Hi Listers: If we're talking about coordinating events- I'd like to see the Glasgow/Renfrewshire area included in the discussion. Lots of Islay people (including my gr-grandfather's sister) went over there to work. And I guess people who lived there had holidays on Islay (and maybe the other islands?). I'm still trying to locate my gr-grandfather in 1861. I found a couple of John McNabb's the correct age- birth location is hard to read on the Scottish record. I finally tried Scotland's People and it was great fun to use. 2009 seems a long ways away. I imagine there won't be any actual details for a couple of years? I'm going to miss seeing everyone this summer. But I doubt if I could have come, even if something was planned. In sunny Springfield, Carolyn

Many Islay people relocated to Paisley after the potato famine in 1847(yes it affected Islay too). Whole families relocated. Usually the husband went first and then the teenage boys and finally the younger members of the family and the mother. It was a chain emigration and often resulted in further emigration to other countries such as Canada, Australia and new Zealand. Celia.

Hi Carolyn, About your question: >2009 seems a long ways away. I imagine there won't be any actual details for a couple of years?< There is an article in Scottish Snippets this week that mentions how plans are already afoot in Scotland for events culminating in 2009. One of the crucial reasons that planning starts so early for major events like this is the long lead time necessary in applying for and obtaining government grants to fund large projects. (In the link below, see item about the regeneration of Burns National Heritage Park -- 2009 marks the 250th Anniversary of the birth of Robbie Burns. There is also an item about the Mull and Tiree 2006 Gatherings.) I do know that the Tiree Homecoming 2006 got it's first grant in 2004 (for a feasibility study) and then I believe received two more grants, one for a Project Manager and another for an exhibition of Tiree Emigration to be mounted by the Tiree Archive. So certainly 2006 is not too early for Islay to begin investigating the possibility of a 2009 Homecoming. Of course, though, I expect this would have to be initiated by the Islay local community, not the Diaspora. See Scottish Snippets #470, April 15, 2006. http://www.RampantScotland.com/letter.htm By the way, if you are not familiar with the Snippets newsletter, let me recommend it to you as a real gem. Each week is brimming with little items from Scotland’s Current Affairs, Historical Affairs, Culture, Sport, Weather and always some eye-catching photos of local flowers and scenery. Enjoy! Louise MacDougall Vancouver Island, BC Canada -----Original Message----- From: CH5954@aol.com [mailto:CH5954@aol.com] Sent: April 14, 2006 7:04 AM To: SCT-ISLAY-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [SCT-ISLAY] 2009 Heads up In sunny Springfield, Carolyn -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.4/319 - Release Date: 19/04/2006