Sunday, November 25, 2012

Berwickshire Monumental Inscriptions research on the road again


Saturdays beautiful clear frosty morning was too good to miss.  Even though it was very cold, I took the chance to go around east Berwickshire, researching for the publication of Monumental Inscriptions.  First stop was Edrom, already recorded and photographed, to look at the Symbolic stones in more detail .The original tablestones were set upright into the ground many years ago, one of them upside down and the supports were incorporated into one of the walls. I was very lucky to get access to the church as one of the elders was there putting the heating on. 
 
Next stop was Chirnside, to photograph the church and to draw a rough plan of the churchyard. Then on to Ayton, to photograph the church and the war memorial.  BFHS published Ayton MI’s some years ago and have now photographed the older part of the churchyard.  Next stage is to photograph the stones in the newer part of the churchyard and to complete the plan of the layout.
 

Eyemouth was the last visit, to look at the old churchyard in the town centre, to photograph the old watch house.  Some of the old symbolic stones and the supports of tablestones have been incorporated into this building. Both old and new cemeteries at Eyemouth were recorded this year, the next stage being the indexing and research into the Militia lists of the early 19th century.

And after a morning, walking about in the frosty wet grass, lunch in one of the local cafes was most welcome.  There’s lots more research and preparation for the Monumental Inscriptions team to do over the winter months.

Monday, November 19, 2012


I've just received this notice and message from The Heritage Hub.

Please find attached details of a joint event between the Heritage Hub and Historic Scotland hosted at Tower Mill Hawick on Wednesday 21 November. The event is a launch of a two year joint project using the Medieval Music Manuscript or 'Hawick Missal'

At the event the Music will be performed for the first time in 450 years. This is a unique opportunity not just to see the document but also to hear the performance of this work.

Tickets are available directly from the Heritage Hub (cash payments only) and can be collected on the night.

It looks as though it will be an interesting evening and I'm sorry I can't go.


Change to our Programme for Sunday 25th November

Our next meeting is on Sunday, 25 November at 2.30pm in the Corn Exchange in Melrose, when Marjorie Gavin returns with a talk about Thomas Pringle of Blakelaw, near Kelso; a poet, traveller and anti-slavery campaigner - Thomas, in the early 19th century, was secretary of the Anti-Slavery Society and was famed for his poetry. Many people may not have heard of this Roxburghshire man but his story has many exciting ingredients including South Africa, Sir Walter Scott connections and politics !

The original planned talk on the 'Black Death' has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances and may be re-scheduled for 2013.

As usual, the doors will open at 2.00pm and the talk starts at 2.30pm.

Admission is free and we’ll have usual sales tables and refreshments after the talk. I hope to see you there. Map.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Less than 50 Hours Left on Free Access to 1911 England & Wales Census

There's less than 50 hours left to take advantage of free access to the 1911 England & Wales Census.

See our blogs on Find My Past's and Genes Reunited's offers.

I've found six people new to me and one new surname.

Please let me know what you find.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Scottish Society for Northern Studies

I have received a communication from the above Society which could be of interest to some members.

The society was formed in 1968 to explore the inter-relationship between the Scandinavian, Celtic and Scottish cultures and provide a forum in Scotland for specialists and enthusiasts of many disciplines to pursue their common 'Northern' interests.

An annual conference is held in Edinburgh every November (this year on the 24th. at Augustine Church Centre, 41 George IV Bridge, EH1 1EL - the theme 'Scots and Scandinavians'). There is also a  a residential conference every spring, held at a different location each year (2012 Islay, 2011 Aberdeen, 2010 Bute).

The Society publishes a bi-annual newsletter, which contains information on upcoming events and publication
For further information - http://www.northernstudies.org.uk

Ronald

Monday, November 12, 2012

1911 England & Wales Census Search - Free till 18th November

I've just discovered that it's also free to search the 1911 England & Wales Census through Genes Reunited.

1911 England & Wales Census Search - Free till 18th November

I just remembered to use Find My Past's free England & Wales Census Search today.

I haven't made much progress, except in finding details about Marchantons that I hadn't known before.

In the census entry for Mary Marchanton (born 1853),  wife of James, for 'Condition /Yrs married', it says Am.

I'm wondering what the "Am" could mean.

Any ideas, please ?


Sunday, November 4, 2012

Conference Booking Form Now Working Properly

 I was advised this evening that the Delegate Booking Form for our Conference on 11 May 2013 wasn't opening properly.

I've reloaded it and checked it.

The Delegate Booking Form is now opening properly.

Unless, of course, you know differently, in which case out a comment below or send me a message using our Contacts page, and select the Contact Type 'Contact the Webmaster'.