Anne Slater wrote: > I am desperately searching for the REAL roots of my > great-great-grandmother and namesake, Ann Sclater. The 1861 census > says for her place of birth "Ireland" and I can't find her death cert. > which I had hoped would give me more information on where in Ireland. > (She married James Twatt of Rothiesholm and lived on Stronsay until > she dies in 1878) > > HOWEVER what I did find that mystifies me is in my gg father's will, > he is listed as "tacksman of Rothiesholm, island of Stronsay" > > What is a tacksman???? I do know the noun "tack" as in the leather > straps etc that make up harnesses and bits for saddles. > > Please tell me if I an correct in thinking that "tack" and "tacksman" > are related (but why then would his household include NINE "servants". > (I would have assumed farm hands) Anne, I had a dig around Sigurd's Orkneyjar website and came across <http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/summerdale.htm> "After the transfer of Orkney to the Scottish Crown in 1468, the former Earldom property was rented to tacksmen. These individuals collected the various skats, rents and other dues formerly paid to the Earls. Needless to say, some of the tacksmen were disliked and, in some cases, used their power unscrupulously." -- Bruce Fletcher Stronsay, Orkney <www.stronsay.co.uk/claremont> "I’m sorry, you have reached an imaginary number. Please rotate your telephone 90 degrees and dial again"