Iain, Magnificently well done! Russell > "http://ourworld.cs.com/inslaird"

I can't seem to bring up the webpage at http://www.ourworld.cs.com/inslaird Will keep trying - Thanks. Mark R. Gideon, mgideon@columbus.rr.com ----- Original Message ----- From: <INSLaird@cs.com> To: <LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, September 03, 1999 3:02 PM Subject: [LAIRD-L] Iain Laird's Family History Project > To facilitate the dissemination of the information I have collected to date > and the Internet means to collect it, I have set up a web page at > "www.ourworld.cs.com/inslaird". I hope it will enable us and other Laird's > to build up greater knowledge of our ancestry and our rich Scots and Norse > heritage, shared with the Sinclairs. > > Yours aye > > Iain Laird > > > ==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== > Laird Family Association Website: http://www.qcsi.net/lfa > >

--WebTV-Mail-5811-6357 Content-Type: Text/Plain; Charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7Bit great idea!! but site is not hot!!!! yours truly michael esson young, vancouver,british columbia canada cheers --WebTV-Mail-5811-6357 Content-Disposition: Inline Content-Type: Message/RFC822 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7Bit Received: from mailsorter-101-1.iap.bryant.webtv.net (209.240.198.97) by postoffice-151.iap.bryant.webtv.net with WTV-SMTP; Fri, 3 Sep 1999 12:08:55 -0700 (PDT) Return-Path: <LAIRD-L-request@rootsweb.com> Received: from bl-14.rootsweb.com (bl-14.rootsweb.com [204.212.38.30]) by mailsorter-101-1.iap.bryant.webtv.net (8.8.8/ms.graham.14Aug97) with ESMTP id MAA17182 for <michaeleyoung@webtv.net>; Fri, 3 Sep 1999 12:08:55 -0700 (PDT) Received: (from slist@localhost) by bl-14.rootsweb.com (8.9.3/8.9.3) id MAA19310; Fri, 3 Sep 1999 12:03:43 -0700 (PDT) Resent-Date: Fri, 3 Sep 1999 12:03:43 -0700 (PDT) From: INSLaird@cs.com Message-ID: <e3518d68.2501752f@cs.com> Date: Fri, 3 Sep 1999 15:02:07 EDT Old-To: sinclair@mids.org, LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com, Niven@niven.co.uk, sinclair@clara.co.uk, clancmdr@macaulay09.freeserve.co.uk, rolflo@sf.telia.no, Jim.Munro@dial.pipex.com, Agalaird@aol.com, PLairdhoward@aol.com, thurston@frontiernet.net, iansinclair@nosshead.freeserve.co.uk MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Unknown (No Version) sub 22 Subject: [LAIRD-L] Iain Laird's Family History Project Resent-Message-ID: <oevQ7B.A.VtE.OuB03@bl-14.rootsweb.com> To: LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com Resent-From: LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com Reply-To: LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com X-Mailing-List: <LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com> archive/latest/976 X-Loop: LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com Precedence: list Resent-Sender: LAIRD-L-request@rootsweb.com To facilitate the dissemination of the information I have collected to date and the Internet means to collect it, I have set up a web page at "www.ourworld.cs.com/inslaird". I hope it will enable us and other Laird's to build up greater knowledge of our ancestry and our rich Scots and Norse heritage, shared with the Sinclairs. Yours aye Iain Laird ==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== Laird Family Association Website: http://www.qcsi.net/lfa --WebTV-Mail-5811-6357--

Sorry all who have tried the URL I gave - my mistake - its is just "http://ourworld.cs.com/inslaird" - please try again. Thanks for your instant response! Yours aye Iain

To facilitate the dissemination of the information I have collected to date and the Internet means to collect it, I have set up a web page at "www.ourworld.cs.com/inslaird". I hope it will enable us and other Laird's to build up greater knowledge of our ancestry and our rich Scots and Norse heritage, shared with the Sinclairs. Yours aye Iain Laird

Am looking for information on Joseph Laird b: Abt. 1770 in Scotland d: January 05, 1845 in Lanark, Carroll County, Illinois and married Eleanor "Ellen" Morrison b: Abt. 1778 in Scotland m: Abt. 1799 d: January 21, 1845 in Lanark, Carroll County, Illinois. Their daughter was Eleanor "Ellen" Laird b: January 01, 1814 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland d: March 01, 1908 in Braymer, Caldwell Co., Missouri Burial: March 1908 Braymer, Caldwell Co., Missouri. Eleanor "Ellen" Laird married Joel M. Phares b: December 20, 1810 in Ohio m: October 28, 1830 in Clark Co., Ohio d: March 23, 1876 in Braymer, Caldwell Co., Missouri Burial: March 1876 Phares Cem., Braymer, Caldwell Co., Missouri. Please write to me at Mark R. Gideon, mgideon@columbus.rr.com. Thanks!

Hello everyone, Two days ago I placed AOL on my computer. After I was finished I found out that I could not access my old concentric account. I believe that it probably did something to my browser. Anyway, any time I try to access my concentric account, it takes me to AOL. So if you tried to send me a message in the last two days via my concentric account, I did not get it. Please note that my new e-mail address is... plairdhoward@aol.com I should have the LFA newsletter ready in the next two days. Right now I am still working on my computer problems. Sincerely, Patricia Laird Howard

Mary, I just found my Lairds, Samuel Barnett, b 1827 in Westmoreland Co., PA m. Mariah/Marie Roberts 1856. They had three sons, John, Harry and Elmer. In 1916, John was living in Turtle Creek, PA (near Pittsburgh). As yet, I don't know if Samuel had any brothers or sisters. Will let you know if I find anything more. Joyce Laird Dempsey At 09:48 AM 9/2/99 -0500, you wrote: >Mary, > >My Lairds lived in Allegheny County Pennsylvania in the early 1900s; my >grandfather's name was James Finley Laird. I have a photo of him, but I >have no vital statistics. He married Jessie U. Sawhill and I think they >lived in Taylorstown, PA. They were both deaf. He was a shoemaker, >according to family folklore. > >Think we might have a connection? > >Sandy Sammons Simmons >Hermann, MO > >---------- >> From: Pixie <pixie@access.mountain.net> >> To: LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com >> Subject: [LAIRD-L] Laird >> Date: Thursday, September 02, 1999 9:14 AM >> >> I am still trying to find something on my Lairds who allegedly came from >> Alleghany Co., PA. >> >> John Laird b. 1784 m. to Ross Co. Ohio ca. 1810-1820. Mother's maiden >> name was Reynolds. She was married twice. Name of 2nd husband unknown. >> >> There was a James Laird in Pittsburgh in 1810 and a Widow Laird in >> Pittsburgh in 1820. Does anyone know anything about either of them? >> >> John Laird m. Pheobe Ford, father Phillip Ford. Whether married in PA >> or Ohio I don't know. John Laird was a hatter which, to me, indicates >> that he must have lived in a fair sized city or town. >> >> Appreciate any help. >> >> Mary szymanowski >> >> >> ==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== >> Laird Resource Page: >> http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/l/a/LAIRD/ > > >==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== >Laird Resource Page: >http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/l/a/LAIRD/ > >

Mary, My Lairds lived in Allegheny County Pennsylvania in the early 1900s; my grandfather's name was James Finley Laird. I have a photo of him, but I have no vital statistics. He married Jessie U. Sawhill and I think they lived in Taylorstown, PA. They were both deaf. He was a shoemaker, according to family folklore. Think we might have a connection? Sandy Sammons Simmons Hermann, MO ---------- > From: Pixie <pixie@access.mountain.net> > To: LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [LAIRD-L] Laird > Date: Thursday, September 02, 1999 9:14 AM > > I am still trying to find something on my Lairds who allegedly came from > Alleghany Co., PA. > > John Laird b. 1784 m. to Ross Co. Ohio ca. 1810-1820. Mother's maiden > name was Reynolds. She was married twice. Name of 2nd husband unknown. > > There was a James Laird in Pittsburgh in 1810 and a Widow Laird in > Pittsburgh in 1820. Does anyone know anything about either of them? > > John Laird m. Pheobe Ford, father Phillip Ford. Whether married in PA > or Ohio I don't know. John Laird was a hatter which, to me, indicates > that he must have lived in a fair sized city or town. > > Appreciate any help. > > Mary szymanowski > > > ==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== > Laird Resource Page: > http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/l/a/LAIRD/

I am still trying to find something on my Lairds who allegedly came from Alleghany Co., PA. John Laird b. 1784 m. to Ross Co. Ohio ca. 1810-1820. Mother's maiden name was Reynolds. She was married twice. Name of 2nd husband unknown. There was a James Laird in Pittsburgh in 1810 and a Widow Laird in Pittsburgh in 1820. Does anyone know anything about either of them? John Laird m. Pheobe Ford, father Phillip Ford. Whether married in PA or Ohio I don't know. John Laird was a hatter which, to me, indicates that he must have lived in a fair sized city or town. Appreciate any help. Mary szymanowski

Test

Have you tried the Soundex index to the 1880 Arkansas census?

Before I do it I thought I would check. Is LFANewsletter@qcsi.net still a viable system to have the LFA Newsletter e-mailed automatically on a permanent basis? Thanks, Jim Laird

Hei Alf-Martin I regret it was a day for typos! Mr Sandberg. Sorry! And it is "Hersen på Bringsværd". I hope this makes more sense. If this gets as far as the website, I will make sure it is corrected. Thanks for getting me this far. Your Danish roots may have to wait. I have a new lead into Sogn!! Med vennlig hilsen Iain (or do I deserve Iian?)

The Fjære Kirke, the stone knave of which was built in around 1150 by local farmers replaced a wooden church that had stood there from before 995, on an old pagan site, and was the church of the home farm at Bringsværd of Kale Kolssønn who was born there in the year 1100. He is better known as Jarl Ragnvald of Orkney and held the title from 1129 until his death in 1158. According to local historian, Kjetil Frogner, Jarl Ragnvald was a direct descendant of Ragnvald Jarl of Møre and Romsdal, known to us as Rogenvald the Mighty, and is therefore related to the Sinclairs. Ragnvald's grandfather, Kale Sæbjornssønn died of wounds received in fighting on the Isle of Skye for King Magnus "Barefoot". His father, Kol Kalessønn, (born 1070) was made the King's representative at Bringsværd in reward for his father's service, and in further recognition married to Gunnhild, daughter of Erlend and sister of Magnus (St Magnus), joint Jarl of Orkney from 1103 until his murder in 1115. He was married to the daughter of a Scots Jarl, neither of whose names is recorded. Jarl Ragnvald began the construction of St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney in 1137. Jarl Ragnvald was killed by an outlaw in 1158, and the place is given as Calder Dale in Caithness. (I am not aware of such a place in Caithness, but there is a Calder Burn which runs into Loch Oich near Invergarry, north west of Fort William.) He was later canonised. On the 850th anniversary of the founding of St Magnus Cathedral, the Fjaere Kirke, its distant cousin, sent a memorial plaque on St Ragnvald's day, 20th August 1987. A copy of the plaque is on display in the church. They also began sending a Christmas Tree, cut from the site of Jarl Ragnvald's home farm at the modern "Bringsverd" to St Magnus Cathedral. Fjære is the old name of the borough that now forms part of Grimstad Kommune. Kjetil Frogner says that Fjære was an old name for fjord, and that longboats were built at Bringsværd and dragged down to the fjord near the site of modern Grimstad, and will have sailed from there to Caithness. On a mound which overlooks the fjord, near to the modern church in Grimstad, they have uncovered a grave, dated to the year 950. They do not know its occupant, simply described as "Hersnes av Bringsværd": Lord of Bringsværd. Perhaps an even closer relative of Jarl Ragnvald of Møre and Romsdal, our Rogenvald the Mighty? So, even in Southern Norway, we can find Sinclair connections. We have some pictures of the Church and the 950 Grave which I will send by separate e-mail. We are grateful to Kjetil Frogner, Bringsverd historian and Gunnar Topland, a local farmer, and Alf-Martin Sandbeg, also a local historian from Tromoy for this information. Both Gunnar and Alf-Martin are colleagues at my work place, Assuranceforeningen Gard, a shipping liability mutual insurer.

At last I got a name from my cousin in Carson City, NV that she had found in an address book after her mother died and from that I finally found my g-grandfather and g-grandmother. Here is what I have found so far: G-grandfather - Samuel Barnett Laird, born 1827 in Westmoreland County. Married October 16, 1856 to Mariah Roberts (g-grandmother) of Derry township. Samuel was in the Civil War and served in the 211 PA Vols, Co. E. and is buried in the Phillipsburg Cemetery in California, PA. He lived for some time in Blairsville Intersection, moving from that place to Coal Center where he lived for 33 years. He was employed for thirty-six years in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He died at the age of 89 just 13 days after his wife was laid to rest. At the time of his death in 1916, he was survived by the following children: John Laird of Turtle Creek; Elmer Laird of Uniontown; Harry Laird (my grandfather) of Elrama; Minnie Killius of Coal Center; Katherine Hines of West Brownsville, and Martha Elizabeth Friday of Petersburg, PA Samuel was Presbyterian and Mariah/Marie was Methodist. Mariah was born on February 14, 1830 and died at the age of 86 on February 15, 1916. I found in the church records in California, PA that there was a John Laird, near Blairsville, PA married on September 24, 1885 to -- Clawson at California, PA. The above Martha Elizabeth Laird Friday was born March 27, 1874 at Blairsville Intersection, died December 26, 1920 at her home near Petersburg. She is buried in the Mooresville Cemetery. At the time of Elizabeth's death in 1920, Kate Hines was living in Denbo, PA, Minnie Killius was in Youngstown, Ohio, Elmer Laird was in Youngstown, Ohio, Harry Laird was living near Petersburg, and John Laird was still in Turtle Creek. This information is from the obituaries that my newly found third cousin, Mary Robb from Burnham, PA sent to me. I can't thank her enough for all this info. I will go see her when I go back to PA. My grandfather and grandmother, Harry Laird and Maude Brevard Laird, are buried in the Mooresville Cemetery also. I found the headstone of Samuel which is where I found the Civil War information. Does anyone have any info to add to this? I would love to know more now about the family. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Joyce Laird Dempsey

Robert; I guess I have to go back to your web site to find dates on your great grandfathers?? My LAIRD great great grandmother was born c. 1810.; gave birth to a child - 1830 in Hart Co. KY; and then disappeared. The child, a boy, was named William Garrison, my great grandfather. So, I'm off to your web site. By the way, congratulations on finding your 3rd cousin. I'd call it a major success. Daphne Robert Laird wrote: > > Another minor success! > > It pays to advertise, as they always say. I've had > my genealogy info on my personal web site for some > time, and it just paid off. A fellow sent me email > asking me some questions about my great-grandfather, > and his brothers.

Hi Robert....All of my relatives are from around Rossville, Pa. I too have found a cousin....in Oklahoma from the Lairds in Rossville. This is really great...Good luck with your hunt.....Loie -----Original Message----- From: Robert Laird [mailto:rlaird@cavediver.com] Sent: Friday, August 20, 1999 6:53 PM To: LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com Subject: RE: [LAIRD-L] another minor success! At 09:30 AM 8/20/1999 -0700, you wrote: > > Hi Robert.....Fantastic....What area is your great-grandfather >from??? > Please state in the email; his name, and his brothers names with the >area. > We might be able to find each other quicker if that info is stated. >I am > so happy for you. Congratulations....Loie Most of my ancestors are from Newton County, Mississippi... the earliest known is my g-g-grandfather, Archibald. I have a picture of his headstone, so I know the birthdate, but I don't know ~where~ he was born. The 1850 Census implies he was born in Kentucky, but it's a large state! So, that's where I'm stuck. I'm hoping my "new" 3rd cousin might have something new... he's working on it. Thanks for asking! -- Robert +--------------------------------------------+ | qcsi-Systems * Houston * Texas | | http://www.concentric.net/~rlaird/ | | (713) 260-6586 work (713)467-4135 fax | | (713) 503-2949 cell/pager | +--------------------------------------------+ ==== LAIRD Mailing List ==== List archive search engines? See resource page at: http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/l/a/LAIRD/

>> ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- << Date sent: Mon, 23 Aug 1999 07:49:31 -0700 (PDT) From: "John S. Quarterman" <jsq@mids.org> To: sinclair@mids.org Copies to: LAIRD-L@rootsweb.com, sinclairclanchief@girnigoetrust.freeserve.co.uk, Niven@niven.co.uk, cjmaile@online.no, syver.bakken@gd-nett.no, rolflo@sf.telia.no, iansinclair@nosshead.freeserve.co.uk, DJHSMFS@aol.com, Jim.Munro@dial.pipex.com Subject: {not a subscriber} Re: Pillarguri Days in Otta 20th-22nd August 1999 Iain's writeup, along with a picture he sent of the Pillarguri statue, plus links to related material, now appears in http://www.mids.org/sinclair/pillarguri.html or look under New in http://www.mids.org/sinclair/ and follow the statue of the girl. Iain says he will also be sending pictures he took. I will put them online when I get them. Others who have pictures of the event are also invited to send them. Or to put them online somewhere else; just let me know where, and I will link to them. John S. Quarterman <jsq@mids.org>

We arrived in Otta Railway Station on the train from Oslo's Gardermoen Airport at 1506hrs on Friday 20th August. We were met by Rakel Dyrhaug from the Norlandia Otta Hotel which is some 100 metres from the Station. On the way to the hotel we passed the striking statue of Pillarguri, the local girl who sounded the warning blast on her "lur" to warn the local militia of the approach of the Scots soldiers on the way to Sweden in 1612, the event that was central to the celebrations over the next few days. At the hotel we met the Rt Hon Malcolm Sinclair, the Earl of Caithness, and Major Niven Sinclair, the guests of honour at this year's events, Inge Leif Larsen, the owner of the Hotel and life member of the Pillarguri Committee and his wife Eldbjørg and Chris Maile, a member of the Oslo Caledonian Pipe Band who were to play over the next two days. Chris had been involved in setting up the links between Otta and Caithness through Wick Council and later with Clan Sinclair through Niven. Malcolm and Niven had arrived on Wednesday 18th August and had been given an extensive tour of the local area by Pillarguri Committee Member Hans Kristian Børud and with fellow committee member Rolf Uvolden and his ever present video camera. We were then introduced to Åse Kleveland who was to receive this year's prize. The first event was a cultural evening at the Town Hall. Ola Svaet, the Mayor of Sel Kommune in which Otta lies opened the event and Hans Kristian of the Pillarguri Committee was the Master of Ceremonies. He as the other Committee Members present, was dressed in the Gudbrandsdalen "Bunad" (national costume) with red tartan waistcoats, the tartan they claim was taken from the Scots in 1612. We were entertained to local music by the Town's Brass Band, who were joined by the Oslo Caledonian Pipe Band, 6 pipers and two drummers who played "Amazing Grace" most movingly. The music continued with the local fiddlers and a local young woman, Stina Hedlund, sang the "Song til Sel" with its reference to Pillarguri and Storm's "Childe Sinclair", a warning of the consequence of the Scots' coming to Norway. Syver Bakken launched his new book "Ringen i Kringen", the definitive version of the 1612 Battle. The presentation of the Pillarguri Prize, a statuette of Pillarguri was then made to Åase Kleveland, former Minister of Culture and singer, now candidate for Mayor of Oslo, who made a passionate speech and entertained us with a lively song. The Sinclair Party was, of course, kilted, The Earl and Niven in their red kilts and Prince Charlie's and Iain in the green with an Argyll. Annabel wore a long tartan skirt and sash, and our Highland Dress turned many heads in the town. The Cultural evening was followed by a formal dinner at the Norlandia Otta Hotel hosted by the Committee for Åse Kleveland and the Sinclair party and Rolf and Annebritt Losnegård. The Losnegård live in Sognefjord, where Losna Island is their traditional seat, and they are also descended from the house of Møre. Their family crest is the engrailed cross. Rolf is a writer and has written a pageant that is performed each July on Losne island. Hans Kristian was the toastmaster. We were served Rakefisk (half fermented trout) Mousse and Levse, a kind of savoury pancake, accompanied by Viking Mead followed by reindeer accompanied by red wine, and concluded with a cloudberry pudding in whisky with Acquavit for toasting throughout. The speeches included an acceptance speech by Åse Kleveland, the Norwegians recalling their visit to Scotland in April 1999, Ola Svaet's response, and Maj-Britt Svastuen, Deputy Mayor of Sel presented each of the Sinclair party with lapel pins of Sel Kommune: a profile of Pillarguri in Gold on sky blue background. Rolf presented his family crest banners to the Committee and to Malcolm. Chris Maile translated throughout and made the traditional "Takk for matten" (thank you for the meal) speech on behalf of the guests. The programme on Saturday began with the opening of the new path to the "Pillarguri Top", the hilltop from whence Pillarguri is said to have sounded her deadly blast in 1612. The path was presented by Maj-Britt Svastuen, in English, and Iain Laird replied in Norwegian, formally opening the path. The programme continued with a run to the town's park by local children, and 4 year old Sarah took part, helped by her mother. As she crossed the finish line, Hans Kristian, once more the organiser, told the spectators, "Here comes our first international competitor, Sarah Laird from Scotland." The Sinclair party set off to George Sinclair's Grave just outside Kvam and the Earl of Caithness placed a vase of yellow roses by the marker stone and he and Niven stood to each side, as Chris Maile, now dressed in Doublet, Plaid and Feather Bonnet played "Flowers of the Forest", the Flodden Lament. It was a simple but deeply moving ceremony. We returned to the Hotel for lunch and the Lairds went to the prize giving for the race by Hans Kristian. Each child was presented with a slate medallion on a ribbon in the Norwegian national colours and sports bags from the race sponsor, NOR Sparebanken were raffled. Sarah was again introduced as the international competitor from Scotland. Next was the opening of the towns "Millennium Park" by the Railway Station, donated by NSB, Norwegian Railways and opened by their Director, Osmund Ueland and Stina Hedlund sang her "Song til Sel" again. The Oslo Caledonian Pipe Band marched in with a selection to open the ceremony and closed it as they marched off to the march "Scottish Soldier". We then proceeded to the battle site at Kringen (Kringom is the old spelling of the place, and nobody locally knows where Kringellen came from, but it may be a romantic exagerration). The Pillarguri Committee had prepared a memorial to the fallen Scots of 1612. When we arrived, it was thoughtfully veiled in a Scots Saltire Flag, for unveiling and inauguration by the Earl of Caithness and Major Niven Sinclair. Chris Maile, again in full piper's regalia played the "Flowers of the Forest". Malcolm said a few words giving the background to the battle and expressing the Clan's gratitude to the Pillarguri Committee for their friendship and generosity and for the touching gesture of the memorial. Chris then played the stirring "Flower of Scotland" and we then walked the path the Scots had taken to the battle marker memorial. It is still deadly as some of us had to take of our leather shoes as it is steep and slippery. In a departure from the events of 1612, we went to the unveiling of a new memorial to a local farmer, brutally killed by the German invaders of the valley in 1940 as he tried to save his father's livestock from being burned alive in their barn. The memorial was by the same sculptor who had prepared the Sinclair Memorial at Kringen. That evening we were all hosted by the owners of the Norlandia Otta Hotel in their apartment. We were served the traditional sour cream porridge "rømmegrøt" with cured meats and "flatbrød" thin crispbread. Chris Maile played the pipes as Niven and Iain lowered the Saltire and then the Norwegian Flag was lowered to the National Anthem. Malcolm then made a formal speech of thanks to our hosts and presented each of them with a piece of Caithness Glass. Niven then gave the most moving address on the background to the battle and how the Scots had not sought a conflict with their distant Norwegian relatives, but that the massacre of Gudbrandsdal conscripts by the Swedes at Nya Lødsøe had provoked this tragic reprisal. He said that if George Sinclair had been asked to "parley" he would have surrendered has sword rather than fight his relatives. Niven said how much it was appreciated that Norwegians today were peacemakers and that he would now present them with a sword as a gesture of peace for the new millennium. He then unwrapped and presented to Syver Bakken a specially engraved Wilkinson Millennium Sword with the Sinclair Coat of Arms, the dated 1398 for Prince Henry Sinclair's voyage to the New World and the word "peace" in 240 languages. The golden hilt bears the three Graces, Asia, Africa and Europe and the Sun, badge of English Sinclairs and the continents of the world. The committee were deeply moved and some in tears. The sword represents a bond of friendship between the Sinclairs and Gudbrandsdalers, whose valley, Niven assured us, is protected by the spirit of George Sinclair. To ensure the bond was not cut by the gift of a blade, our friends presented Malcolm and Niven with locally cast "Sinclair" medals, and each of us were given Norwegian Pullovers in the Sel design, incorporating the profile of Pillarguri. Rolf presented lapel pins of his family crest to us and T-shirts bearing the crest. The evening continued to the small hours with accordion music from local musician, Arne Berget and piping by Chris and some dancing and song. The next day the Sinclair party began to depart. The Lairds were taken on a tour of the Rondane park by Eldbjørg and Inger Leif and to visit the site of a grave of a fallen Green Howard of 1940, only recently discovered and reburied in the local Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. We stood for a moment in silent remembrance. The Norwegian's greatly valued the help they received from the United Kingdom in the last war and will ever remember the fallen. We left late in the afternoon, but the bonds of friendship forged in Caithness and Edinburgh in April 1999 have been significantly reinforced by the overwhelming generosity of our Norwegian friends during these Pillarguri Days of August 1999. We left only so we can return, and will do so as soon as we can. Iain, Annabel & Sarah Laird, followers and supporters of the Earl of Caithness and Clan Sinclair 22nd August 1999