A limited edition facsimile copy of J. Storer Clouston's The Family of Clouston been made available to the public for the first time. The book was originally published and circulated privately in 1948, but the new edition, of which only 1,000 are available, has now been released. The book begins with Hakon Havardson, war chief of Stenness, from whose nickname the surname is said to derive. See http://www.orcadian.co.uk/orkneybooks -- Sigurd Towrie Blackhall - Kirbister - Stromness - Orkney Heritage of Orkney: www.orkneyjar.com

In case anyone hasn't heard it, you can also hear the voice of Sigurd himself on this subject on the Radio Orkney Thursday evening program, which can be listened to for a week after the broadcast. Karen

Apparently the 'Clan Gunn' have reunions in Orkney every once in a while, they had one last year and came from all over the globe! Janis ----- Original Message ----- From: "Linda Foubister" <lfoubister@shaw.ca> To: <ORCADIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2004 4:11 AM Subject: Re: [<orcadia>] Introduction > Stephen > > Yes, a lot of Orkneymen joined the Hudson's Bay Company and travelled to > Canada. And one Orkneywoman...who disguised herself as a John Fubbister. > Isabel Gunn is mentioned in Peter C. Newman's "Company of Adventurers" and > in Audrey Thomas' novel, "Isobel Gunn". I did see an excellent documentary > about Isobel Gunn, which included interviews with historians about life in > Orkney and Canada in the early 1800s. Of course, Gunn is discussed on the > OrkneyJar website. > > Linda > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "stephen davie" <stephen.davie@sympatico.ca> > To: <ORCADIA-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2004 8:11 PM > Subject: Re: [<orcadia>] Introduction > > > > Hi Linda; > > > > I am here in Canada, and am interested in the Orkney/Hudson's Bay > > connection. I have seen your surname in the passage lists published by > > HBC archives. > > > > Stephen Davie > > On Tuesday, March 2, 2004, at 03:13 PM, Linda Foubister wrote: > > > > > Greetings all, > > > > > > > > > > > > I am pleased to be joining the Orcadia mailing list. I have a keen > > > interest in the Orkney Islands, their history, and especially their > > > folklore. As a mythologist, I have studied the classic myths, medieval > > > myths and tribal myths from around the world and I am eager to learn > > > more about the folklore of Orkney. It has some very interesting > > > parallels to Icelandic customs. > > > > > > > > > > > > My grandparents were born in Orkney, and I am struck by how few > > > customs and traditions have been passed on to my generation. I would > > > love to hear any stories you know relating to Orkney folklore or > > > customs. For example, I am intrigued by the idea of storm witches, > > > that is women who control the weather, especially at sea. One of my > > > relatives wrote about them in his collection of short stories. > > > > > > > > > > > > I visited Orkney many years ago, and my memories of visiting Skara > > > Brae, the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Maeshowe Tomb are still > > > vivid. Some places, such as the Queen Charlotte Islands (or Haida > > > Gwaii) in BC, have legends that those who drink from waters at a > > > sacred site will return evermore. I couldn't find Orkney's waters of > > > return, so I have not been back. However, I would like to visit Orkney > > > again, waters or not. > > > > > > > > > > > > Finally, I want to commend Sigurd Towrie for the folklore section on > > > his excellent web-site, OrkneyJar. Great work, Sigurd! > > > > > > > > > > > > Linda Foubister > > > > > > > > > ==== ORCADIA Mailing List ==== > > > To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the > > > word > > > 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com > > > > > > > > > ==== ORCADIA Mailing List ==== > > To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the word > > 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com > > > > > ==== ORCADIA Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the word > 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com >

Hi, My name is Meridith Scott Keyes - My Scott family originated on the Island of Sanday and later moved on to Kirkwall and then some of them moved to Washington State in the US. I visited Orkney for the first time last Spring. This website will help me stayed connected until my next visit. My g-grandfather's store is still on Bridge Street and is now owned by Robert Miller. Instead of being called John Scott's, it's now John Scott and Miller. Thanks for bringing the website on line. Carry on..... Meridith Researching: Scott, Slater, Muir, Sinclair from Sanday/Orkney Islands/Scotland Researching: Cameron, Taylor, Smith, Watt from Moray/Scotland Visit my website at: Genealogy.com: Scott and Lamont Family Genealogy

On 27 February 2004 00:51, alan@hepburn.com wrote: > Looking at various censuses (censii? :-) ) I see that my > family is shown as residing at "Leverness" or "Liviness" on > Shapinsay. Can someone tell me exactly what that is? Is it a > village, a farm, a building, or a state of mind? :-) I know > that my GGrandfather was a farmer, continuing a long-standing > family tradition, but I know little more than that. Livaness is a farm that takes its name from the headland (ness) by which it is situated. It lies on by the shore to the east of Elwick farm. The name itself probably derives from the Old Norse "hlifarnes" meaning "ness of shelter" which neatly describes the shelter offered by the headland. -- Sigurd Towrie Blackhall - Kirbister - Stromness - Orkney Heritage of Orkney: www.orkneyjar.com Home: sigurd@orkneyjar.com Work: sigurd.towrie@orcadian.co.uk

Stephen Yes, a lot of Orkneymen joined the Hudson's Bay Company and travelled to Canada. And one Orkneywoman...who disguised herself as a John Fubbister. Isabel Gunn is mentioned in Peter C. Newman's "Company of Adventurers" and in Audrey Thomas' novel, "Isobel Gunn". I did see an excellent documentary about Isobel Gunn, which included interviews with historians about life in Orkney and Canada in the early 1800s. Of course, Gunn is discussed on the OrkneyJar website. Linda ----- Original Message ----- From: "stephen davie" <stephen.davie@sympatico.ca> To: <ORCADIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2004 8:11 PM Subject: Re: [<orcadia>] Introduction > Hi Linda; > > I am here in Canada, and am interested in the Orkney/Hudson's Bay > connection. I have seen your surname in the passage lists published by > HBC archives. > > Stephen Davie > On Tuesday, March 2, 2004, at 03:13 PM, Linda Foubister wrote: > > > Greetings all, > > > > > > > > I am pleased to be joining the Orcadia mailing list. I have a keen > > interest in the Orkney Islands, their history, and especially their > > folklore. As a mythologist, I have studied the classic myths, medieval > > myths and tribal myths from around the world and I am eager to learn > > more about the folklore of Orkney. It has some very interesting > > parallels to Icelandic customs. > > > > > > > > My grandparents were born in Orkney, and I am struck by how few > > customs and traditions have been passed on to my generation. I would > > love to hear any stories you know relating to Orkney folklore or > > customs. For example, I am intrigued by the idea of storm witches, > > that is women who control the weather, especially at sea. One of my > > relatives wrote about them in his collection of short stories. > > > > > > > > I visited Orkney many years ago, and my memories of visiting Skara > > Brae, the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Maeshowe Tomb are still > > vivid. Some places, such as the Queen Charlotte Islands (or Haida > > Gwaii) in BC, have legends that those who drink from waters at a > > sacred site will return evermore. I couldn't find Orkney's waters of > > return, so I have not been back. However, I would like to visit Orkney > > again, waters or not. > > > > > > > > Finally, I want to commend Sigurd Towrie for the folklore section on > > his excellent web-site, OrkneyJar. Great work, Sigurd! > > > > > > > > Linda Foubister > > > > > > ==== ORCADIA Mailing List ==== > > To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the > > word > > 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com > > > > > ==== ORCADIA Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the word > 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com >

Hi Linda; I am here in Canada, and am interested in the Orkney/Hudson's Bay connection. I have seen your surname in the passage lists published by HBC archives. Stephen Davie On Tuesday, March 2, 2004, at 03:13 PM, Linda Foubister wrote: > Greetings all, > > > > I am pleased to be joining the Orcadia mailing list. I have a keen > interest in the Orkney Islands, their history, and especially their > folklore. As a mythologist, I have studied the classic myths, medieval > myths and tribal myths from around the world and I am eager to learn > more about the folklore of Orkney. It has some very interesting > parallels to Icelandic customs. > > > > My grandparents were born in Orkney, and I am struck by how few > customs and traditions have been passed on to my generation. I would > love to hear any stories you know relating to Orkney folklore or > customs. For example, I am intrigued by the idea of storm witches, > that is women who control the weather, especially at sea. One of my > relatives wrote about them in his collection of short stories. > > > > I visited Orkney many years ago, and my memories of visiting Skara > Brae, the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Maeshowe Tomb are still > vivid. Some places, such as the Queen Charlotte Islands (or Haida > Gwaii) in BC, have legends that those who drink from waters at a > sacred site will return evermore. I couldn't find Orkney's waters of > return, so I have not been back. However, I would like to visit Orkney > again, waters or not. > > > > Finally, I want to commend Sigurd Towrie for the folklore section on > his excellent web-site, OrkneyJar. Great work, Sigurd! > > > > Linda Foubister > > > ==== ORCADIA Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the > word > 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com >

Greetings all, I am pleased to be joining the Orcadia mailing list. I have a keen interest in the Orkney Islands, their history, and especially their folklore. As a mythologist, I have studied the classic myths, medieval myths and tribal myths from around the world and I am eager to learn more about the folklore of Orkney. It has some very interesting parallels to Icelandic customs. My grandparents were born in Orkney, and I am struck by how few customs and traditions have been passed on to my generation. I would love to hear any stories you know relating to Orkney folklore or customs. For example, I am intrigued by the idea of storm witches, that is women who control the weather, especially at sea. One of my relatives wrote about them in his collection of short stories. I visited Orkney many years ago, and my memories of visiting Skara Brae, the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Maeshowe Tomb are still vivid. Some places, such as the Queen Charlotte Islands (or Haida Gwaii) in BC, have legends that those who drink from waters at a sacred site will return evermore. I couldn't find Orkney's waters of return, so I have not been back. However, I would like to visit Orkney again, waters or not. Finally, I want to commend Sigurd Towrie for the folklore section on his excellent web-site, OrkneyJar. Great work, Sigurd! Linda Foubister

A selection of papers in honour of the retiring chairman of the Orkney Archaeological Trust went online today. The site, which pays tribute to Daphne Home Lorimer MBE, features a selection of archaeological papers and pictures, including details of a newly discovered Pictish figure incised on a bone found in Burray. Mrs Lorimer was instrumental in setting up the Trust in 1996 and has been at the organisation's helm since its inception. The mini-site can be accessed at http://www.orkneydigs.org.uk/dhl -- Sigurd Towrie Blackhall - Kirbister - Stromness - Orkney Heritage of Orkney: www.orkneyjar.com

Alan, The headland itself is Liviness (ness=headland) There is also the farm of Liviness a short distance inland and the Holt of Liviness is shown on the coastline a short distance further east. There is a Visitors' Centre near the ferry terminal on Shapinsay. They may be able to help with the history of the farm. Failing that try writing to the Present Occupier, Liviness, Shapinsay, Orkney and see if that produces any results. -- Mike Clouston ----- Original Message ----- From: <alan@hepburn.com> To: <ORCADIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, March 01, 2004 9:34 PM Subject: Re: [<orcadia>] Shapinsay info > On Mon, 1 Mar 2004 21:22:53 -0000, "Mike Clouston" wrote: > > > > > Alan, > > > > LIVINESS is on the east side of Elwick Bay on Shapinsay. > > > > If you have a decent map you'll find it immediately opposite the small > > island of Helliar Holm. > > > > If not, try this web site - > > > http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=349500&y=1016500&z=3&sv=349500,1016500&st=4&ar=N&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=814 > > > > LIVINESS is the headland itself and also the name of a farm a short > distance > > inland. > > > > Hope that helps > > > Thanks, Mike - that does help. The map shows where it is, but doesn't say > WHAT it is. My followup question would be: where can I find everything > there is to know about the farm? Since my Grandfather was born there it > would be nice to learn what I can about it! > > Alan HEPBURN > > > > ==== ORCADIA Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the word > 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com > >

An even better map is here - http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/getamap/ Click on "Get-a-Map" and then type in the Grid Reference HY488164 and that will show you a 1:25,000 scale map of that area of Shapinsay -- Mike Clouston > Alan, > > LIVINESS is on the east side of Elwick Bay on Shapinsay. > > If you have a decent map you'll find it immediately opposite the small > island of Helliar Holm. > > If not, try this web site - > http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=349500&y=1016500&z=3&sv=349500,1016500&st=4&ar=N&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=814 > > LIVINESS is the headland itself and also the name of a farm a short distance > inland. > > Hope that helps > > -- > Mike Clouston >

Alan, LIVINESS is on the east side of Elwick Bay on Shapinsay. If you have a decent map you'll find it immediately opposite the small island of Helliar Holm. If not, try this web site - http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=349500&y=1016500&z=3&sv=349500,1016500&st=4&ar=N&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=814 LIVINESS is the headland itself and also the name of a farm a short distance inland. Hope that helps -- Mike Clouston

> And if I could put my hand on my copy of 'British Regional Geology: > Orkney and Shetland' then I'd mention a volcanic vent or two...but I > can't so I won't. I now have, so I will! In case anyone is interested, it's ISBN 0118801619 and the British Regional Geology books seem to turn up often and very cheaply in second hand bookshops. The series is recommended if you have an interest in British geology - they go into quite a bit of detail (150 pages for Shetland and Orkney) with clear fold-out geological maps, etc. "Several small volcanic vents have been mapped in the area which extends from south-eastern Hoy and South Ronaldsay north-eastward to Deerness in south-east Mainland. There is also a cluster of vents and volcanic plugs in northern Hoy. In addition, a number of small crypto-vents have recently been recorded at Harra Ebb on the west coast of Mainland." Apologies for any typos. There are also some small areas with siltstones and shales, such as at Quoyloo. I don't think there would be any slate in Orkney, though. Martin -- Martin McCarthy /</ http://www.non-prophet.org marty@ancient-scotland.co.uk \>\ http://www.ancient-scotland.co.uk /</ http://www.ehabitat.demon.co.uk

Ah yes the wonderful fossil filled slate! My friend who has refurbished her house in Stromness has her entire ground floor in this wonderful material. I am a little sad and can spend hours just looking for different fossils in it!!! I begged some of the flags which were left over and have a wonderful Orkney slate hearth in my lounge! (and stare at the fossils in that too! Janis ----- Original Message ----- From: "George Coghill" <gcog@webtv.net> To: <ORCADIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, February 27, 2004 12:17 AM Subject: Re: [<orcadia>] Rocks of Orkney > > Lots and lots of slate too > > > ==== ORCADIA Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the word > 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com >

> Haven't any messages in a few days...just me ??? > > cheers Thompson I've certainly had quite a few messages from the list in the last few days. If in doubt, rather than posting test messages to the whole list you should check the archives at: http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/ORCADIA/ Then if you see messages there that aren't getting through to you, you can contact the listowner to try to sort the problem. Fiona Orkney

Thanks, again, Mike - you're a wealth of knowledge! I'll be writing some letters this week! Alan HEPBURN On Mon, 1 Mar 2004 21:47:31 -0000, "Mike Clouston" wrote: > > Alan, > The headland itself is Liviness (ness=headland) > There is also the farm of Liviness a short distance inland and the Holt of > Liviness is shown on the coastline a short distance further east. > There is a Visitors' Centre near the ferry terminal on Shapinsay. They may > be able to help with the history of the farm. Failing that try writing to > the Present Occupier, Liviness, Shapinsay, Orkney and see if that produces > any results. > > -- > Mike Clouston > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <alan@hepburn.com> > To: <ORCADIA-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Monday, March 01, 2004 9:34 PM > Subject: Re: [<orcadia>] Shapinsay info > > > > On Mon, 1 Mar 2004 21:22:53 -0000, "Mike Clouston" wrote: > > > > > > > > Alan, > > > > > > LIVINESS is on the east side of Elwick Bay on Shapinsay. > > > > > > If you have a decent map you'll find it immediately opposite the small > > > island of Helliar Holm. > > > > > > If not, try this web site - > > > > > > http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=349500&y=1016500&z=3&sv=349500,1016500&st=4&ar=N&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=814 > > > > > > LIVINESS is the headland itself and also the name of a farm a short > > distance > > > inland. > > > > > > Hope that helps > > > > > Thanks, Mike - that does help. The map shows where it is, but doesn't say > > WHAT it is. My followup question would be: where can I find everything > > there is to know about the farm? Since my Grandfather was born there it > > would be nice to learn what I can about it! > > > > Alan HEPBURN > > > > > > > > ==== ORCADIA Mailing List ==== > > To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the word > > 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com > > > > > > > ==== ORCADIA Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the word > 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com

> > (The spell check just made me capitalize all those Spam's??! That's the same > dictionary that wants to make Stromness into storminess....) > > > ==== ORCADIA Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the word > 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com > > Spam with a capital letter is the trademark of the people who made the original tinned pork product. spam with a lower case first letter is the unwanted mail from which we all suffer.

On Mon, 1 Mar 2004 21:22:53 -0000, "Mike Clouston" wrote: > > Alan, > > LIVINESS is on the east side of Elwick Bay on Shapinsay. > > If you have a decent map you'll find it immediately opposite the small > island of Helliar Holm. > > If not, try this web site - > http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=349500&y=1016500&z=3&sv=349500,1016500&st=4&ar=N&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=814 > > LIVINESS is the headland itself and also the name of a farm a short distance > inland. > > Hope that helps > Thanks, Mike - that does help. The map shows where it is, but doesn't say WHAT it is. My followup question would be: where can I find everything there is to know about the farm? Since my Grandfather was born there it would be nice to learn what I can about it! Alan HEPBURN

Ah, yes! Why didn't I think of that. Probably because it's very early in the morning here. Thanks, Mike. Karen

If any of you are using AOL and seem to be having mail not get to you, be sure and check the "Spam Folder." One the newer versions you can tell on your mail box list if something has been sent to the Spam file, but on the older versions you have to go to the Mail menu, to Mail Controls, then to the Spam folder. You can free anything they've held captive in the e-mail purgatory and send it on to your regular mail. If you don't check this regularly you can miss something important. I found my electronic plane tickets sent there the other day! Rootsweb and Orcadia stuff seem to be coming through OK on mine. Overall, I think AOL's recently been trying to do a good job of stopping the Spam and viruses. It's an impossible task to sort out what may or may not be offensive to each individual. As aggravated as we can all get at times with our ISP's, it's the people sending out the offensive, useless, harmful, etc. stuff that are the bad guys. Karen (The spell check just made me capitalize all those Spam's??! That's the same dictionary that wants to make Stromness into storminess....)