Tracing my Russian Ancestors

Yesterday's talk, Tracing my Russian Ancestors by Dr Chris Cameron, at Kelso, was extremely interesting, very enjoyable, and with lots of humour.

Dr Cameron's Irish ancestors, the Oultons, and their descendants certainly got around the world, I lost track of all the relatives' countries, however as well as Scotland and England, there was Russia (pre-tsarist and revolutionary), Germany, Spain, USA, Denmark, New Zealand, and Greece.

Although it was clear that he hadn't done much of the family history research himself, he was inspired enough, in his retirement to learn Russian at university and by living in Moscow.

All in all, I feel if he can do it, as I'm younger, I might be able to go off to the other side of Europe and trace my missing relatives.

There were also 3 new publications on display:
Morebattle Monumental Inscriptions - a CD, price £10. 3rd edition revised.
Includes stones in new extension and photographs of all stones. Now with photographs of the site of Mow church and Mowhaugh Public School admission log 1873 - 1918

Smailholm Monumental Inscriptions - a CD, price £10. 2nd edition revised.
Includes new burial ground and photographs of all stones. Includes 1814 plan of churchyard. Also Smailholm Public School Admission Log 1884-1915

A new book, Days of our Youth - Melrose Memories, price £3.50. It's an interesting book about Melrose in the early 20th century, with several colour photographs.

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Scotlands Places

Looking for images of places or buildings ?

Try the new Scotlands Places website launched by RCAHMS (Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland) and Scotlands People at http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/.

As well as a wealth of aerial images of Scotlands landscape, there are photographs and plans of buildings and digital images of some interesting records;

the Farm Horse Tax 1797 - 1798

Medical Officer of Health Reports 1891

Land Ownership Commission 1872-1873

There is also a digital copy of the changes made to parishes by the Boundary Commissioners under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889. The information is easily accessible by searching for a placename, selecting an area on the map or by selecting the county you are interested in. Some of the images may be downloaded for personal use and there is also the facility to contribute to the site by uploading photographs or text.

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