Step family trouble?

It’s a rare family where there is never any conflict. Some times family stories contain hints or details of fallouts, other times there is documentary evidence. That’s the case for Robert Moncrieff, my x4 great uncle. Robert Moncrieff (1757- between 1827 and 1839) Robert was the oldest son of Robert Moncrieff of Houton, Orphir, Orkney,  |  more…

Two small grices and about 500 cabbages

This week I’m writing about sheriff court records to do with a roup sale or auction at a farm in 1827. Background William Moncrieff, a x3 great grandfather married Margaret Sinclair on 19 February 1824 in Orphir, Orkney. He was about 23 at the time, baptised in 1801. They had two daughters, Margaret born 1824  |  more…

We were diddled. Or were we??

“That should have been ours”, the usual family refrain as we drove anywhere near Houton in Orphir, Orkney. The tale is strong and persistent: a young woman was tricked into signing away her right to the Houton estate, the story goes. So it fits well with ‘Family legend’ this week’s theme for #52ancestors challenge. Williamina  |  more…

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