Dear Jane, Greetings from Orkney ! I must apologise for not contacting you sooner but as the Orkney Family History Society is quite a small Society I do the emails from home and it is not easy to keep them up to date. I am now attaching an application form to join the Society. We have over 1100 members. The Orkney Family History Society was formed in 1997 and is run by a committee of volunteers. We produce a newsletter 4 times a year which is posted out to all our members, and we also have a booklet of our members which shows the surnames each member is interested in and it allows members with similar interests to correspond with each other. The booklet also gives the email addresses for members. We can usually undertake to do research for our members who live outwith Orkney. If you are sending a query give us names and dates as accurately as you can and if possible the area of Orkney where your ancestors came from. We will then see what we can do for you. I have had a look to see what I could find on your great great grandparents and note that they both died in Stenness. John Anderson was 25 years older than Margaret and he died in 1869. She died in 1896. I am quite sure some of our members would be able to help you with your research. If you have any queries please get back to me Hoping to hear from you, Regards, George Gray, Orkney Family History Society The Orkney Family History Society is a registered charity in Scotland SCO 26205 Find out more about the OFHS at www.orkneyfhs.co.uk Read our local paper: www.orcadian.co.uk Find out more about Orkney at : www.orkney.org Find a currency convertor at: www.uta.fi/~ktmatu/rate-converter.html ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jane Smallfield" <jsfield@ihug.co.nz> To: <ORKNEY@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 11:16 AM Subject: [ORKNEY] Anderson/Marwick/ Isabister - Moa, Firth and Stenness,Orkney >I am searching for descendants of John Anderson and his wives Mary Marwick > whom he married in 1823 and then Margaret Isbister whom he married in > 1840. > John and Mary had Jean, John, Margaret, Mary and Betty between 1825 and > 1834, and then John and Margaret had Marjory, Isabella, Cecilia, William, > Thomas Goudie, James and Peter between 1841 and 1857. The youngest child > Peter was my great grandfather who immigrated to New Zealand in the 1870s > with his brother Thomas Goudie. Would love to contact descendants of any > of > their siblings. Later children were born at Moa. > > > > Thanks > > Jane Smallfield > > Dunedin > > New Zealand > > > > ------------------ > List Archives, information on contacting list administrator, Subscribing > and UnSubscribing can be found at: > > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/SCT/ORKNEY.html > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ORKNEY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message >

Good afternoon Lisa, I check the IGI for Birsay, and can't find Catherine under births and christenings. Better hold off before expending too much time. Thank you, Walter ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lisa Conrad" <nisus00@earthlink.net> To: <orkney@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2008 8:42 AM Subject: Re: [ORKNEY] LOUTTIT and FLEET Are there any other censuses that indicate Catherine's birthplace as Burray? If that was where she was born, I don't mind at all looking for her in the parish records and trying to locate her birth. I just don't want to "go a'hunting" if she WASN'T born on Burray. :-) - Lisa Elsie Ritchie wrote: > Dear Walter In the 1851 census John and Catherine Louttit were 58 and 57 > respectively John was born on Stromness and Catherine born on Burray. > Thats > the best I can find Regards Elsie Ritchie > ----- Original Message ----- > > > ------------------ List Archives, information on contacting list administrator, Subscribing and UnSubscribing can be found at: http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/SCT/ORKNEY.html ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ORKNEY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 8.0.101 / Virus Database: 270.4.2/1523 - Release Date: 6/28/2008 7:00 AM

Dear Walter In the 1851 census John and Catherine Louttit were 58 and 57 respectively John was born on Stromness and Catherine born on Burray. Thats the best I can find Regards Elsie Ritchie ----- Original Message ----- From: "Walter R. Fleet" <wfleet@zitomedia.net> To: <orkney@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2008 10:57 AM Subject: Re: [ORKNEY] LOUTTIT and FLEET > Doe anyone know the father or mother of Catherine Flett and when she was > born? > > Walter Fleet > Pennsylvania > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "M Robinson" <bamp@webone.com.au> > To: <orkney@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2008 6:47 AM > Subject: Re: [ORKNEY] LOUTTIT and FLEET > > > Christeine, > The Louttits at Moruya seem to be John Flett Louttit and his brother > Joseph, > who were born in Stromness in 1824 and 1826 respectively, to John Louttit > and Catherine Flett . > M Robinson. > ------------------ > List Archives, information on contacting list administrator, Subscribing > and > UnSubscribing can be found at: > > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/SCT/ORKNEY.html > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ORKNEY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 8.0.101 / Virus Database: 270.4.1/1522 - Release Date: 6/27/2008 > 8:27 AM > > ------------------ > List Archives, information on contacting list administrator, Subscribing > and UnSubscribing can be found at: > > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/SCT/ORKNEY.html > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ORKNEY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message >

Hi Walter- Birsay is different from Burray. There is *not* one for Burray (e.g. So Ronaldsay parish includes Burray). There ARE two noted for Birsay in the IGI: KATHERINE FLETT (F) .... C: 15 AUG 1791 FATHER: MAGNUS FLETT MOTHER: JANET SPENCE BIRSAY, ORKNEY KATHERINE FLETT (F) .... C: 17 MAY 1799 FATHER: JOHN FLETT MOTHER: ELSPET LINKLATER BIRSAY, ORKNEY >

Are there any other censuses that indicate Catherine's birthplace as Burray? If that was where she was born, I don't mind at all looking for her in the parish records and trying to locate her birth. I just don't want to "go a'hunting" if she WASN'T born on Burray. :-) - Lisa Elsie Ritchie wrote: > Dear Walter In the 1851 census John and Catherine Louttit were 58 and 57 > respectively John was born on Stromness and Catherine born on Burray. Thats > the best I can find Regards Elsie Ritchie > ----- Original Message ----- > > >

Andrew Bannatyne is a well-known historical figure here in Winnipeg -- see http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/bannatyne_agb.shtml Mavis Gray Winnipeg > William Sinclair wrote: >> Hi Lisa found this stray, (I hope) He became an MP in the Canadian >> Parliament. >> >> BANNATYNE, Andrew Graham Ballenden >> Picture not available >> Picture not available >> Date of Birth (yyyy.mm.dd): 1829.10.31 >> Place of Birth: South Ronalshay, Orkney Islands, Scotland >> Deceased Date (yyyy.mm.dd): 1889.05.18 (59 years old) >> Occupation: Fur trader, merchant >> Political Affiliation: >> >> * Liberal Party of Canada >> (1874.01.22 - ) >> >> Federal Political Experience >> Years of Service: 1266 Days (3 years, 5 months, 18 days) >> ^ House of Commons >> Constituency Date of Election (yyyy.mm.dd) Result >> Provencher, Manitoba 1875.03.31 Elected >> Selkirk, Manitoba 1874.01.22 Defeated >> ^ Caucus >> Party Term (yyyy.mm.dd) >> Liberal Party of Canada 1875.03.31 - 1878.08.16 >> >> > ------------------ > List Archives, information on contacting list administrator, Subscribing > and UnSubscribing can be found at: > > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/SCT/ORKNEY.html > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ORKNEY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message > >

Doe anyone know the father or mother of Catherine Flett and when she was born? Walter Fleet Pennsylvania ----- Original Message ----- From: "M Robinson" <bamp@webone.com.au> To: <orkney@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2008 6:47 AM Subject: Re: [ORKNEY] LOUTTIT and FLEET Christeine, The Louttits at Moruya seem to be John Flett Louttit and his brother Joseph, who were born in Stromness in 1824 and 1826 respectively, to John Louttit and Catherine Flett . M Robinson. ------------------ List Archives, information on contacting list administrator, Subscribing and UnSubscribing can be found at: http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/SCT/ORKNEY.html ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ORKNEY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 8.0.101 / Virus Database: 270.4.1/1522 - Release Date: 6/27/2008 8:27 AM

Christeine, The Louttits at Moruya seem to be John Flett Louttit and his brother Joseph, who were born in Stromness in 1824 and 1826 respectively, to John Louttit and Catherine Flett . M Robinson.

something wrong with website address Blake ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mavis Gray" <Mavis_Gray@umanitoba.ca> To: <orkney@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2008 7:07 PM Subject: Re: [ORKNEY] South Ronaldsay strays--Bannatyne > Andrew Bannatyne is a well-known historical figure here in Winnipeg -- see > http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/bannatyne_agb.shtml > > Mavis Gray > Winnipeg > > >> William Sinclair wrote: >>> Hi Lisa found this stray, (I hope) He became an MP in the Canadian >>> Parliament. >>> >>> BANNATYNE, Andrew Graham Ballenden >>> Picture not available >>> Picture not available >>> Date of Birth (yyyy.mm.dd): 1829.10.31 >>> Place of Birth: South Ronalshay, Orkney Islands, Scotland >>> Deceased Date (yyyy.mm.dd): 1889.05.18 (59 years old) >>> Occupation: Fur trader, merchant >>> Political Affiliation: >>> >>> * Liberal Party of Canada >>> (1874.01.22 - ) >>> >>> Federal Political Experience >>> Years of Service: 1266 Days (3 years, 5 months, 18 days) >>> ^ House of Commons >>> Constituency Date of Election (yyyy.mm.dd) Result >>> Provencher, Manitoba 1875.03.31 Elected >>> Selkirk, Manitoba 1874.01.22 Defeated >>> ^ Caucus >>> Party Term (yyyy.mm.dd) >>> Liberal Party of Canada 1875.03.31 - 1878.08.16 >>> >>> >> ------------------ >> List Archives, information on contacting list administrator, Subscribing >> and UnSubscribing can be found at: >> >> http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/SCT/ORKNEY.html >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> ORKNEY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes >> in the subject and the body of the message >> >> > > ------------------ > List Archives, information on contacting list administrator, Subscribing > and UnSubscribing can be found at: > > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/SCT/ORKNEY.html > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ORKNEY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message >

Hi Shyama My name is Christine Stone I am currently living in melbourne, recently when on holiday in Moruya NSW (south east coast) I visited the local/family history society looking for any Orcadians related to my Margaret MacDonald born 1805 in So Ronaldsay. I found that a pair of LOUTTIT brothers had owned the local quarry, stone from the quarry eventually went to make the pylons of Sydney Harbour bridge one of them and i don't remember which had Fleet as a second name. They may have something that would interest you. As the time frame didn't fit with what I knew about my Margaret I did't persue it but I am going back to the area in Jan 2009 if you want ne to see what I can find out. Regards christeine

Hi Lisa unfortunately I received the following message: We have not found the marriage of Robert Duncan and Georginia Scott in Trois-Rivieres ; we have checked in both Catholic and non-Catholic records. Willie

And it is excellent - she's a great author and this book is really, really good. On Jun 27, 2008, at 1:30 PM, Rena wrote: For those interested in fiction, Lynn Hamilton has written an archeology mystery called The Orkney Scroll. Rena ------------------ List Archives, information on contacting list administrator, Subscribing and UnSubscribing can be found at: http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/SCT/ORKNEY.html ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ORKNEY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message Evelyn Hlabse http://homepage.mac.com/evelynhlabse/Home/home.html Looking for Williams (Renfrewshire/Skye/Portsmouth) Stewart, Sinclair, Drever (Orkney) Hlabse (Slovenia and Cleveland, Ohio) Laska (Cleveland,OH & Scranton, PA)

I have this family in my tree - through marriage. I have Andrew's parents as James Bannatyne and Eliz Ballenden. Eliza was a daughter of John Ballenden and Elizabeth Gray/Kennedy. A brother of Eliza's, John Mcnab Ballenden, married Elizabeth Jobson which is where my connection by marriage is. -----Original Message----- From: Lisa Conrad <nisus00@earthlink.net> To: orkney@rootsweb.com Sent: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:07 Subject: Re: [ORKNEY] South Ronaldsay strays Yes, indeed, Willie -- you have found a So. Ronaldsay "Stray"! Congratulations! High fives! hehee :-) You didn't say where the information you show came from (from what record-- e.g. is it a book?), but guess what -- even the date of birth is correct for this SR "Stray" on that source. William "Balenden, Surgeon" [sic] and his brother, John Balenden" [sic] were the Witnesses to the baptism (which occurred on 17th November 1829). Factoid: This William Ballenden married a daughter of the Rev. John Gerard, Mary Russell Gerard. Both William and Mary died in Stromness, in 1868, and 1863, respectively. -- Lisa www.SouthRonaldsay.net ----------------------------------- William Sinclair wrote: > Hi Lisa found this stray, (I hope) He became an MP in the Canadian Parliament. > > BANNATYNE, Andrew Graham Ballenden > Picture not available > Picture not available > Date of Birth (yyyy.mm.dd): 1829.10.31 > Place of Birth: South Ronalshay, Orkney Islands, Scotland > Deceased Date (yyyy.mm.dd): 1889.05.18 (59 years old) > Occupation: Fur trader, merchant > Political Affiliation: > > * Liberal Party of Canada > (1874.01.22 - ) > > Federal Political Experience > Years of Service: 1266 Days (3 years, 5 months, 18 days) > ^ House of Commons > Constituency Date of Election (yyyy.mm.dd) Result > Provencher, Manitoba 1875.03.31 Elected > Selkirk, Manitoba 1874.01.22 Defeated > ^ Caucus > Party Term (yyyy.mm.dd) > Liberal Party of Canada 1875.03.31 - 1878.08.16 > > ------------------ List Archives, information on contacting list administrator, Subscribing and UnSubscribing can be found at: http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/SCT/ORKNEY.html ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ORKNEY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ________________________________________________________________________ AOL Email goes Mobile! You can now read your AOL Emails whilst on the move. Sign up for a free AOL Email account with unlimited storage today.

Dear Ken I think you must mean Thomas Balfour of Elwick. He did own a house called Cliffdale the source is the Web site Undiscovered Scotland Heres the clue A village called Shoreside was built on Elwick Bay by Thomas Balfour in the 1780s. He had purchased the estate covering much of the south west of Shapinsay, and the village was intended to rehouse people he wanted to clear from the area to make room for Cliffdale House, which he built there in 1782. The House of Sound was burnt by Hanoverian troops in 1746 but was replaced. Laings of Papdale acquired the estate in 1770 and then in 1782 it was sold to Major Thomas Balfour. Balfour began a series of agricultural improvements on Shapinsay and c 1785 founded Balfour village which was settled with 'joiners, carpenters, weavers, tailors'' (Sinclair, 1795-8). His considerable improvements involved 'an extensive garden laid out; the lands are substantially inclosed and judiciously cultivated with the English plough; many barren fields are, by cultivation, made fertile'. In short Cliffdale, which is the name of this gentleman's seat, taken in conjunction with its appendages, exhibits to the eyes of a stranger coming from the sea, or from Kirkwall, rather the appearance of a neat little villa in the vicinity of some opulent city, than of a gentleman's house recently raised in a remote sequestered part of the kingdom.' Built by Balfour, Cliffdale was an L-shaped house, the focus of a designed landscape (Matheson, 1819). In 1846 the estate passed to his grandson, David Balfour. The following year David Balfour engaged the Edinburgh architect David Bryce, and the building of Balfour Castle began. It was finished in 1848 Hope this helps Elsie ----- Original Message ----- From: KenHarrison11@cs.com To: ORKNEY-L@rootsweb.com ; elsier@bigpond.net.au ; traill@xtra.co.nz Sent: Friday, June 27, 2008 4:01 PM Subject: Col Balfour of Cliffdale, circa 1795 I have found a reference to a "Col. Balfour" who apparently had a factor named William Spence representing him "at Cliffdale" in the mid 1790s. Can anyone identify either the place, Cliffdale, or who may have been the "Col. Balfour"? I wonder whether it may have been Thomas Balfour of Elwick, who apparently was a doctor and raised a unit of Fencibles, thereby having the title of Colonel. But I know of no connection he had to any place named Cliffdale. Any advice or suggestions welcomed ... Ken Harrison North Vancouver, Canada Unless specifically stated otherwise in this message, there is no intentional attachment on this e-mail transmission.

Hi Lisa it is from a Canadian parliament website. As usual I found it when searching for Sinclair's and cannot find any of my own. Here is the link in case you want it. http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/Parliament/BornOutsideCanada.aspx?Menu=HOC-Bio&Show=MP&Language=E ;8>) Willie 2008/6/27 Lisa Conrad <nisus00@earthlink.net>: > Yes, indeed, Willie -- you have found a So. Ronaldsay "Stray"! > Congratulations! High fives! hehee :-) > > > You didn't say where the information you show came from (from what > record-- e.g. is it a book?), but guess what -- even the date of birth > is correct for this SR "Stray" on that source. > > William "Balenden, Surgeon" [sic] and his brother, John Balenden" [sic] > were the Witnesses to the baptism (which occurred on 17th November 1829). > > Factoid: This William Ballenden married a daughter of the Rev. John > Gerard, Mary Russell Gerard. Both William and Mary died in Stromness, in > 1868, and 1863, respectively. > > > -- Lisa > www.SouthRonaldsay.net > ----------------------------------- > > William Sinclair wrote: >> Hi Lisa found this stray, (I hope) He became an MP in the Canadian Parliament. >> >> BANNATYNE, Andrew Graham Ballenden >> Picture not available >> Picture not available >> Date of Birth (yyyy.mm.dd): 1829.10.31 >> Place of Birth: South Ronalshay, Orkney Islands, Scotland >> Deceased Date (yyyy.mm.dd): 1889.05.18 (59 years old) >> Occupation: Fur trader, merchant >> Political Affiliation: >> >> * Liberal Party of Canada >> (1874.01.22 - ) >> >> Federal Political Experience >> Years of Service: 1266 Days (3 years, 5 months, 18 days) >> ^ House of Commons >> Constituency Date of Election (yyyy.mm.dd) Result >> Provencher, Manitoba 1875.03.31 Elected >> Selkirk, Manitoba 1874.01.22 Defeated >> ^ Caucus >> Party Term (yyyy.mm.dd) >> Liberal Party of Canada 1875.03.31 - 1878.08.16 >> >> > ------------------ > List Archives, information on contacting list administrator, Subscribing and UnSubscribing can be found at: > > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/SCT/ORKNEY.html > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ORKNEY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Hi Lisa found this stray, (I hope) He became an MP in the Canadian Parliament. BANNATYNE, Andrew Graham Ballenden Picture not available Picture not available Date of Birth (yyyy.mm.dd): 1829.10.31 Place of Birth: South Ronalshay, Orkney Islands, Scotland Deceased Date (yyyy.mm.dd): 1889.05.18 (59 years old) Occupation: Fur trader, merchant Political Affiliation: * Liberal Party of Canada (1874.01.22 - ) Federal Political Experience Years of Service: 1266 Days (3 years, 5 months, 18 days) ^ House of Commons Constituency Date of Election (yyyy.mm.dd) Result Provencher, Manitoba 1875.03.31 Elected Selkirk, Manitoba 1874.01.22 Defeated ^ Caucus Party Term (yyyy.mm.dd) Liberal Party of Canada 1875.03.31 - 1878.08.16 This one is not a SR stray but I thought I would post it in the event that someone is related. REID, John Flaws Picture of REID, John Flaws (c) House of Commons 1918 Date of Birth (yyyy.mm.dd): 1860.06.30 Place of Birth: Eday, Orkney Islands, Scotland Deceased Date (yyyy.mm.dd): 1943.07.10 (83 years old) Occupation: Farmer Political Affiliation: * Unionist (Liberal) (1917.12.17 - ) Federal Political Experience Years of Service: 1450 Days (3 years, 11 months, 20 days) ^ House of Commons Constituency Date of Election (yyyy.mm.dd) Result Mackenzie, Saskatchewan 1917.12.17 Elected ^ Caucus Party Term (yyyy.mm.dd) Unionist (Liberal) 1918.03.18 - 1921.10.04 If you are related to John Flaws Reid I can get you a photo. ------------------------------------ This one is not a stray. SPENCE, George, C.B.E., LL.D. Picture not available Picture not available Date of Birth (yyyy.mm.dd): 1880.10.25 Place of Birth: Birsay, Orkney Islands, Scotland Deceased Date (yyyy.mm.dd): 1975.03.04 (94 years old) Occupation: Farmer Political Affiliation: * Liberal Party of Canada (1925.10.29 - ) Federal Political Experience Years of Service: 716 Days (1 year, 11 months, 17 days) ^ House of Commons Constituency Date of Election (yyyy.mm.dd) Result Maple Creek, Saskatchewan 1926.09.14 Elected Maple Creek, Saskatchewan 1925.10.29 Elected ^ Caucus Party Term (yyyy.mm.dd) Liberal Party of Canada 1926.01.07 - 1927.10.14 There is no picture for this one Willie Sinclair

Lisa Conrad wrote: > Ah! It's out of print already? WOW. Good thing I bought two copies > when it first came out (one for me, and one for a special cousin's > birthday present). > > :-) > > - Lisa Now back in print again, according to this week's Orcadian. "New stock just in", it says. Norman T.

Yes, indeed, Willie -- you have found a So. Ronaldsay "Stray"! Congratulations! High fives! hehee :-) You didn't say where the information you show came from (from what record-- e.g. is it a book?), but guess what -- even the date of birth is correct for this SR "Stray" on that source. William "Balenden, Surgeon" [sic] and his brother, John Balenden" [sic] were the Witnesses to the baptism (which occurred on 17th November 1829). Factoid: This William Ballenden married a daughter of the Rev. John Gerard, Mary Russell Gerard. Both William and Mary died in Stromness, in 1868, and 1863, respectively. -- Lisa www.SouthRonaldsay.net ----------------------------------- William Sinclair wrote: > Hi Lisa found this stray, (I hope) He became an MP in the Canadian Parliament. > > BANNATYNE, Andrew Graham Ballenden > Picture not available > Picture not available > Date of Birth (yyyy.mm.dd): 1829.10.31 > Place of Birth: South Ronalshay, Orkney Islands, Scotland > Deceased Date (yyyy.mm.dd): 1889.05.18 (59 years old) > Occupation: Fur trader, merchant > Political Affiliation: > > * Liberal Party of Canada > (1874.01.22 - ) > > Federal Political Experience > Years of Service: 1266 Days (3 years, 5 months, 18 days) > ^ House of Commons > Constituency Date of Election (yyyy.mm.dd) Result > Provencher, Manitoba 1875.03.31 Elected > Selkirk, Manitoba 1874.01.22 Defeated > ^ Caucus > Party Term (yyyy.mm.dd) > Liberal Party of Canada 1875.03.31 - 1878.08.16 > >

Norman Tulloch was indeed right to caution the accuracy of the Wikipedia article on him. The quote would read more accurately as: "Originally known as Cliffdale, Balfour was built in 1787 by Thomas Balfour (1752-1799), who qualified as a Doctor in 1774 and acquired a private income a year later by marrying Frances, daughter of Field Marshall Lord Ligonier, and who had rented the Bu of Burray. With his wife's wealth, the proceeds of selling his commission as an Ensign and a loan from his elder brother John 3rd of Trenaby who made his fortune serving with the British East India Company, Balfour purchased the estate of Sound in 1784. The house of Sound had been burned down in revenge for the then owner's support of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. During the next few years, to make way for a new residence nearby, Balfour of Elwick, as he now styled himself, cleared cottars from the south-west of the island, and appropriated part of the common, building the village of Shoreside to house those evicted. In 1846 his grandson, David Balfour, inherited the estate, which now encompassed most of the island. The following year, he recruited an Edinburgh architect, David Bryce, to transform Cliffdale House into the Scottish Baronial Balfour Castle." Thomas Balfour raised the Orkney and Shetland Fencibles in 1793, being commissioned as Major. He was promoted to Colonel a year later, to raise the North Lowland Fencibles. He never saw active service. I have this information from books written by Ray Fereday and Willie Thomson, whose works OFHS members may sight in the Bibilography included as the last item in the page listing "Resources". This needs updating with Thomson's second edition of his "New History of Orkney" and his superb new "Orkney Land and People" (already - temporarly - out of print). James Irvine.

For those interested in fiction, Lynn Hamilton has written an archeology mystery called The Orkney Scroll. Rena