1940 at the age of 93. They bred until dawn. them hardy in those far off days.  Issue No35 September NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY 11

Part two of the article by Peter Groundwater Russell. Member No 161

n the June 2005 issue of Sib Folk News the Hudson’s Bay Company, where he the story of the legendary General remained until 1859…….” IGeorge Armstrong Custer’s alleged Contrary to his obituary,David Cusiter connection with Orkney was traced to the (often also spelt ‘Cusitar’ or ‘Cusitor’) was Kirkwall businessman, John Cursiter (1819- actually born on February 17, 1822 at 1886). Many members will no doubt be Nether Inkster, Rendall, son of John surprised therefore to learn that an even Cursiter (originally from the parish of Firth) bolder claim of kinship was made in an and his second wife, Ann Rendall. They had obituary published in The Orcadian, three other children, Ann, Mary and December 23, 1882, under the heading Magnus, the last of whom became tenant in Death of an Orcadian in Manitoba.It the farm of Gorn, in Rendall. John already reads as follows: had three sons surviving from his first The Marquetta Review of Nov. 17, marriage to Ann Gray, namely William, published at Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, James and John. According to Cursiter referring to the death of Mr David Cusiter, ‘family oral history’ William, a millwright by says:- “Mr David Cusiter, one of the first trade, emigrated to America around 1819 settlers in this district, died after a short and sometime later was joined by his illness [inflammation of the lungs] at his brother,James, who followed the same line residence near the Assiniboine [River] of work. They owned a paper mill in New yesterday morning.* Mr Cusiter came to the York City but were ruined financially when No longer Portage about twenty-two years ago from it burned to the ground in a disastrous fire. 167 but a British Columbia, making the journey across The story goes on to say that they decided to dashing 161 the [Rocky] Mountains. He originally came move 900 miles west and one of these from the Orkney Islands, and was engaged brothers was the father of General Custer. Peter Russell tells in the Hudson’s Bay Co.’s service in British Clearly if William or James was the father me that on re- Columbia for a number of years, and of General Custer then, of course,David newing his lapsed witnessed many bloody encounters with the would have been his uncle. But, alas, this is membership he ex- Indians and white settlers in that country not the case. pected to retain his during the earlier days of its history.Mr The facts surrounding Custer’s immediate old number 167 Cusiter succeeded in saving considerable lineage are well documented and no longer which he used in money while in the company’s service, and in dispute.For the record, his parents were part 1 of his Custer came to Manitoba with a large band of Emanuel Henry Custer (1806-92), a article in Sib Folk horses and quite a fortune in money.For blacksmith, and Marie Kirkpatrick Ward News No 34. He some time after arriving in the Portage he (1807-82). He was born on December 5, 1839 informs me, how- kept a trading store, and then settled on a at New Rumley, Harrison County, Ohio, ever, that he has farm near the river, where he resided until which is nearer to 400 than 900 miles west been allocated a his death. Mr Cusiter was a hard-working of New York City. If further proof were new number 161 and persevering man, and during his life he needed, recent Y chromosome DNA studies and asks me to amassed a colossal fortune.He had a do not support him being of Orcadian point this out to generous nature, and was a kind neighbour. descent but he didn’t enjoy the benefit of fellow members to He leaves a wife and twelve children and a modern-day forensic science, the World Wide avoid confusion.Ed large circle of friends to mourn his untimely Web, the IGI or family history societies and death. He was an uncle of General Cusiter it seems perfectly reasonable to hypothesize (sic) who made himself celebrated in the that, for the last nine weeks of his incredible Indian wars of the North Western States a life at least, General George Armstrong few years ago, and who was killed during an Custer was happy to believe that his encounter with a band of Indians under ancestors came from these northern isles.  Sitting Bull. From a second source, the Weekly Review, another Manitoba paper, we Note (*): The inscription on his tombstone learn that Mr Cusiter was born in the parish reads: “In Memory of David Cusitar born in of Rendall, Orkney, in 1827, and in 1844 Scotland, Feb 17, 1822. Departed this life Nov 16, went to British Columbia in the service of 1882.His reward was Peace.” 12 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY Issue No35 September 05 Issue No35 September NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 13

by George Gray. Member No 14

few years ago while reading George Esson’s book “ name. However as I had not realised that I would be Battalion 1st Canadian Infantry Division. We visited attend his funeral. This had been a very sad occasion but For Freedom and Honour” I realised that one of the visiting the Menin Gate I had not taken my records with Tyne Cot Cemetery where 11500 soldiers are buried. It had been attended by hundreds of local people. The guide Anames on the war memorial was me. was beautiful and peaceful. The rows of white headstones asked me if James a relative of mine. He was Private Gilbert O. Thomson At 9am the mini bus picked us up and we set off. There are uniform in size and design and where known carry Robert Thomson who was a first cousin of my grandmother. He was a son were 19 on the trip. There were people from Scotland, the name, age, rank of the soldier and the date of death. could have been of Gilbert Thomson and Margaret Gilmour. Gilbert Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Our drive/guide was The badge of his service is also included. The flowers and Gilbert Thomson’s Thomson and John Gilmour were both lighthouse keepers a young woman. grass are kept in immaculate condition. brother. As Gilbert who had been sent by the Northern Lighthouse Board to After travelling for an hour we stopped at a lay-by our We visited several other places including the Field was born in 1890 and be keepers on the Pentland Skerries.John Gilmour had guide told us that we were in the middle of the area Dressing Station dug into the canal bank. It was here his father died in taken his sister Margaret with him as his housekeeper where the first Battle of Ypres had taken place from that John McCrae, a Canadian Medical Officer worked to 1897 it is possible he and Gilbert Thomson had taken his sister Jane with him. October to November 1914. The area was not what I save the lives of wounded soldiers during the second did have brothers. The Gilmours had travelled from Wigtownshire and the expected. .I had imagined the whole battlefield area battle of Ypres in 1915. He wrote his now famous poem We travelled on to Thomsons had come across from South Ronaldsay. fenced off, as I realised there must be many unexploded on a page torn from a dispatch book. This poem inspired the Menin Gate Romance must have blossomed on the Pentland Skerries bombs lying buried in the area. Instead the whole the use of the Flanders poppy as a symbol of where the guide as Gilbert Thomson married Margaret Gilmour and John countryside was covered with farms and green fields full remembrance for those who died in the war. showed me Gilbert Gilmour married Jane Thomson. Both marriages were in of cattle. The guide explained that the area was still quite Thomson’s name on George finds Gilbert Thomson’s name 1886. a dangerous place. Many farmers had come across In Flanders fields the poppies blow Panel 18. There are registers to help you find the panel I was surprised to find Gilbert O. Thomson’s name on unexploded bombs. At one stop she told us we were Between the crosses , row on row, number, number and rank of the soldier. Every night at the South Ronaldsay war memorial as I had thought that between the opposing trenches, the area called “No Man’s That mark our place; and in the sky exactly 8.00 p.m. the traffic going he had never set foot on South Ronaldsay. He had been Land” This was the The larks still bravely singing fly through the Menin Gate is born on 8th July 1890 on Islay when his father was area where, on Scarce heard amid the guns below. stopped by the police lighthouse keeper at Lochindaal Lighthouse.A few years Christmas Day 1914 and some of the ago the Lighthouse Board had kindly sent me service a spontaneous truce We are the dead, Short days ago members of the details for all of my Gilmour and Thomson relatives. took place and men, We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, local fire They told me that Gilbert Thomson Snr had retired from who were officially Loved and were loved, and now we lie brigade step the Lighthouse Board on health grounds on 1 May 1896 enemies, came out of In Flanders fields. out into the at the age of 44. I then found out from George Esson that their trenches, talked roadway Gilbert Thomson had in fact died on 18th May 1897 in and exchanged gifts. Take up our quarrel with the foe; beneath the South Ronaldsay. On his death his widow Margaret and Such a thing never To you from failing hands we throw archway and son Gilbert went to live with some of her relatives in Port happened again as The torch; be yours to hold it high. sound “The Patrick, Wigtownshire My family records showed that the spring of 1915 If ye break faith with us who die Last Post” on Gilbert Thomson Senior had been married twice.He had brought an event We shall not sleep, though poppies grow gleaming two daughters from his first marriage and one son, that was to severely embitter the Allied soldiers against In Flanders fields silver bugles. The Menin Gate Gilbert, from the second marriage. However after my trip the Germans. John McCrae 1915 We could not to Flanders I am now wondering if Gilbert had a brother. We then saw the area where the second battle of Ypres stay for the ceremony but the guide explained that the In May my wife and I decided to have a holiday in took place in the spring of 1915. The Germans were While I was walking through Tyne Cot Cemetery the shrill notes of the bugle brought the sacrifice and Bruges, Belgium. My sister-in-law determined to break through to the Channel ports and on tour guide asked me why I had come on the trip.I told suffering of those years between 1914 and 1918 accompanied us.We took the overnight the evening of 22nd April 1915 they used a secret weapon her that I was hoping to see the name of my into the midst of the modern world. They help to ferry from Rosyth to Zeebrugge where a bus against the French troops. The Canadian troops, to the grandmother’s cousin on the Menin Gate.I explained carry the warning “Never Forget” met us and transported us to our hotel. We right of the French, saw a yellowish cloud drifting in the that although he was born in Scotland he had been When we returned to our hotel we agreed that were to be there for 5 nights but had made wind towards the French soldiers. It was a poisonous gas fighting with the Canadians.I had not told her his name. we had spent a very sad and emotional day which no plans for our stay. My sister-in-law (chlorine) and such a thing had never been used as a She turned and asked, “His name wasn’t Thomson was we would “never forget” expressed a wish to take a trip to the Fields weapon of war before. The French troops were it?” I was quite surprised at her question as there are Now that I am home my task will be to find out of Flanders.We were surprised to find that unprepared and ran back towards Ypres leaving the almost 35,000 names on the Menin Gate. How could she if Gilbert O. Thomson had a brother James Robert we could do this in a day trip, which Canadians to deal with the threat as well as they could. . know his name was Thomson? She went on to explain Thomson who fought with him in the First World included a visit to the Menin gate.I booked We visited the Canadian memorial at St Julien, which that last year she had attended a funeral for a Canadian War or was it just a coincidence that the two us on the trip.I thought this would be commemorates the brave actions of 2000 Canadians who soldier killed in the First World War and whose body only Canadian soldiers were Thomsons. my chance to see Gilbert O. Thomson’s had died during the gas attacks on 22nd April 1915. It recently had been dug up by a local farmer. They had The only disappointment we had was that we name on the Menin Gate. The was only then that I remembered that Gilbert Thomson found documents on him which gave them enough had visited too early to see the poppies blow in Commonwealth War Graves must have been one of the many Canadian soldiers who information to identify him as James Robert Thomson, a Flanders Fields. However when we stepped off our Commission Website had given me all died as a result of the gas attack. He had died on 22nd Canadian. They managed to trace some of his relatives bus back in Bruges we found poppies flowering at the information I needed to find his April 1915 and had served with the 2nd Eastern Ontario in Canada and they had travelled over to Belgium to the side of the bus stop!  14 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY Issue No35 September 05

Part 2 0f the two Sergeant Stoves by Judy Stove

he male line continued in Australia. Agnes Stove, who was about nine years old. Robert in 1883, at his marriage in Sarah returned to Orkney before her own TSydney, described himself as a farmer, death, at Stonehall, in 1913, of liver cancer. even though by April 1882 he was on the Orkney’s newspaper, The Orcadian, kept payroll of the NSW police force.But David family members informed of significant was killed by a fall from a horse, on 31st events in the lives of the islanders who October 1883. Did the accident change emigrated and these clippings were carefully Robert’s plans about continuing to farm with preserved by relatives back home; thus we his new wife, Sarah Ann Sinclair? Did the have this account of a Christmas brawl at prospect of supporting a family incline him Bondi in 1884. Clearly, riot control for NSW to seek more reliable employment in police is nothing new. Sydney? “On Boxing Day, the principal holiday in Sarah Ann Sinclair was 23 years old when the colony of New South Wales, and on which she married Robert Stove in Ross Street, a great deal of drinking takes place, there Forest Lodge, Sydney, in 1883: “just landed was a fight at Bondi, near Waverley, a from Orkney, Scotland”, as it breathlessly suburb of Sydney. Sergeant Stove, a native Did you says on their marriage certificate . She was of , being on duty at the place, along know? old enough, then, to marry whom she chose, with two other constables, went into the even as far away as Australia. Her brother, melée and tried to restore order. The mob In 1865 Captain George Edward P. Sinclair, was one of the witnesses; however pelted the constables with stones, Robertson of Stronsay they emigrated together. and Sergeant Stove was severely cut about took the money he had made during his years in Sarah’s father, also John Sinclair, was a the head. He was taken to the Infirmary, sailing ships and used it ship’s carpenter . He was the son of another and after his wounds were dressed he was to provide a steamer John Sinclair, “pilot and formerly seaman in taken to his home, where he lay at the time service to the North the merchant service”, and Isabella the intelligence was dispatched, in a very Isles of Orkney. His first vessel, the Johnstone, who married in Stromness in precarious condition.” Orcadia, plied to the 1826. Old John and his wife were both still A hiatus in the salary records occurs, with islands from 1868 to alive, living in Alfred Street in Stromness, at the next recorded entry occurring for 1903. 1931 and was the first the census in 1881, and their son John – By this time Robert had moved, with Sarah to run to a proper schedule replacing what perhaps just back from a voyage – was with Ann and their seven children, to Newcastle. had been up until then a them on census day. The father was now 77, He was being paid 9 shillings and haphazard and and blind; cared for by his wife, and their threepence a week. That year, Robert and unreliable service. unmarried daughter (also Isabella) aged 49. Sarah Ann’s eldest daughter, also Sarah Our thanks to Nan Scott Meanwhile, young John’s wife Sarah, Ann, died at the age of 19, of the then for this item. daughter of David Petrie (d. 1883) and untreatable illness, juvenile diabetes. Katherine Hourie (d. 1882), stayed with her In September 1907, as a sergeant, Robert children at her childhood home, Stonehall, in had his pay increased to 9 shillings and Deerness . In about 1760, the farm had been ninepence, as a special decision, presumably bought by one James Petrie (b. 1740), and it in recognition of his service.Police salary remains in the Petrie family to this day. records for the First World War years are Once he retired, John Sinclair and his scanty. But thanks to another Orcadian wife, Sarah (née Petrie), travelled to article from 1919, which draws heavily from Australia, but returned to Orkney; John died The Newcastle Herald (NSW), we have an at Stonehall, Deerness, in 1899, whereupon account of Senior Sergeant Stove’s Sarah returned to Australia. This visit was retirement. remembered by one of her grandchildren, “Senior-Sergeant R. Stove was the guest  Issue No35 September 05 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 15

...of a number of citizens at the Newcastle police service, will complete 37 years’ service on Council Chambers last evening, says the May 16. One June 19, 1901, he was accorded Newcastle Herald,Australia, and was the a send-off and presentation from the citizens recipient of a presentation of a wallet of money of Waverley.The whole of his police career as an appreciation of his work in the police was spent in Waverley and Newcastle. force and of his work as a citizen of Newcastle Sergeant Stove is a grandson of the late for the past 18 years. Sergeant Stove, and Mrs Stove is a Alderman R. Gibson, the Mayor, presided, granddaughter of the late Mr David Petrie, and in making the presentation to Sergeant both of Deerness.” Stove, said that no function he had presided My father, who never knew his grandfather, over had given him more pleasure.‘I have but probably was drawing on family known our guest for many years’, said the knowledge about him, wrote: Mayor,‘and during my long experience of men I “My grandfather was tall, bald, like my have never known a whiter man.’ The Mayor father - at heart a scholar, crown prosecutor in referred to Sergeant Stove’s record in the police, Newcastle & deputy superintendent - a very of which he had been a popular and valued well-read man, keen on family history.” member, and [to] his fine standing as a citizen. In about 1916, Robert and Sarah had He hoped that Sergeant Stove would live long bought a block of land at 60 Gloucester Road, to enjoy the good things of this life. He had Hurstville, in the southern suburbs of Sydney, pleasure in handing over the wallet and and built a house there, which they called contents to Sergeant Stove on behalf of his “Deerness”. To this house, they retired. many friends in the city. Robert died of The health of Senior- “arterio- Sergeant Stove was sclerosis”, aged then toasted. 73, in 1932, at Senior-Sergeant Stove “Deerness”. said that he deeply Sarah Ann, his appreciated the gift, widow, followed Did you which he accepted with him, aged 80, in know thanks to the Mayor 1941. personally and to the The house at St Olaf Haraldsson, born citizens of Newcastle. Little Millhouse - Deerness 60 Gloucester 995, Patron Saint of He had spent 18 years of his service in the New Road no longer exists; neither does the house Norway, was killed at the South Wales police at Newcastle, and was nearly opposite, at number 53, where their battle of Stiklestad in proud to have earned the esteem of its citizens. son, my father’s Uncle Dave, and his family, 1030. Two statues of St Senior-Sergeant Stove, who is now upon lived. Many Federation houses of the period Olaf and St Magnus extended leave, prior to his retirement from the survive in the street, however. It is easy to were discovered during imagine the time when the dark red brick last century’s restoration houses were new, offering a cool and dim of St Magnus Cathedral “On the borders of this massive round” was the interior against the sun’s blaze outside and they can be seen in intriguing title of Donna Heddle’s talk, featured (“Deerness” faced west). It is curious that the the Orkney museum, in our December 04 newsletter.When I told Nan old Orkney houses where Robert and Sarah Tankerness House, Scott I still had a peedie corner to fill she said were born—Little Millhouse and Stonehall— Kirkwall. This modern she thought that readers might be interested in survive, but the Sydney house which they wooden figure which this poem by William Fowler (1560–1612) which built has succumbed to progress.  can be seen in the north provided the source for Donna’s title. choir aisle of St Magnus Cathedral is a copy of IN ORKNAY Answer to Peter Russell’s the stone figure from the PON the utmost corners of the warld, Palladium teaser on page 8 Cathedral of Nidoras in U and on the borders of this massive round, Trondheim. quhaire fates and fortoune hithier has me harld, St Olaf has a crown and I doe deplore my greiffs upon this ground; orb as signs of his and seing roring seis from roks rebound kingship and he treads by ebbs and streames of contrair routing tyds underfoot the dragon – and phebus chariot in their wawes ly dround, a symbol of evil. The axe quha equallye now night and day divyds, is a symbol of the saint and legend has it that I cal to mynde the storms my thoughts abyde, he was slain with this which ever wax and never dois decress, weapon. for nights of dole dayes joys ay ever hyds, St Olaf is considered to and in their vayle doith al my weill suppress: be the patron saint of so this I see, quhaire ever I remove, The Washington Irving blue plaque is sailors. I change bot sees, bot can not change my love. affixed to the front of the theatre in Argyll harld: drawn dole: woe Street, London. 16 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY Issue No35 September 05 THE HAZARDS OF CLIMBING ONE’S FAMILY TREE y great grandfather,James Cumming By July, 1874, James & Annie were living in FOULIS, was the second Orcadian on Melbourne,Victoria, where entries in Victorian Mmy father’s side to arrive in Adelaide, Directories state their location as Emerald Hill, South Australia. He was the son of John (now South Melbourne) & Ascot Val. Here FOULIS (, Capt) and Janet James was in partnership with a man named SLATER, (Sanday) who married in Kirkwall in Blair. They sailed and traded along the east 1834. His paternal grand-parents were Oliver coast of Australia and to the Pacific islands. Well that completes James was the sailing partner the final part of my Foulis & Ann Reid of Papa Westray article and I look and his maternal grand-parents whilst Blair obtained business forward to hearing were James Slater & Jane/Jean etc, but on his return after one from anyone who has Muir of Sanday. He was the fourth trip James discovered that the an interest in’ my child, third son, being born on 24th business had been sold, even the families’. October, 1841, baptised on 28th ship which he was sailing. His I am particularly November,1841, by Rev Peter partner and the money had interested in finding Petrie. His siblings were Jemima disappeared. (family folk-lore) out what happened (m. Thos.Walls);William (Capt. m. It was here that the first four to William Foulis, Mary Craigie); John, (1839-1848, of their six children were born. b1862, son of bur.St Magnus); Janet (m.Jas. William Campbell on 15th July William Foulis and Baikie), Robert Christie,(m. Lillias 1874, who died on 10th May Mary Craigie. He Keith); Barbara Logie,(m. Wm 1879, Emily Annie on 9th was on both the October 1876, and died 16th 1871 and 1881 Logie); John, (m. Eliz. R. Gray). census returns for ? When young,James lived at 2 June 1878 James Hamilton on In 1881 he was a 18 Young St, Kirkwall, overlooking 16th September 1878, and died years and a grocer’s the harbour.His father,John on the 13th March 1879 and assistant but does Foulis, was a ship’s master, Alexander Campbell on 25th not appear on the registered on Lloyds Masters’ List December 1881. Annie’s 1891 returns. Did he and sailed & traded along the Capt. James Cumming mother,Anne Campbell and die or migrate or English & Scottish coast and on Foulis and Annie Campbell two of her sisters,Emily what? the Baltic. Later, brother,William, Grace and Agnes Petitia While I am in was also a ship’s master on similar routes. visited the Foulis family in Melbourne on touch with some A great story was told to us in 1998 in a number of occasions, no doubt making descendants of the Kirkwall by Bill Irvine! (member no 62). the journey by coastal steamer from following families I William’s wife, Mary, was told that her hus- Adelaide, after spending days travelling by am keen to broaden band, Capt. Wm. Foulis, had died of an accident coach from Laura, S.A. my contacts:- By 1883 James, Annie and baby Thomas Walls 1834- on board, when he slipped hitting his head. 1835, Jemima Foulis Being a grieving widow she rushed out to buy Alexander Campbell Foulis were living in 1834-1910 and about her widow’s weeds. Imagine her surprise when Maryborough, Queensland. What a sad eleven children. Also the ship docked to see her husband well and time for the young couple leaving their James Baikie and hearty having survived the fall! Incidentally, first three children buried at Melbourne Janet Mowat Foulis I’m told, he died at sea some years later. General Cemetery and two children. It is uncertain when James arrived in South James was again venturing into John Foulis and Australia. His name is not on any of the shipping, trading up and down the east Elizabeth Gray, nine arrivals of immigrants’ indexes, but as he was a coast of Australia carrying timber, mainly children. Help with sailor he may have come as a crew member on for Wilson, Hart & Co mills. During this any of the above a sailing ship about 1870. He was not on the period, when sailing out of Maryborough queries would be Scottish 1871 census but was in Adelaide by and along the east coast there were no appreciated. 1872. His death certificate, for length of lights, it was customary to send a boat’s Janette M. Thomson residency in Australia, suggests that he arrived crew ashore to start a fire in order to Member 121. in Adelaide during 1870. He obtained his provide a guiding beacon till dawn. janmax@alphalink. Master’s Certificate of Competency in Adelaide Tragedy struck the family once again. com.au in October, 1872. Their fifth child, Sydney Slater was born James Cumming Foulis married Annie on 7th July, 1883 but died some months Campbell at the residence of her mother,Mrs later on 15th March, 1884 from diarrhoea Anne Campbell, (Slater),of Roseworthy,S.A. on and convulsions. Sydney Slater had been 24th September, 1872. They lived at Portland named for his two grandmothers, Annie & Estate, near the port of Adelaide for the early Janet. He is buried in the Maryborough period of their married life. It was at their home cemetery. at the Portland Estate that Annie’s cousin, On 28th May, 1885, JCF was granted Angus Christian Slater,( b. OKI) married Jane selection No.141, Smithfield of 1280 acres, part Manson Mackie on 4th Feb, 1873. of the present day Yorkey’s Knob area and  Issue No35 September 05 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 17

just north of Cairns, Northern Queensland. Campbell and his family arrived in Cairns at (an up-market sea-side residential and holiday the end of March to be welcomed by his loving area).To retain this land it had to be worked so and very concerned parents. he employed an overseer, to live and work Sadly he did not have the expected return to there. good health for on the 20th May, 1910 he died of This same year, saw the birth of Herbert James cardiac disease at the home of his parents, The on 18th August, 1885 at Maryborough. Later Esplanade, Cairns. He was buried at the Cairns that year, the family of four moved to Cairns, Cemetery, now called The Pioneers Cemetery, (MacLeod St). living on the Esplanade. (now high rise hotels). Did you After moving to Cairns,James entered the After Campbell’s death, his widow Beatrice and know timber trade procuring cedar from the Atherton her two children lived with James & Anne in Tableland— a rain forest range west of Cairns. Cairns, although they made frequent trips to it is said that ‘runes’ One adventure was to assemble the logs until Sydney to visit her parents, Wm and Barbara were invented by Odin, the Barron River was in flood and then float McLeod. the god of the runes, and were supposed to them over the falls, down the river to the coast. Their youngest son, Herbie, married Ida Prewett in 1911 in Cairns. They had a son, have magic qualities. As James related later, this experiment was a When a word was failure as only a few logs reached the mouth of Herbert, and two daughters, Edna & Joan. written in runes it was the river intact. Their son, Herbert died aged 21 years, in 1934. supposedly He was also principal in undertaking to procure James Cumming Foulis died on 27th June 1920 empowered and was cedar from the Daintree district. now Heritage after a short illness. His obituaries in the said to ward off evil Listing. (the ‘greenies’ would certainly dem- Cairns papers stated that he had been involved spirits. That is why onstrate against this!). with sounding the channel into Cairns harbour many Norsemen He continued to conduct his shipping business, only a few days before his death and that the would finish their runic venturing to the Pacific Islands and for a short deceased was one of the oldest pioneers on the inscriptions with their while to South American ports and making Queensland coast. It went on to state that, ‘he names, followed by frequent trips south along the east coast to was famous for a trip made from Melbourne to ‘wrote this’. The very Melbourne. Maryborough in the brig,Janet Stuart which act of writing Much of the cargo was timber, cedar from he accomplished in five days’. On the deck was something in runes a large Lancashire boiler for one of the mills in was believed to be a Mareeba and Daintree areas, back loading with spell in itself. Many heavy machinery and any obtainable cargo. the Maryborough district. Immediately after fine examples of runic In 1903, he bought and used the first steam leaving Melbourne a heavy gale arose & con- inscriptions are to be traction engine at Mareeba on the Atherton tinued all along the coast but there was nothing found in the Neolithic Tableland. to do except to run before it and take what care tomb of , In the early 1900s he became a member of the was possible of this heavy piece of deck cargo. carved by the Vikings Cairns Harbour Board and in 1907 became Running before the gale an im-migrant steamer who broke into the Marine Superintendent, a position he held until was passed, some days later both captains were tomb in the 12th his death. in each others company and this story was century. Eight-hundred They educated their two sons at Scots College, related by the steam ship’s master and that he years later we can still Rose Bay, Sydney which entailed a sea trip and would like to shake the hand of the master of discover that boarding. the brig who showed this remarkable handling On leaving school in 1897, Campbell worked for and seamanship and that he himself wished he was able to handle a ship in the same efficient Burns Philp, as a junior clerk rising by ‘Ingigerth is the most promotion to the position of book-keeper to the manner. beautiful of women’ Island Department, until his marriage in1904. James’ funeral service was held at St Andrews and that ‘crusaders He also served for intervals aggregating 12 Presbyterian church and he was buried with broke into this howe’ months as superintendent of cargo on the his son, Campbell, in The Pioneers’ Cemetery, and another modest island steamers. No doubt it was during this on 28th June,1920. Both men are remembered fellow informs period that Campbell met his future wife on the Pioneers’ Plaque in the Rotunda at the everyone that Beatrice McLeod. cemetery. The following year, Anne, while On his marriage to Beatrice in 1904 he had to visiting her sister Jemima Campbell and resign as company policy, in those days , was to daughter-in-law, Beatrice, Roger and Olwen, employ single men only.He obtained passed away in Sydney. She is buried at employment as an auditor with a large Waverley cemetery with her uncle Peter accounting & auditing firm until early in 1906, Campbell , her cousin John, and later Jemima. when he became ill as a result of rheumatic As well as being an adventurous man evidently fever suffered when a child. with a true pioneering spirit, who was willing to After his recovery, until 1910, he was employed take risks and work hard, he was also well- ‘These runes were once again with another Sydney firm of read, if one can judge by his many classical carved by the man accountants, but on becoming ill again was books that have been passed onto his most skilled in runes granted four weeks leave & promised a position grandchildren. He bred into Campbell’s in the Western Ocean’. with the firm again when in good health. children a love of all things Orcadian. So in March,1910 with his wife, Beatrice and Orkney’s loss of him as a young man was two small children, Wm. Campbell, (Roger) Australia’s gain. aged 4 years and Olwen Anne aged 2 years There is still much research to complete. Any sailed on “Wyreema” for Cairns to stay with his information gratefully received.  parents and hopefully improve his health. [email protected] 18 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY Issue No35 September 05

Evelyn Swenson (Member No. 750, [email protected]) I was very interested to read James M. Emigration Commission scheme for free and Irvine’s article on Migration to South assisted emigration to SA in operation be- Australia in 1851 in Sib Folk News No. 33 tween 1849 and 1851 allowed older emi- (March 2005), as William SKETHEWAY was grants to receive assistance, whereas under my 2 x great grandfather. the previous scheme only adults under 40 Mr Irvine mentions that religious and were accepted. On the passenger list William, family associations may have been who had put his age down by 10 years, to 42, important in the choice of South Australia as was said to be single, rather than widowed, the destination, but the association between and this possibly meant he was barred from the Shapinsay emigrants is stronger in some the family quarters on the ship.If so, who cases than indicated, through the family of looked after the four children under 13? my 3 x great grandparents John LIDDLE Perhaps an exception was made for him. Did you (c1771-1853) and Janet WILLIAMSON It would be interesting to know how many (c1772-1855) who lived at Gorn. John and of the other emigrants from Shapinsay were know? Janet LIDDLE were evidently early members of the United Presbyterian church. Some of the finest stone members of a dissenting church, as from Lynton Heddle has told me that his 2 x great memorials to be found 1801 their children were baptized in the grandfather John HEDDLE was baptized by in Britain can be found Anti-Burgher Congregation in Kirkwall. Rev. James Brown, the UP Minister, so the in St Magnus Cathedral. These baptisms are recorded in the HEDDLE family were evidently members of Dozens of them line Shapinsay Parish Register in words along the UP Church. Additionally, in 1851 John both sides of the interior the lines of “…baptized by Rev Mr Broadfoot HEDDLE was living at Linton in the house- of the Cathedral.These before an Anti-Burgher Congregation”. hold of yet another LIDDLE daughter, grave markers contain Three of the LIDDLE daughters were Marion (Mary), who had married James all the classic symbols married to Elders of the Shapinsay United HEPBURN, so he would have had ready ac- associated with death; Associate/United Presbyterian Church - cess to news from the SKETHEWAY family. skulls, bones, Janet to James REID, Christian (Christina) Mr Irvine suggested that the apparent drop hourglasses etc. to William SKETHEWAY, and Frances in the numbers of emigrants from Orkney to (Fanny) to James SHEARER. After the SA in 1852 could have resulted from the gold Muckle Harvest affair of 1847 to which Mr rush in Victoria. According to figures in Irvine refers,James REID and James Appendix A of Douglas Pike’s Paradise of SHEARER evidently apologised to the laird Dissent - South Australia 1829-1857 (MUP, and his factor, and were allowed to stay on 2nd ed., 1967) there was no obvious decrease the island, but William SKETHEWAY and in the numbers of either assisted or family went to Kirkwall, where Christina unassisted immigrants to SA from the UK in died in August 1848. William and the eight and after 1851, although the ultimate children left for Australia in 1849. In 1851 destination of many immigrants to SA may A curiosity which hangs they were followed by two of the children of well have been the goldfields. The population in the nave of the James REID and Janet LIDDLE - John of Victoria rose from about 70,000 in 1851 to Cathedral is this Mort Scarth REID and his wife Ann(e) Bell nearly 500,000 in 1858 and not only did Board. In times past this STEVENSON were accompanied on the almost every male passenger on some ships board was hung out- “Marion” by his sister Mary Balfour REID go straight to the goldfields after arrival at side a dwelling to mark and her husband Alexander Russell Port Philip, but many crewmen deserted as a death in the family WILLIAMSON. In 1852 James SHEARER, well. Fanny LIDDLE and their five children also As a final twist, yet another REID sibling emigrated to South Australia. Of the 27 may have emigrated to Australia, perhaps grandchildren of John LIDDLE and Janet tempted by the gold rush. Janet REID, third WILLIAMSON, 15 went to South Australia. daughter of James REID and Janet LIDDLE, Why William SKETHEWAY and his family married William IRVINE in 1852; he was decided to go to South Australia is not evidently not from Shapinsay and I know no- known, although the existence of a United thing of his ancestry.On 24 May 1853 Janet Presbyterian congregation in Adelaide may Jemima IRVINE was born in Johnston St., have been a factor. The Colonial Land and Collingwood, Victoria, father William Issue No35 September 05 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 19

been the last person to touch them before me. At that moment the past and present The old came together in a way it is hard to describe other than ‘spooky’. Another book I kept from my parents’ books reveal house was “Tom Brown’s Schooldays” which had belonged to my father and which he, too, their had won as a prize as a boy. He gained it for ‘Religious Knowledge’ - his mother Lizzie’s secrets influence coming through, perhaps! In this book I found not ‘pressed’ petals but a photo Anne Cormack (Greig) No 73. which my father had presumably used as a bookmark. It was of a middle-aged man and ike a lot of folk I hate throwing out looked to date from the late nineteenth books of any kind, and when I had to century. It had been taken in Leith. Who Lclear out my parents’ house that rule was the photo of? I can only guess that it applied. One of the books I kept was a prize might be my father’s grandfather, Robert won by my grandmother,Lizzie Nicolson Greig, who, a few years Jane Ledingham, who attended after Lizzie won her prize at the old Glaitness School in Glaitness School, became her Kirkwall. It was awarded to her father-in-law. Robert was a Did you in the Orkney and Zetland seaman and as well as being the know? Association Examination of father of my grandfather,James The first thing you 1888 and is signed John C. Greig, was also the father of notice about North Dundas, President. The book is Robert Greig, the Stromness Ronaldsay is the dyke entitled “Noble Women of Our Lifeboat Coxswain, who gained that circles the island. Time”. It celebrates the virtues fame for the Shakespeare This is not built to keep of hard work, enduring one’s rescue in 1907. It is Robert the sheep in—in fact lot, puritan morality and Greig who is depicted in the just the opposite; it religious faith. Nowadays it well known Stanley Cursiter serves to keep the sheep would be considered the most painting of Greig and Linklater. on the beach where they boring read imaginable for a To go back to Robert Nicolson enjoy their favourite diet young lass. However, from my Greig, seaman, my great of seaweed. memories of my grandmother, grandfather,I have never been The North Ronaldsay it undoubtedly had an able to find out anything about sheep are descendants influence on her! where he sailed. He lived firstly of the original Norse When the North Perthshire in Victoria Road and then in sheep, small and short Family History Group held a Robert Nicolson Greig? Young Street in Kirkwall, and tailed, and are one of the ‘Bring along an Heirloom and Talk about It’ at the four censuses of 1861, 1871, 1881 and rarest breeds in the evening I decided to take the book as my 1891 he was listed at home. Did this mean world. The dyke round contribution. I was flicking through the pages he worked on small local fishing vessels or North Ronaldsay has beforehand wondering what I would say for the Orkney Steam Navigation Company? been the saving of the about it when out fluttered some very fragile - or, if the photo taken in Leith is of him, on breed which was once dried rose petals that I hadn’t known were the ‘North Boats’ at least for a time? This is common to Orkney but there.I realized that they must have been one family history mystery I have still to died out through ‘pressed’ by my grandmother as a young girl solve.  crossbreeding. over a century ago and that she could have It is only during the lambing season that the ewes are brought inside IRVINE, 29, mother Janet REID, 24, both descendants. Anne Beaumont (#501) has the dyke where they are born Orkney. The child died 6 months later done extensive research on the SA fed on grass for 3 or 4 and I can find no further obvious trace of descendants.Derek Wells (#993) is a descendant of John and Ann REID and months. Lambs and William and Janet in Victoria or SA. They mothers are then were possibly the couple William, 27, and Sheila Johnston (#617) is also a REID descendant, through Frances REID and returned to the beach. Janet IRVINE, 23, who arrived in Pt. Philip The meat of this breed Magnus HUTCHISON.With their help,I on the “Sea” on 15 May 1853. Also on the has a distinctive flavour; have been able to fill in some of the missing “Sea” were Thomas COCK and his wife Ann sweet and tender, and it information on members of the family who IRVINE, who went to the goldfields at features on the menus stayed on Shapinsay, a task made consider- Bendigo, and Alexander IRVINE and his wife of some of the most Mary, all from Orkney.I have not tried to ably easier by the Census transcription and expensive restaurants in research these other IRVINEs, but perhaps MI booklets produced by OFHS. As a result the country. an IRVINE researcher will know what of this combined research there is now a happened to them. reasonably complete record of at least the There are several other members of OFHS first few generations of the descendants of who are interested in these LIDDLE John LIDDLE and Janet WILLIAMSON.  20 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY Issue No35 September 05 More ‘Strange’ goings on . . . From Ken Harrison Jean is given as ‘Malcolm’ by Hossack in the 1695 Poll Tax and in records for the Elphinstone sobel Irvine’s comments in the June issue family.Ken points out, however, that in Roland of the newsletter on the Sir Robert St Clair’s ‘Orcadian Families’ the father is IStrange article which appeared in our described as ‘John (read Malcolm)’. Ken has March edition caught the eye of Canadian been puzzled by this strange (he obviously member,Ken Harrison no 108, of North couldn’t resist the pun) entry and thinks that Vancouver. the answer is that St. Clair also found the Ken tells us that his own research into the discrepancy regarding the name of the father Keith family (Edward Keith married Sibella but chose to consider the more likely name Strang, one of the children of David Strang being John. and Jean Scollay) reveals that the father of Would any reader care to comment?  From Peter Russell his time from Peter Groundwater TRussell, Member No 161. Peter e-mailed me to say that where the Did you original article indicated that Sir Robert Know? Strange was born on the mainland of Orkney, he was in fact a Kirkwallian. Peter In 1725, John Gow the also clarifies the place of Robert Strange’s Orkney pirate, set out to marriage to Isabella Lumisden, as attack Carrick House on Edinburgh. They were both buried in the Eday in his ship Revenge. churchyard of St Paul’s, Covent Garden and The Revenge ran Peter enclosed an extract from The Times aground on the Calf of dated July 9th, 1792.and a photograph of the Eday and Gow and his handsome memorial tablet erected in their STRANGE On T men were captured and o'clock hursday last honour. died, after about one executed later that year in Now Peter also tells me that he has a declining having been state of long in London. Great health at a ‘strange’ story linking James Fea, Sixth of Queen Street, his house The Revenge was S Lincoln's in Clestran to Robert and Isabella. He promises IR R OBE Inn refloated and the volcanic RT STRA fields, to reveal all in an article planned for the nice feelings NGE, Knight. rocks, used as ballast, of honour His March 2006 edition of the newsletter as this benevolence , probity were left behind. are greatly and marks the 250th anniversary of the death of minds of imprinted James Traill, an all who in the James Fea. Ed.  know him had the happiness Edinburgh lawyer and : whilst his to engraving elegant and merchant bought an old will be a masterly transmit his nam lasting monum house in Bridge Street, and from Bruce Gorie e to prosperity ent to Kirkwall in 1730 and had ember no 961, Bruce Gorie from it rebuilt. Part of the work Extract from Edinburgh was so intrigued by the The T included a summer M imes, Robert Strange article that he onday July 9th 1792 house, the spire of which M included the stones from decided further investigation was required the Revenge. It was and the following is an extract from his decorated with shells, letter on the subject. Strange or Strang of South Ronaldsay, who called groattie buckies in “I checked the Public Register of All Arms was the eldest son of Sir David Strange or Orkney, and became and Bearings in Scotland, held at the Court Strang of South Ronaldsay, who was the known as the Groattie of the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh, and found Hoose. an entry for Sir Robert. He matriculated younger son of the Strangs of Balcaskie.As The house was eventually Arms (that is, he proved his right to bear genealogical data recorded in entries in the purchased by the Kirkwall Arms previously recorded by an ancestor) on Public Register (which was established in merchant Robert Garden 20th December 1791. It states that he was 1672) must be confirmed by suitable and many years later, in ‘Heir male and Representative of the ancient documentation, such as certificates of 1938, it was destroyed by family of Balcaskie in the County of Fife and baptism or birth, marriage and death fire. chief of that Sirname (sic) only son and heir certificates, to prove the genealogy in the The site was built over of David Strange or Strang of Kirkwall Petition seeking a grant or matriculation of but the Groattie Hoose Esquire and Jean, daughter of Malcolm Arms from the Lord Lyon, the entry in the survived and this year it Scollay of Hunton Esquire’.Frustratingly, Public Register is as close to a cast iron was moved to Tankerness but typical of the period, the entry only gives guarantee that the details given in it are Gardens and restored to basic details of his descent, his father being correct. its former glory. the eldest son and heir of James Strange or I hope that this helps clear up the descent of Strang, who was the eldest son of Andrew Sir Robert’s mother,Jean Scollay”.  Issue No35 September 05 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 21 Hi members! If you are a Norquay or a Cromarty this might be of interest Janette Thomson, Vermont, Australia. Member No 121 was recently look- d. 1891, Dandenong.(marr 13 June 1836, ing through a book Manse, Sth Ronaldsay,) I“in progress” (the Chdn: William, b.1836, (b. 4 Nov 1836, chr. group involved hope to 6 Jan 1837) Did you publish it soon) when Mary b. Scotland, (b. 28 Dec 1841, chr. know? “born in Orkney” 10 Jan 1842, Herston. Sth Ronaldsay) jumped out at me. John, b. about 1848, (b. 29 June 1848, Of all the Orkney islands Herston, Sth Ronaldsay) there is only one whose The book that the name does not end in entry was taken from James, b. 1856, Lynhurst, (nr Cranbourne) ‘ay’ and that is was “Good Country”, Anna Bella, 1857, Cranbourne. . At one time p.59, a history of some Alexander bought and farmed land at it was known as the pioneer families of Eumemmerring, (near Cranbourne vanishing isle and it Cranbourne, once a country area, now the Dandenong area). would rear out of the outer edges of the southern suburbs of William NORQUAY, (first son as above). sea only to vanish from Melbourne. Entries in italics are actual b. 1836, d. 1918, Malvern. (suburb of sight before any human dates on Cursiter’s site). Melbourne) could reach it. It was Hope it is of some interest to someone out Farmer at Lynhurst, Lang Lang & Koo-wee- then a kingdom of the rup. (last two country farming areas south of fin folk and they called it there. ‘Hildaland’. It was here NORQUAY, Alexander, b. 1813, Orkney, Cranbourne) that they spent their d. 1890, Dandenong,(then a country market Married Susanna VESSY, b. 1839, d. Koo- summers, returning in town north of Cranbourne but now a suburb wee-rup. winter to Finfolkaheem, of Melbourne) Chdn.: William Charles, 1866, Lynhurst their majestic city under Parents: John NORQUAY & Jane Ross. Mabel Barbara, 1868, Brighton, (suburb of the sea. The humans Arrived :Victoria, 1852 Melbourne) tried in vain to reach the Occupation: Farmer Laura Jessie, 1872, Brighton. island for it was known Married Barbara CROMARTY, b. 1815, Nellie Beatrice, 1878, Cranbourne. that the spell could be broken by a man who took a boat through the fierce tides, looking They just don’t make women like this any more steadfastly at the island and holding steel. Many John Sinclair. Member No 588 tried and failed but one sobel Traill, daughter of James Traill of Widowhood and coustancy in a married man succeeded, landed Westove, was first married to James Fea state signal. In labour industrious, in and Hildaland never of Clestrain, Stronsay; and Affections Patient, In Enjoyments vanished again. I The finfolk may have singularlie Temporate.In second to the Rev John Wilson, taken revenge as it was second minister of Kirkwall, who Governing her Tongue,Family, and said that cats, rats and was deprived of his right to substance singular. mice avoid the island exercise the ministry because of Towards her husbands, Children and that blood flows his ‘adhesion to Epicopacy.’ and Friends Lovely and Loving.In from corn cut after She died in 1702, and her husband Prosperity Composed. In Adversity sunset. wrote the following epitaph to her with more than a Manly Courage In 1851 an epidemic (Craven’s “History of the Episcopal Magnaminous.For smart-ness of struck the island, Church in Orkney. 1688-1912). Wit, Prudence, Integrity,Veracity, probably typhoid fever. “Stop traveller and know.Here lies Modesty and Hospitality and The people were goodness of Nature famous. evacuated and the roofs the Remains of a Woman of an were taken off the untainted Fame and unstained An ornament to her sex and buildings to make them Virtue, Isobel Traill, Daughter to surname, a Comfort to her Friends uninhabitable. One was James Traill of Westove, Reflect of James and a support to her kindred. Who not discovered to be a 12th Fea of Clestrain, Spouse to John Wilson, having arrived at the age of 61 years left century church and Minister of the Gospel at Kirkwall, of a Time and removed to Eternity, born June there may well have Stature Tall and Erected, and of a beautiful 24, 1643, departed this Life November 14 been a monastery prior Countenance, Conspicuous for her Piety 1702. to this which would towards God, Love of her Neighbour, Go on Traveller and imitate. Written by her explain the name Charity to the Poor and peace with all. husband privy to the Truth of all this, from Eynhallow; from the nearly 19 years’ experience (sic). Norse - Eyn Helgg; or For Virginal Chastitie, Continency in  Holy Isle. 22 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY Issue No35 September 05

Did you know? Medieval Parish When Earl Hakon Paulsson returned from the Crusades in the early twelfth Churches in Orkney century, he built a church on his estates By Sarah Jane Grieve, Archivist at the Kirkwall Library in in Orkney. his subject is of interest to anyone exempt from paying the tax of tithe which all Known as the round with knowledge of Orkney as the other people attending the church would pay. church it was thought medieval parishes are the same as Many of these churches are found in corners to be Hakon’s attempt T those used today and they form the backbone of parishes away from the majority of at atonement for the of the community within the island settlements and were clearly located for the sin of murdering his archipelago. The subject of churches is of convenience of the owner. The example at cousin Magnus some further interest as much of the material the top of the page is of such a church — St years earlier. used in genealogy comes from ecclesiastical The church is Andrew’s parish church, St Andrews. sources be it Old Parish Registers, church modelled on the Located in the far corner of Tankerness and minutes, poor registers or surveys of design of the Church amidst the farm steading, this church was of the Holy Sepulchre graveyards. clearly part of the old estate of the ‘Bu of which Hakon had As a means of better understanding the Tankerness’ owned in saga times by Erling a visited on a pilgrimage churches I investigated their locations kinsman of the Earls . to Jerusalem. within the parishes and studied what the But what about the centrally placed The round church is churches were near in terms of old buildings churches? These churches are found in older than St Magnus and natural features. The results showed parishes where there are no large earldom catherdral and is the that the original parish churches were either properties and it seems likely that they were only one of its kind in built close to old settlements, many with the built centrally to best accommodate the Scotland. place-name elements ‘Bu’ and ‘Skaill’ majority of the population. An excellent Unfortunately in the (indicators of high-status medieval example is shown at the foot of the page — 18th century the settlements)or built centrally within the St Michael’s parish church in . church was plundered parish without an adjacent large farm. Situated on the top of a hill in the middle of of most of its stone in The association of church and ‘bu’ or the parish and visible from all corners of the order to build a new ‘skaill’ indicates a link between high-status parish it is clearly built to be seen and in an church which, settlements and parish church sites, and easily accessed place. ironically, has long early sources validate this with most of these In conclusion the parish churches were an been demolished. settlements having belonged at one time to integral part of medieval society.Founded All that remains of the earls of Orkney and their kin. So why by the earls and their kin the churches Hakon’s church is a were the churches built on land belonging to formed the uniting factor in the newly semi-circular apse the earls and other influential members of created parishes of the earldom from the and part of the circular society? It seems that the churches were twelfth century. The legacy of the wall. built on these sites primarily because of importance and significance of the churches Visitors to the site will spiritual, but also because of financial, and the parishes is their continued existence be interested in the benefit to the landowners. By owning a and the central role which they still hold Orkneyinga Viking parish church these people would be within the islands today, some eight hundred Saga Centre which is considered closer to God and would also be and fifty years after their creation.  situated near the church. A video at the centre introduces the Norse period and the relevant sites throughout the islands. Issue No35 September 05 NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORYSOCIETY 23

Check out this New WEBSITE Are you interested in the island of Flotta or do you have Flottarian ancestors? The Flotta Web Guide has just been launched this year and is dedicated to the promotion of Flotta and its heritage. The site features links to websites of use in researching your family tree, as well as books of interest and a bibliography of Flottarian authors. There is also a photo page, message board and articles about the island. Do you know anything You can find the site at www.flottawebguide.co.uk about this man? and we would be delighted to hear from you. Can anyone help to trace the gentleman in the above photo.He is Constantine Harold St Clair who married Annie Marie Schneider on 17 March 1883 in N.S.W. Australia. His Apologies! Seems we marriage certificate states that he was a were a colon short of a You’ll find lots of interesting material on website in our June issue. our website. Have you logged on yet? joiner who was born in the Orkney Isles about 1834. His parents are shown as James Irvine tells me that Ihe Bostwick Family site Harold St Clair, Inspector of Police and referred to on page 23 of www.orkneyfhs.co.uk Maria Heydon. Anyone who can help should the June newsletter can contact the research secretary at OFHS. be reached at:- http//www.tilley.dynodns. net:8000 SUBMISSIONS for DEC NEWSLETTER by the 17th OCT PLEASE note the colon after net!! Your newsletter depends on a constant flow of articles, sending JPEGs they should be saved at the highest Also on the same page we long and short, from members. Twenty to twentyfour quality, largest setting or at highest resolution–240- mentioned that Mike pages requires around 17,000 words, even allowing 300dps Bostwick’s site had a new for pictures and headings. LINEART or BLACK & WHITE IMAGES feature ‘Old parish LENGTH These should be scanned at a minimum of 600dpi. Records’ that avoids the Submissions can run over one or two pages or if lon- VECTORGRAPHICS IGI agenda—This should ger can be serialised. Generally about 750 words make Can be sent as EPS files with any text converted to have been IGI addenda. up a page and this allows for the inclusion of a picture. curves or paths. Shorter submissions are welcome too; even a PHOTOCOPIES You say addenda and I paragraph can fill a corner. These are not suitable and cannot be used. said agenda. Sorry DID YOU KNOW IF YOU WISH MATERIAL RETURNED PLEASE INCLUDE A These fit well into the narrow columns on each page. James I couldn’t resist it. STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE Reminds me of the old LETTERS Please address all submissions to:- I would still like to establish a letters page so this is army chestnut of the The Editor, Orkney Family History Society Newsletter, message that started off something to keep in mind. Orkney Library & Archive, 44 Junction Rd. Kirkwall. SUBMISSIONS KW15 1AG. as ‘send reinforcements If possible please type your article,‘Word’ is fine and E-mails and attachments can be sent directly to the we’re going to advance’ send on floppy, disc or as an e-mail attachment. If editor at [email protected]. and having lost some- possible let me have a hard copy in case I cannot open VIEWS EXPRESSED thing as it travelled your attachment. Remember hand typed submissions Views expressed in contributions are those of the down the wire ended up have to be retyped and may be delayed. author and not necessarily those of the Society. as ‘send three and PHOTOGRAPHS The editor reserves the right to amend any copy fourpence we’re going to If possible please provide an original image ( but not submitted. a dance’. your only copy). If you want to provide scanned Members should ensure that any material submitted Ed. material, pictures should be scanned as greyscale. does not infringe any copyright. 300dpi images. Do not send 72 or 96 dpi JPEG files. If I hope this is helpful. Ed. 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 28th/29th 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 con- will receive back copies of the three magazines for cerning 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 Orkney ORDINARY 2. To establish and maintain links with other Family membership £10.00 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 reference facilities as an information resource for SENIOR CITIZENS members and approved subscribers. Single or couple £7.00 4. To promote study projects and special OVERSEAS interest groups to pursue approved assignments. Surface Mail £12.50 We are located on the upper floor of the Kirkwall Library next to the archives department OVERSEAS and are open Mon–Fri 2pm–4.30pm and Sat Air Mail £15.00 11am–4.30pm. 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 in the may pay their Family Trees. subscriptions by Bankers Order and if they wish Emigration and Debtors lists. can have their subscriptions treated as gift Letters, Articles and stories concerning Orkney donations.Forms will be sent on request. and its people. Cheques should be made payable to: Hudson’s Bay Company information. ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Graveyard Surveys (long term project) and forwarded to This material is available to members for ‘in house’ research by arrangement. ORKNEY FAMILYHISTORY SOCIETY Locally we have monthly Members Evenings Orkney Library & Archive with a guest speaker. 44 Junction Rd, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1AG We produce a booklet of members and interests Telephone 01856 873166 extension 3029 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]) Treasurer. Mr George Gray (e-mail [email protected]) We also produce a newsletter 4 times a year Research Secy. Adrianne Leask (e-mail [email protected]) and are always looking for articles and Editor. John Sinclair (e-mail [email protected]) photographs of interest. A stamped addressed Orkney Family History Society website— www.orkneyfhs.co.uk 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 its authors and may not be reproduced without permiss- purchased at £1 per copy. ion of the editor. The Society is a registered charity in We can usually undertake research for 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 of 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