Dear Tiree Listers, One of the speakers at the Gathering Genealogy Workshop this Saturday morning (July 24, 2004) in Guelph will be Catriona Smyth from Edinburgh, Scotland. She will be organizing a display called the Tiree Emigrant's Kist (see below) and invites all of you to contribute photos to the display by email if you are not attending the Gathering. Explanations of any items or stories to go with them would be especially welcome. Or, if you don't have a photo of an item, just send the story you know about an item that was carried on an emigration journey. What a great idea, Catriona! Louise MacDougall Tiree Interconnections Project, Tiree Gathering 2004. EMAIL contributions to Leanne Piper: register@tireegathering.com Below is the explanation of the Kist project that Catriona sent out to the people who are attending the Gathering: ************************************************************ TIREE EMIGRANTS KIST ************************************************************ To see a picture of a Kist that is part is a travelling exhibition that belongs to the Museum of Scotland, go here: http://www.btinternet.com/~paulbasu/panel01.html The 19th century was a time of change. In their shiploads, Scots were packing up, leaving behind their lives as they knew it to pursue a better life in the New World. Emigrants came from every background: Highland crofters longing for better farming conditions, people from the towns with a dream of owning their own land, failed businessmen running from debtors. All had a dream of a better life for them and their family. Their lives were packed into a kist, a wooden chest measuring approximately one metre by half a metre. In the Kist above are examples of the possessions which early 19th century emigrants may have taken abroad, including tools, cooking and sewing implements, as well as more personal items such Sunday school certificates, photographs and a bible. At The Gathering there will be a Tiree Emigrants Kist. So I am looking for personal possessions to be put in it. I am happy to use modern versions of things if their overall design has not changed over the last hundred years or so e.g knitting needles . Wooden boxes like this were used for travelling right up to the 20th century and people emigrated to Canada throughout the 19th century so anything from the 19th century will be welcome. If you had something that is too big or too precious, bring or email a picture of it. Could you also include a small explanation, such as who it belonged to or any stories attached to it, it would make it more interesting. Below is a list of the contents of the Kist that belongs to the Museum of Scotland. This is only to give you some ideas of what we are looking for but each family will have its own ideas. The things marked with an ** indicate that I will bring similar items with me. If anyone has something similar to the list or is bringing something entirely different please let me know so I know what to expect. -Iron cruisie lamp, late 18th – 19th century -Iron griddle pan, 19th century -Iron bannock or bread spade from Auldtown of Newmiln, Keith, Bannffshire, late 18th–early 19th century. -Tinder box, flint and fleerie (steel), 19th century. -**Three reels of white linen thread, J&P Coats, Paisley -**Pack of Carlile’s of Paisley linen thread -**Pack of linen finishing tape -**Pack of hooks & eyes -**Two pairs wooden knitting needles -**Knitting pin. -**Gaelic Holy Bible -Sunday School certificate, United Presbyterian Church, 1880 -Earthenware ashet. 19th century -Glass bottle, early 19th century -Wooden tattie, or potato, masher, 19th century -Wooden hand-loom weaving shuttle, early 19th century -Work knife, with wood and canvas sheath, late 19th century -Leather sporran, 19th century -Snuff box, made of wood from Glasgow Cathedral, early 19th century -Curly horn snuff mull, lid engraved ‘A MD/1783’ -Bracelet made of woven hair, mid 19th century -Horn spoon, early 19th century -Silver double heart, or ‘Luckenbooth’ brooch, late 18th - early 19th century -**Silver single heart brooch, late 18th -early 19th century -**Three wooden clothes pegs, 19th century -Three lead 18th and 19th century church communion tokens. -tartan shawl, late 19th century, -**Three linen baby’s gowns, 19th century -**Pine kist, or travelling chest. Leanne Piper is lending us the Kist -**Cotton embroidered christening robe, 19th century -Cotton ‘mutch’ cap, 19th century -Bagpipe chanter -Tools: auger, chisels, hammer & stave knife, 19th century I will try and bring a 19th century Turkey red blanket but I will have to see if I can fit it in my packing, otherwise it will be a photo. Things such as letters from home ,musical instruments, sheet music best china etc are all welcome. See you all Friday, Catriona Smyth Catrionasmyth@hotmail.com