Issue 23 81b Folk Rews )

Sib Folk Hews £ Orkney Council Library 8 Archives. Laing Street Kirkwall (see page 13)

Contents:

Page 2 From the Chair & Visit to Orkney by Chairman o! SHFIjS 3 Correspondence 5 Requests 6 Profile 7 Description ol Stromness S George Irving oT Breckness (continued Tram last issue) 10 Open HJeeting 12 Looking Tor Brotchies 13 Orkney Library, Orkney Science Festival 8 S. England proposal 14 Amendments to Members Directory

From the Chair

Orkney has had very good weather this summer. Many more visitors have been around probably thanks to that and the lifting of foot and mouth restrictions. The OFHS office has seen its share of people looking for ancestors. One couple from Seattle were so keen they came to the office direct from the airport complete with their baggage!

One thing about visiting researchers that has struck me over the years is that they are more keen to see gravestones etc. than to actually meet their relatives! Of course that is not always the case but a talk with those around now could help put "flesh on the bones" and provide contacts for the next generation of family historians.

The Monumental Inscription programme is progressing slowly. St Andrews is complete and the Firth Graveyard has been checked. W e could do with some more help with that, and anyone willing can get instructions at the office.

The winter activities started with the Sep-tember meeting, not in the supper room as had been planned but in the actual Town Hall, Kirkwall. This was because about double the usual number of people turned up to hear about Papa Stronsay. It was lovely to see some who had come from Stronsay specially forthe occasion. As a result of the meeting we hope to record the history of the island in some form.

The October meeting is to be in Harold Esson's Museum at Sunnybrae in Dounby. Harold has an amazing collection of artifacts on two floors of a substantial building plus a few vintage cars and tractors, which may have to stand outside on the night! The Annual Dinner this year will be in the Ayre Hotel on 14* November at 7.00pm. Eoin Scott will be the speaker and his subject will be Heraldry. The Society is still looking for an Editor! The editorial committee are grateful for the nice comments they had so for for SFN number 22 but they are fully aware that there are some among you more able to edit the magazine. However, editing is one thing. Getting the material is something else and that is where we can all help! Our grateful thanks to all who contributed to the first home produced jour-nal. Ohui

Visit to Orkney by the Chairman of SAFHS

Mr Bruce Irving

This was my first visit to Orkney and from start to finish I felt quite at home, although I have no direct Orcadian ancestors. The lasting impressions from the visit in mid August are that Family History is ative and very well, the summer climate is good and hospitality includ-ing food is exceptional.

The sweep of history is staggering ranging from Neolithic sites such as Maeshowe and Skara Brae to the Second World War - Sea pa Flow and the Churchill Barriers. I imagine that there are more historic sites per square miie than anywhere else in the UK.

There's a lot to see in Kirkwall; a fine old library with its Orkney Room and the island's archives are held there by Alison Fraser, the Archivist. Then there is St Magnus Cathedral which seems much larger inside than it does from outside. It has old and often beautiful gravestones both inside and outside. Close by is the Bishops Palace and the Kirkwall Mu-seum. All these and the OFHS Research are all within a few minutes of each other.

My first priority was to visit the OFHS at their small premises in the middle of the capital where I was made most welcome by Mimes Manson and later by Hazel Goar, The centre was busy with visitors whose enquiries were dealt with deftly. It is easy to understand why this society is thriving since it has the resources to deal with questions on the spot coupled with exceptionally good publications, complete Census indexes 1841 to 1901 for the whole of the Orkney Islands and also some for 1821, and a growing list of Monu-mental Inscription booklets. The final ingredi-ent for recruiting members and then keeping them, is a good newsletter and here again OFHS excels. The Society is hoping to move into new purpose-built premises in 2003 where it is hoped that there will be more space for the growing archives.

Stromness old town and docks comprise a conservation area with a winding, narrow series of streets with no pavements and in-triguing closes. The Museum, recently refur-bished, was founded in 1837 and has occupied its present premises since 1862. The museum

is an antiquarian's dream. Ships sailed from Stromness for the Hudson's Bay Company in Canada, the Franklin Expedition and the Cook Expedition. An elderly and presumably ar-thritic sheepdog was observed being taken for an outing by its owner in a builder's wheelbar-row.

Finding that the Franklin Expedition ship took on water at Stromness was a bonus as I have an interest in the form of Lt. John Irving who also perished on the fated expedition. I would be grateful for any information readers have about him.

On the north of the mainland is Birsay where Earl Thorfinn the Mighty spent most of his time, a bishop's palace and remains of a Viking settlement. Close by is an imposing large monument to Lord Kitchener who drowned to the north of Birsay. Another place not to miss is the Orkneyinga Saga Centre which is a modern visitor centre near the Round Kirk of the Bu, Orphir. There is an illustrated genealogy of the Earls of Orkney that should not be missed as it is the first tree I've seen that is truly laughter making.

Correspondence & Queries

Roberta Shepherd #639 is researching the Tait family, in particular William Tait who was born c. 1793 and joined the HBC. He married Mary Auld who was the daughter of William Auld. the factor at Fort Churchill and York Factory at the time of the first Lord Selkirk settlers' arrival in 1812. In her travels Roberta says she came across a John Tait who settled at Lockport, Manitoba. At the old Anglican church of St Andrew's there is a plaque on the wall with this inscrip-tion: In memory of John Tait bom in S Ronaldshay Orkney Islands 1801 died at Parks Creek 23 Sept 1879 "In life beloved, in death lamented." Tait Annabella 20.12.1854 2 months

James 20.4.1836 5 years James 9.10.1875 65 years James 4.9.1836 2 yrs 2 mths Joseph 10.12.1856 7 months Martha 23.12.1850 7 years Mary 6.6.1855 2 years Mary 15.3.1858 20 years Robert 11.6.1842 4 months

These dates may be useful to someone.

Joyce Mahoney#l22 Do you have a 'lost' relative amongst these names? They were all neighbours of one of my Orcadian Budge 'twigs' in St George's in the East, Middlesex. I would be pleased to send a copy of the full census entry on receipt of a stamped ad-dressed envelope.

1851 Census }ohn Rendall 50 and his wife Janet 35 both bom Stromness with 2 children together with his parents John 85 and Elizabeth 80 both born Stromness James Knarston 30 and his wife Margaret 24 both born Stromness Eliza Sinclair, widow 42 and her brother Wiliiam Mair 39 both bom Stromness George Taylor 26 born Kirkwall Peter Brown 27 born Stromness Alex Sinclair 42 born St Margaret's Hope Magnuss Harper 28 born Stromness Robert Brown 22 bom Stromness John Alexander 22 born Stromness William Harcus 29 born Stromness David Brass 35 born Sandwick Elizabeth Constabel 29 bom Longhope Samuel Knarston 51 and his wife Eliza 51 both from Stromness Janet Linklater married 29 and Margaret Clous-ton 24 both born Scotland - see below.

1861 Census Anne Clouston widow 68 born Stromness with children atl born Stromness: Janet Linklater 39 widow Mary Rich 30 widow Euphemia Clouston 26 married Peter Clouston 2? William Moar 67, his wife Betsy 45 and daugh-ter Agnes Scarth Moar 29? all born Stromness Elizabeth Constable 39 bom Hoy Benjamin Bruce 41 and his wife Ann 28 both born Orkney Following all unmarried George Bruce 27 Robert Bruce 24 Susannah Bruce 30 Susannah Corrigan? (Corrigall) 28 John Corrigan? 24 David Taylor 25

Correspondence &

Queries (Continued)

Thelma Bremer #649 My father Charles William Thomson Findlay came to Australia with his brother Sid. Some time later their cousin John Gray (Jack) Wil-son arrived. He lived in Queensland, some 900 miles away. I have tried to research this family without much luck. He was born in about 1909 to John Gray Wilson and Mary Jane Shearer. He had two older siblings Mary, bom about 1905 and Andrew, born about 1907. John Gray Wilson (Snr) was a son of Andrew Wilson and Mary Norn. Can anyone help?

Margaret Refd #037 My G G G Grandfather James Fotheringhame was born about 1752. He married Sibella Irving. He was Quartermaster on the H M S Rattlesnake in 1790 and the Pay Book shows his birthplace as being "Orkneys". This is the only record that shows James had Orkney connections. There were 2 James Fothering-hames bom in Sanday, one in 1750 and the other one in 1755. I am trying to find out if either of these was my G G G Grandfather. Can anyone help?

L Tulloch #523 My Great Grandfather William Tulloch was bom in 1826 in Kirkwall. His parents were Robert Tulloch and Margaret Craigie. Wi l -liam's siblings were Rebecca Smith b 1819, William Traill b 1823, Jessie b 1832 and John b 1833. John was a soldier and served in the 74th Highlanders in India between 1852 and 1866. He wrote home to his brother William, my Great Grandfather, who was living in Green-ock at the time. There was another J C Tulloch who was also a soldier in India in 1838 and he wrote a letter home to his father in Kirkwall. I have copies of the letters. J C is very literate and very relig-ious but gives few dues to his family. He does refer to a sister and an uncle John Walls and friends in N Ronaldsay. It is not known what happened to J C Tultoch but he was intending to build a lighthouse near Calcutta and he gave the latitude and longitude of the same. John Tulloch was asked by his father to try and contact J C Tulloch when he was in India but John replied that the country was in turmoil and it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. 1 would be grateful if anyone could

help me find the connection between John Tulloch b 1833 and J C Tulloch.

Robert S Gibson #814 There are two relations which I cannot ac-count for. They are James Scarth b 17 Oct 1835 and William Scarth b 15 Mar 1839, both sons of James Scarth and Elizabeth Folsetter. They are in the 1851 Census for Evie aged 15 and 12 years living at Aikemess, Evie but I have not heard of them before.

Ann Lyford #515 I would very much like to hear from anyone who has any knowledge of a Hugh Henderson who came to Orkney from Scodand, possibly Caithness. He may have fathered a male child born to a Stromness girl on 25 Oct 1860 who later became my great grandfather. I would like to find out who his father was.

From The Office Our researchers require help with the follow-ing. If you can help please either write to the Research Secretary at the O F H S or you can contact them by e-mail through George Gray: george.gray@unisonflree.net 23/1 Seeking information on Benjamin Sinclair who was born in Orkney. In ) 794 he was Jiving at Berwick-on-Tweed where his son Peter was baptised. Benjamin's wife was Grace Mur-ray and he was a "Ship's Master". Peter later became the secretary and treasurer of the Bolton and Leigh Railway in the 1820s. His family referred to themselves as "Highland Gentlemen". 23/2 Seeking information on George Thom-son who was possibly born in Orkney about 1861. He moved away to be a fisherman in Burghead and drowned in 1894. He had a son George Bain HumeThomson who died in 1927 possibly in Burghead. 23/3 In June 1857 John Fraserdied in London leaving "his two properties in Kirkwall" to his eldest son James Fraser. tt would seem that the family had Garrioch and Smith connec-tions in Orkney. One of the properties was possibly in Victoria St. Can anyone help? 23/4 Wanting information on Euphemia Brown. The census shows her living in London in 1851 with Alfred Watts. Her first child May Elizabeth Watts was born in 1854 in London. She had 7 children but did not marry Alfred

until 1872. The marriage certificate does not show her mother's name but the father is William Brown. She may have had a brother James aJso living in London. Is this Euphemia Brown the same Euphemia Laughton Brown who appears, aged 7, in the Stomness census for 1841? Her parents were William Brown and Betty Esson. Does anyone have informa-tion on the Euphemia Brown born in Strom-ness? 23/5 Mary Johnston was born in Falkirk in 1855. Her parents were David Johnston and Mary Kelday who were married in Falkirk in 1849. Mary Kelday was born in Kirkwall about 1822. Can anyone help trace her parents? 23/6 Seeking information on Andrew Moar. He had 3 sons, Peter, Robert and John all bom in Orkney. They all went to Canada. Nothing is known about his wife. Peter was bom about 1830. Andrew possibly had 3 daughters Har-riet Margaret and Elizabeth but they may have been his granddaughters. 23/7 ArchibaJd Spence was baptised 12 March 1823. His parents are thought to have been William Spence and Mary Guthrie who were married at Kirkwall on 14 December 1815. Archibald went to Australia on "The John & Lucy" in 1852. is anyone reading this related to this family? 23/8 Information wanted on any descendants of Jacob Tyrie who was bom 8/6/1803 in Sandwick. His parents were Thomas Tyrie and Margaret Tulloch who were married on 27/8/ 1785. 23/9 Descendants of John Walls and Elizabeth Rett whose last child to be born in Orkney was William (born 2 August 1819 and who died in Glasgow) would like help with re-search. The family are believed to have been whale-oil merchants. Margaret Schler #454 writes, "My great grandfather was Isaac Ritch 1827 - 1898 son of Edward Ritch born 1795 and Stewart Rich born 1797 of Rackwick, Hoy. They lived at Mount in the 1851 Census and Greenhill in die 1841 Census. Isaac arrived in Geelong, Victo-ria, Australia in 1853. He was a seaman and his Mates Certificate No. was 66(92 issued at Kirkwall in 1851. He married Charlotte Spence in 1855 and witnesses at their wedding were James Spence and Betsy Scott. Charlotte 1838 - 1904 was a dressmaker. Her father was Peter Spence 1799- l853ofStrom-

ness and mother Anne Houston or Hourston 1818-1885. Anne's parents were Thomas Hourston & Ellen Rowland. 1841 Census of Stromness shows Peter, Anne & family living at Grays Buildings. Peter was a carpenter. Peter & Anne and their children came to Australia in 1850. Peter died within three years of arriving in Australia, also a son, leaving Anne alone with her children. In a family bible the following names were listed: Ann Kirkness 1871 J S Omand 1853 4 months One of Isaac & Charlotte's children's births in Australia in 1864 was listed with the informant being Ann Ormand an aunt of Geelong (possi-bly the mother of J S Ormand 4 months). I would like to know more about Peter Spence and Anne Hourston in Orkney. Isaac & Charlotte Ritch's only son was John. He was my grandfather and he married Mary Ellen Nicol. Her parents were James Nicol and Ellen Stewart. James was the son of James Nicol and Margaret Hamilton and was born in Ayrshire Scotland 1839. Ellen was the daughter of George Stewart & Mary Comrie and was bom in Glasgow, Scotland 1843. James Nicot snr b Isle of Arran 1813 married Ayrshire 1842 died Geelong Aust 1881. Margaret Hamilton b Ayrshire 1807 married Ayrshire 1842 died Geelong Aust 1870 George Stewart born Kilmarnock 1815 mar-ried Glasgow died Geelong Aust 1888 Mary Comrie born Glasgow 1814 married Glasgow died Geelong Aust 1901. Family records here stated that Ellen Stewart's lather was Archibald James Stewart 1814 -1884 b Wiglow Set and died at Geelong. Mar-riage certificates for Ellen &James prove this is wrong. I have spent years trying to find out who this man was and in doing so have discov-ered another Archibald Stewart b Edinburgh 1822 and his wife Julia came out in 1856 on Omega."

Forthcoming Events

Oct. 10th - Visit to Harold Esson's museum

Nov. 14th - Annual Meal in Ayre Hotel Talk on Heraldry by Eoin Scott

Members of a family with two or more children with same

fomame

September Profile by

Nan Scott

Dear Editors, Many of your readers will know that if a

named child died young a later child would often be given the same name. I wonder how many of your readers have come across two children in the same family with the some Christian name both still Hiving? I have noticed if twice and heard of a third instance in recent weeks. One family in the Stromness census of 1861 had two Williams. William Byas Irvine aged 21 and William Corston Irvine aged 17. Another family this time in the Rousay, Egiisay and Wyre census of 1871 has the Sabiston family in Halibreck with two sons again called Wil-liam, one aged 13 and one aged 10. No middle name this time. The third family I believe had two girls with the same name. How common was this in Orkney? If would be interesting to hear about others. Yours faithfully. Member No. iO(M)

Peter Leith

At the September meeting 2002 one of our speakers let on that it was her father's birthday and so Peter Leith, Membership number 65 was 75 that day! The present day Leiths have been an interesting family over three genera-tions and probably longer. It is recorded that the ancestors of the Leiths bought the town-ship of Onston in Stenness in 1546. Peter and his wife, Kathleen, formed in this area, at Appiehouse, until he retired.

His parents too lived in Stenness and were both well known throughout Orkney. His father, also Peter, was interested in Orkney History and contributed regularly to several periodicals. Another interest was astrology and he supplied the Orcadian with a 'sky at night' type programme for years He also helped the Scottish National Dictionary by supplying the Orkney dialect words. His mother too had a way with words, Johina wrote and told stories that were written and recorded and much appreciated. Peter has inherited much of his parents interests but has gone on to do his own thing as well I know. First as a Sea cadet. He was easily picked out

in a crowd as he was tail and wore his hat straight on his head and not at the usual naval angle. He went on to prove though that his head was on the right way when he was nominated best sea cadet in Britain at a course in Portsmouth in 1946. Peter also enjoyed the Sea cadets dances in the "Girnal" and he still is a good dancer.

Other interests have been the Stenness Drama Club, singing in the church choir and church elder for many years. He has also been a valued member and treasurer of the Sten-ness hall Committee. One of his main inter-ests has been the Stromness Museum and the Orkney Natural History Society, where until recently, he was their president So it is no surprise to find his daughter Anne with a promoted post in the Orkney Museum.

He is of special value to the OFHS because of his knowledge of the people of Stenness and Firth. This comes from the fact that he has been Registrar for the area for many years. He is also well read and has a collection of Ork-ney Books. When one has had such an active and interest-ing life by the time one is seventy five one is a veritable book in oneself!

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D A Description of Stromness

An excerpt from "Harper's Monthly" 1877

The harbor of Stromness is formed by a pro-jecting arm of the island of Pomona, the island of Graemsay, and a northern projecting head-land of Hoy. The town itself has a quaint, Normandy look landing at one of the small stone piers, one walks into a nest of curiosi-ties. The one street runs in a zigzag line through the centre of the town. From it crooked alleyways run at right angles. The houses themselves are of heavy stone, with gabled roofs, deep-set windows, and project-ing turrets. However long one may stay at Stromness, he will never see any signs of excitement. The shop windows, filled with odd collections of fancy goods, atways look undisturbed. The narrow street, paved with flat flag-stones, is always quiet. At rare inter-vals an ungainly, large-wheeled cart and pony come lumbering along, filling the street to the utter exclusion of foot-passengers. Even the boys of Stromness, hardy-looking youngsters, in their rough homespun clothes, do not seem to act like boys of warmer climates. They lazily fish or stare at passing strangers, but

never seem to make noise enough to disturb the stillness of the streets. The women, too, passing with their short skirts, bare arms, heavy stockings made at home, and wooden shoes, are of that happy, contented appearance so well suited to the general contentedness of the town, it is a quaint sight to see the women and girls of Stromness, or the neighboring town of Kirkwall, meet around the public foun-tain at evening. They perch themsefves upon the bowl's edge, and jabber over the week's gossip; the long summer twilight softens the scene, and with sleepy town, bright faces, and mellow light, the picture is one long to be remembered. At some remote year in the history of Stromness her inhabitants were wont to smuggle goods into their homes. All such practices have disappeared now, but the under-ground passages, the piers, the houses so near the water, these all remain, and tell the story. Stromness, too, claims itself to be the home of " T o r q u i l L o r d Byron's hero. Cleve-land, the pirate of Walter Scott, also lived here, and even the character of wild N o m a was taken from a lonely old woman of the town who used to sell favorable winds to departing fishermen.

From left to right Speaker Rev Father Al-phonsus, born on Papa Stronsay Mrs Margaret Dennison, speaker and born on Papa Stronsay Rev Tom Stout, speaker Mrs Anne Brun-dell, born on Papa Stronsay jack Scott, last person to be bom on Papa Stronsay Mrs Kathleen O'Reilly, bom on Papa Stronsay and brother of Margaret & Kathleen Tom Stout (tee 'From the lecretary')

c

George Irvine of Breckness By James Irvine

So now i had a more comprehensive picture of a fascinating life. For my essay I added context with background information on Stromness life in the late is* and mid 19th centuries from the Old and New Statistical Accounts and from the Minutes of the Parish Kirk Session, which survive from 1820 (OA 0C26/3). For example, I noted that year the Session had approved an evening school to pre-vent the idle habit of stroWng about on the Lords day after divine service, a practice too common especially in Seaport towns! Further background came from WPL Thompson's "Kelp-makir>g in Orkney" (1983) and my own unpublished dissertation "The Breckness Estate" (Orkney Room, shelf mark 630Y). But I still had to presume George's baptism had not been recorded, and I remained uncer-tain whether his parents were George Irvine and Margaret Lirtklater, the tenants in Breck-ness in the early 1780s. As often happens, these issues were resolved by the passage of time and my recognising some oversights. My first oversight was failing to search more diligently the records in the Orkney Archives and the growing library of OFHS, where a few months ago I found a booklet entitled "Charles and Margaret Irvine. A Family History", pub-lished in New Zealand in 1981, and a 1996 update thereof entitled 'The Irvine Family and Descendants of Charles and Margaret". It tran-spires this Charles, born in 1850, was the second son of the Charles Clouston Irvine mentioned above, and now has some 500 descendants! More significantly for me, its author Lucy Platjes, alas now dead, had con-cluded in 1996 that George was the fifth child of an Edward and Marjory Irvine who had married in 1769. At first sight this seemed very plausible, as 1 already knew an Edward Irvine had been tenant of land near Breckness farm from 1779 till 1803. But the baptism in Strom-ness of this George was not until 1778, imply-ing a delay of four years since his birth -unusual, but perhaps no more so than my assumption of his baptism not having been recorded at all. My second oversight was dismissing "our" George having told the enumerator of the

1851 census that his birthplace was Sandwick. Checking everything again, I noticed my IG i printout showed a George Irvine had been baptised in Sandwick on ieth July 1774, son of a George Irvine and Barbara Smith. At last I had a baptism that matched the ages in the Muster Rolls and census returns, and so could assume the single Muster Roll reference to George having been born in Stromness was because this port was better known than Sandwick in naval circles, or because it was an abbreviation for the combined parish of Stromness and Sandwick. Whatever the rea-son, it now seemed both Lucy and I had been mistaken on George's parentage! Having already researched many of the Irvines of Sandwick i was able to piece together this family relatively quickly. My excerpts of the OPR showed George senior and Barbara lived in Northdyke and had six children be-tween 1772 and 1787. A surprising number of the yearly Rentals of the Bishopric parishes survive in the Orkney Archives and National Archives of Scotland; they show the superior duties payable for many individual farms, and usually the name of the occupier. They show a George Irvine as occupier of the croft of Gillie in Linnahowe, Northdyke from 1746 until 1807, although he was evidently in an-other croft, Housenia, from 1753 until the mid 1770s. The Rental for 1784 {OA DI3/I 13) shows that Barbara Smith had paid duties on behalf of her husband George Irvine, thus confirming it was "our" George senior. I was already aware that Gillie had been sold by the estate of the Grahams of Hourston to the Breckness Estate in 1792. AJudicial depo-sition by Hourston tenants in 1749 (OA D20/ 4/16) showed the George Irvine then in Gillie was aged 28 and married, while Breckness Estate rentals and account books detailed his rents and teind duties. For example, for 1792: George Irvine in Glie pays to Master 2m maft Parsonage teinds, compounded Im malt, 2 poul-try, Vicarage teinds 4mk butter and to Superior I m 4s malt, 2Omk butter, As 9<t and for I 'lid in Northdyke in tack from Mr Lindsay for 3 years, 1792 second crop, I2mk butter, im 4s I2mk malt, 4s I2mk flesh, I9sh, 3 poultry: in all £58. KH. This last amount was "scots", and represented £4.17. 6d sterling. Alas space here does not permit discussion of the other details.

Searching again the index to O A SC 11/5, I found George senior had been involved in four court actions, all illustrating the chal-lenges of subsistence forming and the periodic famines of ieth century Orkney: - In 1751 he was one of four tenants of the

Bishopric estate found guilty of underpay-ing rent; he had pleaded in mitigation: This is to acquaint you that I was a stranger when I came to the town of Northdyke. I took a piece of land from Charles Graham of Hourston, the Kings land that fys rigg run under that roume of Gfffie [which] was lying lye [fallow]. So severall of the Nighboursf cattle and horsesj did eate the lye grass More[over], John Irving in QumbSe & John Irving my Brother did Labour a littele of the above Kings Land [which] I knew nothing of but as I was in-formed a year or two afterward, and as for myself [what] I did eate of the out grass I did Rigg the dyk.s for it Sir ! hope as I being a stranger to the place and not acquainted with the above lands I hope you will be so good as not to put one that is a poor man to any truble about it for Lord knowes I am not ab/e to bear any trouble. Evidently an example was being made of the four tenants to warn others not to take advantage of the complex precedents concerning the maintenance of hill dykes and the grazing of outfield lands when tenancies changed.

_ In 1760 he was one of 26 tenants of the Hourston estate to be pursued in court for arrears of rents.

- In 1783 he was one of four tenants of the same estate to be pursued for arrears of rents since 1777.

- In 1788 he was in a dispute with the Cham-berlain of the Bishopric Estate over the ownership of an unploughed piece of land in Linahowe: George Irvine Tenant in Gtffe brought his plough to the unphwed part on Tuesday the first of fAprtf, ... and] after he had begun to plow the Declarants wife Katharine Kirkness stoped George Irvine from plowing tei/ing him that he had no right to plow there... [and] tooli hold of the Horses and led them off the fddges after which George Irvine went home with them and nothing further passed except bad language on both sides. The outcome of this dispute is unclear.

Besides adding "colour" and confirming I was looking at the same individual, these records show George had a brother John and was probably not born in Northdyke. I can find no record of George senior's baptism or marri-age(s), but this is not surprising as the Sandwick OPRs do not start until 1728 and are deficient between 1732 and 1778. But they show a George Irvine and Janet Louttit were the par-ents of a daughter Anne baptised in 1761, which might help explain why George senior had been married in 1749 but apparently did not have any children by Barbara Smith until 1772. There was a John Irvine of Stromness who married in Sandwick in 1750 a Catherine Hourston (which might explain the joint Hourston inheritance of 1804), but there were also four John Irvines who had children bap-tised in Sandwick in the 1760s, so here the trail fades. Tantalisingly, there one of these was a John Irvine, baptised in Sandwick in 1729, son of a George Irvine and Marion Allan - were this couple also the parents of the George born c.1721? And was this elder George the minor in 1711 who was a son of Adam Irvine of Overgarson (NAS G D 1/209/34)? Maybe our George is a descendant of the Irving of Over-garson, whose pedigree I discussed in my arti-cle in Sib Fotk News No.5, March 1998. As always, family history research raises as many questions as it does answers, but this was a most rewarding investigation which illustrates well what luck and perseverance can yield when tracing Orcadian ancestry.

Acknowledgment b given to the Public ReoorrJ Office, Na-tional Arch (res of Scotland, Orkney Archives and Major Malcolm Macrae.

Answers to quiz in SFN 22

1 Slater 10 Laughton 2 Pottinger 1t Moodie 3 Hourston 12 Linklater 4 Heddle 13 Cursiter 5 Rae 14 Hewison 6 Clouston 15 Swanson 7 Marwick 16 Both we II 8 Balfour 17 Honey man 9 Corr ipl

Minutes of Open Meeting

Town Hall, Kirkwall

Thurs. 12th September 2002 at 7.30pm

Papa Stronsay Evening

A larger than usual turnout of over 80 people meant that this meeting, which was scheduled to be held in the Supper Room, had to be moved into the Town Hall.

Before commencement of the meeting chairperson, Mrs Nan Scott, asked for every-one there who was born on Papa Stronsay to gather for a photograph (see page 7). Nan then welcomed everyone, especially those who were here for the first time, and the speakers Mrs Anne Brundle, Rev Tom Stout and Rev Father Alphonsus.

There were apologies from Miss Thora Bain, Mr Olaf Mooney, Brigadier S P Robert-son and Mrs Mimes Manson.

Nan announced that at the committee meeting after the A G M Mr Frank Eunson had been appointed Vice-chairperson and Mrs Adrianne Leask Research Secretary, The annual outing had been cancelled due to lack of numbers as there was so much else on at that time but Mr Harold Esson, whose collection we had intended to visit has offered the use of his museum for a meeting with chairs provided and there will be a quiz. It is proposed to do this in October as the speaker invited for that meeting, Mr Eoin Scott, will now be out of Orkney. Eoin will, instead, give his talk on Heraldry in November at the annual dinner in the Ayre Hotel. The new editorial committee had produced its first Sib Folk News. Nan expressed thanks to the Vintage Club for allowing us to have a stall again at their annual exhibition in August and the volunteers who manned the stall, Mr & Mrs Ian & Betty Cam-eron, Mr & Mrs Olaf & Gillian Mooney, Mrs Adrianne Leask and Mr John Heddle. A clip-board was passed round for everyone to sign and add any notes relevent to Papa Stronsay and there was a form for names of anyone wishing to attend the annual meal.

Nan then introduced the 3 speakers, Mrs Anne Brundle from Orkney Museum who is an

expert on all things Orcadian, Rev Tom Stout who was born on Papa Stronsay, lived for a time on West ray and is a well respected member and the Rev Father Alphonsus of the Redemptorists who has lived on Papa Stronsay for the last 3 years. The Society got a warm welcome in Papa Stronsay last year. That and their interest in old photo's gave us the idea for this meeting, she said.

Anne told us of the findings during a recent excavation of St Nicholas Chapel and Quire which stands on the south east corner of the island and was in danger from coastal erosion. This small chapel, with inside meas-urement of 15 feet by 12 feet, the quire measuring 7 feet by 9 feet seems to have been built about the I Ith century. It isn't known when the chapet ceased to be used but ac-cording to a Statistical Account in 1794 the chapel was almost complete until 12 years before but a tenant had since demolished it for stones to build a new barn although by that time the west gable may already have been collapsed and overgrown. There is evidence.of 2 other buildings beneath the chapel, one rectangular and one rounded, perhaps an ear-lier church. A piece of porphyry, which is associated with church sites, was found under the chape) wall and is similar to a piece found on the Brough of Birsay where there is a similar chapel. There was another chapel the same size, St Bride's, on the island. Such a small island (measuring at most a mile east to west and even less north to south) seems to have been of some importance for it is men-tioned in the 'Orkneyinga Saga' when Earl Rognvald Bruisisson was killed by Earl Thor-finn and his men when he went to get malt for the winter brewing. It is possible that there may be other medieval buildings as yet undis-covered on Papa Stronsay.

Tom then told us of his childhood since he was bom on Papa Stronsay 79 years ago. Tom's aunt Betsy married Johnny Scott from Westray who had recently returned from the army and taken on the Papa Stronsay farm. Tom's parents also married on his father's return from the army and went to work on Papa Stronsay. They later returned to Wes-tray but Tom often went back to Papa Stron-say for holidays. There were the boats, sea-gulls, games they played and of course the fisher girls. Herring gutting was a big industry

and girls were employed from all along the east coast of Scotland. There were 10 fishing stations on Stronsay and 6 on Papa Stronsay. Each station on Stronsay had its own jetty and on some week-ends there could be 300 drift-ers in. On Papa Stornsay the rails the bogies ran on are still there. Each bogie held 2 crans which was equal to 8 baskets. Each crew consisted of 2 gutters and I packer. The girts were treated quite roughly and travelled as steerage on the boats, having to find shelter on the open decks. Their work took them all along the coast from Shetland to Eyemouth. As well as the fishing industry there was farm-ing and kelp-burning. Tom's father had a small boat which was sometimes called on for emer-gencies such as visits to the doctor. His uncle had a shop and a butcher shop and then a chip shop. With his cousin he would unload boat-loads of cargo from businesses in Kirkwall which were, he thought, often sent to the islands on a sale or return basis. Tom remem-bers the good summers and the characters like one who boasted that he could recognize the drifters not just by their sound but by the colour of their smoke. They were happy times but difficult times.

The inhabitants of Papa Stronsay at the present time come from all over the worid, although one of their number, Father Michael Mary, is descended from a Turfus lady who was bom on North Ronaldsay. Three of their number attended the meeting and Father Al-phonsus, himself from California, spoke of their life there now and their plans for the future. Two of their superiors, after a mission in America, took a holiday in Orkney and loved it. They heard of Papa Stronsay at a time when the brothers were looking for another property besides the one they had in Kent. They found a wonderful generosity and friend-liness that you don't find anywhere else he said and were grateful for the kind reception they had received here in the last 3 years. Father Alphonsus explained that Columba started these monasteries and St Cormack was one of the first to bring Christianity to Orkney about the year 600. There are now 24 brothers on the island and the people of Stronsay have helped them to adapt teaching them farming and boat-handling. Life on the island is a chal-lenge and they enjoy the adventure of it all. Their plan is to build a monastery and this

summer built a cell bigger than those of Celtic times measuring 12 feet by 18 feet. Novices live apart from the rest of the community. There are more cells to be made. In a few years they will build a church.

They are becoming famous for their cheese-making which at present they make in their own kitchen but they hope to eventually have a cheese factory up to EU standards. They will have their own coat of arms, a Papa Stron-say Cross with a motto which translates as, "A desert in the path of the sea", a phrase St Columba used to describe Orkney. They are reasonably self-sufficient with their own catde and sheep and grow their own vegetables. They may help to protect St Nicholas chapel from erosion or even have it rebuilt. They employ local people and they produce a monthly newspaper. They feel that their pres-ence will remind Orkney of its past.

Vice-chairperson, Frank Eunson, then thanked the 3 speakers and remarked on the great fun he also had on the island as a growing boy.

As a treat to round off this special evening everyone was then able to enjoy fatty cutties made by Mrs Margaret Dennison, who was also bom on Papa Stronsay, and the special Papa Stronsay cheese as well as bere bannocks from Mrs Davina Brown, oatcakes and marinated herring and shortbread from Tom's Auntie Betty's recipe.

fyttiAH.

Fatty Cutties

by Margaret Dennison

4 cups Plain Flour I cup Sugar 10 ozs Margarine Pinch of Bicarbonate of Soda '/> cup each of Raisins & Sultanas (cut up small) I tablespoon of Milk

Put all dry ingredients in a bowl and rub in the margarine. Add milk and knead together. Roll out thin and cut into triangles or squares. Bake on a griddle at moderate heat, turning over to bake second side. Golden brown when ready.

Looking for Brotchie's the most vital in piecing together the BROTCH IE family tree.

About 4 years ago I was given a copy of the family trees for the H O U R S T O N , DEARNESS and ROSIE families of South Ronaldsay which a relative was working on. At the time it contained 300 or so names. Four years on I have well over 2000 names from 1724 to 2001 linked to the original tree — extending it sideways nearly as far.

That original tree contained the marriage of BARBARA DEARNESS bom 24 * Aug 1814 in South Ronaidsay married on 12th March 1833 in South Ronaldsay to T H A N E B R O T C H I E born 1810 in Thurso to D O N A L D BROTCH IE and HELEN C O G HILL.

BROTCH IE being an unusual name caught my eye and i decided to pursue that old faithful the OPRs for Thurso. The OPRs revealed THANE ' S baptism on 3rd

April 1810 and that his father was a mason. Also revealed were siblings: JOHN BROTCH IE c 7 * July 1807 W I L L I A M B R O T C H I E c 10* Dec 1803 D A V I D BROTCH IE c 1796 D O N A L D BROTCH IE c 7<h Ai|g 1793 and an entry for ROSE BROTCH IE c 7th July 1799 lawful son of D O N A L D B R O T C H I E (milner) in Ormly by HELEN C O G H I L L his spouse.

it's taken 4 years, numerous conversations with individuals round the world and various visits to the local records office to prove that, contrary to the OPRs, ROSE was in fact fe-male.

The error which had been repeated from the IGI through countless family trees was caused by the original Parish Clerk writing 'ditto' instead of 'daughter'. Reality came to light when ROSE was found in the census for Thurso in 1851, 1861. 1871 and 1881 as female and a dressmaker.

But it has been instinct, chance conversations in Records Offices and gleaning information from unsubstantiated sources that has proved

Without a chance conversation in the Inver-ness Records Office I would never have looked for and found a Great Great Grandaughter of D O N A L D BROTCHIE and HELEN C O G H I L L in Canada. Fortunately she's a genealogist so finding "proof ' was relatively easy and a letter in the 'Orcadian' has revealed some of the life of a Grandson of D O N A L D - W I L U A M BROTCH IE born in Kirkwall who was shipwrecked off Manzanillo, Mexico married a local girl and his descen-dants still live in Mexico. If the information they have about the exis-tance of WILL IAM ' s brother JAMES, of whom I had never heard, proves to be correct and he did, as I suspect move from Kirkwall to Middlesborough, then not only will another section of the tree be complete but a lady in Canada will have found her Great Great Grandparents' family.

O n the subject of instinct here is a salutory lesson - on my first visit to Kirkwall I sug-gested looking round St Magnus Churchyard for BROTCHIES. My esteemed other half replied, "There won't be any there." I pre-vailed and the first headstone inside the East gate is - yes you guessed MARGARET BROTCH IE and first stone on the second row - D A V I D BROTCHIE. There is in fact a third stone for a G E O R G E BROTCH IE as well. I'm still trying to work out who any of them were but perseverance will pay eventually.

Gravestones themselves outwith Orkney have been little help with the BROTCHIEs. The Mount Vernon Cemetery in Thurso is the burial site of many BROTCHIEs including BARBARA DEARNESS and T H A N E BROTCH IE (who started this tree). None of the graves are marked although the sales records for plots which also contain details of internment aloryg with date and age at death have revealed much - including the death of ROSE BROTCH I E at 99 years. From 11 individuals 4 years ago, the BROTCH IE tree now exceeds 120 with an-other 30 potentials from Canada via Middles-borough, a further 50 from Australia via Wigan and Irvine and another 150 unattached

individuals who, given time, will almost cer-tainly prove to be linked. The BROTCHlEs who seem to have had a strong presence in Orkney in the first half of the 19th century have apparently disap-peared from not just Orkney but the North of Scotland too. However they are alive and well in Australia, Canada, South Africa, England, Mexico and the South of Scodand. By listening to odd snippets of information I've confirmed 150 so far. I wonder where next they will appear.

Orkney Sdence Festival 2002 As usual this year's Orkney Science Festival has been a big success. The John D Mackay Memo-rial Lecture was of particular interest to gene-alogists. The lecturer was Dr Jim Wilson of University College, OFHS member No. 19! The OFHS was well represented on the night Jim has been involved in the genetic testing for the "Blood of the Viking" project but he admits that the work is just beginning. He also said that 60% of Orcadian lineages appeared to be Norse in origin but further work could pinpoint exact locations in Norway. Jim will have a personal interest in this research, as his parentage is both Fair Isle and Orcadian. The lecture was very well presented and given to an appreciative audience In the cinema at the Rckaquoy Centre.

The Orkney County Library

Opened by D r Andrew Carnegie in 1909 as the Kirkwall Free Library, the building was home to a small closed access lending depart-ment, reading room, a reference room, and upstairs a large lecture room with dividing screen. The Plans were drawn by J Malcolm Baikie, Architect and the erection of the build-ing was by W B Peace and Son. By 1954, when it also became the home of the Orkney County Library, parts of the building had been used as a museum, a home, the County Architects department as well as being requisitioned by Admiralty during the war. The internal changes of 1954 were followed by a major refurbishment and extension in 1966-68 and again with establishment of the archives section, a purpose built unit in 1985. W e now provide accommodation and facilities for the library with its wide range of services, the archive including sound and photographic, school resource service and the Biodiversity Record Centre.

The move next year to the new library and archives in junction Road is eagerly awaited. The proposed links with external organisa-tions, such as the Orkney Family History Soci-ety, and the facilities in the new building will ensure that there is an exciting and active period for the future.

Thanks to Mr R Leslie

Chief Librarian for this information

As a new member i have noticed that there are a significant number of Southern England based members of OFHS, I wonder if there is any interest in holding meetings from time to time (eg once or twice a year). Possible loca-tions include the Family Record Centre in Mydleton St Islington, or the Society of Genealogists who both have meeting rooms although they have not been approached to check availability or costs. Suggestions for other ven-ues welcome. Could a n y i n te re s ted m e m b e r s c o n t a c t me by post o r email using the q u e s t i o n n a i r e set out below at HYPERLINK M r rp i f to:pamirv inf lS>hoVTf l i l ,CQm" or to P a m Irving, 4 Wingfield Close, New Haw Weybridge, Surrey KT IS 3BX. Questionaire Name Contact details 1) I would like to attend London meetings from time to time

(Please supply other possible venues you would attend) 2) I would be willing to contribute to costs 3) I would be willing to help with organization 4) I would attend weekday evening meetings

(If Yes please delete any weekdays you would not attend) Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

5) I would attend day or half day meetings on a Saturday Yes/No 6) Please indicate type of meetings you would like to attend

Information workshops/discussion meetings Formal lectures with speaker Visits to eg PRO. NMM, FRC, Guildhall Library Other {Please make suggestions)

7) Comments

Southern England proposal from

Pam Irving

Yes/No

Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No

The Orkney Family History Society Membership, subscriptions etc.

Membership of the Society runs from 1st March to 28/29th February and subscriptions should be renewed during the month of March. All subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer at the OFHS address below.

New members joining before 1 st December will receive back copies of the three magazines for the current year. From 1st December new members will receive membership for the remainder of the current year plus the following year but will not receive the back copies of the magazine.

The present subscription rates are as follows:

£10.00 1 Ordinary - Adult membership £15.00 2 Family membership - (Spouse/partner & children under 18) £7 00 3 Senior Citizens - (Single or couple) £12.50 4 Overseas - (Surface mail) £15.00 5 Overseas - (Air mail)

Overseas members should pay their fees in sterling or its equivalent. If it is not possible to send pounds sterling, please check exchange rate. Our bank will accept overseas cheques without charging commission. Receipts will be issued with the next magazine. Members residing in the United Kingdom may pay their subscriptions by Bankers Order and if they wish can have their subscriptions treated as Gift Aid donations. (Forms will be sent on request). Cheques should be made payable to: ORKNEY FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY.

The Society publishes 4 magazines in the year. Members may place queries in the magazine at no charge. Queries should be sent to the Editorial Committee. Back copies of the magazine may be purchased at £1.00 per copy.

Our office address is: The OFHS, The Strynd, Kirkwall, Orkney. KW15 1HG.

Office opening hours are as follows: April to September Mon to Fri 2.00pm to 4.30pm

Sat 11.00am to 4.30pm October to March Mon, Wed, Fri 2.00pm to 4.30pm

Sat 11 00am to 4.30pm

Articles in this newsletter are copyright to the Society and its authors and may not be reproduced without permission of the Editorial Committee. The Society is a registered charity in Scotland and a member of the Scottish Association of Family History Societies. The Society does not necessarily accept the views expressed in letters and articles published within. The Society's newsletter, Sib Folk News, is registered with the British Library under the serial number ISSN 1368-3950

General enquiries should be addressed to the office in writing or to

The General Secretary, Mrs Gillian Mooney at olaf.mooney@virgin.net

Specific research enquiries may be sent to Adrianne Leask, Research Secretary at the office or e-mail george.gray@unisonfTee.net

This magazine has been compiled by the Editorial Committee consisting of: Nan Scott, Adrianne Leask, Irene Miller, Olaf Mooney, Dave Higgins, Gillian Mooney.

Printed by Rainbow Enterprises, Dyce, Aberdeen.