Orkney Image Library

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.

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".

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).

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

Hi Jean - you are correct. My brother Bill is married to Margaret, and they live in Melbourne. The Beattie name which my grandmother had in her name was from a minister who was in the district of Evie. He came from down in Scotland somewhere.

Hello, my grandmother is a learmonth, who happens to be a cousin of the lyall,alwynn ect. My grandfather is currently updating her family tree, so perhaps he could be of assistance since he has found her family history pretty far back. My grandmothers name was Jean Horwood Learmonth, who's mother was a Mary Learmonth, my grandmother and her 5 siblings were all brought up in sandy. Perhaps I can get my grandfather to help you out a little with what he knows.

hi im john duffy ,but my grandmother was jane lawson ritchie Learmonth before she got married,i know that my great grandfather was leslie horne or hone learmonth,beleive he was from a big family not so sure.....as i know little of my grandmothers family,my mother is hellen ada carnall(nee duffy) jane learmonth was her mother....i think and hope that we are related..

Stewart, Hi from Taupo, New Zealand. My GGG/Grandparents were Malcolm CORSIE and Isabella LOUTTIT. I've just started again on my CORSIE connections and saw this site. Great! Rather than bog the site down with my family meanderings and questions could you please contact me on claeview@clear.net.nz. Anyone else that may wish to do so please feel free. I'm interested in MOWAT, SKEA, GROAT and PEACE, particularly with Rousay, Egilsay connections. Gordon

Hi Christa, Its a long time since I saw you I am your mothers cousin I'm sure she will know who I am. How are you getting on with your research ?? Did you do any research done on the Skea and Lyall branches yet ??