Message text written by INTERNET:ORKNEY-L@rootsweb.com > Actually Kelday is an Orcadian name, or so it seems. Here's Gregor Lamb's info on the name:< Anne, Thanks for your reply, and so quick too. It looks like the Danish connection is just a myth that crept in somewhere. I have been sharing my findings with a relative on Vancouver Island, and both his grandfather and mine (who were brothers) were insistant that the monument at Deerness is of great significance to our family. I hope that someone can provide information on this, but I guess that eventually a trip to Orkney would sort that out. Regards John

My grandfather, James Melville was born at Balfour's Brae, Warsetter, Cross, Sanday on February 6, 1887. His mother was Cecilia Melville, born about 1868, daughter of John Melville and Jane Peace. Cecilia married a William Mowat in about 1892 and I know that they had other children. Cecilia had two sisters - Jean or Jane Melville, born about1863, who might have married a Peter Skea in about 1889 and Grace Miller Melville, born about 1872. "Ancient" information is so much easier to find! Can anyone out there fill in any of the blanks or have any suggestions about who to contact in Sanday, regarding the Parish Registers. The name MELVILLE (Meil, Meal) was once fairly common on Sanday but seems to have disappeared. I have run across a couple references to properties - Balfour's Brae, Ayr, The Myres, and Graemeshall- that I would be interested in knowing about. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated! Laurie Malette Calgary, Alberta Canada malette@tcel.com

> Date: Wed, 02 Dec 1998 09:29:39 -0500 > From: "Anne M. Rendall" <anne@rendall.net> > Subject: Re: [ORKNEY-L] Surname Origins - Laing & Meason > To: ORKNEY-L@rootsweb.com > Reply-to: ORKNEY-L@rootsweb.com > At 04:22 PM 12/1/98 -0800, you wrote: > >Hi Anne & all: > > According to a recent letter I've received from the Angus Archives, Gilbert > >was the 2nd son of Robert Laing, Laird of Strenzie, in Orkney, and brother > >of Malcolm Laing, the historian. > >I am hoping that not only do the names show up in your copy of Mr. Lambs > >book, but give me some idea of where "Strenzie" is or was?? > I took a quick glance at a map of Orkney and didn't see the Strenzie farm. > I know there is a book on farm names, I'll have to see if I can find the > title. > Regards, > > Anne Rendall > Rendall dot Net http://rendall.net > Volunteer Listowner Orkney-L > Volunteer host OrkneyGen Web -> http://rendall.net/orkney Hi Kate and Anne! I believe that another descendant asked this question a while ago, and one reply was that it was likely a mis-spelling for "Stronsay". Kate: To see the earlier messages for this, go to the Mailing list Archives at http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl then type in ORKNEY-L A search under Strenzie should bring up both the query and the reply. Happy Hunting! Stephen

At 04:25 PM 12/1/98 -0500, you wrote: > Like many people tracing their Orcadian roots, I have got stuck in the >1700's (1710 to be precise). There is a belief in our family that the name >Kelday arrived in Orkney with that ship, and that originally it is a Danish >name. > Can anyone shed any light on this? > >Thanks > >John Kelday John, Actually Kelday is an Orcadian name, or so it seems. Here's Gregor Lamb's info on the name: "Kelday: Andrew Kelday, Holm, 1564: from the old placename in Keldall in Holm: this surname is also spelt Keldie: not a common surname in Orkney today: eight out of ten Keldays/Keldies live in Kirwall." Gregor Lamb, Orkney Surnames, Copyright Gregor Lamb 1980. Regards, Anne Rendall Rendall dot Net http://rendall.net Volunteer Listowner Orkney-L Volunteer host OrkneyGen Web -> http://rendall.net/orkney

At 04:22 PM 12/1/98 -0800, you wrote: >Hi Anne & all: > >Like others on this terrific list, I too am finding the surname origin >subject very interesting. Am wondering if you have any information on the >names Laing and Meason. I would normally not ask for two surnames, but >these two are linked. My gg-grandfather, Gilbert, used both names, >hyphenated as: Laing-Meason, while his siblings used only Laing. >According to a recent letter I've received from the Angus Archives, Gilbert >was the 2nd son of Robert Laing, Laird of Strenzie, in Orkney, and brother >of Malcolm Laing, the historian. >I am hoping that not only do the names show up in your copy of Mr. Lambs >book, but give me some idea of where "Strenzie" is or was?? > >TIA (& keeping fingers crossed) > Kate, There was no listing in my book for Laing. Here's the listing for Meason: "Meason: Donald Meason, 1480: in no way connected with the occupational surname 'mason': as suggested in the text, probably derived from Old Norse 'mega' to be fit or able and therefore one of the few pleasant native nickname surnames: a rare surname in Orkney today." from Gregor Lamb's Orkney Surnames, Copyright 1980 by Gregor Lamb. << We should be careful to include copyright information. I took a quick glance at a map of Orkney and didn't see the Strenzie farm. I know there is a book on farm names, I'll have to see if I can find the title. Regards, Anne Rendall Rendall dot Net http://rendall.net Volunteer Listowner Orkney-L Volunteer host OrkneyGen Web -> http://rendall.net/orkney

Hello fellow ORKNEY researchers. Have a quick look for a connection to your trees: My ancestor, James WORK, was from ORKNEY, in the Island of SHAPINSAY. He was baptised in the year 1799, and his parents were William WORK and Marion (nee HUTCHINSON). In 1828 he married Elizabeth (nee MACKAY) in KIRKWALL, parish of EAST MAINLAND Elizabeth MACKAY, b ca 1896, KIRKWALL, Parents Angus MACKAY and Euphan BALFOUR Moved to AUSTRALIA in 1852 on the ship ARLINGA. (have details of several descendents) Hoping to find new details of: * siblings of Elizabeth (nee MACKAY) and her parents, Angus MACKAY and Euphan BALFOUR - and so, descendents. * siblings of James WORK and his parents, William WORK and Marion HUTCHINSON- and so, descendents. Thanks for your glances, Charndra Josling Oaklands Park, South Australia cjosling@senet.com.au

Could anyone help me with who the children were for Magnus BUDGE and Barbara Sutherland around the 1730's - 1750's! Having problems trying to find the parents of a James BUDGE (b abt 1754) who married Jane Duncan. They lived in South Ronaldsay. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks Sharon Laing

I'm still looking for any information on BORWICK's in Orkney from about 1900 to 1940. Any help gratefully received Ken Harvey almagill@geocities.com

Does anyone out there have any information about the memorial erected near Deerness Sound in 1888. I do know that the memorial marks the spot where the ship Crown of London sank in a storm in 1679 with the loss of 200 prisoners from the Battle of Bothwell Bridge. Fifty prisoners escaped onto the Orkney mainland. Like many people tracing their Orcadian roots, I have got stuck in the 1700's (1710 to be precise). There is a belief in our family that the name Kelday arrived in Orkney with that ship, and that originally it is a Danish name. Can anyone shed any light on this? Thanks John Kelday

Hi Anne & all: Like others on this terrific list, I too am finding the surname origin subject very interesting. Am wondering if you have any information on the names Laing and Meason. I would normally not ask for two surnames, but these two are linked. My gg-grandfather, Gilbert, used both names, hyphenated as: Laing-Meason, while his siblings used only Laing. According to a recent letter I've received from the Angus Archives, Gilbert was the 2nd son of Robert Laing, Laird of Strenzie, in Orkney, and brother of Malcolm Laing, the historian. I am hoping that not only do the names show up in your copy of Mr. Lambs book, but give me some idea of where "Strenzie" is or was?? TIA (& keeping fingers crossed) Kate Keene Ottawa, Ont. Canada laingstr@cyberus.ca

At 06:47 PM 11/30/98 -0700, you wrote: >I have traced my Traill ancestors to the 1540's to Quineall,Rousay. > >Sometimes it was spelled Trail or Trale, but most of the time it is Traill >since the 1600's > >Does anyone have information about the name Traill? Dick, Here's the listing from Gregor Lamb's Orkney Surnames, copyright 1989 by Gregor Lamb: "Traill: David Traill, 1523: the surname arrived in Orkney from Fife: its origin is in doubt: the original Traill surname in Orkney has all but vanished, subsumed under the double surname Traill-Thomson." You may have gone back as far as possible in Orkney. I've noticed that the spelling variations in the records can be explained by the lack of full literacy by the people making the records. A lot of us our stuck in the 1700's in our research. Do you have any tips to share? Regards, Anne Rendall Rendall dot Net http://rendall.net Volunteer Listowner Orkney-L Volunteer host OrkneyGen Web -> http://rendall.net/orkney

At 02:41 PM 11/30/98 -0500, you wrote: >My paternal grandparents, Robina Scott and William Harcus Gullion, came to >the U.S. in the 1920s shortly before my father was born. I am interested in >learning the origins of the Gullion name -- what it means, where it started. >I recall my grandfather telling me it was a Norse name, but that's about >all. Any info is appreciated. Many thanks, Cindy (Gullion) La Ferle Cindy, The surname Gullion isn't in Gregor Lamb's Orkney Surnames. Orkney Surnames, by Gregor Lamb. Copyright 1980 Gregor Lamb Regards, Anne Rendall Rendall dot Net http://rendall.net Volunteer Listowner Orkney-L Volunteer host OrkneyGen Web -> http://rendall.net/orkney

At 02:26 PM 11/30/98 -0500, you wrote: >I'm facinated to hear all the information on Orkney name origins posted by >Anne Rendall, and now also from Jean Vesely. >Is it possible for either of you to check BALLENTINE / BALLANTYNE for me? >They were from Orphir in the late 1700s. Another Ballantyne researcher told >me that the name may originally have been BANNATYNE in Orphir, although I >have no-one by that name in my ancestry (yet). The spelling >Ballantyne/Ballentine seems to change from bap. record to bap. record >within the same family. >Any info would be greatly appreciated. >Regards >Patty Brown >Toronto, Canada Patty, Here's the listing: "Ballantyne: Patrick Ballantyne, Sheriff Principal of Orkney, 1564: this name was formerly written Bellenden: from Bellenden in Roxburghshire: not a common surname in Orkney today." By the way, this and all listings I've quoted are from Orkney Surnames, by Gregor Lamb. Copyright 1980 Gregor Lamb Regards, Anne Rendall Rendall dot Net http://rendall.net Volunteer Listowner Orkney-L Volunteer host OrkneyGen Web -> http://rendall.net/orkney

Also, I think someone announced on this list that they had started a Flett homepage, I don't have the message. Go to the Rootsweb homepage, http://rootsweb.com and follow the link to search a mailing list archive. Anne Rendall At 10:04 PM 11/30/98 -0500, you wrote: >You might want to try www.curister.com It has many births & marriages from >the Orkneys. >Good Luck > >Janine McIntyre > >---------- >> From: James Don Baugh <don_baugh@bc.sympatico.ca> >> To: ORKNEY-L@rootsweb.com >> Subject: [ORKNEY-L] Fletts from Northbigging >> Date: Monday, November 30, 1998 5:04 PM >> >> Hi All.... First try at this list so will try to be brief. Iam looking >> for some info on my wifes family......her father was; >> George Andrew Flett born Feb21st 1891 at Northbigging Harray the 9th son >> in the family of 11 children. Born to Peter (a farmer} and to Mary >> {Linklater} Flett. >> ...Her mother was....; >> Maggie Craigie the youngest in a family of two boys and two girls born >> to William {a sailor} and Elizabeth {Baikie} Craigie at Runas Harray . >> >> My wife Peg and I will be going back to Orkney again in spring of 99. At >> which time we hope to do some family research. But as we have many >> friends to visit we do not want to spend to much time in research. >> >> Can some kind soul tell me how I can find the names of my father in laws >> siblings. Also the origins of the three names Flett Craigie and Baikie. >> Thanks for any info.. Regards >> Don Baugh >> Kamloops BC Canada >> >

You might want to try www.curister.com It has many births & marriages from the Orkneys. Good Luck Janine McIntyre ---------- > From: James Don Baugh <don_baugh@bc.sympatico.ca> > To: ORKNEY-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [ORKNEY-L] Fletts from Northbigging > Date: Monday, November 30, 1998 5:04 PM > > Hi All.... First try at this list so will try to be brief. Iam looking > for some info on my wifes family......her father was; > George Andrew Flett born Feb21st 1891 at Northbigging Harray the 9th son > in the family of 11 children. Born to Peter (a farmer} and to Mary > {Linklater} Flett. > ...Her mother was....; > Maggie Craigie the youngest in a family of two boys and two girls born > to William {a sailor} and Elizabeth {Baikie} Craigie at Runas Harray . > > My wife Peg and I will be going back to Orkney again in spring of 99. At > which time we hope to do some family research. But as we have many > friends to visit we do not want to spend to much time in research. > > Can some kind soul tell me how I can find the names of my father in laws > siblings. Also the origins of the three names Flett Craigie and Baikie. > Thanks for any info.. Regards > Don Baugh > Kamloops BC Canada >

-----Original Message----- From: Heather <crafty@mb.sympatico.ca> To: ORKNEY-L@rootsweb.com <ORKNEY-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Monday, November 30, 1998 8:45 PM Subject: [ORKNEY-L] KIRKNESS origin >I have Groundwater in my family tree & was interested to read it's origin. >My question is: Would there be any origin to my surname KIRKNESS? >Thanks, >Heather >Manitoba, Canada Hi Heather, I have plenty of Kiknesses and a few Groundwaters in my tree, in fact it is possible that my surname, Garson, originated from the much older name Kirkness. >From Lamb's Surnames of Orkney; "Sir Thomas Kirkness, 1391: (first record of the name); from the tunship of Kirkness in Sandwick: a common surname in Orkney today: 40% of the Kirkness surnames are to be found in Sandwick where the name originated almost 600 years ago." Would like to hear more about the Groundwaters and Kirknesses in your tree. Regards Ron

I have traced my Traill ancestors to the 1540's to Quineall,Rousay. Sometimes it was spelled Trail or Trale, but most of the time it is Traill since the 1600's Does anyone have information about the name Traill?

I have Groundwater in my family tree & was interested to read it's origin. My question is: Would there be any origin to my surname KIRKNESS? Thanks, Heather Manitoba, Canada

I've been told that my grandmother, Elizabeth Jane Walker, was born in Kirkwall on March 1, 1875. I have hit a dead-end and not been able to find any info to confirm this. I was shown a photo about 30 years ago of what supposedly was the house she grew up in...long stone building with slate roof. Believe she was one of 5 or 6 children. She and a brother immigrated to the U.S. sometime before 1916 (when my mom was born). Can anyone help, please? Thanks. Bobbi blbushue@aol.com

Hi All.... First try at this list so will try to be brief. Iam looking for some info on my wifes family......her father was; George Andrew Flett born Feb21st 1891 at Northbigging Harray the 9th son in the family of 11 children. Born to Peter (a farmer} and to Mary {Linklater} Flett. ...Her mother was....; Maggie Craigie the youngest in a family of two boys and two girls born to William {a sailor} and Elizabeth {Baikie} Craigie at Runas Harray . My wife Peg and I will be going back to Orkney again in spring of 99. At which time we hope to do some family research. But as we have many friends to visit we do not want to spend to much time in research. Can some kind soul tell me how I can find the names of my father in laws siblings. Also the origins of the three names Flett Craigie and Baikie. Thanks for any info.. Regards Don Baugh Kamloops BC Canada