Scotlands Genealogy

Wednesday, 25 May 2011

Scottish Clan and Family DNA Projects - G

Tuesday, 24 May 2011

Robinson Crusoe's Birthplace For Sale

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

Saturday, 14 May 2011

Moffat's Royal Mail Martyrs

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

Wednesday, 4 May 2011

West Lothian History and Heritage Fair

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.

Thursday, 28 April 2011

Creag an Tuirc- Clan MacLaren

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.

Wednesday, 20 April 2011

John Muir and the Prestongrange Industrial Heritage Museum

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.