Whaling in Berwick

Whaling in Berwick is the title of the next talk in the series held by Berwick  Record Office to celebrate their 30th anniversary.

Well-known local maritime historian Tony Barrow will be talking about the importance of whaling to the town and about some of the key people involved. It’s a fascinating story. The talk will be illustrated.  This is a talk not to be missed by anyone interested in the history of Berwick or the fishing industry.

It takes place on Friday 8 July at 7.30 pm at Berwick Parish Centre, The Parade, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1DF, England. Map. It's next to Holy Trinity Church. Entrance is through the churchyard. The suggested car parking is in the car park next to the churchyard.

Everyone is welcome. Admission free. Refreshments available.

Scottish Episcopal Church Records and Roman Catholic Archives

Chris Paton has blogged a report on two talks that he attended at the SAFHS 2011 Conference.

The talks were Dr Tristram Clarke talking about Scottish Episcopal Church Records and Andrew Nicoll on the subject of Roman Catholic Archives.

Sir Walter Scott, a cowboy of the Wild West ?

The headline in Scotland on Sunday, yesterday, was actually Sir Walter Scott, king of the wild frontier?
The article says that Scott now has a new claim to fame, and that a conference 'Walter Scott: Sheriff And Outlaw, organised by the University of Wyoming'   taking place 5th to 9th July in Laramie, Wyoming, USA, will discuss Scott's role as one of the pivotal influences on America's western frontier.

Jeni Calder, who will present a lecture on Scott's frontier legacy, says that Scott's influence on the wild west cannot be over-estimated and examines the comparisons between the wild frontier land of America and that of the Scottish Borders of the late 18th century - where Scott was Sheriff of Selkirkshire from 1799 until 1832.