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Upcoming family history talks and events in Scotland, 5 - 11 December 2016
Note that there may be a small charge for some of these events, and some may be for members only. We will be publishing lists of upcoming talks and events regularly - if you are organising a talk or event relating to Scottish genealogy or history, please let us know and we will be happy to add your events to our list. Monday, December 5 2016, 7 pm for 7.30 pm Christmas Soirée
Venue: Drummond Community High School, Bellevue Place, Edinburgh Non-members, £2.00. Monday, December 5 2016, 7.30 pm Stewarton Night
Venue: John Knox Church Hall, High Street, Stewarton Stewarton and District Historical Society Local tales: longer or shorter ones welcome. Come along and find out about the Bonnet Toun or tell us! Christmas drinks and nibbles. Members £1 Non-members £2. Monday, December 5 2016, 7.30 pm The Archaeology of the Islands of Loch Lomond Fiona Baker Venue: St Andrews Church, Park Road, Milngavie Milngavie and Bearsden Historical Society Postponed from last year, we welcome Fiona Baker who is a consultant archaeologist. She was responsible for The Loch Lomond Survey carried out between 1995-98 which was commissioned by the Friends of Loch Lomond. She works all over Scotland at present dealing with river hydro schemes. £4 for non-members Monday, December 5 2016, 7.30 pm Death or Glory at the Ends of the Earth Dave Carson Venue: Morison Memorial Church, Dumbarton Road, Clydebank Clydebank Local History Society Monday, December 5 2016, 8 pm Unlocking the Union Canal Alan Forrester Venue: Dreghorn Loan Hall, Colinton, EH13 0DE Colinton Local History Society As an official of the Scottish Waterways Trust Alan Forrester has much to do with the Union Canal and can tell us much about this waterway which passes so close to us. Tuesday, December 6 2016, 5.30 pm Screening ‘Govan Young’ by Connelly Clark Films. Followed by a presentation on ‘Govan Old: Seeking a Sustainable Future for an Ancient Monument’ David Archibald (Film & TV) and Stephen Driscoll (Glasgow) Venue: Room 202, 3 University Gardens, Glasgow Centre for Scottish and Celtic Studies Tuesday, December 6 2016, 6.45 pm for 7.15 pm AGM followed by A Unique Concentration? Women living and working in Morningside 1841-1891 Jill Powlett Brown Venue: Morningside Parish Church Hall Morningside Heritage Association Tuesday, December 6 2016, 7.30 pm Local Boys made Good Jean Mcdonald Venue: Fairweather Hall, Barrhead Road, Newton Mearns, G77 6BB The Story of James and Robert Couper Wednesday, December 7 2016, 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm The Story Of The Forth John Reid Venue: Kincardine Community Centre - Hepburn Room Kincardine-on-Forth Local History Group Wednesday, December 7 2016, 7.00 pm Members evening and social
Venue: Augustine Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh Short presentations to be arranged. Lectures are free to members and open to non-members paying a small fee (currently £5.00). Wednesday, December 7 2016, 7.30 pm Christmas Social Lord Lyon Venue: Smith Museum and Art Gallery, Dumbarton Road, Stirling Central Scotland Family History Society Thursday, December 8 2016 Christmas Party
Venue: Portland Church hall Troon & Ayrshire Family History Society Thursday, December 8 2016, 10 am - 12 pm Local and family history drop-in
Venue: Giffnock Library East Renfrewshire's Heritage Collection Have you hit a family history brick wall? Do you need help with local history research? Or would you just like advice on using the heritage resources at Giffnock and Barrhead Libraries? Pop along to our local & family history drop-in where the local studies librarian will be on hand to point you in the right direction. Thursday, December 8 2016, 7 pm Christmas Social Evening
Venue: GLO Centre, 78 Muir Street, MOTHERWELL. ML1 1BN Lanarkshire Family History Society Thursday, December 8 2016, 7.30 pm Members' Night
Venue: Haddington Town House Thursday, December 8 2016, 7.30 pm Members' Evening
Venue: Paisley Museum, High Street, Paisley Renfrewshire Family History Society Thursday, December 8 2016, 7.30 pm Members Christmas Night tbc Venue: Abbey Church Hall, Abbey Park Place, Dunfermline Dunfermline Historical Society Visitors are charged a fee of £2.00 per meeting and are made very welcome. Thursday, December 8 2016, 7.30 pm Hospitals for the Soul Prof Ray Mcaleese Venue: MacRobert Hall, The Square, Tarland Prof. Ray McAleese will tell us about the historic spittals, or hospitals, of north-east Scotland, established as bedehouses, almshouses and travellers’ inns. Thursday, December 8 2016, 7.30 pm From the Picts Grave to Fingal's Cave: Current archaeological research Daniel Rhodes Venue: Dirleton Kirk Hall Gullane and Dirleton History Society Catch up on recent developments in archaeology Thursday, December 8 2016, 7.30 pm Recent Investigations at Killiecrankie Battlefield Maureen Kilpatrick, GUARD Archaeology Venue: The Shawl Gallery, Paisley Museum, High Street, Paisley Renfrewshire Local History Forum Renfrewshire Local History Forum Lectures are open to non-members with no admission charge but a small donation would be appreciated. Thursday, December 8 2016, 7.30 pm Christmas Social
Coldstream and District Local History Society Photo show, quiz and buffet supper Thursday, December 8 2016, 7.30 pm Barry, partner of Ostlere & Shepherd David Potter Venue: Kirkcaldy Old Kirk, Kirk Wynd Thursday, December 8 2016, 7.30 pm - 9.00 pm Christmas Evening
Venue: Johnnie Walker Bond, Strand Street Kilmarnock East Ayrshire Family History Society Thursday, December 8 2016, 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm Christmas in Six Objects
Venue: Glen Halls, Neilston Barrhead & Neilston Historical Association Friday, December 9 2016, 2 pm - 3 pm Caring for your family papers Linda Ramsay Venue: New Register House, Princes Street, Edinburgh Linda Ramsay, Head of Conservation in NRS, and her colleagues will provide advice on storing, packaging, handling and preserving your family papers, from letters and plans, to photographs and ledgers, including tips on what to do about damp, mould and insects. Come ready with your document dilemmas! (New Register House) Saturday, December 10 2016, 1 pm - 3 pm Celebratory event of Cumnock being made a Police Burgh in 1866
Venue: Rothesay House, Cumnock Saturday, December 10 2016, 2.00pm-4.00pm Christmas social
Venue: Activities Room, Elgin Library, Cooper Park, Elgin, IV30 1HS Aberdeen and North East Scotland Family History Society Saturday, December 10 2016, 2.30pm-4.30pm Christmas Social
Venue: Unitarian Church Centre Aberdeen and North East Scotland Family History Society For all ANESFHS members and helpers
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Upcoming family history talks and events in Scotland, 28 November - 4 December 2016
Note that there may be a small charge for some of these events, and some may be for members only. We will be publishing lists of upcoming talks and events regularly - if you are organising a talk or event relating to Scottish genealogy or history, please let us know and we will be happy to add your events to our list. Monday, November 28 2016, 3 pm Early Irish Migrations to Scotland - Difficulties, Debates and DNA Dr Catherine Swift (Mary Immaculate College, Limerick) Venue: Room 208, 2 University Gardens, Glasgow Centre for Scottish and Celtic Studies Monday, November 28 2016, 7.30 pm Rossie: The Loch That Disappeared Prof David Munro Venue: Age Concern Building, Provost Wynd, Cupar Monday, November 28 2016, 7.30 pm Migrants, Benefits and Tax-Avoidance in Glenalmond, 1700-1900 Robin Urquhart, National Records of Scotland Venue: Pitcairngreen Village Hall West Stormont Historical Society Monday, November 28 2016, 7.30 pm The Pentland Way, a Walk with History Bob Paterson Venue: Gibson Craig Memorial Hall, Lanark Road West, Currie Currie & District Local History Society Monday, November 28 2016, 7.30 pm 21st Century Archaeology: Trowels, Tourism and High-Tech Trends Dr Jeff Sanders Venue: Millennium Room, Cramond Kirk Hall Dr Jeff Sanders, DigIt 2017, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, on why the past is good for our future and providing a sneak peek ahead of Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology Tuesday, November 29 2016, 1 pm Franciszek Smuglewicz’s James Byres of Tonley and His Family: A Scottish Antiquarian Network in Eighteenth-Century Rome Dr Lucinda Lax (Scottish National Portrait Gallery) Venue: Room G16, School of History, Classics and Archaeology, William Robertson Wing, Old Medical School Scottish Centre for Diaspora Studies Diaspora Studies Graduate Workshop Series Tuesday, November 29 2016, 7.30 pm Fundamentalisms Kilmarnock Origins - Thomas Whitelaw 1840-1917 Mark Nixon Venue: Kilmarnock College, Hill Street, Kilmarnock Kilmarnock & District History Group £2 donation for non-members Wednesday, November 30 2016, 4 pm Textiles of the Viking Age Eva Anderson Strand, Saxo Institute, University of Copenhagen Venue: Lecture Theatre (109), Gregory Building University of Glasgow Wednesday, November 30 2016, 6 pm Improvement and Landscape: Landownership in Eighteenth-Century Scotland Micky Gibbard, PhD student, University of Dundee Venue: Burghfield House, Cnoc an Lobht, Dornoch University of the Highlands and Islands Centre for History This seminar is being given as part of the relaunch of the Centre for Scotland’s Land Futures. The evening will commence at 6pm with a wine reception and will be followed by the relaunch and the seminar. More details will follow and booking is essential. Thursday, December 1 2016, 6 pm - 7.30 pm Fashion and Function: Costume and textiles from the Dalrymple family collection Emma Inglis, Curator, NTS Venue: Newhailes House, Newhailes Road, Musselburgh, EH21 6RY £8, including complimentary glass of wine. Limited space, book online Thursday, December 1 2016, 7 pm The History of Scottish Gold and Silversmiths & their marks George Dalgleish Venue: The 252 Memorial Hall, Betson Street, Markinch Free to members and £2 for non members Thursday, December 1 2016, 7.30 pm Wark Castle Eric Grounds Coldstream and District Local History Society Saturday, December 3 2016, 10 am - 12 pm Health and history: Using medical records in genealogical research. Louise Williams Venue: Scottish Genealogy Society Library, 15 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2JL Health records can be another source of information to help further your family’s history but they are not found on the usual websites, etc. Louise Williams, Archivist will show what these records contain and where to find them. Saturday, December 3 2016, 2 pm To Prove their kindred here The Irish Office of Arms in the 18th Century Colette O'Flaherty - Chief Herald of Ireland Venue: Royal Scots Club, Abercromby Place, Edinburgh The Heraldry Society of Scotland Saturday, December 3 2016, 7:00pm for 7:45pm St Andrew Dinner Elizabeth Roads, LVO - Snawdoun Herald, Lyon Clerk and Keeper of the Records Venue: Royal Scots Club, Abercromby Place, Edinburgh The Heraldry Society of Scotland
We've written before about the National Library of Scotland's (NLS) massive ongoing digitisation project - the NLS plans to digitise literally millions of items from their collection, and make them available online for free. Well as part of that project, earlier this week they launched their digital versions of the publications of the Scottish History Society. This is great news, unless, like me, you have most of these in the original print form, in which case your book collection has just gone down in value!
The Scottish History Society (SHS) was founded in 1886 with the aim of publishing original sources of Scottish history. It forms part of a rich tradition of publishing clubs in Scotland (and we will be writing about some of the others in another post in the near future), and has become one of the longest-running and most successful of them. Over the last 130 years, the SHS has published over 170 books, covering a very wide range of historical topics. The NLS has now put the complete run on its website. We've added a list of all of the titles available from the SHS below, but we thought we'd highlight some of our favourites. Arthur Mitchell's monumental work "Contribution to the bibliography of Scottish topography" is a superb reference work. It was published in two volumes: the first is arranged geographically (by county, then by parish), while the second is arranged by subject area. The books list many thousands of articles, books, pamphlets and chapters, and is indispensable for local historians, and extremely useful for family historians as well. Our copy was so heavily used I had to send it to my bookbinder for repairs! There are two particularly useful titles for those interested in Jacobite history: List of persons concerned in the rebellion, published in 1890, and Prisoners of the '45, published in three volumes in 1928-1929, edited by Sir Bruce Gordon Seton and Jean Gordon Arnot. While certainly not comprehensive, and in many ways superseded by more recent research, they are both very useful starting points. An intriguing, explicitly genealogical title, albeit one that is not always entirely reliable, is Genealogical collections concerning families in Scotland, made by Walter Macfarlane, 1750-1751. Families covered by this volume include Balfour, Bethune, Munro, Moncrief, Morton of Cambo, Kinnaird of that Ilk and Inchture, Mackenzie, Grant, Maclean, Mackintosh, Leslie, Bisset, Fraser of Lovat, Oliphant, Maule, Lawmond [Lamond], Carnegy, Martine, Schevez, Forbes, Strang, Knox, Spang, Douglas, Robertson of Strowan, Fraser of Dores, Fullarton, Urquhart, Gordon, Rose of Kilravock, Stirling and Kinninmond of that Ilk. As ever with printed genealogies, any information should be treated with a great deal of caution. As graduates of the University of St Andrews, we are both interested in the history of Scotland's oldest university, and of the town. There are no fewer than three relevant titles in this collection: Rentale Sancti Andree, being the chamberlain and granitar accounts of the archbishopric in the time of Cardinal Betoun, 1538-1546, Early records of the University of St. Andrews The graduation roll, 1413 to 1579, and the matriculation roll, 1473 to 1579, and Acta Facultatis Artium Universitatis Sanctiandree, 1413-1588. The first of these is a very useful source for 16th century Fife, while the latter two are among the earliest surviving education records in Scotland. Another source for sixteenth-century Fife is the Sheriff Court Book of Fife, 1515-1522. This excellent volume includes a full index of people and places. It's worth noting that much of Kinross was at this time under the jurisdiction of the Sheriff of Fife. There are a number of other early books of court records from around Scotland:
There are transcriptions and extracts from early church records in Scotland:
The final volume I want to mention is an unusual one. Alexander Webster was a Church of Scotland, born in Edinburgh, although his father was a Covenanting minister from Fife. In 1742, he proposed a pensions scheme for widows of Church of Scotland ministers which, with some adaptations, was eventually adopted, and was one of the pioneering works in actuarial studies. His work drew the attention of the government, which in 1755 commissioned him to produce data for the first population census of Scotland. Unlike later censuses, Webster's work did not include names, but was just a count of the population in each parish. It includes the number of Catholics, the number of Protestants, and the number of "fighting men" in each parish. Webster's work is reproduced, together with population counts for subsequent censuses, in Scottish population statistics. Although not very useful for genealogists, it does provide the earliest population count for most of the parishes in Scotland, and is therefore very useful for historical demographers.
Scottish History Society Publications
Tours in Scotland 1747, 1750, 1760 Diary and general expenditure book of William Cunningham of Craigends ... kept chiefly from 1673 to 1680 Grameid: an heroic poem descriptive of the campaign of Viscount Dundee in 1689, and other pieces Diary of the Reverend John Mill, minister of the parishes of Dunrossness Sandwick and Cunningsburgh in Shetland, 1740-1803. With selections from local records and original documents relating to the district Narrative of Mr. James Nimmo, written for his own satisfaction to keep in some remembrance the Lord's way, dealing and kindness towards him, 1654-1709 List of persons concerned in the rebellion, transmitted to the Commissioners of Excise by the several supervisors in Scotland in obedience to a general letter of the 7th May 1746, and a supplementary list with evidences to prove the same Book of record - a diary written by Patrick, First Earl of Strathmore, and other documents relating to Glamis Castle, 1684-1689 History of Greater Britain, as well England as Scotland Court book of the Barony of Urie in Kincardineshire, 1604-1747 Memoirs of the life of Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, baronet, Baron of the Exchequer Extracted by himself from his own journals 1676-1755 Journal of the Hon. John Erskine of Carnock, 1683-1687 Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (First volume) Account book of Sir John Foulis of Ravelston, 1671-1707 Letters and papers illustrating the relations between Charles the Second and Scotland in 1650 Scotland and the commonwealth. Letters and papers relating to the military government of Scotland, from August 1651 to December 1653 Jacobite attempt of 1719 Letters of James Butler, second Duke of Ormonde, relating to Cardinal Alberoni's project for the invasion of Great Britain on behalf of the Stuarts Records of the Presbyteries of Inverness and Dingwall, 1643-1688 Diary of Sir Archibald Johnston, Lord Wariston, 1639 Itinerary of Prince Charles Edward Stuart from his landing in Scotland, July 1745, to his departure in September 1746 Memorials of John Murray of Broughton, sometime secretary to Prince Charles Edward, 1740-1747 Compt Buik of David Wedderburne, merchant of Dundee, 1587-1630. Together with the shipping lists of Dundee, 1580-1618 Scotland and the protectorate. Letters and papers relating to the military government of Scotland from January, 1654 to June, 1659 Genealogical collections concerning families in Scotland, made by Walter Macfarlane, 1750-1751 Journals of Sir John Lauder, Lord Fountainhall, with his observations on public affairs and other memoranda, 1665-1676 Papers Illustrating the History of the Scots Brigade in the service of the United Netherlands, 1572-1782 Papal negotiations with Mary Queen of Scots during her reign in Scotland, 1561-1567 Diary of Andrew Hay of Craignethan 1659-1660 Cromwellian union Papers relating to the negotiations for an incorporating union between England and Scotland, 1651-1652, with an appendix of papers relating to the negotiations in 1670 Loyall dissuasive And other papers concerning the affairs of Clan Chattan by Sir Æneas Macpherson, knight of Invereshie, 1691-1705 Chartulary of the Abbey of Lindores, 1195-1479 Letter from Mary Queen of Scots to the Duke of Guise, January 1562 Reproduced in facsimile from the original manuscript in the possession of the late John Scott, of Halkshill, Esq., C.B. Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Second volume) Letters of John Cockburn of Ormistoun to his gardener 1727-1744 Records of a Scottish cloth manufactory at New Mills, Haddingtonshire, 1681-1703 Chronicles of the Frasers The Wardlaw manuscript entitled 'Polichronicon seu Policratica temporum, or, the true genealogy of the Frasers', 916-1674 / by James Fraser Records of the Proceedings of the Justiciary Court Edinburgh, 1661-1678 Records of the Baron court of Stitchill 1655-1807 Statutes of the Scottish Church, 1225-1559 Being a translation of Concilia Scotiae: Ecclesiae Scoticanae statuta tam provincialia quam synodalia quae supersunt. Ochtertyre House booke of accomps, 1737-1739 Charters, bulls and other documents relating to the Abbey of Inchaffray. Chiefly from the originals in the charter chest of the Earl of Kinnoull Selection of Scottish forfeited estates papers. 1715; 1745 De Unione Regnorum Britanniae Tractatus Household book of Lady Grisell Baillie 1692-1733 Seafield correspondence from 1685 to 1708 Rentale Sancti Andree, being the chamberlain and granitar accounts of the archbishopric in the time of Cardinal Betoun, 1538-1546 Records of the Earldom of Orkney, 1299-1614 Letter-book of Bailie John Steuart of Inverness 1715-1752 Rentale Dunkeldense Being accounts of the bishopric, A.D. 1505-1517, with Mylin's 'Lives of the Bishops', A.D. 1483-1517. Letters relating to Scotland in the reign of Queen Anne Papers relating to the Scots in Poland 1576-1793 Origins of the 'Forty-five And other papers relating to that rising Contribution to the bibliography of Scottish topography Papers relating to the Army of the Solemn League and Covenant, 1643-1647 Miscellany of the Scottish History Society Diary of George Ridpath, minister of Stitchel, 1755-1761 Mary Queen of Scots and the Babington plot Papers from the collection of Sir William Fraser Papers relating to the ships and voyages of the company of Scotland trading to Africa and the Indies, 1696-1707 Early records of the University of St. Andrews The graduation roll, 1413 to 1579, and the matriculation roll, 1473 to 1579 Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Fourth volume) Scottish correspondence of Mary of Lorraine Including some three hundred letters from 20th February 1542-3 to 15th May 1560 Journal of Thomas Cuningham of Campvere, 1640-54, with his thrissels-banner and explication thereof Sheriff Court Book of Fife, 1515-1522 Minutes of the justices of the peace for Lanarkshire, 1707-1723 Warrender papers Flodden papers Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Fifth volume) Warrender letters Correspondence of Sir George Warrender, Bt., Lord provost of Edinburgh, and member of Parliament for the city, with relative papers, 1715 Commentary on the rule of St. Augustine Survey of Lochtayside, 1769 Made by John Farquharson and John McArthur Early letters of Robert Wodrow, 1698-1709 Ayr Burgh accounts, 1534-1624 Court book of the Barony of Carnwath, 1523-1542 Scottish Chronicle known as the Chronicle of Holyrood Jacobite court at Rome in 1719 From original documents at Fettercairn House and at Windsor Castle Charters of the Abbey of Inchcolm Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Sixth volume) Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Seventh volume) Two missions of Jacques de la Brosse An account of the affairs of Scotland in the year 1543 (by Jacques de la Brosse and Jacques Menage); and, the journal of the Siege of Leith, 1560 Selections from the Monymusk Papers, 1713-1775 Charters of the Abbey of Coupar Angus Accounts of the collectors of thirds of benefices, 1561-1572 Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Eighth volume) Scottish population statistics, including Webster's Analysis of population, 1755 Letters of James the Fourth, 1505-1513 Early records of the Burgh of Aberdeen 1317, 1398-1407 Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Ninth volume) Wigtownshire Charters John Home's survey of Assynt Court book of the Burgh of Kirkintilloch 1658-1694 Argyll Estate instructions: Mull, Morvern, Tiree 1771-1805 Acta Facultatis Artium Universitatis Sanctiandree, 1413-1588 Miscellany of the Scottish History Society Letters of John Ramsay of Ochtertyre, 1799-1812 Court books of Orkney and Shetland 1614-1615 Minutes of Edinburgh Trades Council, 1859-1873 Dundee textile industry, 1790-1885 From the papers of Peter Carmichael of Arthurstone Calendar of Scottish supplications to Rome, 1428-1432 Papers on Sutherland Estate Management 1802-1816 William Melrose in China, 1845-1855 The letters of a Scottish tea merchant Papers on Scottish electoral politics, 1832-1854 Calendar of Papal letters to Scotland of Clement VII of Avignon, 1378-1394 Calendar of Papal letters to Scotland of Benedict XIII of Avignon, 1394-1419 Scottish industrial history A miscellany Papers on Peter May, land surveyor, 1749-1793 Autobiography of John McAdam (1806-1883) With selected letters Stirling Presbytery records 1581-1587 Government of Scotland under the Covenanters, 1637-1651 Knights of St John of Jerusalem in Scotland Scottish firm in Virginia 1767-1777 W. Cuninghame and Co Jacobean Union Six tracts of 1604 Acts of the lords of the Isles, 1336-1493 Scottish texts and calendars An analytical guide to serial publications Government and social conditions in Scotland, 1845-1919 Letters of George Lockhart of Carnwath, 1698-1732 Miscellany of the Scottish History Society, Volume 11 Calendar of Fearn Text and additions, 1471-1667 Scottish Office Depression and reconstruction 1919-1959 History of the union of Scotland and England Miscellany of the Scottish History Society, Volume 12 George Buchanan The political poetry Campbell letters 1559-1583 Religious controversy in Scotland 1625-1639 Scotland and the Americas, c. 1650 - c. 1939 A documentary source book Mid and East Lothian Miners' Association minutes 1894-1918 Miscellany of the Scottish History Society XIII Aberdeen Guild Court records 1437-1468 Chronicle of Melrose Abbey A stratigraphic edition. Vol. 1, Introduction and facsimile edition Perth Kirk Session books, 1577-1590 Travels in Scotland 1788-1881 A selection from contemporary tourist journals Register of the minister, elders and deacons of the Christian congregation of St. Andrews comprising the proceedings of the Kirk Session and of the Court of the Superintendent of Fife Fothrik and Strathearn, 1559-1600 Records of the Commissions of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland holden in Edinburgh in the years 1646 and 1647[-1652] Lyon in mourning, or, A collection of speeches, letters, journals etc. relative to the affairs of Prince Charles Edward Stuart Diplomatic correspondence of Jean de Montereul and the brothers de Bellievre, French ambassadors in England and Scotland, 1645-48 Geographical Collections relating to Scotland Diary of Sir Archibald Johnston of Wariston, 1650-1654 Diary of Sir Archibald Johnston of Wariston, 1655-1660 Diary of Sir Archibald Johnston of Wariston 1632-1639 Selections from the records of the regality of Melrose, 1605-1661 (1662-1676, 1547-1706) Highland papers Highland papers Register of the consultations of the ministers of Edinburgh and some other brethren of the ministry Foreign correspondence with Marie de Lorraine, Queen of Scotland, from the originals in the Balcarres papers Prisoners of the '45 Calendar of Scottish supplications to Rome, 1418-1422 Minutes of the Synod of Argyll, 1639-1651 (1652-1661) Account of the proceedings of the Estates in Scotland, 1689-1690 British Linen Company, 1745-1775 Journal of my life and everyday doings 1879-81, 1885-92 Protestant piety in early-modern Scotland Letters, lives and covenants, 1650-1712 Scottish planned villages Scottish schools and schoolmasters 1560-1633 John Durkan
Upcoming family history talks and events in Scotland, 21 - 27 November 2016
Note that there may be a small charge for some of these events, and some may be for members only. We will be publishing lists of upcoming talks and events regularly - if you are organising a talk or event relating to Scottish genealogy or history, please let us know and we will be happy to add your events to our list. Monday, November 21 2016, 4.30 pm Scottish identity and empire: from the 18th to the 20th centuries Prof John MacKenzie (University of St Andrews) Venue: Room 1.10, St Katharine’s Lodge, St Andrews Institute of Scottish Historical Research Monday, November 21 2016, 7 pm for 7.30 pm Earlier Records
Venue: Augustine Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh Non-members welcome from whom a small donation would be appreciated. Monday, November 21 2016, 7.30 pm The Sunday Post Bill Hicks and Jill Scott Venue: Morison Memorial Church, Dumbarton Road, Clydebank Clydebank Local History Society Monday, November 21 2016, 7.30 pm The Making of Italian Scotland Ronnie Convery Venue: Kelvinside Academy, Glasgow Glasgow & West of Scotland Family History Society Monday, November 21 2016, 7.30 pm People's History: Exploring Oral History in the Community Dr. S. Morrison, Strathcyde University Venue: St John's TocH, Largs North Ayrshire Family History Society Joint meeting with Largs Historical Society Tuesday, November 22 2016, 7.30 pm Aylmer Hunter Weston - An Ayrshire General at Gallipoli
Venue: West Kilbride Community Centre, Corse Street, West Kilbride, KA23 9AX Wednesday, November 23 2016, 2 pm Monifieth in World War 1 Elspeth Johnson Venue: Monifieth Community Cabin, South Union Street, DD5 4JG Monifieth Local History Society Wednesday, November 23 2016, 4 pm Being in the World With Witches: exploring alternative ontologies in early modern Scotland Morgana McCabe, University of Glasgow Venue: Lecture Theatre (109), Gregory Building University of Glasgow Wednesday, November 23 2016, 7.30 pm Highland Homecomings: Peter Fraser, John Diefenbaker and 20th century Highland Imperial Connections Dr Jim MacPherson Venue: Highland Archive Centre, Bught Park, Inverness Highland Family History Society Wednesday, November 23 2016, 7.30 pm Celts: Art and Identity Dr Fraser Hunter, National Museums Scotland Venue: Volunteer Hall, Galashiels Thursday, November 24 2016 Celts: Art and Identity Dr Fraser Hunter, National Museums Scotland Venue: Blue Room, Town Hall, Ayr Ayrshire Archaeological and Natural History Society Thursday, November 24 2016, 2 pm - 4 pm Find Your Ain Folk Drop in Service
Venue: Community Room, Largs Library, Allanpark Street, Largs North Ayrshire Family History Society Thursday, November 24 2016, 5.15 pm for 5.30 pm James VI and noble power: New thoughts on an old theme Dr Miles Kerr-Peterson and Dr Steven Reid (University of Glasgow) Venue: New Seminar Room, St John’s House, 71 South Street, St Andrews Institute of Scottish Historical Research Thursday, November 24 2016, 6 pm - 7.30 pm Paper Obsessions: Books and book collectors in Enlightenment Scotland Kelsey Jackson Williams, University of St Andrews Venue: Newhailes House, Newhailes Road, Musselburgh, EH21 6RY £8, including complimentary glass of wine. Limited space, book online Thursday, November 24 2016, 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm Robert Burns Jim Law Venue: Glen Halls, Neilston Barrhead & Neilston Historical Association Thursday, November 24 2016, 7.45 pm Waterloo - a Stirlingshire mystery! David Smith Education Officer at the Smith Museum, Stirling Venue: Drymen Village Hall, Main Street, Drymen, Glasgow, G63 0BP Drymen & District Local History Society Was Marshall Ney a local lad? Come and hear the evidence! Friday, November 25 2016, 2 pm - 3.30 pm The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry’s Scottish archives Crispin Powell Venue: New Register House, Princes Street, Edinburgh Crispin Powell (Archivist to Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry). Crispin will talk about the rich archives still held at Drumlanrig Castle and Bowhill House, in addition to the pleasures and challenges of his role as the first professional archivist to look after the Duke’s collections in Scotland and England. Cataloguing, conservation and access are key elements of Crispin’s work, and he will outline the progress that has been made so far, and what plans he and the Duke have for the future. (New Register House) Sunday, November 27 2016 Soldiers' Wills Dr Tristram Clarke Venue: Corn Exchange & Ormiston Institute, Market Square, Melrose, TD6 9PN Borders Family History Society An introduction to the collection of Soldiers' Wills, mainly from the First World War which have been digitised and are preserved in the National Records of Scotland. We've written before about the evolution of Poor Law in Scotland. The 1845 Poor Law (Scotland) Act established detailed rules for the provision of poor relief, with a central body - the Board of Supervision - responsible for monitoring its implementation. Before 1845, poor relief, such as it was, was greatly decentralised - parishes were responsible for their own paupers, and the rules were rarely outlined in much detail. However, a meeting of the heritors, minister and Elders of the parish of Forgue parish in Aberdeenshire did record the rules for poor relief as established by an earlier meeting of freeholders of the county held in Aberdeen on June 6 1751. Like many Kirk Session minutes, the entry starts with a preamble detailing the sederunt (i.e. the names of those in attendance), and the reason for the meeting: At Manse of Forgue the 28th of June 1751 years, being the time fixed for the meeting of the heritors, minr & elders of the parish of Forgue for taking the state of the poor of sd Parish under consideration, in consequence of the repeated Intimations of the Sherriff Substitute of the County of Abdn, there being pnt Theod Morison of Bogny, Alexr Duff of Hatton, Mr Willm Irvine of Corniehaugh, George Phyn of Corse, Mr Alexr Forbes minr, And Harper, Geo Morison, Alexr Horn, Jas Anderson & Alexr Muir elders; When the Resolutions of the freeholders of the County of Abdn met at Abdn the 5th of June curt anent Vagrants & begging poor, wt abstracts of the Laws & proclamations of Council on that Subject were laid before the said Meeting; and in consequence of the sd Laws, Resolutions and repeated Intimations of the Sherriff, the Meeting thought it incumbent and necessary for ‘em to make a Record containing the Resolutions as to the Managemt of the poor, the publick funds and Collections of sd Parish, Present State of the poor and quarterly allowance formerly given ‘em; and to settle what further will be necessary for maintenance of such poor as will be subsisted by the parish of Terms of sd Laws, Proclamations and Resolutions. One little thing that struck me about this passage - and it's repeated throughout the rest of the minute - is the use of 'em for them. Like many minutes of this period, the text is full of abbreviations - paper was expensive (and perhaps some clerks were keen to minimise their workload), but this is the earliest use of 'em I've come across. The rules as laid out show some of the same preoccupations as contemporary framing of welfare systems, such as benefit fraud: 1. The Heritors, minr and Elders agree to use all possible means to detect all Impostors, and to prevent any person from being entered upon the poor Roll of sd parish but such as are unable & uncapable to maintain emselves either in whole or in part. The next clause is reminiscent of modern concerns about the "workshy": 2. That such as are able to work for a part of their Subsistence either at Husbandry or Manufactures, shall be obliged to do it, & supply’d for the remainder only; and if they refuse to work confirm to their Ability, that they are to have no Relief and to be prosecuted as Law directs. Families were expected to look after their own: 3. That parents when able are to maintain their children, and children their parents, in whole or in part, which if they refuse to do they are to be prosecuted before the Sherriff in terms of Law. The fourth clause shows that paupers were expected to repay their benefits, even after death. Parish accounts often include details of roups (auctions) of the goods of paupers who died, showing that poor relief was often a loan, rather than a grant: 4. That all Persons before they be put upon the Poors Roll be made to convey to the Kirk Session of the Parish whatever effects they shall be possessed of or intituled to at Death (unless on the event of their circumstances being altered by succession or legacies sometime before their Death, or upon their repaying to the Session the full Extent of what was given out for their former support), in which Event the Session is to repone em, but in no other event are they to repone who once accept of a full subsistence; and such as accept of a partiall subsistence may be reponed by the Session at any time upon prepaying what was formerly given them. We have 18th-century benefit caps: 5. That no more shall be allowed to any person but one peck of meal for each week, or the value thereof, unless upon extraordinary occasion & when done by consent of heritors, minr and Elders. And "work for benefits". These sort of schemes were quite common - we've come across one parish that turned this approach into a competition, with a premium (meaning a prize) for the best spinners/weavers: 6. And in order to afford work to such of the poor as have not trades to buy flax or wool to ‘emselves, the Session agrees, that if no manufacturers will trust em, they will be Caution to such manufacturers or Merts for the value of the wool or Lint given to such Poor by their Advice, if not returned when manufactured, in order to put such poor people aworking what they can for their own Support, that the Parish may be relieved. Parishes were keen to avoid liability for incomers, instead returning them to their parish of origin. (Resetter in this context means someone providing support, shelter or protection). 7. The meeting further agree that none shall be received upon the poors Roll but such as have resided three years in the Parish; and if any poor shall intrude the Constable for the District be called to remove ‘em; and that the Resetters of any such be prosecuted. Landholders were liable for checking the papers of their tenants, and - if they fell ill and became unable to work - for returning them to their home parishes: 8. The Meeting also agree that every Heritor, tenent or subtenent that shall bring in any person upon the Parish who shall become uncapable to maintain emselves before the three years of Residence shall expire, by which they are intituled to Charity, whoever brings them into the parish shall be bound to maintain such Persons untill he transmit ‘em to their legall place of Residence for their maintenance; and that none shall be resett as a tenent or subtenent, but such as bring along with them certificates from the Parishes where they formerly resided. Children found begging and orphans could be forced into bonded labour in return for food and clothing: 9. And as by the Laws it is enacted, that if Children be found begging under the age of fifteen, any person may take such Children before the Heritors, minr & Elders, & record their Names & enact emselves to educate such Child to trade or Work, such Child shall be oblidged to serve the person until the 30th year of his or her age for meat & cloath, and this not only to extend to the Children of Beggars but also to poor Children whose Parents are dead, or with consent of the parents if alive; if any such Children be found, the meeting agree that the Law in Relation to ‘em take place. Poor relief was funded from church collections. Even in 1751 - nearly a century before the Poor Law (Scotland) Act was passed - there was concern that collections were insufficient to meet the needs of poor relief. (In fact, the 1845 Act was at least partly a consequence of the Disruption of 1843 and the formation of the Free Church - Church of Scotland parishes were responsible for poor relief for everyone in the parish, regardless of which church they belonged to: the Disruption meant that an ever-smaller number of people (Church of Scotland congregations) were responsible for poor relief. The 1845 Act stipulated that where a mandatory assessment was levied, responsibility for poor relief was transferred from Kirk Sessions to the newly established Parochial Boards: 10. They further resolve, that in the Event of the Congregation withdrawing the ordinary Collection, which formerly was the only support the poor had, every labouring servant if draws ten pounds scots of fee or above, shall be yearly assessed in six shillings Scots, and every servt that draws ten merks in thre shillings Scots, and every Grassman that pays 20 merks & below in 3 shillings Scots, and from 20 pounds to fifty merks yearly rent in 6 shill Scots, the masters to be accountable for the servt’s proportions which is to be put to accts of their wages; and it is not doubted by the principal Tacksmen will continue their Collections as formerly, as the maintenance of the poor will at last recur upon ‘emselves. The final clause stipulated that penalties for moral transgressions were to be fixed, and used for poor relief. This particular clause is a little unusual, in that it makes explicit that "sinners" could avoid ritual public humiliation by paying an additional penalty, an option that would only be available to relatively well-off parishioners. It was in fact a common practice, but it's usually not explicitly mentioned in the records. 11. They further agree that the least fine that shall be exacted from any fornicator shall be five pounds Scotch; and it is the Opinion of the Heritors that the minr and Sess when they think fit may dispense with the public appearances upon the stool for paymt of a Guinea each; which sums when so paid, are to be annually applyd for maintenance of the Poor. And that the minr and session before Absolution require the Parents of Children thus begotten to enact emselves & find Caution to free the Parish of the Charge of the Children; and in Case of their Refusal, to cause the Constable summon every Person refusing before the Sherriff of Abdn and transmit to the pro[curato]r fiscal an Extract of their judicial confession in order to have the law there anent enforced. It's striking to see many of the current concerns about benefits payments reflected in rules laid down over 250 years ago. These rules help clarify the position many people found themselves in the 18th century, usually through no fault of their own. It's also a useful guide to the practical operation of poor law in Scotland 90 years before national rules were codified in the 1845 Act for The Amendment and better Administration of the Laws Relating to the relief of the Poor in Scotland.
Kirk Session records can be a very fruitful source for family history, but they can also be immensely frustrating. As well as the usual bugbears regarding erratic survival of records, sometimes the session clerk was less than assiduous in his work. Handwriting problems can usually be overcome, but that's not the only problem. Some clerks were plainly not keen on doing a thorough job - perhaps understandably, given that they generally weren't paid well for their efforts. Clearly, though, some clerks were more conscientious. The following instructions come from St Cuthbert's Kirk Session in Edinburgh, and although not specifically dated, the relevant volume covers 1696-1700. Notanda generalia The instructions make clear that there was concern not just for properly recording relevant events, the session were also thinking of people looking through the records in future. (Although granted I very much doubt they would have anticipated me reading their comments on a computer over 300 years later!). If only all session clerks were as considerate ...
Upcoming family history talks and events in Scotland, 14 - 20 November 2016
Note that there may be a small charge for some of these events, and some may be for members only. We will be publishing lists of upcoming talks and events regularly - if you are organising a talk or event relating to Scottish genealogy or history, please let us know and we will be happy to add your events to our list. Monday, November 14 2016, 4 pm The Stone Sculptor and his Craft Prof Roger Stalley, Fellow Emeritus of Trinity College, Dublin Venue: Lecture Theatre (109), Gregory Building University of Glasgow Dalrymple Lecture series, 14-17 November Monday, November 14 2016, 6.30 pm Ireland and the art of stone carving in early medieval Europe. Lecture 1 Prof Roger Stalley, Fellow Emeritus of Trinity College, Dublin Venue: Sir Charles Wilson Lecture Theatre, University of Glasgow (corner of Gibson Street and University Avenue) Glasgow Archaeological Society The sculptor and his craft: the major crosses of Ireland were remarkable pieces of engineering, something that has an important bearing on their function and the nature of their patronage. This talk will for the first time investigate how they made, tracking progress from quarry to finished product, a journey involving quarrying techniques, tools, transport, cranes and scaffolds. Monday, November 14 2016, 7.30 pm Edinburgh and the Act of Union 1707 Eric Melvin Venue: Gibson Craig Memorial Hall, Lanark Road West, Currie Currie & District Local History Society Monday, November 14 2016, 7.30 pm Discovering the lost Medieval Castle of Partick Bob Will, Guard Archaeology Venue: Partick Burgh Hall, room 1, 3-9a Burgh Hall Street, Glasgow, G11 5LN Monday, November 14 2016, 7.30 pm Beatrix Potter’s Scotland: Her Perthshire Inspiration Lynne McGeachie Venue: Bankfoot Church Centre West Stormont Historical Society Joint Meeting with Dunkeld and Birnam Historical Society Tuesday, November 15 2016, 2.00pm-4.00pm Researching Your Military Ancestors
Venue: National War Museum, Edinburgh Castle Free, but places are limited and booking is essential. To book your place call 0131 247 4137 or email [email protected] Tuesday, November 15 2016, 6.30 pm Ireland and the art of stone carving in early medieval Europe. Lecture 2 Prof Roger Stalley, Fellow Emeritus of Trinity College, Dublin Venue: Sir Charles Wilson Lecture Theatre, University of Glasgow (corner of Gibson Street and University Avenue) Glasgow Archaeological Society The search for meaning: the crosses were major investments but who commissioned them and why? The panels of figure sculpture offer some clues, but the iconographies can be difficult to interpret and their meanings likewise obscure. This talk will offer a critique of past approaches and suggest some new avenues of investigation. Tuesday, November 15 2016, 7.30 pm A Musical Introduction to the Scots Language Fred Freeman Venue: Kilmarnock College, Hill Street, Kilmarnock Kilmarnock & District History Group £2 donation for non-members Tuesday, November 15 2016, 7.30 pm Emigration in the late 19th Century Andrew Muirhead Venue: Kilmarnock College, Hill Street, Kilmarnock Kilmarnock & District History Group £2 donation for non-members Wednesday, November 16 2016, 6.30 pm Ireland and the art of stone carving in early medieval Europe. Lecture 3 Prof Roger Stalley, Fellow Emeritus of Trinity College, Dublin Venue: Sir Charles Wilson Lecture Theatre, University of Glasgow (corner of Gibson Street and University Avenue) Glasgow Archaeological Society Artistic Identity: sharp distinctions in style are to be found amongst the sculptors, reflecting individual personalities and diverse experience; this talk will show that major craftsmen were clearly individuals of status, men like the so-called ‘Muiredach Master’, pre-eminent amongst the sculptors of early medieval Europe. Wednesday, November 16 2016, 7.30 pm The North Berwick Witches – the attempt on the life of James VI which began the Scottish Witch Hunt in general Robert Pugh, Dunbar Venue: Coastal Communities Museum, School Road, North Berwick, East Lothian EH39 4JU Organised by the Friends of the Coastal Communities Museum the current annual charge for membership is £10 for an individual or £18 per couple, which includes these Talks. Visitors are more than welcome to attend for a nominal entrance charge of £2 per person. Wednesday, November 16 2016, 7.30 pm Finding Richard the Third Philippa Langley, President of the Scottish Branch of the Richard the Third Society Venue: Chalmers Hall, Linlithgow Bridge West Lothian History and Amenity Society Wednesday, November 16 2016, 7.30 pm From Grangemouth to Gallipoli Neil Whyte Venue: Falkirk Trinity Church Thursday, November 17 2016 Robert Bruce & his association with Ayrshire Tom Barclay Venue: Portland Church hall Troon & Ayrshire Family History Society Thursday, November 17 2016, 10 am - 12 pm Local and family history drop-in
Venue: Barrhead Foundry East Renfrewshire's Heritage Collection Have you hit a family history brick wall? Do you need help with local history research? Or would you just like advice on using the heritage resources at Giffnock and Barrhead Libraries? Pop along to our local & family history drop-in where the local studies librarian will be on hand to point you in the right direction. Thursday, November 17 2016, 2 pm for 2.30 pm Carolina, Lady Nairne – songs and history Nicola Cowmeadow and Syd House Venue: Sandeman Room, AK Bell Library £5 for non-members Thursday, November 17 2016, 2.30 pm The Story of the Tinkers' Heart Jess Smith Venue: Moulin Hall, Moulin North Perthshire Family History Group Visitors £3.00 Thursday, November 17 2016, 6 pm - 8 pm The National Covenant and the Scottish People Dr Laura Stewart Venue: New Register House, Princes Street, Edinburgh Dr Laura Stewart (University of York). The National Covenant of 1638 is one of Scotland’s most controversial documents: for some, an expression of the people’s right to choose their own religion; for others, a statement in religious intolerance whose influence has lasted into modern times. Although the text has been heavily debated by scholars, very little attention has been given to its reception. This talk examines for the first time how the Covenant was taken by the people in the parishes. It sheds new light on its contested meanings and offers fresh reflections on its significance for understanding Scottish political identity. Dr Stewart is author of ‘Rethinking the Scottish Revolution: Covenanted Scotland, 1617-53’ (Oxford UP, 2016). New Register House. Thursday, November 17 2016, 7 pm The Songs of Robert Burns Dr Fred Freeman Venue: Rothesay House, Cumnock Dr Fred Freeman – presents the songs of Robert Burns. Fred is professor of Scottish Music at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow. There will be musical accompaniment and some communal singing! Thursday, November 17 2016, 7.30 pm Ireland and the art of stone carving in early medieval Europe. Lecture 4 Prof Roger Stalley, Fellow Emeritus of Trinity College, Dublin Venue: Sir Charles Wilson Lecture Theatre, University of Glasgow (corner of Gibson Street and University Avenue) Glasgow Archaeological Society Stone carving in the early medieval world. In the nineteenth century the high crosses were regarded as a spectacular proof of the civilization of ancient Ireland; but were they an indigenous development or dependent on models introduced from abroad from late Antiquity or Carolingian Europe? This talk will demonstrate that, when it comes to artistic expression, the importance of the local environment must never be underestimated. Thursday, November 17 2016, 7.30 pm If the Kaiser came to Haddington: how Haddingtonshire would have defended itself in World War One Allen Kilpatrick Venue: Haddington Town House Thursday, November 17 2016, 7.30 pm Flanders Field 1914 Alexander Hall Venue: Paisley Museum, High Street, Paisley Renfrewshire Family History Society Thursday, November 17 2016, 7.30 pm Jute, Jack and Journeyings Derek Larkman Venue: Abbey Church Hall, Abbey Park Place, Dunfermline Dunfermline Historical Society Visitors are charged a fee of £2.00 per meeting and are made very welcome. Friday, November 18 2016, 7.30 pm AGM
Venue: Aytoun Hall, High Street, Auchterarder Auchterarder and District Local History Association Friday, November 18 2016, 7.30 pm Holmwood House Ian MacGillvray, National Trust for Scotland Venue: Best Western Eglinton Arms Hotel, Eaglesham Non-members welcome, £3 on the door Saturday, November 19 2016, 2.00 pm Workshop
Venue: Manchester Central Library Anglo-Scottish Family History Society Saturday, November 19 2016, 2.00pm-4.00pm Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis Chris Paton Venue: Renfield Saint Stephen's Church Centre Aberdeen and North East Scotland Family History Society Saturday, November 19 2016, 2.30pm-4.30pm TBA Fiona Musk Venue: Unitarian Church Centre Aberdeen and North East Scotland Family History Society We reported yesterday on the Scottish Records Association conference on healthcare in Scotland before the NHS. One of the speakers discussed cholera outbreaks and the measures taken to deal with them. There was a major outbreak of cholera in Scotland in 1832, traces of which can be found in a variety of record sources - there was a spike in mortality, which can be traced in burial registers; newspapers of the time feature regular reports of cholera cases and attempts to cope with the consequences; and Kirk Session records often at least mention the epidemic. Inchinnan, in Renfrewshire, was no exception. The Kirk Session and heritors were so concerned that they formed a committee of health to try to cope with the health crisis: At a meeting of the heritors and Kirk Session held at Inchinnan on the 26th day of January 1832 The committee didn't waste much time - they met again four days later, having carried out an inspection of much of the parish: At Inchinnan, the thirtieth day of January 1832. We the Committee appointed at the meeting of Heritors and Kirk Session to inspect the different dwelling houses in the Parish, for the purpose of removing nuisances and providing for the comfort of the indigent, report that we this day commenced our survey at the Manse, and visited all the families to the North of the old Greenock road, as far as Peter Barr’s Gateside, and in addition Greenhead, Broomlands, and Luckensford. This is a mix of reasonable preventive measures and concern for the general well-being of the poor of the parish, but I have to admit I was a little surprised to learn the heritors agreeing to build a "necessary", essentially a public toilet, although it was likely very basic, perhaps little more than a hole in the ground. The notion of potatoes causing cholera was somewhat more surprising though. The Committee met again the next day, having completed their inspections: Inchinnan, Feb 1 1832 Two weeks later, the Committee met again. Clearly, their concern had increased. They ordered a printed circular to be printed, giving advice to parishioners, and used poor funds to buy a stock of medicines for the use of the poor in the parish - an interesting example of public health care provision before the 1845 Poor Law required local authorities to do so. 3d day. By now the parish authorities were concerned about strangers bringing the disease to Inchinnan, and were warning parishioners to have no dealings with vagrants and unlicensed hawkers. Interestingly, they were also ordering follow-up inspections of places they'd previously visited where they'd ordered the removal of "nuisances". Four days later the printed circular was ready for distribution to every house in the parish: At Inchinnan Feb 21st 1832 The text of the circular makes interesting reading: CHOLERA Laudanum of course was a tincture of opium. While it could certainly ease the most obvious symptom of cholera - diarrhoea - it really wasn't a cure, and as one of the speakers at the SRA conference pointed out, opium poisoning was a significant problem in Scotland in the 19th century. The next entry is three weeks later. It would appear that the exhortations to parishioners not to deal with vagrants and unlicensed hawkers had not had the desired effect, as the heritors decided to hire a Constable to patrol the road to keep strangers out: Inchinnan March 12th 1832 Unfortunately, there are no further minutes of the health committee, so it's not clear what the outcome was, but it is clear that there was concern for the health of paupers, at least in one parish in Renfrewshire, although doubtless there was likely an element of self-interest in preventing an outbreak. That cholera was not eradicated is however made clear by the fact that immediately below a copy of the printed circular in the Kirk Session minute book is a note, in a different hand from the surrounding entries, and dated some years later, with suggested treatments for cholera outbreaks: Recommendations Evidently, treatment of cholera hadn't advanced much in the intervening years.
The Scottish Records Association (SRA) held its annual conference in the Soutar Theatre in Perth on Friday on the theme of Public Healthcare Before the NHS. The ten speakers covered a wide range of topics, although they complemented each other, providing a comprehensive overview of public healthcare before the formation of the NHS after WWII. The conference was ably chaired by Professor Marguerite Dupree, of the Centre for the History of Medicine, University of Glasgow, who introduced the speakers and fielded questions from the floor (as well as posing a few of her own).  Marguerite Dupree introducing the speakers in the first session The first speaker was Dr Deborah Brunton, from The Open University, who gave an interesting introduction to the history of healthcare in Scotland. She argued that pre-NHS healthcare in Scotland had acquired a bad reputation that was not fully merited. Although coverage was often patchy (the word of the day, as it turned out), an important principle was established which is arguably the founding principle of the NHS – that a range of quality healthcare should be available to those unable to pay. The charitable hospitals founded across Scotland in the 19th century and earlier offered a reasonable standard of care – by contemporary standards – to their poor patients. The 1845 Poor Law (Scotland) Act established the expectation, if not always the reality, that parishes should provide healthcare to poor people. Dr Brunton cited several examples of public health campaigns in the 1800s: an outbreak of “fever” (probably typhus) in Edinburgh in 1817 led to the cleaning and fumigation of hundreds of houses in the Old Town; and at the height of the 1832 epidemic of cholera, 900 quarts of soup a day was provided free to poor people in Perth. Indeed soup kitchens were established in many towns across Scotland.  Deborah Brunton giving an overview of the history of healthcare in Scotland Dr Brunton was followed by Emeritus Professor John Stewart of Glasgow Caledonian University, who spoke about the provision of health care under the Scottish poor law in late 19th century central Scotland. As Dr Brunton pointed out, the 1845 Poor Law (Scotland) Act required local authorities to provide medical relief. Local medical officers were often under considerable pressure to grant medical relief, even if it was not strictly required. One of the difficulties in studying this period is that the survival of poor law records is patchy (that word again). That said, medical relief spending grew more than tenfold between 1846 and 1900, although the social stigma associated with applying for medical relief meant that some people applied for support too late. Medical care was also often dependent on cooperation between local authorities and voluntary organisations, which was not always forthcoming. Furthermore, there was also tension between the local authorities and the local heritors, who were liable for funding relief – this was particularly the case in rural parishes where there may have only been a few landowners to provide funding. The last paper of the morning session was presented by Sarah Bromage of the University of Stirling and Alison Scott, from Glasgow Life. They described the archives of the Royal Scottish National Hospital (RSNH), held by the University of Stirling. The RSNH was established in 1863 in Larbert to care for children with learning disabilities. As its name suggests, it took in patients from all over Scotland. One of the most interesting parts of the archive is the applications for admission, of which 3014 survive from 1865 to the 1940s. Most of the early applications include plentiful information on the applicant’s family’s circumstances as well as the child’s health, behavioural and educational abilities. Another unusual part of the collection consists of some letters written by the children themselves. More information on the archive can be found here and here. After a short break for coffee (and industrial quantities of fine cake), the next speaker was Dr Jenny Cronin, who discussed convalescent institutions with particular emphasis on the Schaw Convalescent Home at Bearsden. The movement to establish convalescent homes in Scotland began in 1860, in part as a means of easing the problem known in modern terms as “bed blocking”. They expanded considerably – from around 4,000 admissions in 1871 to over 33,000 in 1934. Intriguingly, the Schaw home in Bearsden had a smoking room for men, but a basement work room for women!  The RHSC archives include many photos of nurses and patients Dr Iain Hutchison, University of Glasgow, then described the records of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, which he’d studied as part of a four year research project. The minute books record – in a sanitised form – the infighting that sometimes arose in charitable endeavours. Dr Hutchison supplemented the sometimes patchy surviving records with fascinating oral histories, which provided unofficial perspectives on nursing training – one nurse said that the officials “hated us having fun, but we did so anyway”. It took nearly 20 years from the idea being first raised before a children’s hospital was finally established, and it expanded rapidly – from around 500 patients a year in the early 1880s to 10,000 in 1888. Surviving records include Minute books (1861-1948), Annual Reports (1883-1947), Admission Registers (1893-1929), Patient Casenotes (1883-1914), Nursing Records (1882-1948), Records of the Yorkhill Nursing League, and photographs. Interestingly there are not many photographs of doctors, but there are plenty of photos of nurses and patients. The first talk after lunch was given by Ross McGregor, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (RCPSG) on William Macewen, a Glasgow Police Surgeon of the 1870s. As a police surgeon, Macewen was called out to a very wide range of cases, and he was a pioneer in a variety of surgical techniques, often going against established practices. He later went on to establish the Erskine Hospital. McGregor described cases ranging from high-profile murders to rotten fish, and described Macewen’s papers which are held by the RCPSG, the University of Glasgow Archives and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Archives. Macewen was clearly an interesting character – an article he wrote on a case of opium poisoning – a common occurrence – included a quotation of French poetry.  Next up was Fiona Bourne, from the Royal College of Nursing Archives, who described the history of the Royal College of Nursing and its celebrations to mark its centenary in 2015. The RCN library is based in London, but the archives are held in Edinburgh. The RCN has always had a dual role, as a training institution and as a trade union for nurses, and has expanded enormously over the last 100 years. I was particularly taken by the lego nurse they built as part of their centenary exhibition! They had a very well received audience engagement plan as part of the centenary celebrations, and learned a great deal about the history of the RCN in the process. The last talk of the first afternoon session was given by Dr Lindsey Reid, on midwifery, and specifically the circumstances surrounding the 1915 Midwives (Scotland) Act. Before the 1915 Act, midwives in Scotland – commonly known as howdies, a term that seems to have arisen in Edinburgh – were entirely unregulated, and often lacking in training. Before then, many howdies didn’t recognise a thermometer when shown one! One possible consequence of the 1915 Act was the steep decline in home births – from 95% in 1900 to only a tiny percentage in modern times. After 1915, unqualified midwives were allowed to continue practising, but were supposed to be accompanied by doctors, although this was not always followed, particularly it seems in the Hebrides, where there was a particularly high rate of “emergency” births – perhaps because the howdies wanted to make sure they got paid!  Decline in home births in Scotland 1900-2000 The final talk of the conference was given by Caroline Brown of the University of Dundee, standing in for her colleague Dr Patricia Whatley, who was unfortunately not able to attend. (Caroline did an excellent job – it can’t be easy to give someone else’s talk). This talk was on the Highlands and Islands Medical Service, often considered a precursor to the NHS. The HIMS was established in 1913 following the Dewar report, which examined the poor state of healthcare in the Highlands, where a combination of poverty, distance and dispersed populations made healthcare provision challenging. Highland doctors were often very poorly paid (if at all), and might have to travel for days to see a patient. The HIMS was therefore set up as a public service, with government grants for medical practitioners, district nursing associations to employ nurses, direct employment of doctors and nurses and the provision of support services. Unlike the NHS, it wasn’t free at the point of need for everyone, but its role as a precursor to the NHS is very evident.
Overall – a few very minor technical difficulties aside – this was an excellent conference, and I’d like to thank Kirsteen Mulhern and Robin Urquhart for all their hard work in putting on a great day. I would thoroughly recommend the Scottish Records Association and their conference to anyone interested in Scottish history. I may have even volunteered to speak at next year’s conference as well …
Upcoming family history talks and events in Scotland, 7 - 13 November 2016
Note that there may be a small charge for some of these events, and some may be for members only. We will be publishing lists of upcoming talks and events regularly - if you are organising a talk or event relating to Scottish genealogy or history, please let us know and we will be happy to add your events to our list. Monday, November 7 2016, 7 pm for 7.30 pm The Pentland Way – A Walk with History John Stirling and Bob Paterson Venue: Drummond Community High School, Bellevue Place, Edinburgh Non-members, £2.00. Monday, November 7 2016, 7.30 pm Galston Memories Elijah Beattie Venue: John Knox Church Hall, High Street, Stewarton Stewarton and District Historical Society Mr Beattie shares his childhood memories of the town and may tell us about Brunawn and Galston Handball. Members £1 Non-members £2. Monday, November 7 2016, 7.30 pm The Key to the Punjab - the Great Sikh Fortress of Govindgarh, Amritsar Tom Addyman Venue: St Andrews Church, Park Road, Milngavie Milngavie and Bearsden Historical Society Tom Addyman is an archaeology expert and involved in a major project to preserve a “Unique Indian Fortress” adjacent to the major city of Amritsar – famed for its golden temple. £4 for non-members Monday, November 7 2016, 7.30 pm Through the Lens Dating Photos Through Costume Valerie Reilly Venue: Morison Memorial Church, Dumbarton Road, Clydebank Clydebank Local History Society Tuesday, November 8 2016, 10.15 - 11.45 am U3A Family History Group
Venue: Turriff Library, Grange Villa, The Square, Turriff, AB43 5AE For further details, please contact Turriff Library. Tuesday, November 8 2016, 2.30 pm - 4 pm Introduction to Ancestry
Venue: Mearns Library East Renfrewshire's Heritage Collection Ancestry Library Edition is a must for anyone doing their family history and you can get access to this fabulous resource in your local East Renfrewshire library, without spending a penny. This informal session will help you master the basics and you'll soon be searching with ease through millions of world-wide records. Tuesday, November 8 2016, 7 pm for 7.30 pm Plastics and Poo – Threats to Scottish Wildlife Matt Barnes, Volunteer & Community Engagement Manager Scotland, Marine Conservation Society Venue: Montrose Museum, Panmure Place, Montrose DD10 8HE Montrose Natural History and Antiquarian Society £3 for non-members Tuesday, November 8 2016, 7.30 pm Tarves Tales Through Time: 6 Owners, 5 Centuries Lindsay Mathewson Venue: Buchan Hotel, Ellon Ellon and District Heritage Society Entrance £3 Tuesday, November 8 2016, 7.30 pm On the Road: the artefact assemblage from Charlie Hoy’s Cramond excavations 1970-1986 Dawn McLaren Venue: 23a Fettes Row, Edinburgh Edinburgh Archaeological Field Society Tuesday, November 8 2016, 7.30 pm The Archaeology of Jutland Dr Innes McCartney Venue: Orkney College Dr. Innes McCartney will give an exciting and informative lecture on the Battle of Jutland on Tuesday 8th November at 7.30pm in the lecture theatre of Orkney College. Tuesday, November 8 2016, 7.30 pm Fife Pilgrim Way Sarah Kettles Venue: Volunteer House (Vonef Centre) in 69 Crossgate Cupar KY15 5AS Tuesday, November 8 2016, 7.30 pm Hair Styles: Male and Female throughout the Ages E D Bremner Venue: Community Room, Largs Library, Allanpark Street, Largs North Ayrshire Family History Society Tuesday, November 8 2016, 7.30 pm Scotland v Italy: an early battle on home ground? Dr John Reid Venue: Auditorium, Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre, Peebles Four miles south-east of Lockerbie lies Burnswark Hill in Dumfriesshire, rising to nearly 1,000 feet from the surrounding countryside. It is one of the most prominent landmarks of the Solway basin. On the tabletop summit the remains of a 17-acre Roman hillfort have been uncovered. Their configuration is unique in Britain, and attempts to understand their significance have provoked considerable controversy for over half a century, with the purpose of these complex earthworks confounding archaeologists. Tuesday, November 8 2016, 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm Engine of Destruction: The 51st (Highland Division) in the Great War Colin Campbell Venue: Masonic Halls, Collier Street, Johnstone Wednesday, November 9 2016, 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm The Harry Lauder Story Ian Tennent Venue: Kincardine Community Centre - Hepburn Room Kincardine-on-Forth Local History Group Wednesday, November 9 2016, 4 pm Local Politics and the Adoption of Empire in the Gobi Region Joshua Wright Venue: Lecture Theatre (109), Gregory Building University of Glasgow Wednesday, November 9 2016, 6.30 pm Dundee in the Great War: three short talks Linda Nicoll (Friends of Dundee City Archives), David Wilkinson & Matthew Jarron (University of Dundee) Venue: Lecture Theatre 1, Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee Wednesday, November 9 2016, 7.00 pm The Templelands of Edinburgh Norah Carlin Venue: Augustine Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh Lectures are free to members and open to non-members paying a small fee (currently £5.00). Wednesday, November 9 2016, 7.30 pm The 1884 Reform Agitation in East Lothian Mark Nixon Venue: Gullane Village Hall Gullane and Dirleton History Society Pressure for voting reform turned violent in Haddington in 1884 Wednesday, November 9 2016, 7.30 pm Aberdeen and North East Resources Buzzy Garden Venue: Smith Museum and Art Gallery, Dumbarton Road, Stirling Central Scotland Family History Society Wednesday, November 9 2016, 7.30 pm Auxiliary Units - Churchill's Secret Army David Blair Venue: Volunteer Hall, Galashiels Joint meeting with Selkirk Antiquarians Wednesday, November 9 2016, 7.30 pm Habbie to Jeely Eater Ian Miller Venue: Concord Community Centre (next to the Denny Theatre), Dumbarton, G82 1LJ “A man of the cloth. An entertainer. A man who welcomed all denominations, anytime. A man who has married, christened and buried the great the good and the lowly with equal gravitas and humanity”. (Paul Murdoch). This is his life-story and the title of his book. Wednesday, November 9 2016, 7.45 pm Keir Hardie Stanley Sarsfield Venue: RAF Club, Ardgowan Square, Greenock Thursday, November 10 2016 Scotland’s Early Silver Alice Blackwell, Glenmorangie Research Fellow, National Museum of Scotland Venue: Blue Room, Town Hall, Ayr Ayrshire Archaeological and Natural History Society Thursday, November 10 2016, 5.15 pm for 5.30 pm The Scottish Disruption and the politics of colonial Auckland Dr Valerie Wallace (Victoria University of Wellington) Venue: New Seminar Room, St John’s House, 71 South Street, St Andrews Institute of Scottish Historical Research Thursday, November 10 2016, 6 pm - 7.30 pm Two Syllables Only: Feuds and frictions within the Scottish Enlightenment Mark McLean, learning officer, Newhailes Venue: Newhailes House, Newhailes Road, Musselburgh, EH21 6RY £8, including complimentary glass of wine. Limited space, book online Thursday, November 10 2016, 6.30 pm Rich Folk Poor Folk - Life in Victorian Cumnock
Venue: Baird Institute, 3 Lugar Street, Cumnock, East Ayrshire, KA18 1AD Thursday, November 10 2016, 7 pm Glasgow Cinemas Tom Marchant Venue: GLO Centre, 78 Muir Street, MOTHERWELL. ML1 1BN Lanarkshire Family History Society Thursday, November 10 2016, 7.30 pm Scottish Education in the 19th Century Janet Byth Venue: MacRobert Hall, The Square, Tarland Janet Byth will tell us about her researches into 180 years of a single Scottish School at Fintry and the changes that took place over time. Thursday, November 10 2016, 7.30 pm Paisley Abbey Digs – the story so far Bob Will, Senior Project Manager, GUARD Archaeology Venue: The Shawl Gallery, Paisley Museum, High Street, Paisley Renfrewshire Local History Forum Renfrewshire Local History Forum Lectures are open to non-members with no admission charge but a small donation would be appreciated. Thursday, November 10 2016, 7.30 pm Edinburgh and Musselburgh Trams Gavin Booth Venue: St Peter's Church Hall, High Street, Musselburgh Musselburgh Conservation Society Thursday, November 10 2016, 7.30 pm - 9.00 pm The Last Miners of Ayrshire's Doon Valley Donald Reid Venue: Johnnie Walker Bond, Strand Street Kilmarnock East Ayrshire Family History Society Friday, November 11 2016, 2 pm - 3.30 pm ‘Something Sensible for a Change’ : The National Register of Archives for Scotland, 1946-2016 Dr Alison Rosie (Registrar of NRAS) Venue: New Register House, Princes Street, Edinburgh Dr Alison Rosie (Registrar of the NRAS) outlines the history of the NRAS and what it does to help owners and users of archives today. Bring along your own documents for an opportunity after her talk to find out more about them and get advice on their care and preservation. (New Register House) Friday, November 11 2016, 2.00pm-3.30pm Smuggling in East Lothian and Berwickshire c1740-1790 Derek Janes Venue: John Gray Centre Friends of the John Gray Centre Take pleasure in listening to some incredible stories about smuggling in the area, ask daring questions and marvel at the hair-raising details intertwined with important facts and additional information. Friday, November 11 2016, 7.30 pm Scratching the surface and digging deeper: an on-going journey through art and archaeology Margaret Struckmeier, Potter and Archaeologist Venue: German Speaking Church, Chalmers Crescent, Edinburgh, EH9 1TW Friday, November 11 2016, 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm You're Wanted, Lads: Frontline Voices from WWI
Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre, Netherbow Theatre, Royal Mile, Edinburgh School of Scottish Studies, University of Edinburgh The impact & experience of the war to end wars, from those who were there. Hear from the testimonies of ordinary soldiers from Perthshire & Aberdeenshire, collected over many painstaking years by Jock Duncan in Jock's Jock, a one act play featuring Scott Gardiner, Chris Wright, Charlie West and Gary West. Also experience the poems & tunes of Seaforth Highlander E. Alan Mackintosh, with biographer Colin Campbell plus Neil MacLure and Linn Phipps. A special marking of Armistice Day for the Carrying Stream Festival, in association with Edinburgh University's School of Scottish Studies Archive. Tickets: £10 (£8 concessions) from http://www.carryingstreamfestival.co.uk/ Saturday, November 12 2016 Our Urban Heritage: Natural and Cultural
Venue: Stirling University Forth Naturalist and Historian Saturday, November 12 2016, 10 am - 12 pm WWI Ken Nisbet Venue: Scottish Genealogy Society Library, 15 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2JL Ken Nisbet, our resident expert on all things military, will take this class. Ken will show what resources are available both online and offline to begin and to further your research. This will course will focus more on Army records than previously. Saturday, November 12 2016, 2.00pm-4.00pm Moray Burial Ground Research Group Keith and Helen Mitchell, MBGRG Venue: Dumbarton Room, Royal Scots Club, 29 Abercromby Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6QE Aberdeen and North East Scotland Family History Society Saturday, November 12 2016, 2.00pm-4.00pm Medals and how to research them
Venue: Activities Room, Elgin Library, Cooper Park, Elgin, IV30 1HS Aberdeen and North East Scotland Family History Society |
Old ScottishGenealogy and Family History - A mix of our news, curious and intriguing discoveries. Research hints and resources to grow your family tree in Scotland from our team. 
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