This is one of the most poignant pieces of family history I possess. A tiny scrap of paper with granny’s beautiful handwriting that somehow survived a few flittings and clearances. The first three lines above are eloquent in their brevity, fitting for this the anniversary of VE Day. Those three boys, Freddie, Walter and Jim, | more…
(Adapted from post in the Society for One-Place Studies April A-Z 2020) Gamekeeper was a very uncommon occupation in North Walls and Brims, my one-place study area. The role there would have been very different from the Highland estates for at least two major reasons: there are no deer and no salmon rivers in Orkney. | more…
“A considerable degree of acuteness and shrewdness is observed among the population”, wrote the Rev Peter Jolly in 1840, describing his flock in the parish of Canisbay, Caithness. Walter Ross, my x 3 grandfather, had lately been one of them. Walter – in outline He was born on 17 August 1786, the son of Hugh | more…
