Scotlands Genealogy

Memorials to Scotland's Last Witches

2011-10-31T00:09:00.000Z

Over the last two years on Hallowe'en I have posted blogs about execution sites of Scottish witches.* This year I conclude with the memorials to the last two witches to be burnt in Scotland. One from the Lowlands and the other from the Highlands.

The Presbytery of Dunbar in East Lothian was responsible for burning 100+ witches including 6 women and 2 men from the Parish of Spott.In 1698 the trial of Marion Lillie,known as the Rigwoody Witch (old Scots for thin,bony) was recorded in the kirk session.The Session after long examination of witnesses,refer the case of Marion Lillie for imprecations and supposed witchcraft to the presbytery who refer her for trial in the civil magistrates.The stone set back from the roadside in a hawthorn hedge marks the spot where she was consumed by the flames. On the day I visited coins had been deposited on the stone and there are reports of candle wax and incense also being left.Perhaps witchcraft has not died out in East Lothian after all.

The stone that marks the execution of the last witch in Scotland to be condemned to death is by the Highland Royal Burgh of Dornoch.More famous now for its golf courses and where Madonna and Guy Ritchie had son Rocco christened in 2000.

Janet Horne had been a lady's maid before she married,but by 1727 she was old and confused.Early that year her neighbours reported that she was using witchcraft to turn her daughter into 'the devil's pony.'
Janet and her daughter whose hand was deformed were imprisoned in Dornoch,where they were tried and found guilty of witchcraft.The daughter escaped before she could be punished,but her mother was sentenced to death.
The next day,Janet Horne was stripped,rolled in tar and placed in a barrel.A grim procession carried her from the High Street to this place,where she was burned alive.She was the last recorded person in Scotland to die in this terrible way.
The execution place is marked by this stone in a private garden overlooking the golf course and the Dornoch Firth.The date on the stone should be 1727 not 1722.
Nine years after her death the Witchcraft Acts were repealed in Scotland and England and it became unlawful to execute anyone for alleged witchcraft.

http://scotlandsgenealogy.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween-scottish-witches.html
http://scotlandsgenealogy.blogspot.com/2010/10/scottish-witch-for-halloween.html
Larner,A et al (1977) Source Book of Scottish Witchcraft

Peebles for Pleasure !

2011-08-30T16:03:00.000+01:00

Peebles & the Tweed

Furthgangan Embro folk come hame
for three weeks in the year,
and Auld Reekie no the same,
fu sturrit in a steir *

To escape the thronging crowds of Edinburgh the 'Festival City' I recently spent the morning in the douce town of Peebles.I like Peebles.It retains the presence and atmosphere of a typical Scottish country burgh plus its history and location beside the Tweed are just waiting to be explored.
The purpose of the visit was to attend a Family History morning hosted by the Tweeddale Society.They had invited speakers from the Borders Archive and Local Heritage Centre based at the Heritage Hub in Hawick.
The first session was a practical workshop to introduce beginners to researching their family history,followed by a presentation 'Treasures of Peebles from the Archive.'
Rachel Hosker,Borders archivist explained how this new state of the art archive was very proactive : visiting local schools, hosting work shops,story tellers and attending family history events.The envy of other UK archives,the staff of twelve as well as dealing with general enquiries also provide help transcribing documents.They like to provide a balance of help and self.Equipped with twenty public seats and six access computers,the architects designed the building to enhance its light,bright space with controlled humidity and temperature.
Rachel then highlighted collections pertaining to Peebles from Town Council and Court records which had recently been transferred from the National Records of Scotland.She illustrated the contents of the collection with accounts of football in1570,Peebles own Salem witch trials and the unfortunate circumstances of Helen Horsburgh, a girl in the Poor Relief Records.
Future plans for the Hub are to continue the rolling programe of digitising archives with funding from the Heritage Lottery: police records,Poor Relief,postcards,diaries and town council minutes.Plus the kirk session records for the Border counties of Berwickshire,Selkirkshire,Roxburghshire and Peebleshire are also available.

Leaving the Chambers Institution through the close into the High St, above the burgh arms of Peebles depict two salmon in one direction and one lone fish in the opposite direction motto: (Against the stream they multiply) Flourish by going against the flow.With a new slogan -Peebles for Pleasure- the town continues to live up to this by winning the top independent retailing town in Scotland and 2nd in the UK for the range of independent shops.After window shopping instead of following the vennels down to the Tweed I crossed the delightfully named Cuddy Burn to the old town.

This was originally outside the town walls and the Biggiesknowe claims to be the oldest street.Here cheek by jowl are the birthplaces of three famous natives of Peebles.

In the white cottage on the left were born William and Robert Chambers who established the famous publishing family W&R Chambers.Two doors down was the birthplace of John Veitch (1829-1894) Professor of Logic at Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities.

It had been an interesting morning learning about the local archives and resources combined with the short historical walk.It was time to return to the festival city.

In simmer,whan aa sorts foregether

in Embro to the ploy *

furthgangan - emigrant
Auld Reekie- Edinburgh
sturrit in a steir - stirred in confusion
Embro - Edinburgh
ploy - festival
Extracts from Robert Garioch poem 'Embro To The Ploy'

Scottish Clan and Family DNA Projects : C

2011-08-02T18:09:00.000+01:00

The Scottish DNA Project now has an active blog at http://scottishdna.blogspot.com/

The project is administered by the genealogy studies group at Strathclyde University.

C

Caddell/Cadell http://www.familytreedna.com/public/Caddellfamilydna/default.aspx
Caldwell worldfamilies.net/surnames/c/caldwell/
Callan/Callen www.familytreedna.com/public/CallenDNA/
Calvert www.calvertgenealogy.net
Cameron www.calcamerons.com
Campbell www.familytreedna.com/public/Campbell/

Cargill www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/c/cargill

Carlyle/Carlisle www.familytreedna.com/public/Carlile/

Carmichael worldfamilies.net/surnames/c/carmichael/

Carr www.familytreedna.com/public/carr/
Carrick www.familytreedna.com/public/Carrick/
Carson www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/carson/
Carswell www.carswell.com.au

Carter www.carter-cousins.org

Cash www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/c/cash/

Cathcart www.familytreedna.com/public/cathcart/

Chambers/Chalmers freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~crrking/Chambers/chambers_dna.htm

Chapman www.familytreedna.com/public/Chapman/

Charles www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/c/charles/

Cherry www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/c/cherry/

Chisholm www.familytreedna.com/public/Chisholm/

Christie worldfamilies.net/surnames/c/christie/

Clerk/Clerke www.htmlsd.com

Clay www.familytreedna.com/public/Clay%20DNA%20Project/

Clinkscales www.familytreedna.com/public/Clinkscales

Coates/Coats www.ancestrees.com/
Cochrane/Cochran   www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/c/cochran/
Cockburn   www.familytreedna.com/public/Cockburn/
Collins   www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/collins/
Copeland/Copland www.familytreedna.com/public/Copeland/
Corbet/Corbett www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/c/corbett/
Corson/Corsane www.corsondna.com

Coulter worldfamilies.net/surnames/c/coulter/

Cowan www.familytreedna.com/public/Cowan/

Crabbe/Crabb www.familytreedna.com/public/Crabbe/

Craig www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/c/craig/

Craigmyle www.familytreedna.com/public/craigmile/

Crawford www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/c/crawford/

Cree www.familytreedna.com/public/cree/

Crocket www.familytreedna.com/public/Crockett/

Crook www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/c/crook/
Crosbie www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/crosby/
Crow/Crowe/Craw/Croy www.familytreedna.com/public/CrowDNA/
Crozer/Crosier www.familytreedna.com/public/Crozier/
Cullen worldfamilies.net/surnames/c/cullen/
Cumming/Cummings/Cummin/Cumyns www.familytreedna.com/public/cummings/
Cunningham worldfamilies.net/surnames/c/cunningham/
Curle ccurl.net/
Currie/Curry www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/curry/

East Lothian and the forgotten Burns

2011-07-26T15:58:00.003+01:00

Yesterday the 25 July was the anniversary of the funeral of Scotland's national poet,Robert Burns who died on 21 July 1796 and was buried in Dumfries. Less well known is Robert's younger brother Gilbert and the family connection to East Lothian.I stumbled across this while visiting Bolton Church in one of East Lothian's smallest parishes. A small plaque on the roadside wall is all that reveals who is buried within.

In 1800 some four years after the death of Robert Burns,Gilbert along with their mother Agnes Broun and his large family,made their way to Morham West Mains in East Lothian to take up position of farm manager.After four years,he was appointed Factor of Lennoxlove Estate and to the tenancy of Grants Braes. They lived here for 23 years and the family attended the church at Bolton where he was instrumental as clerk of works in the construction of the present church (1809).

Gilbert and his wife Jean Breckenridge had 11 children.Surprisingly her name is omitted from the stone,dying in 1841 aged 77 at the residence of her son James in Erskine,Renfrewshire. Gilbert Burns died on 8 April 1827 in his 67th year and was laid to rest beside six of his children.

One son, Rev Dr Thomas Burns was one of the founders of the city of Dunedin in New Zealand in 1848 where a suburb Mosgiel commemorates the Burns connection with the farm of Mossgiel. A nephew Sir James Shaw,became Lord Mayor of London. The grave and locations commemorating the family if less well known than The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum www.burnsmuseum.org.uk are well cared for by East Lothian Council. While walking through the countryside surrounding Bolton one imagines that perhaps some things would still be familiar to Gilbert and Robert Burns

But pleasures are like poppies spread

You seize the flower it's bloom is shed....

Tam o'Shanter Robert Burns

Memento Mori: Scottish Gravestones

2011-07-19T20:23:00.000+01:00

In response to the popularity of 'Tombstone Tuesday' in genealogy blogs here is an introduction to what can be found here in Scotland.I have never referred to them other than gravestones, is tombstone a creeping Americanism?

One can't but marvel at the range and skill employed by local masons in their craft.The availability and texture of the local stone has influenced where the best examples are found. Angus and Dumfriesshire sandstone,the Lothians freestone,Aberdeenshire granite and slate from Ballachulish.

Increasing prosperity of 18th and 19th century tradesmen and farmers is reflected in the exuberance of subject matter.A range of symbolism and epitaphs leaves the passer bye in no doubt of the fleetness of life and our own mortality. Four main types of symbolism were used.

Death
Life
Life after death
Representing trades

Skulls or 'death heads' from the lifelike to the comical leer above crossed femur bones,reminiscent of a pirate's flag. Hourglasses, either upright to signify a normal lifespan,on their side to show a premature death or winged with the motto Tempus Fugit. Perhaps you have been fortunate to find such a stone connected to your ancestry. They can be a wealth of information if they have not succumbed to the ravages of the elements

or vandalism. Many were used for building purposes broken up for lintels and flagstones;Cromwell used stones from the Greyfriars in Perth to construct a fort.

There are many examples throughout Scotland so on my travels I shall post further illustrations of the Scottish epitaphs and symbolism on Tombstone Tuesday.

Brown.Hamish ( 2008 ) The Scottish Graveyard Miscellany The Folk Art of Scotland's Graves:Edinburgh,Birlinn Publishing.

Love,Dane (1989) Scottish Graveyards: London,Robert Hale.

Willsher,Betty (1978) Stones-18th Century Scottish Gravestones: Edinburgh, Canongate.

Willsher,Betty (1996) Scottish Epitaphs :Edinburgh, Canongate.

Scottish Graveyards: http://www.scottishgraveyards.org.uk/index.shtml

Scotgraves blog: http://scotgraves.blogspot.com/

Scotfot: http://www.scotfot.com/

Scran : http://sites.scran.ac.uk/kestrel3d/knowledge/knowledge.pdf

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_gravestones

A Study of Scottish Gravestone Lettering 1241-1855: http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-352-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_131/131_349_373.pdf

Black Diamonds:My Ancestor was a Coal Miner

2011-07-13T11:26:00.001+01:00

Looking through the 19th century censuses for the central belt of Scotland,one can't help noticing the number of coal mining communities stretching from Ayrshire to Fife.Numerous towns and villages were built on the proceeds of the black diamonds that helped to fuel the expansion of the industrial revolution and the British empire.

By the 1880's,there were more than 500 pits throughout Scotland.Production reached its peak in 1913 when the industry north of the border carved out 41m tons of coal and mining families made up 10% of the Scottish population.Only 50 years ago, the Scottish coal industry still employed 85,500 miners at 166 collieries across the country. But by the early 1970s, pit after pit had been forced to close until the miner's strike of 1984 changed the industry for good and forced a period of mass redundancies.Finally the last deep mine closed in 2002.

Extensive records survive from before the formation of the National Coal Board in 1947. Coal company accounts; the earliest from 1752 for Lothian,and estate records are deposited in the National Records of Scotland referenced under CB or GD.The NRS www.nas.gov.uk/guides/coalmining.asp have produced a leaflet 'The Coalminers' and the excellent Scottish Mining Website http://www.scottishmining.co.uk/ is a must for anyone with coal miner connections.Vintage film of working and living in the Scottish coal fields is captured in the remarkable collection of the Scottish Screen Archive http://ssa.nls.uk/film.cfm?fid=3942

Other useful sites are the Coalmining History Resource Centre http://www.cmhrc.co.uk/ . Their online collection includes maps locating mines within the UK and the Isle of Man and a data base of over 164,000 accidents and fatalities since 1700. Coal Collections http://www.coalcollections.org/ helps to locate the numerous coal mining archives in Scotland. Another more personal reflection on the history of one coal mining family is http://www.hoodfamily.info/ .

The mines may have gone but the Scottish Coal Mining Museum : http://www.scottishminingmuseum.com/

a Scottish Tourist Board five star attraction,is a great day out if visiting the Edinburgh area during the summer holidays.Guided tours by ex miners,who are great with the kids,recount tales of their proud of their heritage.

For those keen on cycling or walking,a short Sustrans path along the former Edinburgh to Gifford railway line at Pencaitland has informative noticeboards and 'gravestones' marking sites of former pit heads along the route.

Writers and Reivers:A walk with author Alistair Moffat through Border History

2011-07-02T21:34:00.002+01:00

This afternoon I spent in the company of the Border's author,Alistair Moffat.Well known for his previous work with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the 1970's he later became director of programmes with Scottish Television. A native of Kelso he has now returned to the Borders to live where in 2004 he founded the Border's Book Festival in Melrose. He has had success with several recent historical publications: The Borders (2005), The Reivers (2007) and The Scots A Genetic Journey (2011).
Alistair had kindly agreed to accompany us on a walk from Corehead farm into the Devil's Beef Tub - a large corrie formed in the last Ice Age and reputedly the former haunt of the Reivers coralled cattle,sheep and goats.
Stopping as we made our way along the numerous sheep paths,Alistair regaled us with stories of the turbulent life of the Border Reivers from his book The Reivers.

The final stop beside the sheep stell (a circular stone dyke pen) it was easy to imagine the description by Sir Walter Scott in his novel, Redgauntlet as “if four hills were laying their heads together, to shut out daylight from the dark hollow space between them. A dammed deep, black, blackguard-looking abyss of a hole it is”

Alistair ended with his observations of a typical Borderer.Perhaps typified by the former Scottish rugby player,Jim Telfer and the former English footballer,Jackie Charlton. Both holders of former Reiving surnames.
You can join Alistair Moffat in a more salubrious setting at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on Friday 26 August 3.30-4.30 at Scottish Power Studio where he will talk about Unravelling Scotland's DNA -the theme of his latest book.

Corehead in upper Annandale was bought by the Borders Forest Trust (BFT) in 2009 by public subscription and through traditional agricultural practices and ecological restoration techniques, is bringing the landscape into conservation management, creating native woodlands, wetlands, hay meadows and heather moorland habitats

Scottish Clan & Family DNA Projects : I

2011-06-20T18:47:00.005+01:00

I

Inglis           http://www.englishdna.com/
Ingram        http://www.familytreedna.com/public/IngramDNA/default.aspx
Inkster       http://www.familytreedna.com/surname-search-results.aspx? sType=eq&Searchname2=Inkster
                         http://www.davidkfaux.org/shetlandislandsY-DNA.html
Innes            http://www.familytreedna.com/public/innis/default.aspx
Ireland         http://www.familytreedna.com/public/IRELAND/default.aspx?section=results
Irons            http://www.familytreedna.com/group-join.aspx?Group=Irons
Irvine/Irving/Irvin/Irwin          http://dnastudy.clanirwin.org/
Isaac/Isaacs                   http://www.familytreedna.com/public/Isaacs/default.aspx?section=goals
Isbister                          http://www.davidkfaux.org/shetlandislandsY-DNA.html
Iverach                            http://www.familytreedna.com/public/mciver/default.aspx
Iverson                            http://www.familytreedna.com/public/mciver/default.aspx
Izatt/Izzett                    http://www.familytreedna.com/public/Izatt-Izett_YDNAsite/default.aspx

Scottish Clan and Family DNA Projects - G

2011-05-25T20:42:00.000+01:00

Robinson Crusoe's Birthplace For Sale

2011-05-24T16:34:00.003+01:00

The site of the birthplace of Alexander Selkirk upon whose story Daniel Defoe based his fictional character Robinson Crusoe is currently for sale.* Situated at 101 Main Street,Lower Largo,Fife the one bedroom ground floor flat is built upon the original house where Selkirk was born in 1676.
The early life of Selkirk or Selcraig is well documented in the kirk session records of Largo Parish. On 27 Aug 1695 he was charged with 'undecent carriage' in church but he 'did not comper having gone away to ye sea: this business is continued till his return'

Running off to sea on numerous occasions he ended up on the Cinque Ports a ship he felt unseaworthy.Asking to be put ashore his shipmates failed to join him and so for the next 4 years 4 months he lived alone on the island of Mas a Tierra in the Pacific.In 1966 it was officially renamed Robinson Crusoe Island. He was rescued and returned to Largo in 1717 but left again for London.Eventually he became a Lieutenant on the Royal Navy ship Weymouth and died of suspected fever 13 Dec 1721.He was buried at sea off the west coast of Africa.

Gravestone of Alex Selkirk's parents.Upper Largo Kirk. Surrounded with seashells

A fascinating account The Real Robinson Crusoe,written by Bruce Selcraig a descendant of Alex.Selkirk's brother appears in the Smithsonian magazine.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/crusoe.html?c=y&page=1
*Offers over £125,000

Moffat's Royal Mail Martyrs

2011-05-14T19:29:00.001+01:00

Many times I have driven south on the road from Edinburgh to Dumfries in all types of weather passing a large cairn at the watershed between the Tweed and Annan rivers. Here half a mile beyond the Devil's Beef Tub on 1 February 1831,two officers of the Royal Mail coach between Dumfries and Edinburgh perished in a snow storm. John Goodfellow the driver and James McGeorge,the guard had just changed their horses in Moffat before embarking on the steep pull out of the town. Already snowing heavily they became stuck so advised the male passengers to return to Moffat for a post chaise for the ladies.

Their strong sense of duty to deliver the mail prevailed,so they unharnessed the horses and plodded on into the drifting snow. They never made it. Their bodies were later found near a burn where the memorial cairn was erected in 1931. Their bodies were interred in Moffat kirkyard where two memorials were erected through public subscription.
So if speeding bye remember the efforts of Goodfellow and McGeorge

West Lothian History and Heritage Fair

2011-05-04T09:09:00.000+01:00

This event is being held at Linlithgow Academy on Saturday 7 May at 10 am-4.30pm .Entry £2 children under 16 free. Range of stalls and guest speakers but talks must be prebooked,remaining
tickets available on the day.
Programme
10.00am: Stalls & displays open

10.00am - 12 noon: Family History Workshop, West Lothian Family History Society Free intro
ductory session

10.15am - 11.15am: professor John R Hume OBE, Chairman of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland: Churches of West Lothian.

11.30am - 12.30pm: Dr Fiona Watson, freelance historian, writer and broadcaster: Macbeth, a true story.

2.00pm - 3.00pm: Dr Lizanne Henderson, B.A., M.A. lecturer in History, University of Glasgow, Crichton Campus: Aspects of the Scottish Witch Hunt.

3.15pm - 4.15pm: Morrice McCrae MB, MSc, PHD, FRCPE Formerly Consultant Physician to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, now College Historian, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh: West Lothian: A Medical Legacy.

Creag an Tuirc- Clan MacLaren

2011-04-28T20:04:00.003+01:00

This view from Creag an Tuirc is of Loch Voil in Balquhidder, long associated with Rob Roy and the clan MacGregor, however the clan MacLaren were the original occupants. In 1558 under continuous pressure from the Campbells,the MacGregors moved south into Balquhidder where they massacred 18 MacLaren families and took their farms. There remained an uneasy relationship between the two clans for the next 200 years. The meeting place,slogan and motto of the MacLarens is called Creag an Tuirc- The Boar's Rock. This is situated behind Balquhidder kirk,a short steep climb up Kirkton glen.

The father of the present chief was recognised by the Lord Lyon as MacLaren of Achleskine and chief of the MacLarens. He purchased part of the old homelands including Creag an Tuirc and his son Donald MacLaren of MacLaren lives at Kirkton farm.Last year in the general election he stood as an independent candidate against the Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The clan MacLaren hold an annual gathering at the Lochearnhead Highland Games due this year on 23 July.

John Muir and the Prestongrange Industrial Heritage Museum

2011-04-20T18:52:00.003+01:00

Cornish Beam Engine

Today is the anniversary of the Scottish born American 'Father of National Parks,' environmental conservationist John Muir. He was born in Dunbar on 21 April 1835 and to commemorate his connections with the area a long distance footpath was built from Dunbar to Musselburgh.Situated on route is a former industrial site I am sure he would have approved - Prestongrange Industrial Heritage Museum. Located on an area which can trace its origins back to the monks of Newbattle abbey and coal mining in the 12th century it has also been the focus of brick,glass, and pottery manufacturing.Following closure of the coal mine in 1962 and the brick works in 1975 it became Scotland's first industrial museum. A collection of mining and brick artifacts were put on display when it became obvious that a way of life and material culture were rapidly disappearing. On the site there are also an original Cornish Beam engine and Hoffman kiln.Since the 18th century several waves of immigrants from Venetian glass makers to Irish railway gangers settled in the area.There is a collection of named photographs and an excellent reference library of local research into the coal mining,brick and glass industry.

Children on site of current museum

The museum and East Lothian Local History Society are always keen to locate descendants of the original workers and record reminiscences which can be added to the museum's audio tour. This museum is well worth visiting and an added bonus it is free. If you’d like to be involved in this exciting project or would like more information please get in touch.

Contact Katherine Weldon, Assistant Museums Officer, Museums and Libraries HQ, Dunbar Road, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 3PJ, 01620 828224, kweldon@eastlothian.gov.uk

I have heard Neil Oliver will be going to the USA and Yellowstone Park to make a BBC programme about John Muir.

Cramond Village and Parish

2011-03-08T19:55:00.002Z

John Hunter- A Covenanting Martyr 1685

2011-02-20T21:16:00.001Z

Last year I visited this memorial beside the Moffat-Edinburgh road overlooking the Devil's Beef Tub to John Hunter. He came from the parish of Tweedsmuir in Peebleshire and while visiting a sick friend in the farm of Corehead in Moffat he was surprised by dragoons of Col Douglas who was searching the area for field conventicles of outlawed Presbyterian Covenanters. Hunter tried to flee up the hillside opposite the memorial. Trying to take to the steep ground unsuitable for horses was to no avail. He was captured and executed on the spot,marked by a boulder known as the Martyr's Stone. His body was recovered and taken back to Tweedsmuir where it was interred in the local parish cemetery. The gravestone was erected in the 18th century and cared for by Robert Paterson "Old Mortality" in the book by Sir Walter Scott. The Hunter,Welsh,Fraser,Hope,Tweedie and Porteous families were long associated with this area. See http://www.ajbhope.net/tweedsmuir-and-the-covenanters/ for more local information.

Valentines - The postcards from Dundee

2011-02-14T15:47:00.004Z

Today being Valentines day, the day for giving and receiving cards of affection,I thought it worth mentioning that other famous postcard company from Dundee. Valentines and Sons were once Scotland's most successful commercial photographers. Founded in 1825 by John Valentine,the firm initially worked on engraving and printing,but John learnt portrait photography in Paris and this was added to the company range in 1851. They produced their first postcards in 1898 in monotone black,collotype views which catered for the growing upper and middle class tourist industry. Valentines were also commissioned to take photographs of theTay Bridge following the disaster for the Official Inquiry. As photography became more popular and affordable,picture postcards were replaced with greeting cards and what was left of the company was sold in 1980 to Hallmark Cards.

Dundee City Library holds the collection of photographs of the Tay Bridge disaster and the library and photographic archive of the University of St Andrews has a vast collection of the company archives. Valentines had a policy of discarding old negatives so of an estimated over 1,000,000 about 120,000 survive. Over 28,000 are available to view online at http://special.st-andrews.ac.uk/saspecial/ and more will be added as the digitisation continues.

A fantastic collection of places and social history,well worth a look.

Scottish Clan and Family DNA Projects F

2011-02-10T20:39:00.004Z

Dalmeny: A West Lothian Parish

2011-02-09T00:18:00.009Z

The parish of Dalmeny sandwiched between Edinburgh and South Queensferry many speed through by road and rail to the Forth bridges. The eastern parish and county boundary is the River Almond where the river is crossed by the 16th century Cramond Brig.

Following the river down stream to where it enters the Firth of Forth crosses through the Dalmeny estate.Originally called Dunmanyn (stony fort) a Gilbert Dumnanyn rendered homage in 1296 though few of the Dalmeny surname survive today. Along the foreshore the restored Barnbougle Castle dominates the view upstream.Now restored it was built by the Moubray family in the 13th century and purchased in 1662 by the Primrose family of Dunfermline and Carrington.

Archibald Primrose was created Viscount Primrose in 1700 and Earl of Rosebery in 1703. The family found Barnbougle unsuitable and in1817 built the Tudor Gothic Dalmeny House. Here the 5th Earl of Rosebery and Liberal British Prime Minister held many political parties.

Within the planned village of Dalmeny is its famous 12th century church.

One of the best preserved Norman churches in Scotland it retains the familiar Romanesque arched door and windows.

There are many fine old memorials in the graveyard depicting mortality and the last resting place of

John Hill Burton (1809-1881) Historiographer Royal and biographer of David Hume.

In the mid 19th and early 20th centuries Dalmeny had numerous shale mines and the red bings were a familiar site from the roadside. The census returns and local newspapers refer to the increasing population of miners and builders with the associated fatalities in the mines and during the construction of the Forth Rail Bridge.A short walk through the parish is rewarded with a visit to the Cramond Brig restaurant.

Surgeons' Hall,Edinburgh

2011-02-06T14:36:00.001Z

This fine neoclassical building designed by William Playfair (1790-1857) is home to the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Established on 1 July 1505 when the Barber Surgeons of Edinburgh were incorporated as a Craft Guild of the City,the college with the university and infirmary has played an eminent role in surgical training and research.
Many Scots and those of Scottish descent have medical relations who trained at the medical school of Edinburgh University. Those who took medical degrees can be traced from the university records.Some became surgeons by licentiate or fellowship examinations and the minutes of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh commencing in 1581 record names of successful candidates. A List of Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh from 1581-1873 was published by the college in 1874 .For more information about historical and family history enquiries contact the college at
http://www.library.rcsed.ac.uk/content/content.aspx?ID=10

and also pay a visit to the very popular museum.
http://www.museum.rcsed.ac.uk/content/content.aspx?ID=1

Candlemas 2 February

2011-02-02T12:56:00.001Z

Today is Candlemas another of the old Scottish Quarter days when farm contracts,leases,rents began and ended.Originally known as Imbolc in the pre-Christian calendar it was used to foretell the rest of the winter weather. It falls on the midpoint of winter half way between the shortest day and the spring equinox.Christianity adopted the day to mark the cleansing of the Virgin Mary after the birth of Jesus and the church to bless new candles for the coming year.
Good weather at Candlemas is taken to indicate severe winter weather would follow. In Scotland the emergence of snakes from the ground became Groundhogs in the United States and Canada. This aspect of Candlemas evolved into Groundhog Day. If the Groundhog could see its shadow,there will be 40 more days of winter.

If Candlemas day be dry and fair,

The half o the Winter's to come and mair;

If Candlemas day be wet and foul,

The half o the Winter's gane at Yule.

Adam Smith 1723-1790 : Economist and Philosopher

2011-01-02T16:18:00.001Z

Following lasts weeks blog about Ebenezer Scroggie alias 'Scrooge' I thought it timely to continue the economic monetary theme with Adam Smith the famous economist. There is a closer connection between the two characters than is often realised,. Ebenezer Scroggie was also born in Kirkcaldy, and his mother was niece to Adam Smith. Both were finally laid to rest in the Canongate cemetery

In 2008 a 10ft bronze statue funded entirely by private subscription and the Adam Smith Institute was erected to him in the Royal Mile,Edinburgh. Efforts continue to maintain his Canongate memorial in one of 5 sites in Edinburgh designated World Heritage areas to be classified 'at risk' by the World Monuments Fund.

Famous for his original thinking and deemed the father of modern economics and capitalism,many of his quotes are still applicable today. Plus ca change,plus c'est la meme chose!

There is no art which one government sooner learns of another than that of draining money from the pockets of the people.

The Wealth Of Nations, Book V Chapter II Part II, Appendix to Articles I&II, p. 861, para. 12.

It is the highest impertinence and presumption… in kings and ministers, to pretend to watch over the economy of private people, and to restrain their expense... They are themselves always, and without any exception, the greatest spendthrifts in the society. Let them look well after their own expense, and they may safely trust private people with theirs. If their own extravagance does not ruin the state, that of their subjects never will.

The Wealth Of Nations, Book II, Chapter III, p.346, para. 36.

A Christmas Carol- Scrooge or Scroggie

2010-12-26T15:49:00.001Z

Most people are familiar with Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol and the central character Scrooge, but not many will know that Ebenezer Scrooge was based on an Edinburgh worthy.
Dickens visited Edinburgh in 1841 and while passing time visited the graveyard of the Canongate Church.Here he came across the gravestone of Ebenezer Scroggie,Mealman died 1836. Dickens misread this as 'meanman' and 'Scrooge' for Scroggie. Two years later A Christmas Carol was published to great acclaim. Ebenezer Lennox Scroggie was born in Kirkcaldy a cousin of the famous economist Adam Smith. He found great wealth in Edinburgh as a merchant vintner and town councillor. Noted for his licentious behaviour,generosity and parties,he could not have been more unlike his character in the book.Dickens had entered in his diary following the visit:
'to be remembered through eternity only for being mean seemed the greatest testament to a life wasted.'
Unfortunately the gravestone of Ebenezer Scroggie was removed in the 1930s and even the use of his forename fell out of favour with parents not wishing to bestow it on their sons.

First Female Herald in Scotland Appointed

2010-12-19T16:51:00.003Z

The Court of the Lord Lyon has appointed Elizabeth Roads nee Bruce to become the first female herald in Scotland and the UK. The former Lyon Clerk and Keeper of the Records to the Lord Lyon, she has worked in the court since 1975 and was appointed clerk in 1986. In 1992 she was made Carrick Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary and was a founding member of the Heraldry Society of Scotland later becoming a Fellow of the Heraldry Society of Scotland and the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada.

Scottish Clan and Family DNA Projects - D

2010-12-15T18:25:00.018Z

Scottish Korean War Memorial

2010-11-23T16:58:00.001Z

Last weekend I went for a walk in the Bathgate Hills and discovered this little known war memorial,which due to recent events in South Korea I thought appropriate to share with a wider audience.Erected in memory to those who were killed in the Korean War 1950-53 it is situated in the Bathgate Hills near to Beecraigs Park.Built in traditional Korean style,the small wooden pagoda is surrounded by 110 Korean pine trees (one for every ten Britons who died in the conflict), 1090 Birch trees (one for each of the fallen) and picnic tables along a pathway named United Nations Avenue. This avenue is surrounded by 21 trees, representing the twenty-one nations involved in the UN force in Korea. Inside the pagoda contains lists of those who died in the conflict. More than 200 Scots were killed.The pagoda,erected in 2000 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the start of the war is soon to be demolished and replaced with a new one.

Martinmas 11 November

2010-11-11T00:21:00.000Z

Today is not only Armistice,Remembrance and Veterans Day but also the feast of St Martin. Originally cattle were slaughtered and salted for the winter and Border Reiving was at its peak between Michaelmas 29Sept and Martinmas 11 Nov.This was one of the old Scottish quarter days of the year on which certain payments,rent and interest were due and leases began and ended. Contracts of employment also started and terminated on this day and were regular events in the countryside and towns. The Term Days Whitsun and Martinmas together with Candlemas and Lammas constituted the Quarter days. In 1886 term dates for removals and the hiring of servants in towns changed to 28 November. The Old Scottish term days were finally regulated to the 28 Feb,May.Aug and November by the Term and Quarter Days (Scotland) Act 1990. Martinmas is still remembered as the first or autumn term in the universities of St Andrews and Glasgow.

A Scottish Witch For Hallowe'en

2010-10-30T11:50:00.000+01:00

Scotland has many sites associated with witchcraft the best known at Edinburgh Castle,scene of many executions and Dornoch,where Janet Horne was the last to be executed by burning in1722 or 1727

This atmospheric photo by Ian Philip of a memorial to Maggie Wall or Walls who allegedly was burnt here in 1657 in the parish of Dunning,Perthshire. However no record has survived about her and the trial, but the memorial is well cared for and the inscription

Maggie Wall

burnt here

1657 as a Witch

is regularly maintained by anonymous visitors. It has been suggested the stone foundations are similar to the wooden fagots used for burning and the Christian cross and shaft an eerie representation of the unfortunate individual.

This short film on Youtube sets the scene to music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJuROU07xRY

http://www.dunning.uk.net/dunning/xroad4.html
mr philip's photostream http://www.flickr.com/

Dunino Parish and Halloween

2010-10-25T23:46:00.001+01:00

Last weekend I again visited Fife and explored Dunino Parish which is only 5 by 3 miles in area and home to the remains of an old WW II airfield stationed by Polish airmen.Known as HMS Jackdaw II it was a branch of the larger HMS Jackdaw at Crail. http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets/DuninoAirfield

Both airfields were used for anti submarine patrols and planes from here took part in the attack on the Tirpitz.

Passing Dunino Law, the only hill of any consequence in the parish leads to the parish church and manse. This site has long been associated with worship.The current church stands on a site which originally was surrounded by a stone circle and within the graveyard there is a monolith. This standing stone has indistinct carvings,possibly Pictish and a much later sundial inscribed on the top.However the site of modern coins left scattered on the stone is totally unexpected and a precursor of other incongruous objects deposited close to a Christian site of worship.

Continuing through the graveyard a short walk through a blue gate leads to Dunino glen. Here a large rock promontory has a carved baptismal font and a hollowed out footprint in the rock.These footprints were often the sites of ancient inauguration as found at Dunadd in Argyll.

From the rock a set of stone steps lead down into the glen and Kinaldy burn. Here there are mysterious Celtic carvings of uncertain date possibly depicting the Green Man and a 'Clooty well' were strips of clothing and other votive offerings are tied to the trees. It is an atmospheric place of mixed messages and yet clearly demonstrates the continual link between pagan and christian places of worship in Scotland. Not a place to visit on All Hallows Eve !

Dunino Parish District No: 425

County. Fife

Old Parish Records.

Births: 1643-1690
            1689-1855

Marriages: 1643- 1689
                 1689-1855

Deaths:      1750-1854 (burials)

Kirk Session Records:

Minutes 1647–1805; 1848–1948

Collections and Disbursements 1805–1874

Note: Available at St. Andrews University Library, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, record CH2/405

Commissary Court St Andrews 1596 and Edinburgh 1580

Sheriff Court Cupar

Scottish DNA Project

2010-10-25T20:10:00.000+01:00

The Scottish DNA Project now has an active blog at http://scottishdna.blogspot.com/

The project is administered by the genealogy studies group at Strathclyde University.

An essential aid to all those with Scottish roots researching their genealogy and family history. The more that join the greater the benefit to us all

Scottish Clan and Family DNA Projects- E

2010-10-11T22:52:00.001+01:00

EANRIG http://www.familytreedna.com/public/Gunn_Sept/default.aspx

EASTON http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/easton/

ECKERSLEY http://www.familytreedna.com/public/Eckersley/default.aspx

EDGAR http://www.familytreedna.com/public/edgar/default.aspx

EDISON http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/edison/

EDMONDSON http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/edmondson

EDWARD/S http://www.familytreedna.com/public/edwardsdna/default.aspx

ELDER http://www.familytreedna.com/public/Elder/default.aspx

ELLIOTT http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~gallgaedhil/elliott_border_reivers_dna.htm

ELLIS http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ellissurnamedna/

ELLISON http://freepages.family.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allisonellisondna/

ERASMUSON http://www.familytreedna.com/project-join-request.aspx?group=Shetland

EUNSON http://www.familytreedna.com/public/EunsonDNAproject/default.aspx

EWAN/EWEN/EWING http://www.ewingfamilyassociation.org/DNA_Project/index_Y-DNA.html

http://www.familytreedna.com/public/ewing/default.aspx

Ceres Parish and Fife Folk Museum

2010-10-10T19:30:00.002+01:00

What a wonderful day spent exploring the Fife parish of Ceres. This small former Burgh of Barony has a recorded history back to 1314 when men from the village were archers for Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn and after the victory over the English they were granted two days holiday to celebrate. This tradition continues to the present day when the Ceres Highland Games are still held http://www.ceresgames.co.uk/. Many of the traditional pantiled cottages in the village were weavers homes.Linen and flax growing were an important industry with a corresponding growth in population recorded in the census returns. For anyone with ancestors from Fife a visit to the Fife Folk Museum is a must http://www.fifefolkmuseum.org/. This wee gem of a museum run by volunteers has a wonderful collection of exhibits covering agricultural and domestic life in the 18th and 19th century. There is a fine display of Scottish weights and measures, agricultural equipment and traditional trades and crafts of masonry,joinery and thatching. For those who fell foul of the law a pair of 'jougs' are still found attached to the entrance to the old tron or weigh house.

The Parish of Ceres,7 miles by 4 miles is rich agricultural farm land and previously was a source of lime and coal. A network of footpaths once used by pilgrims bound for St Andrews cross the parish and a fine view of the surrounding area is gained from Hill of Tarvit.

Ceres Parish District No: 415

County. Fife

Old Parish Records

Baptismal Register 1738–1806, 1808, 1836–37, 1858–1891

Session Minutes 1738–1748

Accounts 1738–1771, 1781–1863

Commissary Court .St Andrews Earliest testament 1550

Edinburgh 1580

Sheriff Court. Cupar.

The 1841 census was lost in transit to Edinburgh.

Scottish Clan and Family DNA Projects- B

2010-10-07T20:26:00.005+01:00

Melrose Abbey and Parish

2010-10-06T23:33:00.001+01:00

Autumn is my favourite season in Scotland and shown as a backdrop to the golden field are the ruins of Melrose Abbey. Founded by King David I in 1136 it was to suffer on numerous occasions at the hands of invading English armies. It is also the reputed burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart. The Chronicle of Melrose Abbey is an important source for late 12th and 13th century Scottish history.http://www.melrosechronicle.info/index.htm

The Parish of Melrose is 7 miles long by 5-7miles broad and besides the town has several small villages. The Scottish Genealogy Society and the Border Family History Society have monumental inscriptions for the abbey and local graveyards. Interestingly the 1831 census for Melrose has survived in the kirk session records CH2/386/19.

Melrose Parish. District No: 799
County. Roxburghshire
OPR records:
Births: 1642-1723
           1723-1854

Marriages: 1642-1723
                 1723-1855

Deaths: 1669-1702
            1734-1741, 1781-1854
            1760, 1763-1781

Commissary Court.    Peebles CC18
Sheriff Court.             Jedburgh SC62

Norman's Law, Dunbog Parish

2010-10-03T21:27:00.000+01:00

The view from Norman's Law,Fife towards the 'Silvery Tay', the Tay Rail Bridge and Dundee. Situated near to Newburgh,it has always been a sparsely populated parish taking it's name from Dunbog Hill the original name for Norman's Law. The Gaelic placename for fort or hill of the bog appropriately describes the remains of an Iron Age fort on the summit surrounded by bog before the 19th century drainage and agricultural improvements. A pleasant walk from Luthrie follows an old road used by the monks of Balmerino Abbey passes many interesting old farm steadings and old do'cots with views towards the Lomond Hills and Largo Law .The parish is only 4 miles long by 1.5 miles at it's widest.

Dunbog District No:423

County Fife

OPR records:

Births: 1695-1698, 1705-1855

Marriages: 1705-1854

Deaths: 1823-1853 (burials)

Commissariot. St Andrews and Edinburgh
Earliest Testaments. 1549 and 1596
Sherrif Court. Cupar SC 20

Genealogy Vacation

2010-10-02T16:16:00.000+01:00

Well finally received confirmation I have passed the Post Graduate Diploma in Genealogy from Strathclyde University. It has been an eventful year completing this,the Post Graduate Certificate from Dundee University and the MA(Hons) from Aberdeen University. Only a short period to take it all in,have a celebratory drink,have a few free evenings with my family and then start the MSc at Strathclyde at the end of the month. I think I can see a chink of light at the end of the tunnel !

First visit to varsity for north dentist - Press & Journal

2010-07-08T22:56:00.000+01:00

First visit to varsity for north dentist - Press & Journal

Genealogy Research in Wigtownshire

2010-06-20T09:58:00.004+01:00

Here is a great site for those researching family history in Wigtownshire, this often neglected county in the south west of Scotland.
There are descriptions of the parishes in the county and databases for BMD from the Wigtownshire newspapers. Also lists from 1684 taxes,Military records of Chelsea pensioners,monumental inscriptions,Wigtownshire strays and testament index from the Commissariot of Wigtownshire 1700-1800 plus much more. Worth a look.

http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~leighann/index.html

Thanks to the Dumfries and Galloway Family History Society Newsletter July 2010.

Scottish DNA Project Launched

2010-06-20T09:32:00.000+01:00

Strathclyde University has launched the Scottish DNA Project :

http://www.scottishdna.net/

Gathering results in conjunction with Familytree DNA and other companies to compile a database of individuals who have a Scottish lineage in their own direct paternal or maternal line of descent. The data base will be administered by Ali MacDonald a graduate of the Diploma in Genealogy run by the University of Strathclyde.Regular updates will also be made at their blog : http://scottishdna.blogspot.com/

Shetland Islands Hamefarin 2010

2010-06-14T18:26:00.000+01:00

The Shetland Islands are holding an event which only occurs every 25 years. The Hamefarin or Homecoming was first held in 1960 and then 1985 with one planned for 2010.The exception was a special in 2000 for the Millenium. It is expected that about 500 visitors with Shetland roots will travel 'home' during the festival 14-26 June. Genealogy plays a prominent part in the activities. For more information please visit the official site at:
http://www.shetlandhamefarin.com/genealogy

and the Shetland Family History Society http://www.shetland-fhs.org.uk/

Scottish Missionaries Exhibition

2010-06-13T15:47:00.000+01:00

The National Library of Scotland currently has an exhibition until June 30 about overseas missionaries of the Scottish Presbyterian Churches. Journals,letters and photographs relating to the selection of missionaries from the 19th and 20th centuries. Mary Slessor,Robert Law and Alexander Duff are perhaps the better known amongst many more.These records are taken from the NLS collection of the Church of Scotland World Missions Council Archive. The National Archives of Scotland also house missionary records for other denominations: Free Church of Scotland,Episcopalian and Wesleyen Methodist amongst references CH3,CH9 and GD. There are also comments about Popish missionaries active in Braemar before the 1715 Jacobite rebellion and later rival Roman Catholic missionaries in Africa.

National Library of Scotland Launches iPod/iPhone Application

2010-06-11T15:50:00.000+01:00

The National Library of Scotland has launched an application for the iPod touch and iPhone. It allows users to view some of the library's most prized letters,manuscripts and documents,featuring Charles Darwin,Jane Austen,Sir Walter Scott,Lord Byron and David Livingstone.The free of charge app provides access to the library's John Murray Archive,which is home to 150,000 papers of the famous John Murray publishing firm.

Edinburgh Historic Graveyards to be Saved

2010-06-09T20:44:00.001+01:00

Five of Edinburgh's historic graveyards which were added to a list of the 100 most endangered monuments in the world are now getting help. Heritage watchdogs and city council officials have formed an Historic Graveyard Trust to improve security,provide visitor trails and interpretation boards. The burial grounds within the city's World Heritage Site are said to be at risk of crumbling into disrepair. The Greyfriars,Canongate,Old and New Calton and St Cuthbert's graveyards are the final resting places of a number of world famous figures including economist Adam Smith,philospher David Hume, and poet Robert Fergusson. Fortunately many have already been transcribed by Scottish genealogists and family historians but their architectural and artistic value are equally worth preservation.

Improving Your Genealogy Search Parameters

2010-06-08T22:52:00.000+01:00

I came across these two web sites which I think are useful if researching databases and surnames. The first 'Google for Genealogy' by Mark Howells is an overview of using the Google toolbar. http://www.oz.net/~markhow/writing/google_for_genealogy.pdf

The second is a short tutorial explaining Boolean operators in your search AND,OR,NOT.

http://www.internettutorials.net/boolean.asp

Scottish Clan and Family DNA Projects

2010-06-06T13:56:00.003+01:00

There are plans in the near future to co-ordinate the numerous DNA projects which have a relevance to Scottish surnames. By sharing results and identifying common origins a better picture will emerge of our historical and prehistorical origins. I have compiled an index of current Scottish clan and surname DNA projects and hope they may be of some help to researchers. Grateful for information on any new additions.

A

ABERCROMBIE             http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/abercrombie
ABERNATHY                   http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/abernathy
ADAMSON                       http://www.adamsonancestry.com/
AGNEW                             http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/agnew
AITKEN                             http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/aitken/
ALEXANDER                    http://alexanderdna.org/
ALLAN/ALLEN                 http://www.familytreedna.com/public/Allan/default.aspx
ALLISON             http://freepages.family.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allisonellisondna/pedigrees.htm
ANDERSON        http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~andersondna/
ARMSTRONG                   http://www.familytreedna.com/public/armstrong/default.aspx
ARTHUR/MACARTHUR http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/arthur

Poppies from the Heart of Strathspey

2010-06-05T20:43:00.001+01:00

A new publication by Peter Anderson,the book explores the effect that World War 1 had on Strathspey,Morayshire and the memories they left behind. Working from the local war memorials,Peter has recorded the military details,date,place of death,photographs of their homes and graves,newspaper clippings etc to complete a very useful publication for those with family history links to Grantown-on-Spey and the surrounding Strathspey villages.

Family Search - IGI

2010-04-24T22:40:00.000+01:00

The IGI is going to be totally re-launched in a new format either later in 2010 or in 2011, with the extracted entries separated from the member submitted entries. This is going to be a major genealogy news event, so watch out for that.

Scottish Highlander Photo Archive

2010-01-21T23:37:00.001Z

A new resource recently launched is the Scottish Highlander Photo Archive.The SHPA offers a unique and free image database for genealogists looking to trace their Highland origins and searching for a possible vintage photograph of their ancestors.
Once complete the SHPA's archive will consist of almost 20,000 portrait images of people from the towns and villages of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Family researchers will be able to buy images or prints.The SHPA will be uploading 400 new images every month.

http://www.scottishhighlanderphotoarchive.co.uk/

National Library of Scotland :New Courses

2009-12-30T15:43:00.000Z

The NLS have announced new courses for family history research in 2010. Find out what resources the Library holds to help you with your family history research.The workshop includes some practical information on how to become a Reader and a short tour of the public areas.

Getting Started at NLS

11 Jan 2pm
11 Feb 10am
9 March 6pm

Discovering Family History at NLS

12 Jan 10am
8 Feb 2pm
10 March 6pm

Book online www.nls.uk/events/booking

Highland Archive Update

2009-12-29T14:44:00.000Z

The minute books of the Presbytery of Inverness have been returned from NAS in Edinburgh.Covering the period from 1739-1751 they reveal the pro-government stance the church took against the rebels at Culloden. Earlier kirk session records from 1688-1711 have also returned home. It is hoped other volumes of Inverness and other Highland presbytery minutes will come back,along with other kirk session records in the new year. Since the new archive opened there has been an increase of 130% on the same period last year. Due to the provision of proper environmental storage conditions ,more records it is hoped will be returned from Edinburgh.

Whats in the archives

Education records from the 1860s including logbooks and admission registers for more than 300 schools
Poor relief records,1845 to 1890
Property valuation rolls,1868-1989
Records of highway authorities,including Turnpike Trusts,1804-1890
Dean of Guild and building control plans and registers,1890-1975
Inverness Burgh records including HighCourt and Inverness County Sheriff Court process papers,17th to 19th century
Abridgement of Sasines for counties of Argyll,Caithness,Inverness,Nairn,Ross and Cromarty and Sutherland from 1781.
Police archives 1858-1992

Opening hours Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm or until 7.30 on Wednesday.No need to make an appointment.

ScotlandsPeople: New Images Announcement

2009-12-28T17:05:00.000Z

ScotlandsPeople have announced that the images of the Statutory Register of

Births for 1909
Marriages for 1934
Deaths 1959

have been made available today on line at http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/

Also the January edition of Discover My Past Scotland Magazine will also be available from 29 Dec ,at http://www.discovermypast.co.uk/scotland.php

West Register House,Edinburgh

2009-11-08T13:58:00.000Z

West Register House in Charlotte Square contains the West search room of the N.A.S. Built in 1811 as St.George's Church to the design by Robert Adam it was supposed to mirror another church built at the axial end of George St in St Andrews Square.This was never built and instead the Dundas Mansion of the Royal Bank of Scotland stands in its place. The church closed due to a falling congregation and severe dry rot problems and was taken over by the Scottish Record Office (now the National Archives of Scotland) in 1964.

The West Search Room contains:

Scottish Office and Scottish Government records
Court records of Court of Session,High Court of Justiciary after 1800
Sheriff Court records excluding wills
Divorces to 1983
Rail,canal,coal,gas,electric,steel industries records
business records
maps and plans

Famous Scots- Sir Jackie Stewart OBE

2009-11-07T19:33:00.001Z

The final identity at the Famous Scots Exhibition at the Scotlands People Centre has been announced as triple world championship racing car driver,Sir Jackie Stewart OBE. World champion in 1969,71 and 73 he was born in Dumbarton next door to his dad's garage. His roots however are firmly on the land with a gamekeeper grandfather and generations of farmers in Renfrewshire.
The exhibition is open from 9 November - 31 December.

Halloween-Scottish Witches

2009-10-31T22:25:00.001Z

This memorial at the entrance to Edinburgh Castle esplanade,marks the site where over 300 women were burned to death accused of witchcraft.One of these victims was accused of witchcraft for using a spell to sink the ship carrying King James VI as it arrived at North Berwick.

A very interesting database and electronic resource, The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft by Edinburgh University has over 4000 people listed between 1563 -1736. Information about who,where and why they were tried is available and their fate. http://www.shc.ed.ac.uk/Research/witches

Other useful publications are: The Scottish Witch hunt in Context (Studies in Early European History) Julian Goodare

Witchcraft in Early Modern Scotland:James VI's Demonology and the North Berwick Witches Lawrence Normand

The view from North Berwick Law over the town towards the Bass Rock and the Firth of Forth

The New Highland Archive

2009-10-26T16:23:00.000Z

Today sees the opening of the new Highland Archives and Registration Centre at the Bught Park,Inverness. The £10.5 million centre incorporates an archive conservation unit,a dedicated family history centre,a ceremony suite and office accommodation.
What archives are available ?

Local authority archives
School Education Records
Poor Relief Records
Valuation Rolls
Estate and Family Archives
Business and Solicitors records
Records of Societes and Associations
Maps and Plans
Sasine Registers
Will Registers
Harbour and Turnpike Trusts
Shipping Registers
Tartan Archive

Highland Archive Newspaper Article

Genealogists Hunt for Glencoe Chief

2009-10-25T16:28:00.011Z

An article in todays "Scotland on Sunday" reveals the hunt is on for a new Chief of MacIain of
Glencoe. The last chief died in 1907 and now Colin MacDonald,83 of Christchurch,New Zealand has proved that six generations ago his ancestor was Alasdair MacDonald who was murdered in the massacre in 1692. However the 17th Chief Ewen MacDonald,a surgeon in the Honourable East India Company may have married an Indian while serving there. Genealogists are looking for his descendants a Ewen last known in New Zealand in 1907 and a Stuart last known Missouri,US. Both lines could have a stronger claim.(http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/)

OPR and Kirk Session Brought to Life

2009-10-22T19:37:00.000+01:00

By the churchyard gates of Duddingston Kirk,there is a gatehouse formerly used to watch for "body-snatchers"in the early 19th century,who stole corpses to sell for medical research. The best known being Burke and Hare.

Adjacent to the main entrance gate there are also four rough stone steps dating from the 17th century. Known as "Loupin on stane" from the Scots word for jumping,it is believed the local farmers brought their wives on horseback to church and the stone platform enabled the farmer's wife to mount up behind her husband.

Also by the entrance gate there is one of the few remaining examples of "Jougs" . Once used as punishment, the iron collar in two halves, fastened by a clasp and suspended by a chain was fitted around the neck.The Kirk Session had punative powers for offences such as blasphemy,swearing,drunkeness,adultery and breaking the Sabbath. Parishoners had to undergo the humiliation of appearing for a number of Sundays with their necks in the Jougs,before proceeding intothe church for public rebuke .

Famous Scots - Tilda Swinton

2009-10-21T19:30:00.000+01:00

Throughout the "Homecoming Scotland 2009",the National Archives of Scotland have been holding an exhibition about famous Scots. So far those featured have been Billy Connolly,Sir James Black,Shirley Manson,Brian Cox and now Oscar winning actress Tilda Swinton.Swinton whose family can be traced back to the 9th century in Berwickshire,has starred in many films including as the White Witch in "The Lion,the Witch and the Wardrobe" (2005),and in 2008 won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress with George Clooney in "Michael Clayton" (2007). The exhibition continues until 6 Nov 2009, the day after Swinton's 49th birthday, Monday - Friday 0900-1630. The sixth and final Famous Scot will be announced shortly.

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

2009-10-21T19:29:00.006+01:00

This imposing building is the home of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Designed by the famous Scottish architect,William Playfair 1790-1857 to hold a meeting hall,museum,lecture room and library. The College recently celebrated its Quincentenary year in 2005. There are many records held here of interest to the genealogist and medical historian. Surgeons who qualified as licentiates or fellows of the College may be traced through the manuscript records and there are printed directories going back to the early 19th century.Parentage of surgeons may also be traced through the apprenticeship records of burghs. Edinburgh has published its apprentice records to 1800. The members of the R.C.S. go back to 1581 and contain the names of candidates who appeared before and satisfied the examiners when they were elected members of the Incorporation. Some further information about members and fellows may be obtained from The List of Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh from 1581-1873 published 1874. The library and museum are both open to the public and regularly hold exhibitions. http://www.library.rcsed.ac.uk/ and http://www.museum.rcsed.ac.uk/

The Scottish Genealogy Society

2009-10-12T22:31:00.016+01:00

The Scottish Genealogy Society located at 15 Victoria Terrace,Edinburgh was founded in 1953 to promote research into Scottish Family History and to advance and encourage the collection,exchange and publication of material relating to Scottish genealogy and family history. An annual membership of £20 gives free access to their extensive library,lectures and quarterly magazine,'The Scottish Genealogist'. The library has an extensive collection of monumental inscriptions,census publications,Old Parish Records on microfilm and online index of family histories deposited by researchers.
For more information http://www.scotsgenealogy.com/

Forth Rail Bridge and VR letterbox

2009-10-11T18:13:00.002+01:00

While researching the Forth Railway Memorial I took this photo of the famous railway bridge with a rare original Victorian letterbox in the foreground. It has the initials V.R.

The Forth Railway Bridge Memorial

2009-10-11T17:28:00.005+01:00

On 3 July 2007 a memorial was unveiled to honour the 71 men and boys killed in the construction of the Forth Railway Bridge. Started in 1883 and completed in 1890 it was the first major steel bridge in the world and the second largest span of any cantilever bridge.

At its peak,the workforce or ' Briggers' as they were known numbered 4600,the majority were British but many of the men working on the caissons foundations were Italian.

A list of those killed during the construction from newspapers,family recollections and genealogical records is still on going by the http://www.forthbridgememorial.org/ society.

ScotlandsPeople Centre

2009-10-10T17:20:00.007+01:00

ScotlandsPeople Centre normally only open Mon-Friday will be opening on Saturday 24 October between 0900 - 1600 for a free introductory one-hour taster sessions in the Adam Dome,General Register House for new visitors to see the centre. Taster sessions for people new to family history research will be for one hour and be an ideal opportunity for you to become familiar with their digitised records.Only one taster session per person so they expect to be very busy,but can be booked in advance on 0131 314 4300 between 0900 and 1630 or online.

http://www.scotlandspeoplehub.gov.uk/index.html

The Surnames of Scotland :The Top 10

2009-10-10T16:45:00.006+01:00

A survey was done by N.Bowie and G Jackson in 2003 for the General Register Office for Scotland to find the most common surnames in Scotland. Their findings showed that on a national basis their had been little change in surnames over the last 140 years. 1 in 8 surnames began with Mac/Mc. Their finds for the top 10 are :

Smith

Brown

Wilson

Campbell

Stewart

Thomson

Robertson

Anderson

MacDonald

Scott

If all spelling variations of MacDonald were used this would move into second place.

http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data/occpapers/surnames-in-scotland-over-the-last-140-years.html

Scottish Christian Names:The Top 10

2009-10-10T16:19:00.007+01:00

Every so often the General Register Office for Scotland(GROS) http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/ publishes the 100 most common boys and girls names. Here are the top 10 for 2008 and for an interesting comparison those for 1855.

BOYS

2008

Jack

Lewis

David

Liam

James= Ryan

Calum

Matthew

Cameron

1855

John

James

William

Alexander

Robert

Thomas

George

David

Andrew

Peter

GIRLS

2008

Sophie

Emily

Olivia

Chloe

Emma

Lucy

Katie

Erin

Hannah

1855

Mary

Margaret

Elizabeth

Jane

Janet

Agnes

Isabella

Helen

Catherine

Scottish Roman Catholic Parish Records

2009-10-06T20:40:00.007+01:00

Today the digitised parish records of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland went on line at http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/.

About 700 have survived,the earliest from 1703. Births,baptisms,confirmations,deaths,burials,seat rents etc are recorded. Due to persecution many Catholic registers do not start until the late 1790s. The next long awaited digitisation expected soon will be the Session records of the Church of Scotland.

Tombstone Tuesday

2009-10-06T00:54:00.006+01:00

Further to an earlier blog on Scottish kirkyards,here is an interesting site with many links to churches and graveyards throughout Scotland. http://www.scottishgraveyards.org.uk/

Many famous sites are recorded in Aberdeen,Glasgow,Dundee and Edinburgh. There is also a video clip from ITVnews of members of the Borders Family History Society recording inscriptions earlier this year. http://www.bordersfhs.org.uk/

Scottish Quakers

2009-10-04T16:48:00.009+01:00

Quaker Meeting House, Edinburgh.

Quakerism came to Scotland with the Cromwellian occupation of the 1650s and meeting houses were established in Aberdeen,Edinburgh,Kelso and Hamilton. It never grew to large numbers in Scotland due to persecution by Episcopalian and Presbyterian churches. Many therefore emigrated to North America from 1664.

Scottish Quakers and Early America 1650-1700 by David Dobson,Baltimore,MD,USA Genealogical Publications.1998 lists 500 Society of Friends members in Scotland and traces their movement to East Jersey in the 1680s.

Paul Burton who wrote a PhD "An Active and United Body;Change in the Society of Friends in Scotland 1800-2000 " has an extensive bibliography at http://personal.cis.strath.ac.uk/~paulfb/ScotBibl.htm

The National Archives of Scotland also has Society of Friends records under catalogue number CH10.

National Library of Scotland

2009-10-03T18:06:00.018+01:00

Situated in Edinburgh

the National Library of Scotland http://www.nls.uk/ is Scotland's only copyright deposit library,which means that a copy of every book published in Britain must be lodged there.Many historically important books and manuscripts from the 11th century are found here and growing at 400,000 a year. It holds 7 million books and over 2 million maps. It regularly holds exhibitions,the most recent exhibited the final letter of Mary Queen of Scots before her execution.

There are many informative pages on Scottish family history covering all topics from vital records to newspapers and emigration. I will post more later about their extensive online collection of Scottish maps which are held in another repository.

Clan MacNappy or MacDiaper- A new Clan?

2009-10-02T20:18:00.002+01:00

The Scottish Register of Tartans has just registered a new tartan -the MacNappy tartan.

No there is no such clan,but this has been designed for the Perth and Kinross branch of the Real Nappy Network. Their aim is to reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfill. The tartan will be used for promotional material and real nappies as well.

The Scottish Register of Tartans was established on 5 Feb 2009 and a free search can be made at http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/ for the thousands of clan,family and corporate designs.

Scottish Handwriting

2009-09-30T19:51:00.002+01:00

I have just started the Palaeography course at the National Archives of Scotland and one of the web sites recommended is www.scottishhandwriting.com This site run by the Scottish Archive Network (SCAN) has a range of material to dip into from a coaching manual and letter recognition to a weekly poser to test your progress. Have a go at writing your name in the Secretary Hand of the 1500-1700s. All good fun and learning at the same time. Also examples of early Scottish documents : testaments,deeds,letters.

Fife Family History Fair

2009-09-28T22:15:00.002+01:00

The Fife Family History Society is holding it's fair on
3rd October at Rothes Hall,Rothes Square,Glenrothes.There is an impressive list of speakers and topics

Home And Away: Scots on the Move The speakers are :

Billy Kay on The Scottish World
Dr Norman Reid on Fife Families Abroad
David Webster Military and Commercial Scots in Northern Europe
Linda Fitzpatrick Scottish Fishing Communities on the Move
Jennie Calder The Scottish Impact of the American Frontier
Dr Marjory Harper Adventure and Exile: Snapshots of Scottish Emigration

www.fifefamilyhistoryfair.org.uk

BORDER REIVERS

2009-09-27T15:47:00.006+01:00

Following on from an earlier blog on Annandale which mentioned the Border riding families of Johnstone and Maxwell,here are some other links with information about the Border Reivers. These have useful background social and historical reasons why this way of life was prevalent on both sides of the Border.

http://www.borderreivers.co.uk/

http://www.thereivertrail.com/

www.nwlink.com/~scotlass/border.htm

The Elliott DNA project has results for many Border surnames and reveals a melting pot of Scots,Angles,Norse,Norman and perhaps even some Roman have left their genes in Border families.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~gallgaedhil/elliott_border_reivers_dna.htm

Scottish Kirkyards

2009-09-23T18:02:00.002+01:00

The Scottish kirkyard has been vastly underated as a place of historical importance,offering a wealth of information to the genealogist and local historian.
Dane Love,a teacher from Ayrshire will be giving a lecture on 'Kirkyards' at the Dumfries and Galloway Family History Society. This will be held on Wednesday 30 Sept at the Cumberland Street Day Centre,Dumfries.

Dane has written several books about Ayrshire,kirkyards,Jacobites and Covenanters. His list of publications can be viewed at
www.dane-love.co.uk

Scottish Place-Name Society

2009-09-20T19:26:00.002+01:00

The Scottish Place-Name Society is holding its autumn conference in Glasgow University on Saturday 7 November.
Topics covered are Gaelic placenames,Pictish Phonology and Shetland Placenames.
For more details please view http://www.spns.org.uk/SPNS1109.html

Scotland's Global Impact

2009-09-20T19:15:00.003+01:00

As part of the Year of Homecoming a three day conference is being held in Inverness from 22-24 Oct.Opened by Alex Salmond there are well renowned speakers talking about how one small nation changed the world!
Information on the programme is available at www.scotlandsglobalimpact.com

The Annandale Way

2009-09-13T20:28:00.008+01:00

Just spent a beautiful autumnal day walking part of the new Annandale Way in Dumfriesshire. Saturday 12 September was the opening day for this new long distance walk from Moffat to Annan on the Solway Firth following the course of the River Annan from its source to the sea.

It is 55 miles from the high hills above the Devil's Beef Tub passing near the towns of Moffat,Lockerbie,Lochmaben and Annan. Passing through the area long associated with the Border Reiving families of Moffat,Johnstone,Halliday,Irving,Jardine,Graham,Bell and Carlyle this is the perfect walk to become familiar with your ancestral home.

Introduction to Scottish Genealogy

2009-09-12T18:47:00.003+01:00

A new course run at the University of Edinburgh is due to start on 30th September. Dr Bruce Durie is the tutor and the course is held on Wednesdays over ten weeks.

For course times,enrolment and course summary,please contact the University of Edinburgh.

New Highland Archive and Registration Centre

2009-09-12T18:20:00.006+01:00

The purpose built Highland Council Archive in Inverness, will open it's new search room on Monday 26 Oct 2009. The archive holds the records for the former county councils of Inverness-shire,Nairnshire,Sutherland,Ross and Cromarty and the eleven burghs within these former counties.

A Route to your Roots

2009-08-25T22:33:00.002+01:00

Saturday 5 Sept 2009

A Family History Seminar 0900-3.10 at The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter day Saints,Albany Bank,36 Edinburgh Road,Dumfries

Workshops and lectures about THE DUMFRIES CHOLERA OUTBREAK and WALTER NEWALL THE ARCHITECT.

More info at www.family-history-seminar.freeola.com

Scottish Handwriting Courses

2009-08-24T21:00:00.000+01:00

Having difficulty reading curly writing in deeds and testaments, then here are two courses starting over the next few months at Edinburgh and Aberdeen Universities.
Both cover the period 1500-1700 and are weekly over ten weeks. Well worth while.

Prospect of a new Chief of Clan Gunn

2009-08-23T15:57:00.000+01:00

Mr William Murray Gunn of Wick is considering applying to the Lord Lyon to become the first recognised Chief of Clan Gunn,since the death of Morrison Gunn in 1785. Hugh Peskett,the Scottish editor of Burke's Peerage has proved the line of descent.

Scotland's Genealogy - a new blog.

2009-08-23T15:16:00.000+01:00

We find no vestige of a beginning,no prospect of an end.

James Hutton 1795

Welcome to 'Scotland's Genealogy' a new blog by Chris Halliday,amateur genealogist and enthusiast of Scotland's history.

New to blogging ,this will be a steep learning curve, but there is no time like the present so be patient.

Why 'Scotland's Genealogy' ? Well all the obvious domain names have gone; Scottish, Scots, as the popularity of Scottish genealogy increases. Will there soon be too many professional genealogists competing for business?

I look forward to hearing your comments and lets see where this will go.