Ivan & Orkney Researchers, There are some very "cheap" priced microfiche available from the LDS which will help you do your Orkney research. Of course, one is the IGI, and the other is the Locality Catalog portion of the Family History Library Catalog. I have tried to use the www.familysearch.org, but prefer to use my own microfiche. I have 3 microfiche readers, so I can just read the info while I am at my computer terminal. I am not affiliated with the LDS in any way. The Orkney International Genealogical Index (IGI) is comprised of 9 microfiche. The Locality Catalog, which is for all of Scotland, is comprised of 8 microfiche. Here is how you order these microfiche, which cost 15 cents for each microfiche. In other words, if you buy everything that is mentioned above, it will be 17 X 15 cents = $2.55 American Dollars, plus S+H, and if you want any envelopes for your microfiche, they cost 2 cents each: Call 1-800-537-5950, which is the LDS Salt Lake Distribution Center in Utah, USA. Tell them that all of the items that you are ordering, are FREE items. Otherwise, they will require you to give them a credit card number. Order these item numbers: # 33360 - Order form from SLC Distribution Center. # 31874 - Family Library Catalog Order form for microfiche. # 31791 - IGI Order form for microfiche. # 34083 - Family History Publications List. Once you have these microfiche, which are also available at any LDS Family History Center, you can really take a good look at what has been microfilmed regarding the Orkney records. Then, you can rent the microfilms to view at the Family History Center or other genealogy library which is able to rent the microfilms. Once you start to look at the microfilms of the "actual" Parish Records, etc., you will probably find what you are looking for. The IGI does NOT list all of the info that is on the ORIGINAL Parish Registers. Before you give up on any of your Orkney research, you must ALWAYS look at a microfilm copy of the original record. The transcripts, etc. don't tell the whole story. Happy Hunting! William A. Mills Perry, GA USA ======= On Tue, 20 Jul 1999 07:48:01 +1000 "Ivan Sanders" <isanders@alphalink.com.au> writes: William, I am interested in purchasing one. Please let me know how. Ivan ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.

I to would be interested in information on purchasing info! Thanx Debbie Surnames: Will, Campbell, Farquharson, Millar, Cruickshank all of Orkney

Deb, >> would you have access to any of the data that might be >included with the marriage records? << The LDS has microfilm copies of the Parish Registers. Have you checked these out yet? William A. Mills Perry, GA ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.

Hi William, with regard to the IGI, I have the following databases on my computer: International Genealogical Index (R) - 1994 Edition - Version 3.06 Flett: Marriages - Caithness, Orkney & Shetland Flett: Births & baptisms - Orkney, Caithness & Shetland 13 AUG 1997 Unfortunately the earliest listed James Flett from these databases is too young to be my 7th Grt.Grandfather. Is this the same as your micro-fish? I have also checked the Scot Origins on-line database: Scots ORIGINS database contains the indexes to birth and marriage entries in Scotland's Old Parish Registers (1553-1854, with a few also for 1855 and 1856); to birth, death and marriage entries in the Statutory Registers(1855-1898); and to the 1891Census. These indexes are combined into a single database, containing over 25 million names, all of which can be searched at once Here the earliest record available for Fletts is from 1657 but no trace of my James Flett. Do you have any other sources that I have not covered above or other ideas that might help me? Thanks John Flett William A. Mills wrote: > Mr. Flett, > > Have you looked through the IGI yet? I have it at home on microfiche, as > well as the Locality Catalog for Orkney, which includes a listing of > everything that has ever been microfilmed about Orkney. > > William A. Mills > Perry, GA > > ========== > On Sun, 18 Jul 1999 16:04:04 -0700 John & Mercedes Flett > <jflett@2xtreme.net> writes: > >Hi People, > > > >I have been doing research into my Flett ancestors with the assistance > >of Charles Flett of Essex who is my 2nd cousin once removed. > > > >I have hit a brick wall in the 17th century with my 7th > >G.grandparents.................<clip> > > ___________________________________________________________________ > Get the Internet just the way you want it. > Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! > Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.

Hi William: <:) if someone e-mails you off the list would you kindly forward the info to me? My children's ancestors, FLATTS, come from, KIRKWALL,ORKNEY ISLES. Thanks, Pat in Canada ---------- > From: William A. Mills <wmamills@juno.com> > To: ORKNEY-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [ORKNEY-L] Orcadian Info. > Date: Monday, July 19, 1999 12:53 PM > > Orkney Researchers, > > I have a few questions that I am hoping some of you may be able to help > me with: > > 1. Are any of you who are on this Orkney-L list, actual residents of the > Orkney Islands of Scotland? > > 2. How can I susbscribe to the Orcadian newspaper? And is it possible to > do it via the internet? > > 3. I am considering coming to Orkney in the near future. Most of my > Rusland, Russell, Barnet, Thomson, & Groat ancestors were from Shapinsay > & South Ronaldsay. Can anyone give me any advice as to where to stay in > that vicinity? > > 4. I am planning on visiting THE ORKNEY LIBRARY in Kirkwall, Orkney, > which was founded in 1683, and is Scotland's oldest Public Library. Can > anyone give me any info on what genealogical & local history collections > they have. Does this library have an email address? > > William A. Mills > Perry, GA > USA > > ___________________________________________________________________ > Get the Internet just the way you want it. > Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! > Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj. >

John, >> Do you have any other sources that I have not covered above or other ideas that might help me? << Have you read every page of the LDS Locality Catalog of Orkney, via microfiche? I don't know if you could get a bird's eyeview from www.familysearch.com or not. I have the actual microfiche, which is very easy to read. However, there are hundreds of Orkney records which have been filmed by the LDS besides the obvious vital, census, & estate records. If you would like to purchase these microfiche, you can for less than a dollar, plus S+H. If you want info on how to purchase these, let me know. Happy Hunting! William A. Mills Perry, GA ======= On Mon, 19 Jul 1999 11:08:41 -0700 John & Mercedes Flett <jflett@2xtreme.net> writes: Hi William, with regard to the IGI, I have the following databases on my computer: International Genealogical Index (R) - 1994 Edition - Version 3.06 Flett: Marriages - Caithness, Orkney & Shetland Flett: Births & baptisms- Orkney, Caithness & Shetland 13 AUG 1997 Unfortunately the earliest listed James Flett from these databases is too young to be my 7th Grt.Grandfather. Is this the same as your micro-fish? I have also checked the Scot Origins on-line database: Scots ORIGINS database contains the indexes to birth and marriage entries in Scotland's Old Parish Registers (1553-1854, with a few also for 1855 and 1856); to birth, death and marriage entries in the Statutory Registers(1855-1898); and to the 1891Census. These indexes are combined into a single database, containing over 25 million names, all of which can be searched at once Here the earliest record available for Fletts is from 1657 but no trace of my James Flett. Do you have any other sources that I have not covered above or other ideas that might help me? Thanks John Flett ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.

Listers - When in Kirkwall last summer - June, 1998, we looked up every HALCRO, WILSON, JOHNSTON and GROUNDWATER we thought we needed in the 1891 census. We find most of our relatives in Orphir, Kirkwall and Stromness. There were several that, it turns out, were not needed, and a lot of information on the pages that did not concen the family names. I copied 26 pages of documents !!! I will be slowly listing these names, if you find any might be pertinent to you, please eMail me for the details. These will be generally listed, with few specifics, other than name of head of household and their age, the spouse if present, and their age. The others enumerated will be listed as "and 3 children" , or "and servant" with their name. I am trying to keep non-essential information out of the list. Just enought to identify a family. - Meg Greenwood - Oklahoma Group #2 Kirkwall : James LINKLATER (born Sanday) - High Street - 63 yrs. Wife Marion (born Renfrewshire) - 52 yrs and 6 children born in Kirkwall James WALTERS (born Stenness) - High Street - 49 yrs. Wife Betsey (born Harray) - 53 yrs and 5 children born in Kirkwall Thomas WILSON (born Shetland) - High Street - 58 or 53 yrs. Wife Jane (born Shetland) - 51 yrs and 3 children all born Kirkwall John FLETT(born Kirkwall) - High Street - 40 yrs. Wife Jane (born So. Ronaldshay) - 53 yrs and 1 child born Kirkwall Orphir : William JOHNSTON (born Walls) in North House - 64 yrs. Wife mary Agnes (born Caithness) 63 yrs (unsure of '3') and 2 children John SMITH (born Orphir) in Mid House - 53 yrs. Wife Elizabeth (born Walls) - 53 yrs and 3 children born Orphir. One servant - Ann JOHNSTON (born Walls) - 16 yrs Williiam NICOLSON (born Walls) in South House - 44 yrs. Wife Mary (born Orphir) - 53 yrs and 1 servant - Maggie WARD (born Walls) - 16 yrs.

In a message dated 7/19/99 2:17:36 PM Eastern Daylight Time, jflett@2xtreme.net writes: To William and John, I am doing a lot of research on my great-grandmother's family from Orkney, and would appreciate any help. I saw that one of you is in Georgia, and living in Tennesse, that is quite near. The family I am researching are: Swanney Irvine Laughton Bews I have some wedding dates , but the expense of ordering from Scots Origins is prohibitive. would you have access to any of the data that might be included with the marriage records? Thanks to all, Deb McPherson Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, USA

Orkney Researchers, I have a few questions that I am hoping some of you may be able to help me with: 1. Are any of you who are on this Orkney-L list, actual residents of the Orkney Islands of Scotland? 2. How can I susbscribe to the Orcadian newspaper? And is it possible to do it via the internet? 3. I am considering coming to Orkney in the near future. Most of my Rusland, Russell, Barnet, Thomson, & Groat ancestors were from Shapinsay & South Ronaldsay. Can anyone give me any advice as to where to stay in that vicinity? 4. I am planning on visiting THE ORKNEY LIBRARY in Kirkwall, Orkney, which was founded in 1683, and is Scotland's oldest Public Library. Can anyone give me any info on what genealogical & local history collections they have. Does this library have an email address? William A. Mills Perry, GA USA ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.

Hi Ken, The person you are trying to contact may be me. I sent a message recently re. GROUNDWATER. Hope to hear from you soon.My email address is janmax@vds.net.au Janette Thomson ----- Original Message ----- From: Ken Harrison <mcharrison@compuserve.com> To: <ORKNEY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, July 19, 1999 3:15 AM Subject: [ORKNEY-L] GROUNDWATER > Would the person on this list who is interested in GROUNDWATER please > contact me off-line? I have some information, and can't find my record of > your name and contact. > > Thanks > > Ken Harrison > Vancouver, Canada > mcharrison@compuserve.com > >

Patty - YES - I have found one on the 3rd page I looked at ! The Census for Orphir lists a Betsy BALLANTYNE as head of the household, at age 49. She was a widow. Born in Orphir, and a General Servant shown as Occupation. She had a son living with her, his last name is very hard to read. Looks like PORIE. The P is clear, and the I and E are also, but the 'or' part is very muddy. He was unmarried, aged 18, and listed as a Tailor's apprentice. Also born in Orphir. They lived at a place called "Aikley" and it had 2 rooms with at least 1 window (that was a question they asked !) WELL - we have gotten lucky ! I just now found a listing for (very clearly) David PIERIE. There is a very small line through the first E, but it really looks more like just a stray mark. I have to guess it is the name from the above listing. Census place was Orphir. There are 8 listings at this household. eMail me if you need these listings for PIERE. Mary Ballantyne is listed as a visitor, married and 40 years old. She is a Farmer's wife from Aberdeenshire. Her Daughter Mary J was with her, she was 4, her birthplace is cryptic, Orkney is very clear, but the next short word is a real guess. 'Evie' is the best I can do, but the first letter sure resembles a B. Any guesses are welcomed ! Looks like you hit the jackpot for BALLANTYNES - just found another family - 8 of them ! Census place was Orphir. Alexander BALLANTYNE - aged 42, head of the family - a farmer. Born Orphir. Living at a place called "Burnside" (it had 2 rooms with at least one window). His wife was Jane, aged 44, born on Shapinshay. Daughter Mary Ann, 14 - listed as 'at home', Son Alexander, 12 - listed as 'at home'. Daughter Jessie Agnes, 10 - scholar. Son John, 8, scholar. Daughter Margaret, 6. and son William, 2. All the children were born in Kirkwall. Boy, you have alot to digest ! Glad you asked - I hated for these sheets to just sit here, unused ! - Meg Greenwood - Oklahoma On Sun, 18 Jul 1999 18:14:28 -0400, you wrote: Hi Meg, Do you happen to have any Ballantynes in your Orkney bag of goodies? Mine were from Orphir and Kirkwall and spellings varied......Ballantyne, Ballentine, Ballantine. Thanks for looking. Regards - Patty Brown - Toronto

Hi People, I have been doing research into my Flett ancestors with the assistance of Charles Flett of Essex who is my 2nd cousin once removed. I have hit a brick wall in the 17th century with my 7th G.grandparents: James Flett (b.1640-1670, m.1682 & c.1698, d..after 1713) Margaret Dunbar (m.1682, d.1692) Jannet Scot (b.19 Feb 1682, m.c.1698). The only record I have of them is on the mainland on the Moray Firth. However, we are convinced that either James or his recent ancestors came from the Orkney or Shetland islands. I am wondering whether anyone on this list may have leads on any of these people. Here is all I know of them. James Flett was born in the mid-1600’s and died after 1713. James or his ancestors almost certainly came from the Shetlands or Orkneys to the mainland. In 1682, James was a resident of Burghead in the parish of Duffus in Morayshire on the mainland when he married Margaret Dunbar. Margaret was probably from the mainland but could have been from elsewhere. No earlier record of the name Flett exists in the area and it therefore has to be concluded that James was an incomer. >From later records the only place where substantial numbers bearing the Flett surname were established in the mid seventeenth century was Orkney where the name appears in those islands' early sagas and it would seem very likely that James hailed from these northern isles. James may not have arrived here alone, as another James Flett was recorded in a marriage contract with Christian Steven in 1688. There is no evidence to identify the relationship between the two men except that they were two individuals, and not the same person. They may have been cousins or simply associates as a later record suggests. Around 1698 James married Janet Scot from Burghead. The couple moved from Burghead to Findochty, Rathven sometime around 1719. Some of the Fletts of Findochty are also said to have come from Shetland on the invitation of John Ord, the Laird of Findochty. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. John Flett Lotus, CA, USA.

Hi Meg, Do you happen to have any Ballantynes in your Orkney bag of goodies? Mine were from Orphir and Kirkwall and spellings varied......Ballantyne, Ballentine, Ballantine. Thanks for looking. Regards Patty Brown Toronto At 09:08 PM 7/18/99 GMT, you wrote: >Listers - When in Kirkwall last summer - June, 1998, we looked up every HALCRO, WILSON, JOHNSTON >and GROUNDWATER we thought we needed in the 1891 census. We find most of our relatives in Orphir, >Kirkwall and Stromness. There were several that, it turns out, were not needed, and a lot of >information on the pages that did not concen the family names. I copied 26 pages of documents !!! > >I will be slowly listing these names, if you find any might be pertinent to you, please eMail me for >the details. These will be generally listed, with few specifics, other than name of head of >household and their age, the spouse if present, and their age. The others enumerated will be listed >as "and 3 children" , or "and servant" with their name. I am trying to keep non-essential >information out of the list. Just enought to identify a family. - Meg Greenwood - Oklahoma > >CLOUSTON - Wm - age 37 on Alfred Street. Wife Margaret - age 46. 8 children. All born Stromness > >BAIKIE - Ann - age 55 on Alfred Street. Sister Georgina - age 45. Both born Stromness. Visitor > > from Canada - Jane BAIKIE. > >FLETT - Peter - age 60 at 'Roadside'. Wife Jane - age 51. Both born Orphir > >FARQUHAR - Robart - age 42 at 'Swenabo'. Wife Margaret - age 32. 3 children. All born Orphir > >FINDLAY - John (born Caithness) - age 20 at 'Cottage" (no other name). Wife Margaret - age 33. 2 > children, Wife and children born Orphir. > >BUDGE - John - age 76 at 'Budges Cottage'. Wife Betisy (exact spelling) - age 61. Both born > South Ronaldshay. > >JOHNSTON - James (born Orphir) - age 45 at "Orphir House'. Wife Sarah Sophia (born Ireland) - age > 27. 1 child (born Orphir). Boarder Fredrick W COUPER - age 19 (born > Forfarshire). Servant Ann KIRKPATRICK - age 21 (born Orphir). > > >

Mr. Flett, Have you looked through the IGI yet? I have it at home on microfiche, as well as the Locality Catalog for Orkney, which includes a listing of everything that has ever been microfilmed about Orkney. William A. Mills Perry, GA ========== On Sun, 18 Jul 1999 16:04:04 -0700 John & Mercedes Flett <jflett@2xtreme.net> writes: >Hi People, > >I have been doing research into my Flett ancestors with the assistance >of Charles Flett of Essex who is my 2nd cousin once removed. > >I have hit a brick wall in the 17th century with my 7th >G.grandparents.................<clip> ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.

Wrote this to William in answer to list query, but forgot to post it to the ORKNEY list ! William - I have a copy of the research done my an Archivist in Kirkwall, in 1985 for a relative (HALCRO/W). It specifically mentions the Sibilla Halcro and James Baikie you ask about. I will enclose text from my copy. I have to imagine you might have it already, as the 2 names leap out of the text, just as you have mentioned them. But, as you ask about their ancestors, maybe you don't have it ! These specific HALCROs are not in my 'tree' yet, as I am stuck in the mid 1700s, waiting for a marriage certificate to get the links ! >From "Orkney Armorials" by HL Norton Smith - The ancient family of Halcro was at a very early date in possession of property in Orkney, and according to old tradition was founded by a natural son of King Sucre [spelling questioned, cannot read the light type here - Meg] of Norway. Andrew Halcro of that Ilk was father of Sir Hugh Halcro of that Ilk, Canon of St Magnus Cathedral, who died in 1545, and was succeeded by his nephew, Harry Halcro of that Ilk, natural son of Malcolm Halcro, Archdeacon of Zetland. He married Lady Barbara Stewart, youngest daughter of Robert, Earl of Orkney. His son, Hugh Halcro of that Ilk (died 1644) was succeeded by his grandson, Hugh Halcro of that Ilk (son of Hugh Halcro, Yr. of that Ilk), who left by Barbara, his spouse, daughter of James Graeme of Graemeshall, a son, Hugh Halcro of that Ilk, who died withut issue in 1666, and 2 daughters, Jean and Sibilla, who were served heirs portioners. Jean Married in 1652 Alexander Mowat of Swinzie, and Sibilla married, first, James Baikie of Burness, who died 24th April, 1679, and second, in 1681, John Sinclair of Brabster, who died 12th January, 1690. That is all that is included about these HALCROs, no date is mentioned for the marriage of Sabilla to James. Hope this fills in a few blanks, if it does, it sure takes you back several generations !!!

Listers - When in Kirkwall last summer - June, 1998, we looked up every HALCRO, WILSON, JOHNSTON and GROUNDWATER we thought we needed in the 1891 census. We find most of our relatives in Orphir, Kirkwall and Stromness. There were several that, it turns out, were not needed, and a lot of information on the pages that did not concen the family names. I copied 26 pages of documents !!! I will be slowly listing these names, if you find any might be pertinent to you, please eMail me for the details. These will be generally listed, with few specifics, other than name of head of household and their age, the spouse if present, and their age. The others enumerated will be listed as "and 3 children" , or "and servant" with their name. I am trying to keep non-essential information out of the list. Just enought to identify a family. - Meg Greenwood - Oklahoma CLOUSTON - Wm - age 37 on Alfred Street. Wife Margaret - age 46. 8 children. All born Stromness BAIKIE - Ann - age 55 on Alfred Street. Sister Georgina - age 45. Both born Stromness. Visitor from Canada - Jane BAIKIE. FLETT - Peter - age 60 at 'Roadside'. Wife Jane - age 51. Both born Orphir FARQUHAR - Robart - age 42 at 'Swenabo'. Wife Margaret - age 32. 3 children. All born Orphir FINDLAY - John (born Caithness) - age 20 at 'Cottage" (no other name). Wife Margaret - age 33. 2 children, Wife and children born Orphir. BUDGE - John - age 76 at 'Budges Cottage'. Wife Betisy (exact spelling) - age 61. Both born South Ronaldshay. JOHNSTON - James (born Orphir) - age 45 at "Orphir House'. Wife Sarah Sophia (born Ireland) - age 27. 1 child (born Orphir). Boarder Fredrick W COUPER - age 19 (born Forfarshire). Servant Ann KIRKPATRICK - age 21 (born Orphir).

Orkney Researchers, Here is a brief lineage of the surnames which I am researching: 1. William Rusland (b ca 1739 in Orkney) married 1 Jan 1760 in Shapinsay, Elizabeth Boag (b ca 1742). Their son: 2. John Rusland (b 1760 in Shapinsay) married 10 Mar 1785 in South Ronaldsay, Jean Barnet (b ca 1758 in Orkney). Their son: 3. James Rusland (b 1789 in South Ronaldsay) married 26 Mar 1820 in South Ronaldsay, Barbara Thomson (b 1802), daughter of Andrew Thomson & Janet Groat. Their son: 4. John Edwin Rusland (b 1833 in South Ronaldsay, d ca 1868) married 17 Sep 1857 in Brooklyn, New York, USA Catherine Thompson (b ca 1842, d 1909). This RUSLAND / RUSSELL surname is listed in many different variations: Ruslan, Rusland, Rustland, Rushland, Russeland, Ruslane, Ruslin, Russlin, Rusle, Russil, Russel, and Russell. William A. Mills 232 Langston Road Perry, Georgia USA 31069-9322 ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.

Orkney Researchers, In 1996, I published a book entitled: THE JAMES RUSLAND FAMILY OF SCOTLAND & AMERICA 1739-1996. All of my ancestors from Scotland, who are listed in this book, are from Orkney. I am not trying to sell you this publication, as I only have one copy left. A copy of this book is at The Orkney Libray in Kirkwall, Orkney. If you are not able to visit this library, I will be glad to look up the information on your ancestors if they are listed in the index. The most frequently mentioned surnames listed in this publication are as follows: ANNAL BOAG BUDGE COUPER CROMARTY FLETT LOUTIT ROSIE RUSLAND RUSSELL SANDISON SINCLAIR SPENCE STAFFORD SYMISON THOMSON William A. Mills 232 Langston Road Perry, Georgia USA 31069-9322 ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.

Would the person on this list who is interested in GROUNDWATER please contact me off-line? I have some information, and can't find my record of your name and contact. Thanks Ken Harrison Vancouver, Canada mcharrison@compuserve.com

I do hereby present the Sherlock Holmes Genealogy Award to STEVE - wherever he is !!! Steve eMailed me with the solution to my 9 missing HALCROs. How my HALCROs ended up under HALERS is a bit of a stretch, but I sure am glad to find the listing ! I am VERY glad to be on this list, and thanks for the tip about searching for married daughters when you do not know the married name. If their given name is unususal, start a search for that name, and check out the possibilities. Of Joseph, Jessie, Thomas, Robina Jane, James, Peter, another Joseph, Margaret or Mary, I agree with Steve that 'Robina Jane' was surely the name to search for! I had actually done a search for Jessie, but had ignored the HALERS listing entirely ! Think I read where the census date was April 3 that year, maybe it was a REALLY cold and inhospitable day on mainland Orkney that day - cold fingers make writing difficult ! And these families were spread out in Orphir - lots of traveling to do. The local Archivist listed 'Norns' as the location of the household. I have to assume they knew it was spelled 'Norns', not the mis-read 'Noins'. Any one have specific directions to this location? Recently purchased a Pathfinder Series map for Orphir - one inch of map = about 4,100 feet ! A relative said the old family homestead in Orphir was re-done in 1998, and now looks like it did in its original state. We have an old pic, with James HALCRO and 2 children. The house is made of stone with a slate roof. It is captioned "Scappa Flow on the Breck". While I am at it, anyone know where Gerra, or Perra would have been? The Archivist had this precise notation as the location of the above Joseph's birth-family's home, also in Orphir. Is this related to Gera, Swanbister? Thanks for any more gems of information from this List ! - Meg Greenwood - Oklahoma