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Adding Pictures to this site.
I've been unable to upload a picture, because it not in the right format. It's a Jpeg [Hi Richard, email it to me ay contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk and I'll have look to see what is happening- Steven]Added by Richard Evans on 13 August 2010 - add reply
James Tennant
Help please with any relatives of the late James Tennant of Connecticut. James contacted me 26 years in response to my letter in the Scots magazine about the Island of Swona. James said he had roots in South Ronaldsay and knew James Rosie, formerly of Swona. James died about 3 years ago.Added by Richard Evans on 13 August 2010 - add reply
Mr
Hello I am editing a memoir of a chilhood in Orkney and would very much like to use the image of Harray Stores Shop Van (2735) contributed by Paul Sutherland. If Mr Sutherland would care to contact me I can provide more details. Many thanks, Mark Mulhern European Ethnological Research Centre University of EdinburghAdded by Mark Mulhern on 09 August 2010 - add reply
The 'main street' in Kirkwall
Contributors to the Orkney Image Library might be interested in the following Facebook page, which complements a short research project which took place in Kirkwall in July 2010.Added by Graeme Baxter on 22 July 2010 - add reply
Sunnybank
Hi there! Does anyone have any photographs of Sunnybank (on the Old Finstown Road, just outside Kirkwall) when it was a military camp during the Second World War? My Great Uncle was stationed there in 1942 with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (he fought and died in Normandy in 1944). In August, I'm interviewing a 90-year old veteran who was also stationed at Sunnybank - it would be great to show him some photos to refresh his memory!Added by Andrew Salmond on 14 July 2010 - add reply
Clouston family
My husbands' family (mothers side) originate from the Orkneys. They are the Tyneside Branch of the Clouston clan. Are there any Cloustons still living in the Orkneys.Added by Marjorie Lyons on 22 April 2010 - add reply
My Auntie still lives in the Orkneys
Added by Verena Clouston on 06 August 2010 - add reply
Hi Verena, which branch of the Cloustons do you belong to?
Added by Marjorie Lyons on 08 August 2010 - add reply
stumbled upon this site
I have come across this site by accident while Googling something for work!! My grandmother’s family are Orcadians. Family name is Skea. I think my great grandfather was originally from Sanday where he was brought up. John Skea was his name. He married Margaret whose maiden name I can't remember. They farmed at Tankerness where my grandmother, Ilene Skea was brought up until the 30's I think when "Jock" moved everybody and everything to a new farm, Contlaw located in Coulter just outside Aberdeen. Great web site. I can only guess that the Skea's in the photos etc are some sort of releation.Added by Gary Andrew on 22 March 2010 - add reply
I believe we may be related. Jock Skea was a second cousin of my mother (who is 91 years old now) which would mean that I would be a third cousin of your grandmother Eileen. Jock's wife was called Lil, although her proper name was Margaret Jane Corsie. Jock's mother was a Lyall, from Sanday, and her mother was a Groat from Papa Westray. My mother is a Groat - her father is a Groat from Papa Westray. Jock had a sister, Mary, who married a Learmonth from Sanday, and had family in Kirkwall. I do not know too much about Jock's family, other than that Eileen's brother Eric went to Australia, and died in Sydney in 2006.
Added by Stewart Miller on 23 March 2010 - add reply
Stewart
That is all correct as far as I know. My grandmother is Ilene though not Eileen. She did have a brother Eric whom unfortunately passed away in Australia. She also has brothers called Lyall and Jim. Sisters Zillah, Jean, Alwyn and Sheila. Sheila was the only one born in Aberdeen. My great grand mother I only know as Margaret. But I do know her father was an Alex Corsie. My grandmother attended a school reunion last year. I have spoken to my grandmother, Ilene whom informed me that her mother, Margaret was called "Mags" and her sister, Elizabeth was nicknamed "Lil". Jock met Mags as a young man while working we think at "Acres".
Added by Gary Andrew on 30 March 2010 - add reply
Gary! I got all my information about the Skeas from my mother, and she was obviously mistaken about Jock's wife's name - she obviously confused it with her sister's name. She probably assumed that your grandmother's name was spelt Eileen, and not Ilene. I remember Jock coming for a visit to us in Evie, although I was too young to really remember him. I only have a vague recollection of this man sitting in the chair talking to my mother and her father, David Groat (who would have been a first cousin of Jock's mother).
Added by Stewart Miller on 31 March 2010 - add reply
Hi Stewert, I'm Liz Firth. My mothers name was Corsie, as is my middle name.I wonder if we're any relation to the Margaret in your letter?
Added by Liz Firth on 23 April 2010 - add reply
Hei Liz. - I am related to Corsies although I have no idea of the connection between my family and Margaret Corsie (above). My great grandmother was Annie Corsie, from Rousay, and was married to William Mowat. Annie's father was William Corsie, and her mother was Ann Leonard. Len Corsie, who was a policeman, was a second cousin of my mother. If you want to go further back, William Corsie father was Malcolm Corsie, and his mother was Isabella Loutit.
Added by Stewart Miller on 26 April 2010 - add reply
Hi Stewart....I am one of these Skea's that is mentioned ... I have been doing Family Research for many years now and I would like to know a little more about you ...you may be already on my family tree where do you fit in on the Groat side....what is your mothers name???
Also there were two families of Cousie's lived in Rousay our Coursie's and the ones Liz mentions and so far I have not been able to connect them.
Looking forwared to hearing from you
Added by Jean on 13 June 2010 - add reply
Hei Jean - my mother was born Elizabeth Corsie Groat, a daughter of David Groat, originally from Quoys in Papa Westray, and Victoria Williamina Beattie Mowat, from Woo in Evie. My grandfather David Groat was a son of David Groat, who was a son of David Groat, who was a son of David Groat, who was a son of George Groat - all of Quoys (sometimes called Howe) in Papa Westray. I have my details on ancestory.com - my username is "loomachun" if you would like to see more. Regards, Stewart.
Anonymous comment added on 26 June 2010 - add reply
Hi Stewart..Yes I have you on my family tree, so it must be your brother William that married a Margaret in Victoria, Australia?? I see your Grandmother Victoria has Beattie in her name any idea where that comes from ?? My married name is Beattie from Forfar,Scotland we now live in Canada.The Corsie in your mother name I think comes from the other Corsie's in Rousay not ours.I was in Orkney at the Tankerness School reunion in 2008.My parents names were Jock and Maggie( not Mags)Skea.Hope to get into ancestory.com soon to have a look.
Added by Jean on 26 July 2010 - add reply
Big pictures
I'm impressed by the cameras of our contributors, but the unreduced 14 megapixel submissions are leading quickly to an increase in our storage costs. I can get round this to a certain extent by manually deleting them once they have transferred to our cheaper Amazon S3 hosting. However after deleting some pictures that I hadn't approved and transferred last time I did this housekeeping I'm a bit wary, so can I ask for huge pictures to be resampled or resized down to about 4 megapixels for the time being, if possible, please.Added by Steven Heddle on 28 February 2010 - add reply
Orkneycommunities charity calendar
By popular demand (and I mean demand, Bruce Flett, and others, can be very insistent) the Orkneycommunities Image Library is planned to have a life beyond these hallowed pages. Read on to find out how you can help!
I've looked into the logistics, and think that if we produce a 2011 pictorial calendar by summertime we can raise about £3,000 for charities working locally. This year the charities are planned to be CLAN, Macmillan and CLIC Sargent, and if this one is a success I hope we can make this an annual thing and spread the proceeds over other charities too. All proceeds above production costs will go to charity.
Format is to be determined, but likely to A4 with a space for notes on the calendar. One big picture per month, and I'd like use some or all of the comments to tell a story for the pictures, and introduce others to what we have here.
So how can you help? Well, while I have seen all of the 7669 pictures (and counting) over the last 6 years, I can't remember them all. Some indication of appeal is given by the number of comments and the Favourites (which is based on the number of times a picture is added to a personal gallery), but I'm open to suggestions for pictures that would fit the bill- these are pictures that are maybe unique to here, tell a story, are topical for a certain month, or are just great. Bear in mind that all pictures might not be usable, as they might only be available in low resolution, or have copyright reserved by the contributor- this will be established once we have a shortlist.
Other ways to help: buy a lot of them when they go on sale- this is a guaranteed collectors item!; sponsor a page if you are a business- this will help underwrite the upfront production costs for us, and ultimately go to charity; suggest what we should ask for page sponsorship if you are a business- we are thinking in the £50-100 region- that reasonable? Email me (click my name, below) regarding sponsorship if you are a business (or quango!).
Well, that's the ball rolling now- long way to go though!
Cheers,
Steven
Added by Steven Heddle on 30 January 2010 - add reply
Kirkwall School, 1948
Just found the great picture of the school in 1948! I searched for Anne Bain who later became my best friend at Aberdeen High School for Girls and I think maybe I see her in it. Can anyone confirm this and let me know how to find her now?Added by Anne Grant on 28 January 2010 - add reply
Love the photos
Just found this site. Grandmother's family came from Stronsay. Peter Miller-Janet Irvine. They had seven children. Peter, Mary, Jessie, Thomas, James, John and Elizabeth Ann.Would love to find descendants.Added by Janet Ellis on 22 January 2010 - add reply
That wouldn't be Jumping Janet of Blue Peter fame by any chance ?
Added by Spoot on 30 January 2010 - add reply
Sorry Spoot, but no!. Didn't know what you were talking about so had to Google it.She sounds much more glamourous than me. I'm in Australia and raise beef cattle.
Added by Janet Ellis on 30 January 2010 - add reply
contributors
Hi love the site..its a great idea. Any chance of listing the contributors by their last names instead or alphabetical by thier first?...I think it would make looking for persons easier. thanks RichardAdded by Richard Johnston on 11 January 2010 - add reply
Very Very mild complaint !!
I used to get a message telling me if anyone had added a comment on any of my photos. I don't get that anymore. Can you please tell me why ?Added by Bill Miller on 24 November 2009 - add reply
Hi Bill, when adding new pictures there is a checkbox at the bottom where you need to opt in to getting comments etc- have you been ticking that? Or is the problem with old pictures?
Cheers
Steven
Added by Steven Heddle on 24 November 2009 - add reply
When we are moaning,normally, the box that has your name is filled in but sometimes it is not and if you don't notice you come up as anon!
Added by William Watters on 24 November 2009 - add reply
That info is stored as a cookie on your computer, so if you are on another computer, or have cleaned out your cookies, or are using another browser, or have been born under a bad sign, or recently on a lengthy cruise, it won't be there.
Added by Steven Heddle on 25 November 2009 - add reply
A group of interesting pictures from Hoy
I found this today- a lot of pictures taken in what looks to me to be the big building on the side of the hill overlooking Lyness: www.scottyweb.co.uk/?p=1097. Seems to be a couple of skeletons in there!Added by Steven Heddle on 20 October 2009 - add reply
Don't tell the council about it or they'll have that down too. (Oops maybe I just did). This building was probably MUCH more important than the black building. from here all the signal traffic for the fleet was handled.Maybe the council can redeem themselves yet. i'm sure there is not a building like it left in the country. I wonder what important messages were flashed to the fleet from the searchlight that was mounted on the frame in picture no 3.
Added by William Watters on 24 November 2009 - add reply
Some years ago my wife did Bed and Breakfast here at the Ferm, and a very nice lady stayed for a few days with us and informed us she had been a Cypher Officer in the building on Wee Fea. I went oot tae the shed where I had some old Naval message books that had been "liberated" from the wireless station just above us which was part of the communication system from that building on Wee Fea,to the Fleet in the North Atlantic. Anyway I put one of these message books in front of this lady as she ate her breakfast, she almost choked on her bacon!!.
She told us that she had been on the Solent and had personaly delivered instructions to the ships before they sailed for the D Day landings on just such message paper. I still have some to this day.
Only as she went away we learned that her recent late husband was non other than the Queens Surgeon and the nice lady was indeed a Lady she was Lady Mummary!!.
Added by John Budge on 26 January 2010 - add reply
Adding pictures to
What's happened to the link to add pictures to my album? I can view my album, but can't add to it....unless I just can't see the link! [Laura- that is a good question! I'll see what can be done - Steven]Added by Laura Wilson on 15 October 2009 - add reply
It is now done by clicking the peedie plus symbol at the bottom right of the picture.
Added by Steven Heddle on 20 October 2009 - add reply
Now that you mention it, I do remember doing that once or twice right after the changes to the site.....but now I no longer have a plus symbol. I’ll try and figure out if something’s changed on my computer settings, thanks for your help.
Added by Laura Wilson on 20 October 2009 - add reply
Google ads
Is it possible to change it so the Google Ads do not apear in the middle of the comments?Added by Alastair on 30 September 2009 - add reply
It is, but by their nature they need to be fairly intrusive to get the clicks. If we can get local advertising down the right hand side of the Image Library homepage that generates as much as the Adsense then I'm sure the management committee would consider reducing the Google ad density...
Added by Steven Heddle on 30 September 2009 - add reply
Zoom
You used to be able to click on an image to enlarge it and it would open up in a seperate window with a bigger picture. I cant see how to do that now. Am I missing something obvious or does that facility not exsist anymore? Without it, looking at group pictures like the Royal Observer Corps picture that was added today is a waste of time. [That's true, and it is something that we are working on. Keep the faith... - Steven]Added by Bruce Moar on 28 September 2009 - add reply
Have a look now...
Added by Steven Heddle on 30 September 2009 - add reply
Thanks for that.
We'll soon have the site the way we want it!!
Will the zoom facility going to be available on all the pictures?
Added by Bruce Moar on 30 September 2009 - add reply
From this day forth, it'll be on a lot of pictures, but not all. Some come in at 6MB which is going to paste our bandwidth so they are deleted, unless they are of a huge group of people. Some come in as small pictures, or are maybe blurred when viewed large. If it is of something that would benefit from the big picture treatment, and no more than 2MB in size, it'll get the big picture treatment.
Added by Steven Heddle on 30 September 2009 - add reply
Dead right.
I think I can speak for everyone on here when I say thanks for the hard work you put into this website. There's many a buddy that speaks to me about the photos that's on the site or the comments that have been added. It gives alot of pleasure to a hell of alot of folk.
Cheers.
Added by Bruce Moar on 01 October 2009 - add reply
I concur with your sentiments Bruce. A much talked about and popular site. I'm sure Steven would be the first to admit that the library would be nothing without the contributors. I know numerous people who enjoy the Image Library, so sincere thanks Steven for providing a wonderful location to post and view historic and contemporary photos of Orkney.
Added by Rae Slater on 19 October 2009 - add reply
Website
Much better with the back option (could be a bit bigger,no so easy to hit now that I am getting a bit older) The comments are easier to see as are the new pics.Added by Willie Watters on 23 September 2009 - add reply
Latest Additions...
Is anyone else experiencing a problem with the comments if they click on "Latest Additions"? If I click on it, I get (I think) all the photos that have been added since my last visit, but not ALL the comments. If I go back to Home, I can see comments in the "Latest Comments" bit that didn't show under "Latest Additions". I'm missing reading lots of comments, I'm sure...Added by Alison Ritchie on 15 September 2009 - add reply
I'm finding the same
[Should be fixed now- Steven]
Added by Isabel Alexander on 15 September 2009 - add reply
nup... hid's still no workan here, I doot.
Added by Alison Ritchie on 23 September 2009 - add reply
The New Site
never mind - found the pictures, didn't scroll forward enough! Still like the year drop down betterAdded by Shirley Drever on 10 September 2009 - add reply
The New Site
Seems a few photos are gone too, pictures of people I know or knew. Also, liked just being able to click on the yearAdded by Shirley Drever on 10 September 2009 - add reply
The New Site
What have you done to this site it was a lot better before the layout is not so good i think you should go back to the way it was. [Jimmy, if you say what could be better or what you want, it'll be a lot more useful to me. This is a work in progress, and things like the search facility (for instance) will end up a lot better. If you have good ideas for a better layout, that's great, I look forward to them. Give me a shout on contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk. Cheers, Steven]Added by Jimmy Johnston on 03 September 2009 - add reply
I have to agree with Jimmy not as impressed with this site now it has undergone an "upgrade" Really miss the 5 10 20 etc and not too keen on the advertising between all the comments - it makes you think there are no comments on the photo. As a result of these changes I for sure have not looked at the site as much since it was changed.
Added by James Tait on 14 September 2009 - add reply
I think the 5 10 20 etc was much better it was easer to see if any new photos or comments had been put on any chance of this coming back.
[It's a fair point- we'll get it back. The Back button has also been highlighted as an issue, so we'll try and get that back too. Broken links to comments and pictures are also showing up, and this need to be fixed too. Nothing is lost, but we have moved to a different database linking things together, and this is what is being debugged as a result of everybody's comments- Steven]
Added by Jimmy Johnston on 14 September 2009 - add reply
5 10 20 etc
Is the option to expand comment boxes (5 10 20 etc) still available? [I hope to get this back soon Marlene- Steven.]Added by Marlene Mainland on 03 September 2009 - add reply
I miss it too hope it comes back soon
Added by Jimmy Johnston on 06 September 2009 - add reply
New Site
Agree wi the auld man o VLA. Your new site isna much good. When i click on the comment in the latest comments I get page not available. can you fix it. [Fixed noo. Tell me about the things that could be fixed or improved, and they will be. Unless you hurt my feelings. - Steven]Added by Willie Watters on 01 September 2009 - add reply
housegarth band - linklaters
Re your picture of the housegarth band by tommy matches, i am researching my grandmothers family the linklater from housegarth and was wondering if anyone had any more pictures of any linklaters. There is also stangers (stensgairs) in our family tree my grandmothers granny was georgina stanger, any info on any of the above would be most appreciated.Added by gillian macgillivray on 03 February 2009 - add reply
Hi gillian
I have a georgina stanger born (1843) married a James Linklater in my family tree. if you think this is the same person please get in touch by email and I will let you know what I know.
Added by Isabel Alexander on 07 February 2009 - add reply
What is happening to this site, nothing is being cleared to be shown to the public .
The comments I have sent almost a week ago have not appeared and I am sure there are loads more from other people, is there a lack of people to check the correspondence, can someone explain, as it is losing my attention somewhat. [Patience John... Steven]Added by John Budge on 01 February 2009 - add reply
Sorry I was not trying to nag,but its the longest time that I have known with no response. This is a great site and it never stops amazing me how one subject can stir so much interest and even years after it has been inserted.
Well done Steven I do need a ticking off now and then, keep up the fantastic work you may get a knighthood oot o hid yet!!
[Cheers John, my greatest ambition is tae get the chance tae turn wan doon! - Steven]
Added by John Budge on 03 February 2009 - add reply
Fraser Devine
Hello if anyone is in touch with Fraser Devine give him a great big hug from Miss D from Dundee.Graham Beasley
Does anyone know the whereabouts of Graham Beasley, who was the original owner of the "Yorkshire Lady"? I built a model of this boat and Graham bought it from me. He became a good friend and I lost touch with him. Any help or link would be appreciated. Brian.Added by Brian Jackson on 21 December 2008 - add reply
Trying to trace the family of Isabella Shearer
Hi, I'm the editor of the Alford images website and am researching a musician local to Alford who married a lass from Orkney. I'm trying to trace the relatives of Isabella Shearer, born 1872. She married Pipe Major Jimmy McHardy in Aberdeen in 1896. She died in 1943. Her daughter, Edith, was in touch by letter with her Orkney kin and I wonder if these letters have survived. Any help very gratefully received. There is a "group" dedicated to PM Jimmy McHardy on the Alford images website at www.alfordimages.comAdded by Jim Talbot on 06 December 2008 - add reply
Hi, Isabella Shearer was born in Shapinsay, at a place called Fuog, which no longer exists. Her parents were James Shearer and Mary Tulloch, and there will be a good number of the Shapinsay islanders distantly related.
Added by Marlene Mainland on 07 December 2008 - add reply
Birthday Wishes
Happy Birthday, Orkneycommunities! Here's to the next 25 years! :DAdded by Alison Ritchie on 28 October 2008 - add reply
John Walls
I am trying to get in contact with Peter Burgess who posted a photo of my Grandfather John WallsAdded by Keith Austen on 30 August 2008 - add reply
In reply to Keith Austen,
Try this e-mail address theorkneyman@yahoo.co.uk
Will be glad to hear from you. P.Burges.
Added by Theorkneyman. on 01 September 2008 - add reply
Longhope lifeboat disaster 1969
Does anyone have any photos of my uncle Eric McFadyen who died on the Longhope lifeboat . I only met him once when I was a small child. I can't find any photos on here of him. Even an old school photo would do. I don't really know anything else about him which is sad. Thank you . Pat Macsween nee McFadyen.Added by Patricia Macsween nee McFadyen on 31 July 2008 - add reply
Somewhere I have owld photos taen at the Brims School and Eric was in them - we were in the same class. If I find them - best kens whaur - I will post them.
Added by David Watters on 04 February 2009 - add reply
Hi there, I will ask my auntie Susie if she has any. We used to live next door in Brims, unfortunaly I never really got to know any of those brave lads, as I was only 4 when the boat was lost. My mum was Anna Dempsey (nee Johnston). We lived in Inner Haven, next door to the Whitehouse. Do you keep in contact with your uncle Ian, Erics younger brother, he still lives here? If I can be of any help to you email me back.
Added by Keith Dempsey on 04 February 2009 - add reply
Hello Patricia, I dont have a photo of Ericie, as he was known to us all, but I can tell you he was a great young man so full of fun and devilment, a very good musician and was so good to his widowed mother.
I was with him and Chrissie at the Whitehouse the night before he died, we had a tune together and I never saw him again. So sad as he was not a regular crewman on the boat, but true to the man he was he offered to go and help. He was always kind and helpful to others throughout his all too short life.
Added by John Budge on 05 February 2009 - add reply
Use of Images
I would like permission to possibly publish one of Peter Burgess's images in our local newspaper. I have been going round the site trying to find a means to contact him without success. Am I missing something? Is there a way to link to the contributor's email, or how do I get in touch to try to obtain permission?Added by Gus Mackay on 14 July 2008 - add reply
By all means go right ahead Gus........send me a copy if you like when you are finished.
Added by Peter Burges on 18 July 2008 - add reply
The Man who bought a Navy.
The book title is above for you. It is so old it has no isbn number. Your local library might be able to order it in for you. I lost my copy I bought in Stromness but I did a google search and Amazon had then new and used copies for sale. New was 19.95 I live in Surrey and if you are "local" you can see mine first, if we are allowed to exchange contact numbers on this site. I believe the John Moore Bunty married was to do with one of the "pools" companies, (football pools). Cox owned a metal breakers yard at Queenborough Kent before venturing to Scapa Floa. All the material is administered by someone in Kent still. A visit to the museum is well worth the effort of getting there, I have been twice and stayed in Stromness on a farm. We went by train to Thurso and then walked 2 miles to Scrabster and caught the ferry (90 minutes) to Stromness. The Aberdeen ferry takes 8 hours, or one can fly from London changing at WickFor looking for old books I have used several times ABE Books which you will find on the web, the W stands for world and I have bought books from all over the place as it is a world site.
Best of luck and I read the book many years ago and did enjoy.
Roy Peace
Added by Roy Peace on 13 September 2009 - add reply
Fishing boat Girl Mina Photos wanted please.
I am currently making a model of the fishing vessel Girl Mina, which my Great Grandfather had built in 1932 in Dan Alexander's yard in Wick. I am looking for any photos of her in her fishing days, either in WK 172 or K 919 guises, that will assist me in making an accurate model. It doesn't have to be pics of her by herself. Just a simple harbour pic with her in it will do nicely. Thanks, BarryAdded by Barry Scollay on 10 April 2008 - add reply
Hi Barry
I have submitted a photo of the 'Girl Mina' registered as K919, taken circa 1967, when she was fishing our of Sanday.
Rob Thomson
Added by Rob Thomson on 06 May 2008 - add reply
Thanks Rob, I am just delighted to see such nice pics of her. I now have 9 photos of her taken throughout her life as a fishing boat.
I am in correspondance with Mr Muir (ex owner in Orkney) of Sandays son, who I'm sharing the photos of her with. He will be delighted with these pics for sure.
Thanks again,
Barry.
Added by Barry Scollay on 08 May 2008 - add reply
Gordon Scott, musician
I would love to see any photographs of Gordon Scott, in The Four of Us, Gerbil, Compass, the Hamnavoe Dance Band, etc.Hi Viv, If you type in 7173 in the search box it will bring up a photo sent in by Alan Hale of Gordon and Pie as Gerbil. You will see Gordon with his usual happy smile.
Added by Colin McBeath on 12 April 2008 - add reply
Fishing Boats
Does anyone out there have a photo of the Fv LochInchard, WK110. She was owned and skippered by the late Harvey Sinclair and based in Stromness. I worked on her for a while and would like a photo of her if anyone has on to share with me. Thank you all.. Colin..Added by Colin McBeath on 02 March 2008 - add reply
Hi Colin, was she built at Pia's and did she have a square transon, if so I have a couple of pics that i can copy for you just send your e/mail-------------Allan
Added by Allan Besant on 03 March 2008 - add reply
Hi Allan. Yes thats the one, she was if i remember correctly blue in colour when i worked on her with Harvey, and when he sold on she was converted into a side winder. Was sad to see her go.
Thank you for your help Allan as it will be great to see her again.
Thank you again
Greatfully, Colin.
Added by Colin McBeath on 06 March 2008 - add reply
Hi Allan. My email is colin@mowatt8.wanadoo.co.uk
Thanks again
Colin...
Added by Colin McBeath on 06 March 2008 - add reply
Move
Any chance of you getting the comment section moved to the wasted section on the right of the page. its a horrid cast havin to page up an down to see who's who in the comments.Added by William Watters on 25 January 2008 - add reply
Alasdair Fiddler
Bertha thanks for adding your comments to picture #40. I am Jane Russell nee Banks. My great grandfather was Alexander Stewart Banks and I am fairly certain was Maggie's brother. Did she live at Daisy Cottage Bignold Park Road and was her mother Janet Mackay Banks? I picked up on Alistair Fiddler because My father was Walter Alistair Banks. I am putting together family tree and therefore looking for relatives etcAdded by Jane Russell on 27 December 2007 - add reply
Yes, Maggie was married to my uncle, Johnnie, and they lived at Daisy Cottage during WW2, while Johnnie was a pilot in the harbour here. Alasdair is therefore my cousin. His sister, Caroline, and I were across in America last year on holiday and we met some of the Banks family members in Canada. Caroline would be able to give a great deal of information about the Banks people. She now lives in Stromness where the Banks family originated! Can you give me an address or an email address? Caroline doesn't have a computer, but I could relay info!!
Added by Bertha Fiddler on 09 April 2008 - add reply
Bertha my email is jane.russell50@virgin.net.
Added by jane.russell on 06 May 2008 - add reply
Alexander Stewart Banks
I am putting together my family tree. Alexander Stewart Banks was my great grandfather. He was the blacksmith in Stromness around 1900. I would like to hear from anyone who can give me more information. Jane Russell (nee Banks)Added by Jane Russell (nee Banks) on 03 October 2007 - add reply
Cox & Danks floating dock
Cox is one of those forgotten great British engineers, I read Gerald Bowman's book about Cox's exploits in raising the German High Seas Fleet from Scapa when I was a boy some 40 years ago. The picture of his floating dock gives some idea of the scale of his achievementAdded by Peter Thoams on 14 September 2007 - add reply
Google Ads
The Google Ads are fine, and anything that helps keep this excellent site going is good. At least most of them so far are Orkney related, and if other sites are anything to go by, sometimes they can be (unintentionally) funny - for instance, a site I visit on cult tv programmes offered pest control ads on a page about Dangermouse! And if you're only looking for "tasteful" suggestions, I'll not bother sharing my idea! ;-D [As long as they don't involve making 'boats' using feathers and other floating objects as i n days of yore I'm sure they will be fine :-) -Steven]Added by Alison Ritchie on 17 August 2007 - add reply
A question
Is it possible for James Baikie Mitchell to contact me? Or could I contact him directly? With thanks, WilmaAdded by Wilma in Vancouver, BC on 08 August 2007 - add reply
Family Connections: Bruce-Gowans-Falconer-Baikie
Hello: My mother's great grandfather Alexander A. Falconer married Jemima Mitchell Bruce in 1890. Jemima's mother was Margaret Sutherland Bruce (nee Baikie). Jemima returned to Orkney an died in Newdale in 1936. Her nephew John Gowans of 13 South End, Stromness signed Jemima's birth certificate. Does anyone know anything about the family/families? I'd appreciate any leads. With thanks.Hello Wilma
I did my own family tree some time ago and the names you mention aren't in my tree, but there's a couple of sites that might be of interest. There's www.cursiter.com and here in Kirkwall we have the very good Orkney Family History Society whose website is www.orkneyfhs.co.uk. I'm not sure if you need to be a member, but if you wanted to contact them their address is Orkney Family History Society, Orkney Library & Archive, 44 Junction Rd., Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1AG
Good luck!
Isobel Irvine
Added by Isobel Irvine on 18 August 2007 - add reply
Hello Isobel and thank you so much for replying to me. I don't know how I missed your return e-mail as I am constantly searching and I visit the Orkney site almost daily. This evening I just did a random search on the net and came up with your reply. I will be following up with your suggestions and will let you know the outcome.
Thank you so much. Wilma in Vancouver
Anonymous comment added on 09 March 2008 - add reply
Server Time Out
Great site. Can anyone tell my how to find SERVER TIME OUT. I get this sometimes when uploading photos? [Steven the administrator adds- if that happens again, email the photo to me at contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk and I'll see what's up. It is likely due to the size of the image file.]Hillcrest in Tankerness
Does anyone have any old photos of Hillcrest, the house built by Jock Hay c. 1930 on the top corner of Upper Bossack's land (near to what is now the Bossack dump)? I would like to see what the house looked like before it was harled c. 1988, and how the garden was laid out, but I cannot trace any old pictures of it. Any help would be much appreciated.Added by Anna Whelan on 17 April 2007 - add reply
Site upgrade
Takes a while to adjust to the changes but they're fine. It's a great website and it's amazing how many people use it.Added by G. Bruce Moar on 13 September 2006 - add reply
Site Upgrade - Sept 2006
Please leave your comments about the site upgrade here.No very good. If you dont keep up you might not see the new photos and comments. The "last 3/5/10/" was very good.
[The Administrator notes: The 3/5/10 will be coming back once we decide on a nice way to present it, but in the meantime the 'Additions' button at the top will show what's new since your last visit.]
Added by William Watters on 12 September 2006 - add reply
You should now see a 5/10/20/50 system on the index page. When you click it, notice the url in the address bar - you can set change it there to show exactly as many comments as you wish.
Added by Garve on 26 September 2006 - add reply
The 'upgrade' is a backwards step that makes whit wiz a good site into a fair to meddlin' wan.......whit wiz wrong wae whit we hid and his served us weel for a while??
[In what way is it now worse? How should we make it better? - Steven]
Added by David on 18 September 2009 - add reply
Latest Pics
Looking for a old fishing boat
A 75 ft wooden build fishing boat w/ 2 stroke Wichman semidiesel engine was sold from Norway in the 60's. The boat have the name " Leikaren" when leaving Norway. The latest info. I have is that the boat was sold to Orkeney and possible re-named to Asco .... Thanks in advance if the are some info / pictures.