SIB FOLK NEWS - Orkney Family History Society

Transcription

SIB FOLK NEWS
NEWSLETTER OF THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
ISSUE No 68 DECEMBER 2013
GRAPHICS & MONTAGE – JOHN SINCLAIR
2
Issue No 68 December 2013
ORKNEY
FAMILY HISTORY
NEWSLETTER
Issue No 68
December 2013
COVER
John Rae
PAGE 2
From the Chair
PAGE 3
A treasured
photograph inspires
a search
From
the Chair
PAGES 4& 5
Deep Genealogy
of the Stouts
PAGES 6 & 7
Regulations Must
Be Observed
PAGE 7
The Evangellne
PAGE 9
Tumbledown.
Stoneflit in Deerness
PAGES 10 & 11
Robert Rendall
a cHudson's Bay Man
PAGES 12 & 13
The John Rae Statue
PAGE 14
Odds & Ends
PAGE15
How not to celebrate
a Royal Marriage
Pages 16 & 17
Good Luck Followed Me
all over Orkney
PAGE 18
St Magnus and the
Ancient Game
PAGE 19
Susan Park Marble
needs your help
PAGES 20 & 21
Andrew Stewart of
the Commercial Bank
PAGES 22 & 23
50,000 Balfour Letters
PAGE 24
Membership
We have come to the end of another successful year for the Society,
with our membership continuing to grow at an even greater rate, thanks
largely to the fantastic web-site set up by our web master Dave Higgins.
The new facility for paying membership dues through paypal has proved
to be a great success. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank
our secretary for keeping an eye on the site while Dave is away on his
round the coast of Britain walk.
If you haven’t looked at our website for a while, you will find that we
now have over 1500 of the family trees held in the office, scanned and
available for you to view online. I'm also delighted to see that over 300
members have submitted their trees for our members to view.
Sib Folk News is also very popular and I would like to thank our Editor
John Sinclair for his hard work over the last year producing four issues
to a very high standard. We are all very proud of the magazine and
many members tell me that is the main reason they keep paying their
membership.
We are very fortunate that we are able to man our office 6 days a week
with volunteers, so if you have struck a brick wall with your research do
come in and maybe we can help.
We are always delighted to welcome members at our office and if you
are planning to visit Orkney next year, let us know in advance of anything
you require help with and we will try to have some information ready for
your arrival. This could give you more time to see the county and maybe
even visit your ancestral home if it still exists.
Finally, may I take this opportunity on behalf of everyone at the OFHS,
to wish you peace and happiness at this festive time and throughout the
coming year.
Anne Rendall
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A treasured
Photograph
inspires a
search for
Orkney
Ancestors
By Anne Rogan, Member No 3117
Hello! I am writing from the American Midwest – a long, lost
daughter of Orkney, looking for answers about my ancestors and
their lives. I have always known my grandparents on my mom’s
side were from Leith, with an Orkney connection, but what was
the connection? This summer, I decided to dig deep and try to find
out more about which relatives came from Orkney. This prompted
my mom to dig out her notes, letters and photos from long ago. She
shared with me an old photo that she had saved - it was described
by a relative as the only photo that remained of Mom’s Orkney
grandmother. While I have been able to discover names and dates
of some of my Orkney family, this photo still remains a mystery! We
have theories about who is in the photo, but I’m hoping someone
who reads this newsletter can help us solve our mystery.
My interest in my Scottish background was sparked when, as a
19 year old, I went to live in Scotland as an exchange student. I felt
immediately connected to the country and the culture. My time in
Scotland was spent reconnecting with relatives, learning history,
and experiencing the culture through Scottish Country Dancing,
learning Scots Gaelic and traipsing through the highlands. When
my mom and dad came to visit me during my time in Scotland, we
made a short trip to Orkney. The idea of Orkney possibly being an
ancestral home for me was intriguing. It seemed remote, and far
removed from any place I had ever lived or visited. At the time,
we didn’t have any specific ancestral information about Orkney,
but enjoyed our visit nonetheless.
Researching my mom’s family has been such a great experience.
It gives my mom and I something exciting to talk about whenever
we are together. My mom’s parents came to North America
from Scotland in the early 1920s. While Mom had heard that her
grandmother came from Orkney, she had no evidence or concrete
information. In my searching with online genealogy tools, I was
able to confirm for my mom that her grandmother’s family did
come from Orkney. I was able to discover these details mainly
through Scottish census records. Through the Orkney Family
History website, I have even been able to dig back a few more
generations on Orkney as well.
My mother’s maternal grandmother, Mary Jane Ward was born in
1870 in Leith, Edinburgh, and her parents were both born on Orkney.
William Muir Wards was born in 1834 and Mary Ann Harcus was
born in 1831 in Kirkwall St. Ola. William and Mary Ann were
married around 10 Nov, 1853 in Kirkwall St Ola. William died in
Leith in 1903, and Mary Ann died in Leith in 1894.
Two siblings of Mary Jane’s were also born on Orkney. James
Wards was born in 1856 and William Wards was born in 1854, both
inKirkwall.Besidesmygreatgrandmotherandthesetwosiblings
born on Orkney, William and Mary Ann had 3 more boys born in
Leith between 1860 and 1870. In digging deeper into the family
of William Muir Wards, I found a living descendent of one of his
brothers on Orkney who is a third cousin to my mother. He told us
about a relative who was an Olympic wrestler, Tom Ward, from
Orkney.
Back to the treasured and very old family photo that inspired the
search for our family’s roots in Orkney. My mom’s Auntie Mary
gave her the photo asking that she take care of this one and only
existing image of Mary Jane Ward. We think that she is at the center
of the photo standing behind the older gentleman, and placing
her hand on his shoulder. We believe the gentleman is her father,
William Muir Wards of Kirkwall St. Ola. However, we don’t
know who the other people are in the photo, or where and when
the photo was taken? One theory is that it was taken before Mary
Jane’s wedding in Leith. Her mother had passed away not long
before, and wouldn’t have been in the photo. We wondered if
the two men with wives and children could be her two older,
Orkney born brothers, William and James, perhaps visiting
from Orkney?
In addition to finding out more about this photo, we would be
really excited to discover stories, additional photos or anecdotes
about my great grandmother’s family on Orkney. How far back
were they in Kirkwall? Why did they leave Orkney? What
was going on during the late 1850’s that would prompt them to
leave Orkney for Leith? What happened to their relatives who
stayed on Orkney? Did they stay in touch? Might we have other
cousins on Orkney or abroad?
I would love to find out more about this photo- or see if anyone
has a connection to our family and help fill in some missing
details. I’m new to ancestry research, but hope to find more
details as time goes on- to round out our family story. I was
delighted to find this group and hope to make connections that
will feed my desire to know as much about my family’s history
in Orkney as I possibly can. Thanks in advance for any help this
L
community can provide. [email protected]
4
By Bill Stout, Member No 1001
Lamb in his “Orkney Family Names” says of the surname
Stout:Stout: Henry Stout, Dritness, Stronsay, 1633; pronounced
‘Stoot’; from the nickname ‘stout’ with its original meaning
‘firm’ or ‘bold’; the place-name Stout Farthing in Holm recorded
in 1500 suggests that this family name had been long established
in Orkney; a common family name in Orkney but with a limited
distribution; Westray and Stronsay account for almost half the
Stout families in Orkney; Stouts of Orkney origin are found in
Canada; Stout is also an English family name.
In the above entry Lamb omits some of the more speculative
content of the Stout entry in his earlier book “Orkney Surnames”:
Stout: Henry Stout, Dritness, Stronsay, 1633: almost certainly
a nickname: the OE word ‘stot’ meaning a young ox has been
suggested but it is likely to stem from ON ‘stóth’, a stallion
since horse nicknames were common but cattle nicknames
were rare: this surname appears very late but we know from
placename evidence that it is much older e.g. Stoddisyord in
Sandwick in 1500 and Stout Farthing in Holm the same year: a
common Orkney surname with a limited distribution: Westray
and Stronsay account for almost half the Stout surnames in
Orkney: many of the Westray Stouts came originally from the
Fair Isle at the beginning of the 19th century: Stout is certainly a
native Orkney surname too however, possibly in the case of the
Stronsay Stouts and very likely in the case of the Stouts of South
Walls: Stout is also found as surname in Cumberland.
In 1841, with a count of twenty-two heads, there were more
Stouts living on the tiny island of Fara in the parish of Walls
and Flotta than on any other Orkney island. Taking Shetland into
account, only the Shetland Mainland, with sixty-four Stouts and
Fair Isle, with twenty-three each had a larger Stout population.
Of the Shetland Mainland Stouts, twenty-seven were clustered in
the Quendale area of Dunrossness at the southern end of the isle.
Twenty-two were living in Lerwick.
To complete the distribution picture of 1841, Westray, Stronsay
and Sanday also had Stout populations, all recently established by
migration from Fair Isle at the behest of the laird, who wanted to
transfer fishing skills to his estates in the North Isles of Orkney. In
the South Isles, in addition to Fara, there were also Stouts on Walls
and Hoy. Kirkwall and Stromness as yet had no Stouts. In Scotland
as a whole, outside of Orkney and Shetland, there were only thirtyfive Stouts, many of whom were migrants from the isles.
Note that although there were Stouts on Stronsay in 1633 when
the poor crofter, Henry Stout died at Dritness, the population
there had disappeared by the mid-eighteenth century, when
proper records began to be kept. The current Stronsay Stout
population all has a nineteenth century Fair Isle origin, some of
it via Westray.
One of the frustrations of researching family history is the
closeness of the historical horizon. We are seldom able to see back
beyond the mid-eighteenth century. Very few earlier documents
survive and the paper trail comes to a sudden stop.
There are now, however, ways of doing family history by other
means. We may not be able to put names to individuals or places
to names, but we are nevertheless able to ask and to answer
interesting questions about the group history of our family.
Genetics and population studies are a means to this end.
For example, how did the distribution of Stouts reach the point
it did in Orkney and Shetland in 1841? How long have Stouts
lived on the islands? As suggested by Lamb, “Stout” probably
belongs to the class of surnames derived from nicknames. Was
it coined independently in Orkney and Shetland (as well as
elsewhere), or was the name brought to Orkney by an incomer
– or were there elements of both? If coined in Orkney was the
name invented once or many times?
In the case of the Stouts, the end point of the paper chase and
the start point for using the methods of deep genealogy lies in
the finding that the ancestry of all of the Stouts born in Orkney
and Shetland between 1855 and 1900 (and hence that of their
descendants) can be traced to one of thirteen couples living in
the isles in the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century. They
are as follows:
John Stout and Margaret Aiken living in Corston,
Dunrossness (son James b. 1791)
Robert Stout and Christina Burgher or Burgess in
Hillwell, Dunrossness (son George b. 1775)
Malcolm Stout and Catherine Humphrey in Garth, Scatsa,
Delting (son Thomas b. 1792)
Gilbert Stout and Phillis Hughson in Greenha,
Nesting,Lunnasting (m. 1844)
John Stout and Isabella Georgeson in Lerwick (m. 1816)
Thomas Stout and Barbara Smith living in Lerwick
(grandson Thomas b.1806)
Thomas Stout and Girsy Smith living on Fair Isle (son
George b. 1794)
A
FLaurence Stout and Margery Williamson on Fair Isle (son
Magnus m. Mary Brown 1809)
George Stout and Anne Wilson living on Fair Isle (m. 1798)
James Stout and on Fara (son Harry b. about 1790)
James Stout and Elizabeth Bain, probably in North Walls
(son William b. about 1802)
James Stout and Isabella Bremner in Brims, North Walls
(daughter Mary b. 1815)
William Stout and Elspeth Cromarty probably in Misbister,
Walls (son James b. 1791)
Those who had moved away from the isles before 1855 include:
William Stout and Grace Irvine (son Oliver m. Louisa
Williamson in 1850 in Lerwick then moved to Aberdeen)
William Stout of Fair Isle moved to Glasgow, m. Mary
Russell (son William b. about 1804)
William Stout and Marjory Leask of Lerwick, whose sons,
Thomas (b. 1815) and John moved to Glasgow
There have been speculative attempts to construct a relationship
between the three Fair Isle couples listed above based on oral
tradition, land tenure papers and pre-1841 census documents.
However, it cannot be reliably concluded from these sources that
there was indeed such a relationship. Of course it would not be
any surprise if there were. But was there?
The Dunrossness Stouts were part of a community in relatively
close contact with Fair Isle, probably providing marriage partners
and new blood from time to time. There was a large number of
Stout families in the Quendale area of Dunrossness in the latter
half of the eighteenth century. Due presumably to the impact of
emigration and possibly high mortality, only the John Stout and
Margaret Aiken line survived in the isles into the latter half of
the nineteenth century. Prima facie it would not be surprising to
discover that the Fair Isle and Dunrossness Stouts were related.
But were they?
The case of the Lerwick Stouts is not so clear. Even in the
eighteenth century they were well established among the merchant
class of the town, socially fairly far removed from the fishermen
and crofters of Dunrossness and Fair Isle. It was one of their
number, a great-grandson of Thomas Stout and Barbara Smith,
who was eventually to become Prime Minister and later Chief
Justice of New Zealand. Were these folks, including a grocer &
spirit merchant, a postmaster and a building contractor related to
the Dunrossness families?
To cut a long story short, the answers to the above questions are
unequivocally “yes”, “yes” and “yes”. All five of the Shetland
patriarchs have been shown by genetic testing to share a nearest
common ancestor in the recent past. How recent is not yet clear,
but the fifteenth or sixteenth century seems plausible. A more
precise estimate will become possible as the interpretation of
genetic test results becomes more sophisticated.
Genetic testing of only one representative descendant of each
patriarch was required in order to confirm the relationships. I found
a descendant of John Stout and Margaret Aiken living in China
(Brian Stout); a descendant of Thomas Stout and Barbara Smith
living in New Zealand (Ron Stout); a descendant of Laurence
Stout and Margery Williamson living in Dundee (the late Prof.
5
George Stout); and a descendant of Thomas Stout and Girsy Smith
in Kirkwall (the late Tom Stout of Whitehall, Stronsay).
The implication of this is that all of the Stouts of Shetland, Fair Isle
and the North Isles of Orkney are not only related to each other, but
are all descended from the same man, bearing the name Stout, who
probably lived in Shetland about five hundred years ago.
But what of the Stouts in the South Isles of Orkney? Are they part
of the same family or do they constitute their own family group? On
the basis of available records it would appear that most of the living
Stouts originating from the South Isles are descendants of James
Stout and Isabella Bremner. Genetic testing of descendants of
three of their sons has confirmed that there is no close relationship
to the Shetland Stouts. The conclusion is that there are in fact two
quite separate Stout groups.
There are still unanswered questions about how the surname
originated or how often it was separately coined or whether it was
brought to the isles from elsewhere. Family tradition in Fair Isle has
it that the first Stouts in Shetland came from Yorkshire. It should be
possible to use genetic testing to show whether that is true. L c
6
A ‘must have’ addition to your Orkney
bookshelf from Bertha M. Fiddler
‘Regulations must be obeyed’ is the title of Bertha
Fiddler’s new book that tells of her experiences at school in
Stronsay and then as a school girl away from home and living in
the Grammar School Hostel in Kirkwall in the early 1950s. “It
certainly brought back happy memories to me” says Nan Scott,
Member No 8, “ I stayed in the hostel four years earlier and was
one of the first pupils to be there. I was delighted to be in the hostel for prior to this pupils had to find and pay for accommodation
near the school. Food parcels hadn’t been invented then but had
become the norm in Bertha’s day. I guess I was lucky too that the
cat hadn’t had time to multiply before I left. Ex hostellers have
found the book fascinating,” continued Nan “and I have grandchildren who couldn’t lay it down.”
Family history researchers will find the book invaluable. loads
of dates, loads of pictures with everyone in them named.
Another Family History Society member, Nancy Scott (nee
Costie) No 578, wrote to say that Bertha had often thought of
writing down her memories but had been put off by people telling her that she would be wasting her time as no one would believe her. How wrong they were said Nancy as she knows many
senior citizen ‘girls’ who agree that Bertha tells it just as it was
like. Bertha also recalls life in a small country primary school and
compares this with the huge KGS and this, Nancy says, is good
history in itself. She is also reminded of a visit to the hostel by
the Director of Education and of Bertha asking him to come to
the drying room. Nancy says that everyone was agog at Bertha’s
boldness but the result was changes for the better, including a
fresh smelling drying room.
Nancy goes on to say how good it is that Bertha recounts the
many happy times when a bunch of teenage girls were ‘punded
together’ a term common at the time. Friendships were made that
have lasted half a century not least with Catherine who was able
to produce an unbelievable number of ‘artefacts’ of hostel life. It
is good also that the kindness of relatives especially those living
in town is emphasised. Nancy says that these people probably
kept them alive.
Nancy concludes by saying that the book should be compulsory reading for all present day hostel pupils so that they might
have no complaints. Bertha, she says has shown that it was a very
different life in the old hostel in Old Scapa Road.
Sandy Clark, member 164 has also been in touch. He was one
of the post office workers that the hostel had been built for. He enjoyed the book thoroughly and and sends Bertha his best wishes.
Sandy was telling Nan Scott that each time he visits Orkney
and travels down the Holm Branch in the airport bus he can still
see the window of the room he used to stay in. He was also delighted to spot it on the left of the photograph of the hostel on
page 99 of ‘Regulations Will be Observed’.
Sandy’s letter gives a bit of wartime history plus valuable research material together with the names of all the
OVER
160
PHOTOS
post office staff, engineers, sorting clerks and telegraphists. Sandy’s narrative is reprinted here and records
many interesting facts which might otherwise be lost:“In her book ‘Regulations must be observed’,
Bertha Fiddler mentions soldiers being billeted in the Post Office Hostel in Old Scapa Road. l have no knowledge of that
whatsoever. So far as l am aware the hostel was built in the
early forties for use by Post Office personnel who were temporarily based, on fairly long appointments, in Orkney installing telephones at various Naval, Army and Air Force establishments and also dealing with Forces mail. When l was
transferred from Banff to Kirkwall in1943, l lived in the hostel
which was used by telephone and postal staff. There were dormitory wings for Telephone supervisors, Telephone engineers
and Postal staff. Hundreds of telephones were installed by the
engineers throughout Orkney and the local Postal staff was unable to cope with the amount of mails which were received
and sent by the 60,000 or so members of the Armed Forces
stationed in the islands. The Post Office had its own Home
Guard unit so perhaps Bertha’s information was partly correct.
All able bodied personnel in the Hostel were obliged to become
members of the Home Guard. Engineers and postal staff who
were not yet twenty years of age were automatically placed in
a “Reserved Occupation” until they reached the age of twenty.
We were all issued with “Certificates of Employment” which
we had to carry on our person - l still have my certificate. l
am unable to remember the room number l was allocated but
it was the very end room on the left of the upper photograph
on page 100 in Bertha’s book. Every time l come in from the
airport on the bus, l see that room as we come down the Holm
Branch Road. There were so many of us young postal workers
that the hostel was full-up and many were billeted with families
in the town.
We were employed as Sorting Clerks and Telegraphists, - very
hard worked S C and Tsl - as in those far-off days the main parcel
mail only arrived at around seven in the evening, being carried
through from Stromness by contract with P F Thomson. Quite
often up to one thousand bags of parcels would arrive to be A
7
F sorted, bagged off for local delivery to the other delivery ley and Mr D Scrimgeour who went to Motherwell. Mr Christie
offices throughout the County, all for delivery next day. Often stayed in Old Scapa Road and kept a look-out for any of us who
it would be midnight before we finished work and then we were a bit “latchy” in the morning — if it was after five minutes
were on duty the next morning at five o’clock to despatch the to eight, you ran!
Assistant Head Postmaster was Sinclair Ross.
North lsles parcel mails. All inward parcels for Orkney, apart
Overseers were - Bob Manson; George Flett; W L Marwick;
from those addressed to Stromness, were dealt with at the Parcel Sorting Office in Junction Road which was situated next D D Marwick; Bob Wilson and Charlie Norn.
Other local staff included - Maurice Gray; Jimmy Dick; Kento Dowell’s yard. Houses have now been built on the site. We
quite liked the late shift followed by the early shift, we were ny Sutherland; Billy Groundwater; Jim Cromarty; ? Harrold;
able to enjoy the afternoon and evening off every second day! ? Miller; Gordon Fiddler; Jim Chalmers; Reggy Swanney;
All letters, outward and inward, carried by Highland Airways, Maurice Allan; Sandy Budge; Sydney Peace; Jimmy Horne;
were dealt with at the Head Office on Broad Street. Every bag Muriel Manson; Mabel Brown; Margaret Burch; Madge Fidof outward mail was weighed before being transported to the dler; and quite a lot more, I can remember faces but not names.
Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist staff on loan from other ofairport. All parcels for delivery outside the county were dealt
included
—
fices
with at the Head Office.
Jimmy
McGregor,
All mail for the Armed
Elgin; Jimmy
RobForces units was dealt
ertson, Elgin; Ronnie
with at the Parcel office.
Steel, Broughty FerThe Post Orderlies from
ry; Bill Wallace, Carthe various units collectnoustie; Euan McGreed their mail, providing
gor, Oban;
John
they produced evidence
Owens,
Linlithgow;
of identity signed by
Alistair Binnie, Borthe unit Commanding
ders?; George Brown,
Officer.
Borders?;
Jimmy
I remember the first
Wiseman, Peterhead;
day l ever served at the
David Noble, FraserPost Office counter on
burgh; George White,
Broad Street. l was at the
Aberdeen; Raymond
parcel end of the counter
Gerrie,
Aberdeen;
and when l balanced at
Walter MacFarlane,
night l was five pounds
short - l was excused as it Some of the hostel ‘girls’ help Bertha launch her new book at the meeting on Hamilton; Andy TurnDunfermline;
was my first day on coun- the 14th September. They are, left to right Nan Scott (née Pottinger), Bessie bull,
McCowat,
ter work!!! We also did Muir (née Scott), Muriel Wylie (née Drever), Marion Flett (née Spence), Rosemme Jimmy
Harry
quite a lot of Telegraph Guthrie (née Scott), Mimes Manson (née Slater0, Kathleen Stephen (née Hay). Burntisland;
MacDonald, Banchowork. l had completed a
course in teleprinter operating in lnverness prior to being sent to ry; Angus MacKenzie; Elgin; Jimmy Kean, Markinch; Norman
Kirkwall and passed as a competent operator when l was able to Smith, Ellon; Alistair Mclntosh, Lossiemouth; David McLaren,
send an average telegraph message of 12 words length, plus the Borders?; and John Geddes, Buckie, rather a motley crowd!!!
I am sure that I speak for everyone who reads ‘Regulations Must
preamble, in a minute!
The names of some of the staff employed during my time in be Observed’ when I say “thanks Bertha for reviving so many happy
Kirkwall were as follows, though the list is far from complete. memories, for memories are the precious presents that we can unwrap
L
Head Postmasters were Mr J J Christie who went to Pais- and enjoy time and time again”.
Here’s another unidentified photograph from
the thousands that have ended up in the Orkney
Library Photographic Archive.
From time to time, when space permits, we include random pictures in Sib Folk News and our
members have been
quite successful in
identifying people
and places.
If you recognise anyone here please let
me know and I will
pass the information
on to the Archives.
Ed.
8
The Evangeline
Anne Rendall found this poem among her
grandmother’s papers and as it is about the
loss of the Stronsay lugger the Evangeline
which appeared in our September
newsletter she thought that some
members might find it of interest.
It is dated January 1905 but
there is no record of the author’s
name.
Perhaps some of our
readers can help.?
As taut a craft as ever was seen
Was the Portknockie lugger, Evangeline,
Built for the swirl of the wild North Sea,
Of the toughest of oak and larch was she;
Her masts and sails and rigging and all
Were built to stand what might befall;
But even the strongest craft may fail
In the roaring rage of an Orkney gale.
Her Skipper was built on the self-same plan,
A rugged storm-trained Banffshire man,
Calm as a sea-bird, strong and brave,
He could ride the ridge of the roughest wave:
His spirit and grit nerved all his crew;
What the Skipper would dare they would forthwith do;
But even the bravest men may fail
Season by season for many a year
She swung to her berth at Stronsay Pier,
The silver freight of her latest catch,
Glistening down her main deck hatch.
But whether her luck was good or bad,
A right warm welcome she always had,
And no one thought she would ever fail
The Stronsay folk and her fisher crew
Forgathered as fisher folk aye do,
For, search the world, you will never find
Men of such single heart and mind;
They meet and they part like brothers all
With a smile, and a shake, and a cheery call,
Nor think of the day when their skill may fail
One year, when the work of the fleet was done,
The Skipper set sail for the homeward run,
While the crew of the good Evangeline
Waving their hands, on the deck were seen,
While their voices rang back that old refrain
‘Goodbye, Good Luck, We will come again.’
And no one dreamed that they ever would fail
Christmas was past with its kindly cheer,
And Hansel day of the new born year,
When, after a feast, come need on need,
The fish must be caught that the children may feed.
So out from Portknockie the fisher fleet steered
While the wind to the deadly south eastward veered,
And woe to the craft that with it must sail
In the furious rage of an Orkney gale.
The night came down like the fall of doom;
Not a star shone out on the fearful gloom,
When suddenly rushed the wind to its worst.
With a bound from their nets the fisher fleet burst.
Then, by God alone that night was seen
The lights of the little Evangeline.
As she drove, bow down, with her tattered sail
In the furious grip of that Orkney gale.
Past Borough Head like a feather she flew
Beyond will or skill of her captain or crew;
They had done their best; they had done their last,
For the breakers rushed through the raging blast
And the billows swept over the groaning deck,
Leaving the lugger a crewless wreck
To drift without mast, or wheel, or sail
In the flying scud of that Orkney gale.
They all came back, but not as before
With a leap and a laugh to Stronsay shore:
They all came back, but silent and still
As men who had yielded to God’s great will.
And the Stronsay folk remembered with pain . . .
‘Goodbye, Good Luck, We will come again.’
And they prayed, ‘Lord, may thy mercy ne’er fail
The fishermen’s need in an Orkney gale.’
Don’t forget — It is really important to keep
the articles coming — photos welcome too!
January 11th is the Deadline for the March 2014
issue — earlier would be even better.
Articles on Word doc please. Photos as ‘good quality‘
JPGS to <[email protected]>
Issue No. 68 December 2013
9
A ‘Tumbledown’ tale from Mabel Eunson. Member No 123
In 2012 I attempted my first Tumbledown for Sib Folk News
featuring Millhill in Deerness. A lovely new house which nestles
into the brae has now been completed and I’m pleased to see
the old ruin still standing as a memorial to its former occupants,
an example of a much earlier type of small crofthouse.
For my second Tumbledown I decided that I would investigate
the background of Stoneflit in Deerness. The name has always
RESIDENTS OF / PARK COTTAGE
Residents of ‘Stoneflit’
Name
1851
James Vedder, fisherman/farmer
Margaret, wife, nee Tulloch
James, son
Margaret, daughter
William, son
David, son
Margaret Manson, grand daughter
Robert Rich, Farmer
Mary, wife, nee Stove Mary, daughter, unmarried
age
intrigued me, conjuring up pictures of the burden borne by
those who built it. Now that might not be too far off the mark
for tradition has it that the stones were gathered from another
site by women who carried them in their ‘secky brats’. But
from where and how far away is not known. The ruin is near
to what we call the Lighthouse Corner and stands in a small
triangular field between two roads leading south.
1861
age
1871 1881
1891 1901
1911
age
age
age
age
age
38
45
9
7
4
1
-
41
56
- -
13
12
-
51
66
-
-
23
21
6
60
76
-
-
34
-
16
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
59
57
25
68
66
35
-
-
ALL THESE PEOPLE WERE BORN IN DEERNESS
In 1841 James and Margaret Vedder were living at Little Quoys
which is not far from Stoneflit. In 1871 both William and David
Vedder were ‘Joiners out of employ. David was possibly too ill to
work. He died the following year ‘after a long illness’ and the eldest
son, James had drowned in Lake Eyrie, Canada in 1866 aged 24.
Theirs is the only Vedder Memorial in the Deerness Churchyard.
It was ‘erected by William T Vedder in memory of his beloved
brothers’. In 1881 William is a joiner and Margaret Manson is a
domestic servant. By 1871 the daughter, Margaret Vedder, was
married to James Manson and raising a family at West Heath in
Holm. They became the grandparents of Ian Vedder and Maurice
Manson. James Vedder died at Stonflit in 1886 aged 66 years
and Margaret, his wife, died in July 1889, aged 74 years, at West
Heath in Holm, the home of her daughter. William Vedder died,
aged 40, at West Heath in 1886. The cause of death, reported in the
Register of Corrected Entries, was a haemorrhage.
Robert Rich came to Stoneflit from Netherstove. In the 1911
census he was at Old Lighthouse, a widower, living with his
unmarried daughter, Mary.
In 1905, William Foubister of Newbanks bought the lands of
Stoneflit which lay at the north of the main road and built a house
which he called New Lighthouse. He also added a workshop
and a Grocery Shop. The dwelling house of Stoneflit has been
unoccupied for over 100 years but the small croft has had a few
owners. The present proprietors have permission for a new house
on the site. I wonder if the remaining stones will be flit once more
and be incorporated somehow into the new build.
The ‘Tumbledown’ articles were first produced by Alan Clouston when he was ‘Chair’ of the society. When
he retired from that position he hoped that other members would carry on the research into these old
properties. Mabel Eunson has now produced two and I hope that her latest effort will encourage other
members to follow suit.
Alan tells me that they are fairly easy to do and if any member is thinking of producing a ‘Tumbledown’ he
will be happy to tell them how he tackled it. You can contact him at [email protected]
10
By Joan Barrett, Member No 994
Robert Rendall was my ggggrandfather, born 1789
and died 1878 in Westray. He spent about two decades
working for the Hudson’s Bay Company in Canada.
Many years ago I communicated with other descendants, each of whom had a story to tell. Nina Goodman
Eldridge said that Lady Franklin had tried to enlist
Robert Rendall for the search to find her missing husband, Lord John Franklin, who had praised Robert’s
skill in navigating rapids. Mrs. Thomas Rendall said
that Robert and a man named “Gulljem” left Westray
together, that Robert became fluent in the local Indian
language and became an interpreter. Sadly, I can find
nothing to substantiate either story.
Robert Rendall’s grandson, Walter Rendall, wrote
that Robert had gone to Canada at age 17 and worked
for the Hudson’s Bay Company before returning to Westray and becoming “a successful tenant farmer.” According to Walter, Robert Rendall returned home in 1822.
But as usual in tracing ancestors, contradictions and
confusions arise.
Judith Beattie, Head Research and Reference officer
for HBC wrote to me in 1988 that HBC records show
a Robert Randall/Randle sailing from Orkney 1 July
1800 on the Prince of Wales to York Factory, arriving in
September. He worked there as a labourer from 1800 to
1803, returning home by the King George III on a voyage that began 30 Aug 1803. “In an account, it appears
that his age in 1800 is given as 10 years, but in the
ship’s log it is shown as 33 in 1803.”
Ms. Beattie enclosed “two brief resumes of the careers
of two men named Robert Randall (also Rendal, Rendall,
and Randall).” She said that all references may be to the
same man but some are listed from parishes other than
Westray. However, in 1813-1814 the parish is Westray,
and the man listed above his name was Peter; Robert
Rendall’s brother was Peter. Both men were working at
Swan River.
Mrs. Beattie included this data regarding Robert
Rendall:
1812-1815 Labourer at Swan River
1815-1819 Middleman and Steersman, Swan River,
W. Winnipeg
1819-1820 Steersman, Moose Lake, W. Winnipeg
1820, 8 Sept Home, per Eddystone
Remarks in HBC records about Robert Rendall include:
1812
Parish in ship’s log, Stronsay
1813-1814Parish given was “Westra,” like the man listed above him, Peter Rendall
1815-1816“An interested young man for the good of the employ”
1819
5’8” dark complexion, “an excellent
Servant”
I assume that the reference to Stronsay can be explained by clerical error.
I ordered and read microfilm HBC records for 18171818. They contain a wealth of information not only
about my ancestor but also about the life of men working in the outposts of civilization. The surnames suggest
an abundance of men from Orkney working there. The
following pertains to 1817:
May 21
James Marwick and Robert Rendall
sawing
May 16
Robert Rendal & Michael K.
thrashing barley
Oct 4
Robt. Rendal & Alexr. Baconner
chopping logs
Oct 12
Rendel & Work finished thrashing & winnowing the barley, 300 gallons in all, but a great part of it not ripe.
Oct 14
Rendal hauling home wood on a cart broke one of the shafts, & put another into its place
Oct 24
Rendal went for & b[rought] the horse which yesterday Bremmer could not find.
Oct 26
Rendal & Bremner clearing out the forge & cutting a window out in it
Oct 28
Sent Rendal & Joe off with two days’ provisions to look for a mare of the company’s.
Nov 1
Rendal & Joe arrived. Did not find the mare--br[ought] meat from the hunter on their horse
Nov 2
Sent Robt. Rendal and two boys with four slades and dogs to meet
Mr. Sutherland
A great deal of Rendal’s time was next spent making A
Fhorse shafts for flat slades, cutting and hauling wood,
and bringing a horse back to camp. On December 16 he
was sent to the hunting tent; on the 21st he arrived back
at camp with fresh meat. On the 22nd he and Killcot
were sent to Ft. Hibernia with the packet to Mr. Sutherland.
Early in January 1818, the situation at Swan River
was desperate. The journal reported that one of the men
arrived back “from the hunting tent with meat, says our
hunter has fetched off with all the rest of the Indians to
attend general assembly at the thunder hill, convened
by his Excellency, the rascal Mr. Rattle Snake. This
unlucky affair will destroy us, as our stock of provisions
is small and a long time of the best hunting season will
be lost.”
In mid January Robert Rendall, Thomas Setter, and
Donald McDonald were taken as witnesses to a judicial matter. On the 16th Robert Rendall and Tom Setter
“sailed round the bay.”
11
gathering sap from maple trees and making sugar. On
April 25, “All the men home from the sugar camps as nothing is doing at them . . . Mild evening--Mapple rum. How
tantalizing.”
I cannot prove that the Robert Rendall who appears in
the Swan River journals is my ancestor, but I believe that
he is. Robert Rendall married Betsie Seator in 1825, not
long after he returned from Canada. He probably was able
to attain the tenancy of Noltland farm from his wages
earned from HBC. His grandchildren’s memories support
the history. Robert Rendall allows us a glimpse into the
life of one working under difficult, often dangerous conditions.
Knowing that he was a Steersman for HBC makes me
curious. Might Robert Rendall actually have met Lord
Franklin and taken him safely through the rapids on a
Canadian river? I will never know.
L
In late January two of the Red Deer’s river men,
George Sinclair and John Flett arrived with “11
otters, 73 martins, 69 rats, 1 damaged red fox, 1 mink, 1
fisher, and two leather skins.”
By February, three of five men “are invalids, but all
of them able to eat up their allowance of freash meat a
day.” The Indian hunter, Natat, is drunk.
On March 3, “Robert Rendal & Gro’ sent to Jack River,
the latter, a man of very little consequence to the company, is to remain at the Big (Falls?), from where we got
him and another to accompany Rendal to Jack River.”
On March 9 Bremner is sent “to Natat’s tent. Returned in the evening with the unpleasant news that
he refuses to hunt any more for us, being intimidated
by Mr. McDonald’s threats to beat him if he continues
with the English, that he is now to change his colours
and take shelter under the French flag, tho it must be
confessed he has always till winter of 1816 and 17 been
a Nor’west trader.”
The HBC record states that on March 28, the Indians
who had arrived with skins were given rum. On the 29th
the Indians were “still drunk and troublesome. Two of
them quarreled when the one, Natat, gave the other,
Canteouteneu, four terrible cuts in the head and neck
with a hatchet.” He reports also that Natat “is a quiet
Indian,” but that “whenever he drinks a quarrel is the
result.” On April 5 the wounded Indian “died and was
buried. McDonald, our neighbour, gave out Rum on the
occasion to his Indians, which puts me to a little expense
also.”
On April 17 James Marwick and Robert Rendal “are
to go down Red River with Mr. Sutherland in the Boats
. . . .” On May 12 they returned, “also James Mowat,
with six Horses and two Carts with some provisions.”
Throughout March and April, the men were busy
I hope that you are doing likewise. It’s not as if I’m
asking you to spend four years on your back painting
a ceiling, a couple of pages would be great and if
you have a photo or two that would be even better.
Articles can be on a Word doc and photographs
should be scanned as ‘good quality’ and set as email
attachments to:- [email protected] to reach
me by January 11th for the March edition.
12
On his 200th anniversary, the Arctic’s
John Rae was born in Orphir on mainland Orkney on the 30th
September 1813. He was the sixth child and fourth son of John Rae
and Margaret Glen Rae.John Rae senior was the factor of Sir William
Honeyman’s estate and their home was the Hall o’ Clestrain where
life would be quite
luxurious compared
with that of the
average
Orcadian
of the period. Sir
Walter Scott visited
in 1814 and his record
speaks highly of farm
The Hall o’ Clestrain, Orphir
management and he
seemed particularly impressed with the horses. In 1887 The Orkney
Herald suggested that John Rae’s sisters, Janet and Marion, were the
original models for the characters of Minna and Brenda in Scott’s
novel The Pirate.
Young Rae revelled in the outdoor life of hunting, fishing and sailing.
By all accounts he excelled in all of them and the skills he acquired
were to prove invaluable in his later life in the new world.
The Rae children were privately educated at home and for young
John Rae this ended at the age of 16 when he went to Edinburgh to
study medicine.
After four winter sessions he sat his one and only examination and
on the 18 April 1833 he qualified as Licentiate of the Royal College
of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He was 19 years old.
In addition to his position as factor of the Honeyman estates, Joh Rae
senior was also the Orkney agent for the Hudson’s Bay Company and
it was at their offices in Stromness that young Rae was fascinated by
the exciting tales and adventures related by many of the Orcadians
and sailors familiar with the new world. Once qualified Rae lost no
time in applying for a position with the HBC and in June of 1833 Rae
senior received a letter informing him that his son Jock had been
appointed Surgeon of the Prince of Wales for the ensuing voyage to
Moose Factory in the south of Hudson Bay.
It was not long before the chief factor at Moose realised what an
asset the young Orcadian would be to the HBC. George Simpson,
the overseas Governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company, agreed and he
offered Rae a contract as clerk and surgeon at £100 per annum. Rae
was to remain at Moose Factory for the next 10 years as surgeon and
was soon established as an officer of the HBC.
During this time he made many friends among the First Nation’s
people who were frequent visitors to the fort and by the time he left
Moose Factory they had helped him become a skilled woodsman and
hunter, capable of travelling and surviving all over the harsh northern
territories of Canada.
In 1844 Rae was due for promotion and it was proposed that he take
charge of the Rupert’s River District. Sir George Simpson, who was
following young Rae’s career with interest, had other ideas.
One of the reasons the HBC was granted its charter was in order
to explore the uncharted continent and search the north coast of
Canada for a north west passage. If such a route could be found
it would revolutionise trade and travel to the Orient and provide a
faster alternative to the hazardous horns of South Africa and South
America. Simpson outlined his plan for the expedition and Rae had
13
greatest explorer stands tall in Stromness
By John Sinclair, Member No 588
little hesitation in accepting the assignment.
of cannibalism. The
At the time there was great rivalry between
Inuit showed Rae many
the Royal Navy and the HBC to finish
objects identified as
mapping the frozen wastes of north west
coming from the
Canada and discover the fabled passage to
expedition and Rae
the Orient.
purchased
these
In 1845 the British Naval Northwest
to present to the
Passage Expedition led by Sir John Franklin
Admiralty together
was searching for a north west passage
with his report.
in an unexplored region Southwest of the
Rae arrived in
Barrow Strait. Earlier that year HMS Erebus,
London to find that
captained by Franklin, and HMS Terror, sailed
the Admiralty had
from
London
leaked the report
equipped
with
Lady Jane Franklin
to the Times.
enough provisions
They were incensed that anyone should suggest
to last for seven
that officers and men of the Royal Navy would
years. They were
resort to cannibalism. This from a service where men
last spotted by two
were imprisoned in a basket
whalers
heading
below the bowsprit of a ship;
for Baffin Bay in
were keelhauled; suffered
July 1845. What
slow strangulation by being
happened to the
hanged from the yardarm or
two ships and the
flogged mercilessly with a
129 crew remains a
cat o’ nine tails. Would such
mystery.
men resort to cannibalism?
Sir John Franklin
Rae, meantime had
Unthinkable!
completed a most successful expedition and his
Rae was ostracised and
party had returned to York Factory after 15 months
thousands of miles of Arctic
with all of the men in good health.
coastline mapped by him
There was still no news of the Franklin
was falsely credited to
Charles Dickens
expedition, however, and the Admiralty
Captain Richard Collinson of the Royal Navy.
decided that the ships
Lady Franklin was of
must be icebound and
course incandescent with
a search should be
rage at Rae’s report and
instigated. The Raerallied her cohorts to
At last we have a statue of John Rae, the Orkney explorer
Richardson expedition
discredit Rae and banish
villified by Charles Dickens and Lady Franklin and denied his
was the first of these but
him to the margins of
place in history by a Royal Navy whitewash.
had no success.
history. Among these
This magnificent
life-size bronze by the eminent North
The following 10 years
was Charles Dickens,
Ronaldsay artist and sculptor Ian Scott, stands at Stromness
saw many ships being
probably
the
most
pier not far from where Rae would have boarded the Prince of
sent to search the area.
prominent and popular
Wales, as ship’s surgeon, to join the Hudson’s Bay Company
Lady Franklin offered
writer of the time.
at Moose Factory.
a reward of £5000 and
Dickens soon expressed
The unveiling ceremony was part of a celebration marking
the British Government
his xenophobic and
the 200th anniversary of John Rae’s birth. The statue is a
£20,000 to try to discover
racist views in an article
generous gift of Stromness born Alan Twatt of Banff, a long
the fate of the expedition
discrediting Rae’s report
time admirer of John Rae, who said “All I have really done
but without any success.
and calling the Inuits’
is something that should have been done 150 years ago or
In 1854 John Rae was
evidence unreliable and
more.” In his closing remarks he expressed his pleasure in
surveying the Boothia
attacking their character
being able to hand the statue over to the Orkney Islands and
Peninsula for the HBC
as covetous and cruel. He
the Stromness people for safekeeping.
when he met an Inuit
claimed that the Inuits
hunter near Pelly Bay.
had murdered Franklin
He told Rae that 35 - 40
and his men and covered
white men had died of starvation near the mouth of the Back
their tracks with reports of starvation and cannibalism. It is
River. Other Inuits confirmed the story which included reports
significant to note that the great great grandson of Charles Dickens,
Gerald Dickens, subsequently apologised on behalf of the Dickens
family, to Tagak Curley, an Inuit leader and politician, for his great
great grandfather’s ill chosen remarks.
In 1854 Rae had continued to map and explore the continental
northern coast. He discovered that King William Land was in fact an
island and that the stretch of water separating it from the mainland,
now known as Rae Strait, was the last uncharted link in the North
West Passage. Rae was unable to navigate through the Strait because
of ice at the time and it was not until Roald Amundsen made it
through in 1900 that Rae’s discovery was proved beyond doubt.
It was not until 1981 that an expedition stumbled on proof of what
really happened with the Franklin Expedition. They discovered a
human femur with knife cuts, a broken skull and a disproportionate
number of human bones. The conclusion must be that the men of
the Royal Navy were carrying the most portable portions of their
comrades to sustain them on their journey.
In 1992 a new Franklin site was discovered with human bones scattered
around. Some 25% showed evidence of being cut with steel knives
consistent with chopping and defleshing for human consumption.
Three major bones had been broken to expose the bone marrow.
Makes one wonder if the Franklin sailors killed and ate the living or
simply cannibalised the dead.
Despite the efforts of the establishment to belittle his achievements
Rae was not completely ignored. He was made a Fellow of the Royal
Society in 1880 and received Doctorates from both Edinburgh and
McGill Universities.
It is galling, however, that John Rae, arguably the greatest of the
Arctic Explorers, never received a knighthood or the recognition
that he undeniably deserves.
A memorial to Sir John Franklin lies within Westminster Abbey with
the wording :
To the memory of Sir John Franklin, born April 16 1786 at Spilsby,
Lincolnshire, Died June 11 1847, off point victory in the frozen
ocean, the beloved chief of the gallant crews who perished with him
in completing the discovery of the North West passage.
In 2009, Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael, recently
appointed Secretary of State for Scotland, tabled the following
motion in the House of Commons calling on Westminster Abbey
amongst others to recognise the historical inaccuracies contained
within the inscriptions and give John Rae his rightful recognition.
That this House records its admiration for all those in the nineteenth
century who contributed to the exploration of the North West Passage
in Canada; congratulates Billy Connolly on his recent programme,
“Journey to the Edge of the World” retracing their steps; further
congratulates Mr Connolly on his conclusion that it was not in
fact Sir John Franklin but John Rae who was the first to discover
the final link to the passage while searching for the lost Franklin
crew in 1848; regrets that memorials to Sir John Franklin outside
the Admiralty headquarters and inside Westminster Abbey still
inaccurately describe Franklin as the first to discover the passage
and calls on the Ministry of Defence and the Abbey authorities to
take the necessary steps to clarify the true position.
Will it ever happen? Will pigs be taking to the skies?
14
I thought that the BB
photograph would have
brought a good response
from our members
It certainly raised a lot of interest when it did the
rounds of the tables at the British Legion one Saturday
night.Lots of stories told and lots of people recognised. I
thought that it would also be of interest to our readers
but evidently not. I was lucky to get one response so its
thanks to Kate Butlin, Member No 1594 who sent me
the following interesting information. Ed.
The woman third from the right was our aunt –Mrs
Hetty Findlater. Her son was Angus Findlater, in the
same row second from the left.
Her maiden name was Mowat and she was one of the
family of four of Mr & Mrs Charles Mowat of Cellardydke, Deerness.
The oldest son, Charles was our father.
Angus and his mother were associated with the Boys‘
Brigade for many years.
At one time Angus had a weekly programme on Radio
Orkney.
I believe he was the voice who did the commentary at
Skara Brae some years ago.
He was a popular singer and made commercial
tapes/CDs.
He was best man at more than a few weddings [in
double figures!] in and around Orkney!
The Findlater family lived at 34 White Street,Kirkwall.
Thank you for including a photograph which brought
back so many happy recollections.
Leslie Foubister’s Home Guard
photograph did slightly better
Leslie’s photograph of the WW2 Orcadian Home
Guard officers did a little better. Just by chance I came
across the same photograph in the Orkney Images
web site with six of the officers identified.
No’s 3 and 6, however, are still nameless while various names have been put forward for No 4. J. Shearer
has been suggested but George Esson of St Margarets
Hope thinks that it could be a W. Stainsby who came
to the islands in WW1, married a local girl and decided to stay in Orkney. Stewart Ferris, however, plumps
for a a Mr Dickson who was the manager of the Royal
Bank of Scotland during WW2
When the proofs of this edition were being checked
at the OFHS office, however,it was decided that all
these suggestions were wrong and that without any
doubt No 4 is in fact a Colonel J. T. Goodsir. So there!
More
Bews
News
From Geoff Norris, Member No 2145
An article that I prepared about ‘The Wreck of the
“Marion” Bound for South Australia’ was published in
Issue No. 57, March 2011 of the Sib Folk News. I had
searched the passenger list and traced the Orkney families who joined the ship. The “Marion” was wrecked
on Troubridge Shoal, about 58 miles (93 kilometres)
from its final destination of Port Adelaide, South Australia.
Recently while researching various Bews families, I realised that I had omitted one family from my
Marion research.
The family was that of David Bews, a Miner, who
was born about 1826 in Renfrewshire, Scotland. His
wife Ann, nee Bichen, was born on 6 March 1826 at
St Andrews, Orkney. Their son David Bews, who was
born on 12 April 1850 at St Andrews, Orkney, accompanied his parents to South Australia.
The passenger list that I used did not record the
District where the wives and children of each family
had been born. If both the wife and son of a family
were born in the Orkney Islands, I feel that the family
can be considered as being from Orkney.
My great-great grandmother was Elisabeth
Bews (named at birth as Elspeth). The ship on which
she came to South Australia was not as famous as the
“Marion”.
It is surprising that there has been little mention
of Bews families in the Sib Folk News. (See page 17 of
Issue No. 166, June 2013.) Perhaps this little article
will help the flow of BEWS NEWS to Sib Folk readers.
15
“We were not amused”
Orkney plans to celebrate
the marriage of Queen
Victoria and Prince Albert
Thanks to George Gray, Member No 14 for this article he
found in the John o’ Groats Journal of February 1840 and,
as George remarked, written by a very erudite person.
K
IRKWALL 11th February Since my last, a general
movement has taken place anente the matter of the celebration of her Majesty’s marriage. This, I am glad
of, and beg to make the amende honourable for ever
having supposed that it would be otherwise. On that auspicious
day we propose eating, drinking and dancing in honour of our
beloved Queen, and it would not astonish me if a loyal feeling,
joined to an inclination for strong drink, should induce some of
us to get drunk in honour of our Liege Lady Victoria. She will
be honoured, however, if not in‚“imperial tokay” at least for libations of tea and coffee, down to baneful whisky. A tea and coffee
demonstration to be held in the grammar school- a dinner with
“someu’t strong” during and after it, is to be given at McDonald’s
Hotel-and the Town Hall is to resound to the sound of mirth and
dancing. The boys have been actively employed for some days
past in gathering together all the old boxes, old barrels, and old
boats they can lay their hands on, with a view to a bonfire; and
the immense amalgamation of heterogenous combustible matter
they have contrived to heap into one mass, is really admirable to
behold. Men, women, and children, young and old, rich and poor,
married and unmarried, are to have an opportunity of evincing
their loyalty to our amiable Sovereign, on whose beauteous head
may the blessings of heaven be amply showered. H.M. cutter
Speedy is still here, being detained by contrary winds. The people of Kirkwall, owing to this circumstance, have every chance
of having a similar favour conferred on them to that bestowed on
Prince Albert, viz, “the honour of a Royal salute.” It is a pity that
the day of the nuptials is not at once announced, as I should not
be a bit surprised if we were in the wrong box after all, and that
either the marriage will be over before we celebrate it, or that we
celebrate it before it takes place. We have been without a mail
for some time, and are in consequence steering by a dead reckoning. The good folks here have fixed on Thursday the 13th as
the marriage day. Whether it takes place that day or not I will not
undertake to say, but our having determined on holding it is in my
opinion a sufficient reason for its being consummated. It is well
that the stir attendant on this happy event should have happened
at this season of the year, when nature may be said to be without
a charm, and our pleasures sit within the sphere of the fireside.
The rejoicings will frighten the blue devils into the Red Sea for
at least an entire month, and then let us hope that more cheerful
weather will be ours. Report has it that there will be a dearth
of musicians. Should such prove to be the case, I would advise
each guest, according to use and wont at public dinners to try and,
“play the first fiddle,” and if delicacy prevent his blowing his own
trumpet, to blow that of his neighbour. The dinner, however may
be got over with music, the harmony of knives and forks, clatter of
plates, and dulcet sounds of hip, hip, hurra, with a running accompaniment of ruffing, will I doubt not, suffice, but how the tee-totallers are to get over the difficulty puzzles me not a little. As to
the ball, it would never do without tweedle dum and tweedle dee.
You shall hear from me soon, with a further account of our, “Sayings and Doings”. Our Orkney friends have the disadvantage of
having a portion of the German Ocean running between them and
her Majesty’s mails. This accounts for their being a, “day after the
wedding.” Their loyalty however will be as much marked by their
holding their grand day on Thursday as on Monday.- Ed J.O’G.J.
Orkney’s plans to celebrate
Queen Victoria ends in smoke.
the
marriage
of
Since the above was in type, we have been favoured with another communication from our Kirkwall correspondent, dated
17th instant. The substance of it is as follows:- The grand Jubilee
it was in contemplation to hold here last week in honour of her
Majesty’s marriage, has ended in smoke. Unfortunately the papers brought us word of the 10th inst. being the day on which the
Royal marriage was to take place. This was two days too late for
us to observe that day, so we gave it up. There were some local
circumstances too that also prevented the demonstration. So we
had no ball, no dinner, no soiree, no illumination. There was a
considerable bustle and noise, however. The boys got a bonfire
into operation, but it only served to show more distinctly the rueful
visages of the population. Some firing also took place, but hearts
were the only matters that suffered and these from the darts of
the, “bonny blue een,”of the fair that congregated in our streets.
We had some beautiful fire-works also and royal salutes from the
Speedy. The Aberdeen Zetland mail packet from Lerwick put in
here on Thursday evening last owing to contrary winds and sailed
next day. The former mail cutter Speedy also sailed yesterday for
Cromarty after having been detained here more than a month by
S and S.E. winds. To Lieutenant Wright of this cutter were we indebted for the fireworks on Thursday evening. The gallant officer and
others belonging to the Speedy, showed their respect for Her Majesty
in every way possible, affording evidence of there being none of her
subjects more imbued with detachment and loyalty to the throne,
than her naval officers.
Continued on Page No 17
16
By Jenny Buchan, Member No 2348
How lucky can one person be? My luck started in 2002
when a school friend from my days in Aberdeen sent me
a newspaper cutting about North Ronaldsay and the
names of the families in the graveyard. One of them
was Cutt which was my maiden name.
This was the prompt I needed to arrange a visit to
Orkney and in particular to Stromness and North Ronaldsay. My mother had died when I was three and my
father had been a very quiet man who never spoke about
Orkney or the family there so I had no idea just what I
might find out.
While arranging a B&B in North Ronaldsay I mentioned my maiden name and was told I would need to
see John Cutt of Gerbo. I wrote to him first and then
he put me in touch with Marian who “would know a lot
more about the Cutts”. She did indeed.
Marian gave me so much useful information then and
has continued to do so right up to my visit this year. Not
only that but she also told me about some relatives that
I didn’t know I had. Jean is from my paternal grandmother’s line and on all my three visits we have spent
hours talking about the Ritch family of Deerness and incidents that happened. She also introduced me to Mabel
who could fill in other details but better still could take
me to the family home named Fea in Deerness which
various generations of Ritches had lived in. This was
when two of my genealogy friends began to get jealous!
At that first visit in 2003 it was not clear which John
Cutt (out of 9 of a possible age) was my great grandfather as he and my great grandmother did not marry although he is given on my grandfather’s birth certificate
with an address near Kirkwall and my grandfather was
given his name. Marian had her ideas but proof was still
needed and that was elusive.
One of the few facts that I knew was that my father
had lived in Stromness as a child and I managed to find
the house. However I also knew my grandfather had
belonged to the ‘Masons’ and I managed to make contact
with them and learn more about him as a man and how
respected he was both in the ‘Masons’ and in the church
where he was an elder. That was so lovely.
Later I wrote to the Masons to see if they had any
details about my grandfather’s parentage. This drew a
blank but it did lead to David who had North Ronaldsay
connections. He too has found out so much for me although to begin with still not which John Cutt I needed.
My second visit to Orkney was on a Ramblers’ Walking holiday in 2010. As this was an organised trip I had
limited time for Family History but plenty of time to fall
even more in love with Orkney than I had before.
I did, however, have an
afternoon to
visit the offices of the
O r k n e y
Family History Society
and what a
wonderful
time I had.
George and
his
ladies
found out so
much about
my maternal
great
g r a n d p a rents (Allans
and Groats)
who
were
both from
S h a p i n s ay
as well as
further information
on the Ritch,
Manson and
M u r r a y
Photo of Jane Allan (nee Groat) who was my great grandfamilies
mother and who was born on Shapinsay in 1841. With
although
her is her daughter Jane Allan, born in Shapinsay in 1860
still not yet
and she was sister to my grandfather William Allan born in
on
which
1862.
John Cutt. I
was getting more and more excited while my friend, who
is from England, couldn’t believe how lucky I was and
when we were given tea and biscuits just couldn’t help
comparing this wonderful afternoon with what she’d experienced when doing her own research.
George sent me various certificates after my visit as
well as a photograph of the farm on Shapinsay where my
great grandparents had lived. This made me even more
determined to return and visit Shapinsay and Rousay yes, I had ancestors there too.
By now Marian and David had met and had discussions
about John Cutt but it was one of George’s certificates
that gave the final clue - just when I wasn’t even looking
for it.
With that settled I now had details back to all my great
great grandparents and in some cases beyond that. Thus
17
I returned this summer with the same friend. I think
three farms where my ancestors had lived. Well I found
she just wanted to see if I could be lucky again. I most
them but much more importantly I also found three siscertainly was.
ters to whom I am related - same great great grandparWe were visiting Kirkwall, Deerness, Rousay, North
ents, William Groat and Jane Shearer. I was told about
Ronaldsay, Shapinsay, Stromness and finally Thurso bethem and the sisters had been told that there were two
cause of my maternal grandmother. Mostly I just wantladies going around taking photographs of Groat proped to be in the places where my ancestors had lived and
erties. We spent a lovely morning with them sorting out
worked and to see their homes if they still existed. I got
which farms were for which parts of the family - someso much more than that.
thing I could probably not have done on my own. Later
Firstly I managed to meet up with the people who had
they sent me some very precious photos showing membeen so kind and helpful - Jean, Mabel, Marian and Dabers of the Groat and Allan families - something I did
vid. The latter two still surprised me with more infornot possess but will now treasure.
mation about the Cutts on North Ronaldsay which led to
Last stop on Orkney was Stromness where I hadn’t anticsome beautiful walks across the island and a collection
ipated anything new but my friend found a memorial tranof photos of various dilapidated houses but all in gloriscription in the church where my grandfather had been an
ous settings. Stennabreck was particularly interesting
elder and we then found my Aunt’s grave in Warebeth churchas it had the carpenters’ workshop attached. I was also
yard. Lizzie Cutt had been married to William Rendall, printintroduced to Billy at the lighthouse who told me about
er, and died in 1924 but the stone was still easily read.
the Cutts good workmanship and how they had been inMy final pieces of luck were in Thurso. It had taken
volved in laying the floor in the lighthouse. He then realme three attempts to book a B&B but, at this third one,
ly surprised me by saying that he had a wooden surround
it turned out that my landlady’s aunt had been married
to a fireplace which Cutts had made and which I could go
to my mother’s cousin. We met up and she filled me in on
and see. That was such a thrill and totally unexpected.
half remembered family details. She told me a lovely story
I had been in touch with Tommy on Rousay as someone
about how my aunt had worked in a sweet shop and durwho would know where Tofts was. This was my great great
ing the war used to throw sweets to the soldiers marching
grandmother Murray’s family home and was reportedly
through Thurso on their way to Orkney. She also pointthe first two storey house in Orkney and the only house
ed out a display board in the Heritage centre about the
not demolished when
boatbuilding busiover 200 people were
ness my grandfacleared from the land
ther Allan and his
in the west of Rousay in
brother had set up
the 1840s. Tommy not
after they moved to
only showed us where
Thurso from ShapTofts is but gave us a
insay. I had known
tour of the island pointthey were fishering out various other
men and fishcurers
Murray homes and
but nothing about
telling us stories about
the
boatbuilding
one of the real family
business.
characters. That was
I sat in the train
one of the few wet days
going south and
we had but the next day
thought what a
was glorious so we went
wonderful holiday
back to the area and
I had had. I could
after contending with
never have anticbog and marshland,
ipated it and but
The tumbledown ruins of ‘Tofts’—gg grandmother Murray’s family home
streams and barbed
for all the help I
wire, we reached Tofts and had a picnic while enjoying the
have had from so many people - both as individuals and
wonderful view. When we reported back to Tommy he gave
through the Family History Society - it could never have
us pieces of newly made bere bannocks which was a real
happened. I am so grateful to them all for making my
treat. How lucky I was to have been put in touch with him.
family come alive and giving me such lovely experiences.
Since then he has sent me a splendid photograph family
How lucky can one person be? Answer VERY, VERY,
character - the only one I have of that particular line.
especially if their ancestors are Orcadians.
Next stop was Shapinsay where I had hoped to find
Jenny Buchan Member No 2348 August 2013
Continued from Page No 15
The Speedy commenced firing Royal salutes at 1 o’clock Thursday and continued them throughout the day. That vessel was
decked out with numerous flags and had a really beautiful appearance. The commander, officers and crew of the Speedy are
held in much and deserved respect here. A public ball will take
place in about ten days hence. We have hardly had any snow yet
and the land is turned over ready for the seed. The sacrament of
the Lord’s Supper was held in the Secession Church here yesterday. The Rev. Mr Paterson was assisted on the occasion by the
Rev. Mr Stobbs.
18
St Magnus
and the
Ancient Game
By Bill Wilson
Yestreen his bells rang “Guid New Year!”
Ower a crowded street and green
Noo there’s no a soul in sight,
As though it had never been.
The two squads meet afore the cross
And wait there fer the throw,
As men have din fer centuries Ten more minutes tae go.
He pits his hands taegether,
And peels oot twelve in a row
Tae summon men tae their ancient game Sixty minutes tae go!
The scrum up the street gets bigger,
Hid’ll be quite coorse you know,
Uppies and Doonies get restless,
Five more minutes tae go.
Noo twa three gather at the cross.
“No long noo tae the throw!”
“A Guid New Year” and a shak o’ hands Thirty minutes tae go!
“Whar is the man wi the Ba’?”
The time is passan so slow
“At last! He’s on the market cross” Two more minutes tae go.
Mansie’s hand moves up his face,
Does he hiv to be so slow?
He kens the folk wait on the green Twenty minutes tae go.
This past winner, ba’ in hand
Is honoured wi’ the throw
The players, eye him and the clock,
Just a minute tae go.
Noo fae up Victoria Street
And Albert Street below,
Comes the sound of marching feet Fifteen minutes tae go.
The ba’ held high, Mansie peels wan,
A thousand voices roar.
The toss fae the cross tae the men below “Noo - Uppies and Doonies - GO!”
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, visitors
to Orkney might be perplexed to see barricades
being erected across doors and windows. Is
some serious weather expected or perhaps
an attack from the West Mainland? It is
understood a certain rivalry exists between
the two camps. Neither is true; it is simply
Kirkwall gearing up for a game of football.
Well, to call it football is a bit tame; to quote the BBC Spectrum
programme of 1982 It is not so much a game—more a civil war.
There are, of course, two sides, as you will see from Bill’s poem—the
Uppies and the Doonies. Strictly speaking it depends where you were
born; Uppies come from South of the Cathedral and Doonies from
the north. With incomers it depends on which direction you entered
Kirkwall. There are no rules and no limit to the number of players.
Two games are played on Christmas Day and New Years Day. The
Boys Ba’ begins at 10.30 and the Mens Ba’ starts at 1pm.
The ball is thrown up at the Mercat Cross and the game begins. A
game can last five hours and has been known to go on for eight.
Both the boys and mens games can be running concurrently. The
streets of Kirkwall are now the playing field and as the scrum
braces itself against buildings and doorways the need for the
barricades becomes obvious. Often the majority of players have
no idea where the ba’ is—they go with the flow as fake breaks
and ba’ smuggling are employed to confuse the opposition. The
players make the most of Kirkwall’s narrow streets and winding
lanes and have even been known to clamber over rooftops to reach
their goal. The Doonie’s goal is the sea and the Uppies must get
round Mackinson’s corner. Once a goal is scored the game is over.
It is time now for the ba’ to be awarded to a player in the winning
side who has been a prominent participant over past years. The
winner then invites everyone to his home for drinks.
The ba’ is a prized trophy. One winner, who shall remain nameless,
once said to me, being awarded the ba’ was more important to me
than my wedding day.
There is nothing that sums up annual ba’ ritual better than this final
quote from BBC spectrum 1982. Even the law has been known to
stand impotent as combatants surged and counter-surged through
the environs of the police station, and memory has hardly dimmed
the occasion when the local manse was invaded and despoiled.
Casualties are high—but who cares? Crushed ribs and broken
limbs are never enough reason for the enthusiastic participants to
desist from this traditional orgy of Orcadian violence which not
even a sheriff’s edict could ban—the Kirkwall Ba’.
ED.
19
By Susan Park Marble, Member No 2140
during my Orcadian trip this upcoming June. My four
My grandfather, Isaac Park (born May 27, 1886,
times great-grandparents were George Park (born
Berston, Orkney), was a two year old toddler when the
about 1760 in Orkney and died in Orkney) and Cathfamily, consisting of father, John Park (born Decemerine Esson (born about 1760 in Orkney and died in
ber 21, 1858, South Ronaldsay, Orkney), mother, ElizOrkney on about 1821). The fourth
abeth Swannie (born November
mystery to solve is where are they
15, 1858, South Ronaldsay, Orkburied? This is another location I
ney), and older sister, Elizabeth,
Before visiting Orkney
would be compelled to pay a visit to.
age five, immigrated to the United
in June of 2014, Susan
My three times great-grandparents
States from Orkney. Isaac travewere Robert Park (born about
led by ship to New York and settled
Park Marble, member
1791 in Burray, Orkney), and Barin New Jersey with his parents and
number 2140, would like
bara Dass (Dundass) (born about
older sister. John and Elizabeth
to challenge any Orkney
1797 in Orkney). One small clue
had four more children, John, Ellen,
resident and/or member
that we do have is that they are
Peter, and Jane. After adulthood
of the Orkney Family
buried in Burray Cemetery at St.
and marriage, Isaac relocated to
History Society to exerLawrence Churchyard. The fifth
New Hampshire. I know very litcise their inner Sherlock
mystery to solve is why Barbara
tle about Isaac and his family as he
Holmes and help her
has a discrepancy in her last name.
died before my parents were marsolve some family mysterWhich is the correct last name and
ried and only a small amount of inies. Unfortunately, there
why is there a difference? Marriage
formation was shared with me. The
are only a very small
records list Barbara as Dass, but
only two major clues I have that
her headstone lists her as Dunwere mentioned were that Orknumber of clues to work
dass. My two times great-grandney was the origin of birth for my
with, so it will not be an
parents were Isaac Park (born
grandfather, Isaac, and John and
easy task!
July 23, 1832 in Burray, Orkney,
Elizabeth left behind fairly large
died June 6, 1902 in Burray, Orkfamilies. My father, Donald Irney) and Elisabeth Berston (born
vine Park and his sister, Dorothy
February 25, 1824, South Ronaldsay, died January 22,
Park Brown, both deceased, were the children of Isaac
1898 in South Ronaldsay, Orkney). The sixth mystery
Park. Two cousins, I, and our children are the only
to solve is where are they buried? This is also a site I
living descendents of John, Elizabeth, and Isaac here
desire to visit. My great-grandparents were John Park
in the United States as far as we have been able to lo(born December 21, 1853 in Orkney) and Elizabeth
cate. I am extremely interested in finding any relatives
Swannie (born November 15, 1853 in Orkney), marin Orkney or Scotland that might be able to shed some
ried 1882. Another interesting piece of information is
light on my Park family history and hopefully meet with
that John’s sister, Elizabeth Park married Elizabeth’s
me while I am in Scotland. This will be a multi-faceted
brother, Peter Swannie, also in 1882. The seventh mysmystery to solve with family tree information that goes
tery to solve is what prompted John and Elizabeth
back seven generations.
Park to immigrate to the United States and leave all of
My five times great-grandparents were George Park
their families behind?
(born about 1740 in Scotland, died in Orkney) and CathAccording to ship’s records, John and Elizabeth
erine Woolridge (born December 12, 1737 in Scotland,
Park brought very few possessions with them when
died in Orkney). The first and second mystery to solve
they immigrated to the United States. Everything fitwill be where did George and Catherine Park immited into three pieces of luggage. Of those items, none
grate from and what brought them to Orkney as well as
appeared to be any photographs. I have no pictures of
were they the first Parks in Orkney? The movement of
any of my family members, except of my father as a colthis couple occurs around either Jacobite rising, the “Fiflege student, his military photograph, and then with my
teen” or “Forty-five” and my curiosity questions whether
mother and me as I grew into adulthood.
the Parks had any involvement with either of these pieces of Scottish history. The third mystery to solve is where
Continued on Page No 21
are they buried? I would be excited to visit their graves
20
By Peter Wilke, Member No 2956
One of the most enduring memories of visiting my late aunt
and uncle’s house was the large photograph on the living room
wall of a rather stern looking Edwardian gentleman. This was
my uncle’s Grandfather, Andrew Stewart and we were often
reminded of how he had been a banker with the Commercial
Bank of Scotland and had lived in Orkney. My uncle also had
a rather splendid hooded Orkney chair with a brass inscription
which read; “Presented to Andrew Stewart Esq by the Orkney
Christian Fellowship Union as a small recognition of his most
valuable services as their secretary, 1911”.
Andrew Stewart was born on the 10th of December 1853 at
Stobo in Peebleshire. He was the fifth of six children born to
Andrew Stewart, who was a shepherd and agricultural labourer
on Stobo Estate, and Marion Laurie. Sadly young Andrew’s
Mother, Marion, died on the 11th of February 1867, but in spite
of this tragedy Andrew
went on to start an
apprenticeship
with
the Commercial Bank
of Scotland in Peebles
in August of 1869.
His first posting was
to Crieff, Perthshire
where he met his
future wife, Christina
Mitchell.
She was
the eldest daughter of
James Mitchell and
Catherine Brough.
James had been a
woollen manufacturer
in Comrie before
Andrew Stewart and Christina Mitchell
moving his family to
Crieff and building a mill at Bridgend. Andrew and Christina were
married on the 21st of July 1881 at the Mitchell home, Earnvale
Cottage, and had twin sons, Walter and James, the following
year. In 1883 Andrew was promoted to Bank Agent and his first
responsibility was to open a new agency at Lochboisdale where
their daughter Catherine was born in May of 1884.
In 1886 Andrew turned down an appointment to the SubAgency at the Comrie Branch, but two years later, in March of
1888 he was offered the Stromness Agency on the retiral of Mr.
Alexander Coghill which he formally accepted on the first of
May 1888. Andrew and Christina with their young family moved
to the bank house located in Victoria Street, Stromness where
they were to make their home for the next 15 years.
In January of 1894
a second daughter
Marion, was born
followed by my
uncle’s
Father,
William in 1895
and a fourth son
Charles in March
of 1899. Tragically
Charles died from
hydrocephalus aged
just three months
and two years later,
in 1901, Marion
died from enteric
Commercial Bank of Scotland - Stromness
fever
(typhoid).
Oddly the headstone was only erected in about 1908 as it reads;
“In loving Memory of Charles Gordon who died 11 June 1899
aged 3 months and Marion Laurie who died 12 October 1901
aged 7 years, 9 months. Beloved children of Andrew and Christina
Stewart, Commercial Bank House, Stromness.”
During his time as Bank Agent in Stromness Andrew was
heavily involved in the community serving as Chairman of the
Stromness Harbour Commissioners and from 1893 to 1896
Provost of Stromness. When the family were on holiday, in 1903,
Andrew took the
time to visit head
office in Edinburgh
and was offered the
agency at Kirkwall.
The
appointment
was formally made
on the 4th of August
and he took over on
the 22nd of August
1903. His departure
from
Stromness
was recorded in the
Orcadian and the
Orkney Herald of that
year. The Orkney
Herald dated 26th of
August gives a most
Commercial Bank of Scotland - Kirkwall
glowing description
of his ability and contribution to Stromness over the preceding
15 years. The Orkney Herald of 25th November gives a report A
F of a presentation given to Mr. and Mrs. Stewart at the Stromness
Hotel where they were presented with a solid silver tea service. The
article goes on to mention his service to the Town Council, School
Board, the Natural History Society and the Horticultural Societies
as well as the church, religious, philanthropic and benevolent
work. In his reply he is quoted as saying; “I do not know what we
have done to deserve such kindness. Indeed we have received
nothing but kindness ever since we came among you upwards of
15 years ago.” During the same evening he was also presented
with a pair of silver mounted bowls from the Stromness Bowling
Club. A further article in the Orcadian of December 1903 records
a presentation from the West Mainland Agricultural Society of a
“timepiece” recognising his services as their treasurer.
Unbelievably he seems to have found the time to be involved
in many institutions whilst in Orkney and continue his work as
bank Agent, for he also represented Hoy and Graemsay for 12
years, from 1890 -1902 on the County Council and served on the
Stromness Town Council. He was superintendent of the Sunday
School of the King Street U. F. Church and president of the Guild
and Congregational Treasurer and a prominent member of the
Bible Society.
Another area of interest was in education and I’m sure he was
most aware of his own circumstances as a young man. I’ve
read several reports of his interest in young people who showed
promise of doing well in the world and that his “kindly word
and practical help were never wanting”. Although he was not
an educated man, having left school at the age of 15, he was 12
years a member of the Combined School Board for Orkney and
Chairman of the Secondary Education Committee.
In 1911 Andrew accepted an offer of the Lanark agency which
he took up on the 24th of November that same year. The Orkney
Herald dated 19th of July records the presentation by the Orkney
Christian Fellowship Union which “consisted of an excellent
hooded Orkney chair in oak (with a plate on which is a suitable
inscription) made by Mr. D. M. Kirkness, Palace Street; and a copy
of “Hossack’s “Kirkwall in the Orkneys” bound in morocco, and
having the Kirkwall City Arms. These two articles were for Mr.
Stewart; while for Mrs. Stewart were a silver tea kettle and spirit
lamp, and a mahogany, silver mounted tea caddie.” The article
goes on to say; “In these days when so many high positions are
filled by men having no backbone, and lacking in moral principle,
Continued from Page No 19
From the research that my husband has accomplished, it appears that my family’s livelihood in Orkney
consisted of farming, fishing, carpentry, and coopering.
My grandfather, Isaac Park, has his birthplace listed
as Berston, South Ronaldsay. We believe Berston is also
the name of the croft he was born in, as well as Berston
being the maiden name of my two-times great-grandmother, Elisabeth (Betsy) Berston. The eighth mystery is whether this croft might still have some of my
relatives living in it and if so, would they be willing to
allow me to pay a visit while I am in Orkney?
The families of my ancestry were fairly large and
there are several surnames from marriages that took
place. Amongst those names are: Berston, Dundass,
Laughton, Louttit, Swannie, Reid, Newgar, Taylor, and
Woolridge (Wooldrage). Again, I would appreciate any
detective work that anyone is willing to do in order to
assist me in gaining knowledge of my family heritage.
21
a man like Mr. Stewart was an acquisition to any community”!
Having lost two children during their time in Orkney the
Stewart family were to suffer further loss during the Great War
when their eldest son, Walter was tragically killed at the battle
of Passchendaele on the 5th of September 1917. He had also
joined the Commercial Bank of Scotland and was apprenticed
to the Stromness Agency in December of 1898. On completing
his apprenticeship he was transferred to the Inverness Agency.
By the time of the outbreak of war Walter was a clerk at the
Hutchesontown Agency in Glasgow. He enlisted with the Argyll
and Sutherland Highlanders and was tragically killed at the battle
of Passchendaele on the 5th of September 1917. In the early 1900’s
his younger twin brother, James, emigrated to Saskatchewan in
Canada and married Sarah Pendlebury who was the daughter of
an English builder from Lancashire. They had three children and
James died in Winnipeg in 1954 at the age of 72. Their daughter
Catherine never married and died in Edinburgh in 1967 and my
uncle’s Father, William, died in Forfar in 1972 following a career
in the ailing Lanark tomato industry.
On moving to Lanark Andrew Stewart became involved with
many different organisations and joined St. Kentigerns Lanark,
where he was their Congregational Treasurer and a Presbytery
Elder. By the time he retired from the Commercial Bank of
Scotland on the 30th of November 1923 he was the Bible Society
vice President for Lanark, had an interest in the Lanark Y.M.C.A.,
was the Lanark Nursing Association Treasurer and Lockhart
Hospital Treasurer.
Having given so generously of his time and abilities with
numerous groups over his lifetime and with 54 years’ service
to the Commercial Bank of Scotland he died on the 23rd of June
in 1923 and is buried at St. Leonards Cemetery in Lanark. His
wife Christina survived him by four years and died on the 17th
of June 1930.
His photograph now hangs in my hall and when visitors ask
who this stern man with the slight look of disapproval is I have
pleasure in telling them. If they have the time that is.
If any member has anything to add about the Stewart or Mitchell
families, or wishes to comment on the article, I would be
delighted to hear from them. I can be reached by email at:
<[email protected]>
This endeavor will facilitate discovering whether there
are relatives still living in Orkney or Scotland who will
be willing to meet with me during our trip in the summer
of 2014.
If you can help Susan you can email her at :
[email protected]
Dave’s round
Britain walk
Have you been following our Webmaster
Dave Higgins on his walk round Britain in
aid of Parkinsons? Log into www.coastingroundbritain.co.uk and follow Dave’s progress. He has passed the halfway mark now,
3000 miles, and still going strong. Follow his
progress and enjoy the running commentary
and photographs taken daily on the route.
22
T
Nan Scott, Member No 8, reports on Jocelyn Rendall’s talk to the Society
here was a good attendance at this meeting in
should have no problem remembering her membership
the St Magnus Centre. Our chair person Anne
number1066! We hope to hear from Anne sometime.
Rendall, after a few intimations, welcomed her
Jocelyn interspersed her talk with slides. The first of
sister-in-law, Jocelyn Rendall as the speaker.
them showed some of the closely written letters. Some
We have enjoyed talks from Jocelyn before
had lines written at right angles across the original ones,
when she came following the publishing of her first book
as you do! Other slides showed maps, Trenaby House, a
“A Jar of Seed-Corn” and again after writing “Steering
family tree and portraits of William Balfour (1719-1786)
the Stone Ships”
and his son Thomas (1752-1799).Jocelyn went on to give
This time her talk was entitled “Set a Stiff Heart to
a lot of information that she had got by studying what
a Stae Brae”. This was a quote from one of the Balfour
had gone on in the lives of the wives of these two men.
Letters of which there are 50,000 in the Orkney Archives
William married Elizabeth Covingtrie from Deerness.
rescued by a former librarian Evan MacGillivray. This
She proved to be a major asset and a valuable helppromised to be
mate. She had
interesting
as
learned
the
the annual outskills of runing of the socining a large
ety had been to
household,
Shapinsay and
the
baking,
finished up with
the brewing,
afternoon tea in
the
salting
the Balfour Casof fish and
tle.
meat so there
Jocelyn startwas
enough
ed off by begging
food stored to
any of us who
last the long
write letters to
hard winters.
continue to do
His marriage
so for the benefit
came at a
of future historigood time as
ans. The Balfour
he was in an
letters cover 400
impoverished
years from the
state. Trenamid 16th centubie House, Wery until the mid
stray had been
20th
century.
burned down
Letters written
by
Moodie
by a family of
and his govland owners nat- Photo taken at Orkney Family History Society meeting on the 12th September where Jocelyn Rendall was the guest ernment solurally
include speaker. Left to right are:- Jocelyn, Anne Rendall her sister-in-law and chairman of the OFHS,, together with David
diers in Jacoc o n t e m p o r a r y Murdoch, Anne Mitchell and Edna Panton. The title of the talk was “Set a stiff heart to a stae brae”.
bite times and
economic condihe had been
tions as well as family news and gossip. The threat of
forced to hide in caves on threat of death. Once the danFrench invasion is mentioned and also the war in Amerger was past he did all he could to make money. This
ica. All the information that Jocelyn was going to pass
took him away from home a lot and many letters were
on had come from these letters.
written to Elizabeth with instructions on how she must
She indicated that there was a heroine in the room
conduct things in his absence. There were six surviving
who was making it her life’s work to catalogue the Balchildren to look after in the home already. From Edfour letters. She is Anne Mitchell, daughter of Ethel
inburgh he wrote, “If therefore I should stay away longer
Mitchell from Inverurie but born in Deerness. Ethel
than I wish or expect, you must take courage and set a A
A stiff heart to a stae brae and exert yourself so much
the more not only in the case of your family and children
but also of non-family affairs, as to which I shall help you
with my directions from time to time and must leave you
to execute them as best you can”.
He seized every opportunity to make money by trading,
salvaging ships, factoring other estates and successfully
turned around the Balfour fortunes. Elizabeth did the
best she could and followed the instructions of the letters both inside and outwith the family. As well as that
his family were given good educations. His son Thomas
who was a doctor married an English aristocrat, Frances
Ligonier and they returned to Orkney to another estate.
Jocelyn went on to say here that she would love to imagine Frances’ reactions when she first arrived in Orkney,
after 800 miles of uncomfortable journey by coach and
ship. She had been brought up in London and Surrey,
and probably her knowledge of farming amounted to the
view out of the carriage window. Kirkwall with its one
filthy street, must have been as much of a shock to her
as a first visit to a third world country is to us, and one
wonders how much she would have understood of what
anyone said to her in Westray. (English visitors are still
struggling with that one). Frances, although she applied
herself 100% to the estate for Tom’s sake, never got dewy
eyed about Orkney. She always writes about herself as
being a grim exile. She had been a London society hostess until she was 34 but soon became a practical handson Orkney farmer.
When Thomas was settled in Shapinsay in 1787, he
started to modernize his estate with enclosures and new
methods and Frances may be due some credit for this too.
When we were in Shapinsay this summer we were able to
admire how the square fields had been laid out.
Like his Dad, Thomas was away from home a lot on
trading exploits. He was also an army officer. For years
his commission had been a sinecure but the war with
France and the threat of French invasion finally sent him
into action in Ireland He was also someone who enjoyed
having a good sociable time and that did not mean staying at home with an older woman. He died aged 47 in
1799. In all his long absences and for seven years after
he died the management of his farms and his ships and
the sale of his merchandise were left to Frances. She
managed all the estate including the farm in Caithness
until her younger son William retired from the navy in
1806 and took over.
Her London upbringing had never prepared her for
running an estate in Orkney, on her own, having lost her
husband and a son killed in military action, but she just
got on with it. The husband she had adored was neglectful and unfaithful, but she was steadfastly loyal to him
and his interests, even when that meant dealing with the
mistress from hell after he died. She was not always
a likeable character and sometimes she was infuriating
but it is impossible not to admire the sheer guts with
which she “set a stiff heart to a stae brae”.
Jocelyn gave us much more interesting details about
the lives of these two women from the Balfour letters and
it has encouraged me to do some more research especially
in the Westray branch of the family.
Anne thanked Jocelyn for her excellent talk and the
usual cuppa and biscuits were enjoyed by all.
23
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DOWN
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quite a number of members have decided to
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This helps us reduce our printing and especially
our mailing costs.
Every copy of Sib Folk News can now be viewed
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To ‘opt out’ simply go to ‘My Details’ on www.
orkneyfhs.co.uk. To view any issue click the ‘SIB
FOLK NEWS’ link
SIB FOLK
NEWS BINDER
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Just a reminder in
case you missed it
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FROM SEPTEMBER 2013
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then MY DETAILS. It couldn’t be easier.
subscriptions etc
MEMBERSHIP
THE ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
O
rkney Family History Society was formed in 1997
and is run by a committee of volunteers.
It is similar to societies operating worldwide
where members share a mutual interest in family history
and help each other with research and, from time to
time, assist in special projects concerning the countless
records and subjects available to us all in finding our
roots.
The main objectives are:
1 To establish a local organisation for the study,
collection, analysis and sharing of information about
individuals and families in Orkney.
2 To establish and maintain links with other family
history groups and genealogical societies throughout the
UK and overseas.
3. To establish and maintain a library and other
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4. To promote study projects and special interest
groups to pursue approved assignments.
We are located on the upper floor of the Kirkwall
Library next to the archives department and are open
Mon–Fri 2pm–4.30pm and Sat 11am–4.30pm.
Our own library, though small at the moment, holds a
variety of information including:
The IGI for Orkney on microfiche.
The Old Parish Records on microfilm.
The Census Returns on microfilm transcribed
on to a computer database.
Family Trees.
Emigration and Debtors lists.
Letters, Articles and stories concerning Orkney
and its people.
Hudson’s Bay Company information.
Graveyard Surveys (long term project).
This material is available to members for ‘in house’
research by arrangement.
Locally we have a Members’ Evening, most months, with
a guest speaker.
We produce a booklet of members and interests to
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We can usually undertake research for members
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Members’ Directory. This lists members’ contact details
and their research interests.
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A great deal of research can be achieved through
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send with the appropriate subscription to The Treasurer
at the address below.
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Existing members wanting to renew their subscription
can now do so online. Just Log In and use the link from
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Overseas members, paying in their own currency, should
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Postal Orders are not acceptable in the UK.
Members residing in the UK may pay their subscriptions
by Bankers Order and if they wish can have their
subscriptions treated as Gift Aid donations. Forms are
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Cheques should be made payable to:ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
and forwarded to The Treasurer
ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
Orkney Library & Archive
44 Junction Rd. Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1AG
Scotland.
General enquires should be addressed to the office in writing or to
Treasurer George Gray (e-mail: [email protected])
General Secy. Jackie Harrison (e-mail: [email protected])
Research Secy. Enquiries should be sent to George Gray until a
new research secretary is appointed
Editor. John Sinclair (e-mail: [email protected])
Orkney Family History Society website— www.orkneyfhs.co.uk
Articles in the newsletter are copyright of the Society and
its authors and may not be reproduced without permission of the editor. The Society is a registered charity in Scotland
and a member of the Scottish Association of Family History
Societies. The Society’s newsletter, Sib Folk News is registered
with the British Library under the serial number ISSN 1368-3950.
The Orkney Family History Society
is a Registered Charity in Scotland SCO26205

SIB FOLK NEWS - Orkney Family History Society

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