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…
“Broo o’ brinkie, eye o life, bubbly jock, pen knife” This rhyme is laden with memories of granny, my paternal grandmother, reciting it to me, touching my forehead (broo), eyes, nose (bubbly jock) and mouth (pen knife). Passing on more than names and dates Now, over fifty years later, I recite the same rhyme with | more…
