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CONTENTS
Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
The Flag in the Wind
The Bards of Bon Accord 1375 - 1860
Brother Scots
Culross and Tulliallan
Scotland Insured
A History of the Border Counties
Robert Burns Lives!
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Ancient Deeds and other writs in the MacKenzie-Wharnliffe Charter Chest
History of Cowdenbeath
Electric Scotland News
Got a bit tied up this week on a possible future project. I've been given the opportunity to make a video presentation to members of the Scottish Family Business Association who represent some 43% of Scottish business. I'm having a heck of a time trying to do this presentation as I really tend to talk too much. So the challenge has been to cut in back and back until it's of proper length. A 2 hour presentation is not acceptable!
I've been at it all this week and I might get it completed by the weekend. I write down the time I start talking... then do the presentation and then note my finish time. I then need to refine it to bring it down in size without losing the key points but it's very time consuming.
I'm essentially trying to persuade the members to back a series of informational articles on the industrial and commercial sectors of Scotland along with profiles of Scottish companies. This is an area where there is very little information available and is definitely the weakest part of the site.
----
The Clan Currie Society is delighted to share the following news items with you.
1. Annual NY Tartan Week Program Exceeds 70 Thousand Visitors:
http://www.tartandayonellisisland.co...ay-9-72K-.html
2. MacMhuirich Symposium Comes to South Uist, August 24-26, 2012:
http://www.clancurriegathering.com/N...Symposium.html
3. 14th Annual Pipes of Christmas Scholarship Fundraiser Coming to NYC on Dec. 15, 2012:
http://www.pipesofchristmas.com/Dates-set-for-2012.html
Please contact us at any time if you require any further information regarding these programs.
-----
I might add that we are trying to be a bit more proactive in getting in news from clans and Scottish societies so that we can share news with you.
-----
As I lost my own family Doctor around 2 years ago I have been trying to find a new one and this week I got taken on by a Doctor MacKinnon. I noted in her introductory talk to me that she told me not to use the walk in clinic in Chatham because if I did she would lose $40.00. Sad state of affairs when the doctor has to worry about losing $40.
ABOUT THE STORIES
-----------------
Some of the stories in here are just parts of a larger story so do check out the site for the full versions. You can always find the link in our "What's New" section in our site menu and at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/whatsnew.htm and also http://www.electriccanadian.com/whatsnew.htm
We try not to point to a pdf file and instead send you to page where the pdf can be downloaded.
Electric Canadian
-----------------
Ten Thousand Miles Through Canada
The Natural Resources, Commercial Industries, Fish and Game, Sports and Pastimes of the Great Dominion by Joseph Adams.
This book has a great Preface to set the scene and here it is to read here...
WHERE to go and what to see is one of the difficulties that face the visitor on arriving in Canada. It is the embarrassment of vastness and superabundance. A glance at the map shows that, despite the extensive inroads made by the railways, the Dominion is still a terra incognita and is likely to remain so to all except the occasional intrepid explorer. To use limited time to the best advantage —so as to get away from the beaten path—is scarcely possible single-handed.
It would not have been practicable for me, at least, to have travelled the distance that I did, and to have compiled the information contained in the following pages, without the knowledge and experience of others. In many respects such information was invaluable, and in all cases enhanced by the kindness which distinguishes Canadians in their bearings towards visitors, particularly those from the Mother Country.
To the following gentlemen I gratefully acknowledge my sense of obligation: Mr. C. C. James, Deputy Minister of Agriculture; Colonel Matthison, Treasurer; Mr. N. B. Colcock, Agent-General, and Mr. Arthur C. Pratt, M.P.P. of the Ontario Government.
The Heads of Government departments kindly placed at my disposal maps and returns on Mining, Agriculture and Natural History.
Mr. H. R. Charlton, Mr. G. T. Bell, Mr. W. T. Robson, of Montreal; and Mr. R. L. Thompson, Mr. J. D. Macdonald and Mr. Arthur Hawke, of Toronto, afforded me specialist information on rivers and lakes, which, as an angler, I found most valuable.
Whilst Canada is unique in the magnificent photographic subjects it offers, the climate itself during the bright, hot summer months presents serious difficulties in the way of obtaining first-class pictures. One is limited to the early morning or evening to get good results. There is little twilight, and with rapid travelling it is not easy personally to procure sufficient representative views. I am greatly indebted for a large proportion of the illustrations and the preparation of the sketch-map in this work, to the kindness and courtesy of Mr. J. M. Gibbon of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Mr. Fred C. Salter of the Grand Trunk System, and Mr. W. Haydon of the Canadian Northern Railway, also to Mr. Byron Harmon of Banff, B.C. Without such hearty co-operation it would have been impossible to have included in the work the variety of illustrations it contains.
The natural history of coarse and game fish in Canada needs revising. I am of opinion that it would be possible to reduce the classification of trout and salmon to far fewer species, but we must take things as we find them, and in the treatment of the subject I acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. Star Jordan’s valuable work on “Food and Game Fish.” Also Mr. E. Thompson Seton’s recent work on “Life Histories of Northern Animals,” which I have compared with Indian information and my own knowledge of big game. In referring to an older and not less valuable work, “The Big Game of North America,” published by Messrs. Sampson, Low, Marston & Co., I have found there is little change of view on this subject.
I have consulted Francis Parkman’s comprehensive work on the Jesuits and North American Indians, and Sir J. G. Bourinot for Canadian general history.
J. A.
This is a new book I'm starting going up chapter by chapter and can be read at http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...0000/index.htm
The Flag in the Wind
This issue was compiled by Jim Lynch. This issue is mostly to do with the Scottish Council elections but also carries interesting general articles in the Synopsis.
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
The Bards of Bon Accord 1375 - 1860
By William Walker
Added the chapter on "James Hay Beattie"
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/poet...cord/index.htm
Brother Scots
By Donald Carswell
This week we added an account of Claudius Clear which completes this book.
You can read this account at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ther_scots.htm
Culross and Tulliallan
or Perthshire on Forth, its History and Antiquities with elucidation on Scottish Life and Character from the Burgh and Kirk-Session Records of that District by David Beveridge (1885) in two volumes.
Nothing new is happening in the world that the old world hasn't seen so protests happen now and then and here is an example...
In the succeeding month of February, a missive having been received by the town clerk “ from his Hienes the Prince of Orange, for calling the whole burgesses for electing a commissioner for representing the burgh at the meeting of the estates at Edinburgh on the 14th March next,” the council file out in grand procession to the market-cross, where the community are assembled. A tremendous uproar takes place there, in consequence of the two sons of ex-Bailie Mackie, the Papist, falling foul of the town clerk after he had finished reading the document in question, and hurling at him the epithets of “rascall and villain.” The magistrates order the arrest of these disturbers of the peace; but this is fiercely resisted by the Mackies, who, moreover, when an unfortunate deacon of the name of Halliday was endeavouring to aid the town officers in the exercise of their duty, “ did enter upon the said Alexander Halliday, and hang on his hair most masterfullie and cruellie.” Next, on the bailies summoning them forthwith to the court-house, James Mackie, along with ex-Bailie Dalgleish, “ did most insolentlie challenge and controvert their authoritie as magistrates.” Not being able apparently to enforce the attendance of the two last-named offenders, the council, on the report of the bailies, sentence, in absence, Mackie and Dalgleish in a fine of £100 Scots. It does not appear whether this was exacted or not; but the new magistrates succeed, at all events, in carrying out the nomination to the ensuing Convention of Royal Burghs at Edinburgh, and “ Mr William Axeskine, lawful sone to the deceast David, Lord Cardross,” is chosen.
You can get to this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ross/index.htm
Scotland Insured
By J. M. Hogge, M.P.
We've added more chapters to this book so we now have up...
Chapter I - A Retrospect
Chapter II - The National Insurance Act, 1911.
Chapter III - Progress of the National Insurance Act.
Chapter IV - Progress in Scotland.
Chapter V - The Scottish Insurance Commission.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...al/insured.htm
A History of the Border Counties
Roxburgh, Selkirk, Peebles by Sir George Douglas Bart.
As you can well see from this next paragraph finding boundaries from old records can be problematic especially if the "old Elm" has blown down!
The abbey charters, from which we have quoted, prove that most of the local land-names known to us to-day were already in use, in very slightly differing forms, as far back as the twelfth century. In not a few instances the old form of a name is purer than the modern—as Lylliscleff, or cleve, for the unmeaning Lilliesleaf; Edenham for Ednam, and Calchou for Kelso—a name derived from the Anglo-Saxon cealc, chalk, and how or heugh, in allusion to the geological formation at the place now called the Chalkheugh. In some instances in the old charters, where boundaries are to be determined, we see an inadequate nomenclature helped out by reference to such locally conspicuous objects as “the old elm,” “the white thorn,” or “the green ditch.” Then historical monuments, such as hill-forts and Roman roads, are also pressed into the service; whilst it is probable that some at least of those standing-stones which have puzzled antiquarians may have been originally erected as landmarks.
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...s/counties.htm
Robert Burns Lives!
By Frank Shaw
We actually have two articles for you this week...
The Correspondence of Samuel Thomson (1766-1816). Fostering an Irish writers’ circle By Jennifer Orr, Editor.
This has been a fun book to read and writing the book review has been equally enjoyable! It weaves an interesting story of a group of Irish poets corresponding with each other. A big topic of conversation among some of them is the Scottish poet Robert Burns. The poets write about books, buying and borrowing them, “the expense of postage”, and ‘the selfish consideration that the sooner I write to you, the sooner I will be gratified with the receipt of a letter from you”. Naturally their writings are about each others books or poetry and the political situation where writing by code became, for obvious reasons, the order of the day for some of them.
You can read the rest of this article at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives138.htm
Robert Burns, Patrician Protégé, People’s Poet by Professor Christopher Whatley
The following article by Professor Christopher Whatley appeared in the January 2011 issue of the BBC History Magazine.
Professor Whatley is Professor of Scottish History, a distinguished and active historian who has risen through the ranks since joining the University of Dundee in 1979 as lecturer. His most recent book, The Scots and the Union (Edinburgh 2006), a seminal study launched to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the Union of the Parliaments, met with critical acclaim and was described as essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the making of modern Scotland.
Under his headship History (5 rated) at the University rose to be recognized as among the best in the country.
A graduate of the University of Strathclyde, where he also took his PhD, Professor Whatley has published considerably, including authorship of six substantial books, editorship of nine books and approximately 60 other works. He has been an external examiner for programs in Scotland and the European Union and is a member of Peer Review College of the Arts & Humanities Research Council and the Royal Society of Edinburgh of which he is also a member of the Council. He is in frequent demand by TV, radio and print media as consultant, presenter and contributor. He is also a founder director and chair of the editorial board of Dundee University Press.
Thanks to Professor Whatley for his courtesies in sharing this article with our readers. We also appreciate the support of Aileen Ross for her added assistance.
You can read this article at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives139.htm
All Franks articles can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
By Beth Gay
I had a good chuckle at Beth's account of going to NC...
We drove up to Huntersville, NC last Sunday morning - getting up before 4 AM, to leave at 5 AM. Surprisingly, we were on the road just a few minutes ahead of time. It was very hot in Walhalla, so I took off my sweater and opted for one of Tom’s new Tartan Day 2012 t-shirts. I did grab my red plaid rain boots thinking it was too hot for socks in rain boots. I grabbed my fancy rain jacket...thinking, it’ll be really hot if I have to wear this. (Ha.)
Reflecting my summer thoughts, staggering my sleepy self out to the car...thinking of how hot it can be in Huntersville, I left big, warm, lined raincoat at home. I left socks, gloves, scarves and car blankets...left them at home..
Thanks to the rigours of the last 2 months of moving, moving, moving and moving some more, I was soon curled up and sound asleep. We stopped somewhere for breakfast and I noticed it was a bit coolish.
“Moof,” I said sleepily to sweet Tom...and was immediately back to sleep.
“We’re here!” Tom said.
The car was warm and snug...but as I prepared to de-car...I noticed rain on the glass windows.
“Moof,” I said again...and opened the door.
“EGAD! YIKES! HELP,” I hollered!
Freezing rain blustered into my hair and face. My hand stuck briefly to the door handle.
“Where ARE we? The North Pole?”
I hollered at Tom over the sound of surely a gale force wind.
“Huntersville,” said Tom, trying not to laugh at me. By this time, maybe 30 seconds into the early morning, My hair was wet and cold, my hands felt like they had sort of frozen off...my clothes were wet and ice was forming in my boots. I was shivering from one end to the other and there was what surely was snow and ice down my shirt.
On went my rain jacket, bare feet into rain boots...and that’s all I had. Looking as if I were a Scottish homeless person who had been soaked in a wild river somewhere,
I was ready for the day. To my astonishment, there were others who looked to be my sisters in bad fashion. Lots of them.
We all forgot about the rain and cold and how awful we looked...and just had a gloriously lovely time.
Next time though, I’m bringing everything!
Beth has now made available the May 2012 issue which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
Ancient Deeds and other writs in the MacKenzie-Wharnliffe Charter Chest
This is a pdf file and thought it was also of general interest so made it available from the Clan MacKenzie page which you can get to at http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/m/mackenz.html
There is actually a very good biography in here and well worth a read.
History of Cowdenbeath
This is a book I found which was published to celebrate the Jubilee of the Parish 1890 - 1940. It's not in very good state so I really couldn't ocr it in but it is very readable and very interesting. Here is a wee bit from the book...
Outside of the list of men in public life I have always been impressed with the many modest personalities lying in Beath Churchyard whose lives could easily be associated with the beautiful passages in Gray's "Elegy."
I just mention one I can easily picture in my mind an old white-haired lady, long before the introduction of district nurses, who went about the town nursing the poor and needy sick. Her only call to her self-imposed duty was the knowledge that some poor person was sick and needed nursing and attention, and her only reward was the knowledge that she had done something to relieve pain and to stretch out the hand of sympathy in this practical manner. I have met this dear old lady at all hours of the night and in all weathers, and I have on many occasions raised my hat to her as she passed me on her errands of mercy. Her name Mrs Hunter, Union Street.
This dear old lady and others I met years ago were the remnants of a beautiful trait found in Cowdenbeath in its mining village days. It was very pronounced in the "miners' raws," and of which a writer has written truly"
"In cases of sickness, death, or accident, the latter in a mining community, coming upon them at a moment's notice, a sympathetic neighbour is a friend indeed, and it is to her the afflicted one goes for sympathy in the full knowledge that she will not be denied. Should one be sick the other will send her daughter or go herself to 'tidy up her hoose' make the meals, and attend to the general comforts of both her and her family. In time of mourning and sadness she also mourns, and is a great comfort in an affliction, her kindly words and tactful disposition opening out a means of relief to the bereaved.
You can get to this pdf file on the council page at http://www.electricscotland.com/council/fife.htm
And finally...
Q1. In which battle did Napoleon die? * his last battle
Q2. Where was the Declaration of Independence signed? * at the bottom of the page
Q3. River Ravi flows in which state? * liquid
Q4.. What is the main reason for divorce? * marriage
Q5. What is the main reason for failure? * exams
Q6. What can you never eat for breakfast? * Lunch & dinner
Q7. What looks like half an apple? * The other half
Q8.. If you throw a red stone into the blue sea what it will become? * It will simply become wet
Q9. How can a man go eight days without sleeping ? * No problem, he sleeps at night.
Q10. How can you lift an elephant with one hand? * You will never find an elephant that has only one hand..
Q11. If you had three apples and four oranges in one hand and four apples and three oranges in other hand, what would you have ? * Very large hands
Q12. If it took eight men ten hours to build a wall, how long would it take four men to build it? * No time at all, the wall is already built.
Q13. How can u drop a raw egg onto a concrete floor without cracking it? *Any way you want, concretefloors are very hard to crack.
And that's all for now and hope you all have a great weekend.
Alastair
Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
The Flag in the Wind
The Bards of Bon Accord 1375 - 1860
Brother Scots
Culross and Tulliallan
Scotland Insured
A History of the Border Counties
Robert Burns Lives!
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Ancient Deeds and other writs in the MacKenzie-Wharnliffe Charter Chest
History of Cowdenbeath
Electric Scotland News
Got a bit tied up this week on a possible future project. I've been given the opportunity to make a video presentation to members of the Scottish Family Business Association who represent some 43% of Scottish business. I'm having a heck of a time trying to do this presentation as I really tend to talk too much. So the challenge has been to cut in back and back until it's of proper length. A 2 hour presentation is not acceptable!
I've been at it all this week and I might get it completed by the weekend. I write down the time I start talking... then do the presentation and then note my finish time. I then need to refine it to bring it down in size without losing the key points but it's very time consuming.
I'm essentially trying to persuade the members to back a series of informational articles on the industrial and commercial sectors of Scotland along with profiles of Scottish companies. This is an area where there is very little information available and is definitely the weakest part of the site.
----
The Clan Currie Society is delighted to share the following news items with you.
1. Annual NY Tartan Week Program Exceeds 70 Thousand Visitors:
http://www.tartandayonellisisland.co...ay-9-72K-.html
2. MacMhuirich Symposium Comes to South Uist, August 24-26, 2012:
http://www.clancurriegathering.com/N...Symposium.html
3. 14th Annual Pipes of Christmas Scholarship Fundraiser Coming to NYC on Dec. 15, 2012:
http://www.pipesofchristmas.com/Dates-set-for-2012.html
Please contact us at any time if you require any further information regarding these programs.
-----
I might add that we are trying to be a bit more proactive in getting in news from clans and Scottish societies so that we can share news with you.
-----
As I lost my own family Doctor around 2 years ago I have been trying to find a new one and this week I got taken on by a Doctor MacKinnon. I noted in her introductory talk to me that she told me not to use the walk in clinic in Chatham because if I did she would lose $40.00. Sad state of affairs when the doctor has to worry about losing $40.
ABOUT THE STORIES
-----------------
Some of the stories in here are just parts of a larger story so do check out the site for the full versions. You can always find the link in our "What's New" section in our site menu and at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/whatsnew.htm and also http://www.electriccanadian.com/whatsnew.htm
We try not to point to a pdf file and instead send you to page where the pdf can be downloaded.
Electric Canadian
-----------------
Ten Thousand Miles Through Canada
The Natural Resources, Commercial Industries, Fish and Game, Sports and Pastimes of the Great Dominion by Joseph Adams.
This book has a great Preface to set the scene and here it is to read here...
WHERE to go and what to see is one of the difficulties that face the visitor on arriving in Canada. It is the embarrassment of vastness and superabundance. A glance at the map shows that, despite the extensive inroads made by the railways, the Dominion is still a terra incognita and is likely to remain so to all except the occasional intrepid explorer. To use limited time to the best advantage —so as to get away from the beaten path—is scarcely possible single-handed.
It would not have been practicable for me, at least, to have travelled the distance that I did, and to have compiled the information contained in the following pages, without the knowledge and experience of others. In many respects such information was invaluable, and in all cases enhanced by the kindness which distinguishes Canadians in their bearings towards visitors, particularly those from the Mother Country.
To the following gentlemen I gratefully acknowledge my sense of obligation: Mr. C. C. James, Deputy Minister of Agriculture; Colonel Matthison, Treasurer; Mr. N. B. Colcock, Agent-General, and Mr. Arthur C. Pratt, M.P.P. of the Ontario Government.
The Heads of Government departments kindly placed at my disposal maps and returns on Mining, Agriculture and Natural History.
Mr. H. R. Charlton, Mr. G. T. Bell, Mr. W. T. Robson, of Montreal; and Mr. R. L. Thompson, Mr. J. D. Macdonald and Mr. Arthur Hawke, of Toronto, afforded me specialist information on rivers and lakes, which, as an angler, I found most valuable.
Whilst Canada is unique in the magnificent photographic subjects it offers, the climate itself during the bright, hot summer months presents serious difficulties in the way of obtaining first-class pictures. One is limited to the early morning or evening to get good results. There is little twilight, and with rapid travelling it is not easy personally to procure sufficient representative views. I am greatly indebted for a large proportion of the illustrations and the preparation of the sketch-map in this work, to the kindness and courtesy of Mr. J. M. Gibbon of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Mr. Fred C. Salter of the Grand Trunk System, and Mr. W. Haydon of the Canadian Northern Railway, also to Mr. Byron Harmon of Banff, B.C. Without such hearty co-operation it would have been impossible to have included in the work the variety of illustrations it contains.
The natural history of coarse and game fish in Canada needs revising. I am of opinion that it would be possible to reduce the classification of trout and salmon to far fewer species, but we must take things as we find them, and in the treatment of the subject I acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. Star Jordan’s valuable work on “Food and Game Fish.” Also Mr. E. Thompson Seton’s recent work on “Life Histories of Northern Animals,” which I have compared with Indian information and my own knowledge of big game. In referring to an older and not less valuable work, “The Big Game of North America,” published by Messrs. Sampson, Low, Marston & Co., I have found there is little change of view on this subject.
I have consulted Francis Parkman’s comprehensive work on the Jesuits and North American Indians, and Sir J. G. Bourinot for Canadian general history.
J. A.
This is a new book I'm starting going up chapter by chapter and can be read at http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...0000/index.htm
The Flag in the Wind
This issue was compiled by Jim Lynch. This issue is mostly to do with the Scottish Council elections but also carries interesting general articles in the Synopsis.
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
The Bards of Bon Accord 1375 - 1860
By William Walker
Added the chapter on "James Hay Beattie"
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/poet...cord/index.htm
Brother Scots
By Donald Carswell
This week we added an account of Claudius Clear which completes this book.
You can read this account at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ther_scots.htm
Culross and Tulliallan
or Perthshire on Forth, its History and Antiquities with elucidation on Scottish Life and Character from the Burgh and Kirk-Session Records of that District by David Beveridge (1885) in two volumes.
Nothing new is happening in the world that the old world hasn't seen so protests happen now and then and here is an example...
In the succeeding month of February, a missive having been received by the town clerk “ from his Hienes the Prince of Orange, for calling the whole burgesses for electing a commissioner for representing the burgh at the meeting of the estates at Edinburgh on the 14th March next,” the council file out in grand procession to the market-cross, where the community are assembled. A tremendous uproar takes place there, in consequence of the two sons of ex-Bailie Mackie, the Papist, falling foul of the town clerk after he had finished reading the document in question, and hurling at him the epithets of “rascall and villain.” The magistrates order the arrest of these disturbers of the peace; but this is fiercely resisted by the Mackies, who, moreover, when an unfortunate deacon of the name of Halliday was endeavouring to aid the town officers in the exercise of their duty, “ did enter upon the said Alexander Halliday, and hang on his hair most masterfullie and cruellie.” Next, on the bailies summoning them forthwith to the court-house, James Mackie, along with ex-Bailie Dalgleish, “ did most insolentlie challenge and controvert their authoritie as magistrates.” Not being able apparently to enforce the attendance of the two last-named offenders, the council, on the report of the bailies, sentence, in absence, Mackie and Dalgleish in a fine of £100 Scots. It does not appear whether this was exacted or not; but the new magistrates succeed, at all events, in carrying out the nomination to the ensuing Convention of Royal Burghs at Edinburgh, and “ Mr William Axeskine, lawful sone to the deceast David, Lord Cardross,” is chosen.
You can get to this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ross/index.htm
Scotland Insured
By J. M. Hogge, M.P.
We've added more chapters to this book so we now have up...
Chapter I - A Retrospect
Chapter II - The National Insurance Act, 1911.
Chapter III - Progress of the National Insurance Act.
Chapter IV - Progress in Scotland.
Chapter V - The Scottish Insurance Commission.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...al/insured.htm
A History of the Border Counties
Roxburgh, Selkirk, Peebles by Sir George Douglas Bart.
As you can well see from this next paragraph finding boundaries from old records can be problematic especially if the "old Elm" has blown down!
The abbey charters, from which we have quoted, prove that most of the local land-names known to us to-day were already in use, in very slightly differing forms, as far back as the twelfth century. In not a few instances the old form of a name is purer than the modern—as Lylliscleff, or cleve, for the unmeaning Lilliesleaf; Edenham for Ednam, and Calchou for Kelso—a name derived from the Anglo-Saxon cealc, chalk, and how or heugh, in allusion to the geological formation at the place now called the Chalkheugh. In some instances in the old charters, where boundaries are to be determined, we see an inadequate nomenclature helped out by reference to such locally conspicuous objects as “the old elm,” “the white thorn,” or “the green ditch.” Then historical monuments, such as hill-forts and Roman roads, are also pressed into the service; whilst it is probable that some at least of those standing-stones which have puzzled antiquarians may have been originally erected as landmarks.
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...s/counties.htm
Robert Burns Lives!
By Frank Shaw
We actually have two articles for you this week...
The Correspondence of Samuel Thomson (1766-1816). Fostering an Irish writers’ circle By Jennifer Orr, Editor.
This has been a fun book to read and writing the book review has been equally enjoyable! It weaves an interesting story of a group of Irish poets corresponding with each other. A big topic of conversation among some of them is the Scottish poet Robert Burns. The poets write about books, buying and borrowing them, “the expense of postage”, and ‘the selfish consideration that the sooner I write to you, the sooner I will be gratified with the receipt of a letter from you”. Naturally their writings are about each others books or poetry and the political situation where writing by code became, for obvious reasons, the order of the day for some of them.
You can read the rest of this article at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives138.htm
Robert Burns, Patrician Protégé, People’s Poet by Professor Christopher Whatley
The following article by Professor Christopher Whatley appeared in the January 2011 issue of the BBC History Magazine.
Professor Whatley is Professor of Scottish History, a distinguished and active historian who has risen through the ranks since joining the University of Dundee in 1979 as lecturer. His most recent book, The Scots and the Union (Edinburgh 2006), a seminal study launched to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the Union of the Parliaments, met with critical acclaim and was described as essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the making of modern Scotland.
Under his headship History (5 rated) at the University rose to be recognized as among the best in the country.
A graduate of the University of Strathclyde, where he also took his PhD, Professor Whatley has published considerably, including authorship of six substantial books, editorship of nine books and approximately 60 other works. He has been an external examiner for programs in Scotland and the European Union and is a member of Peer Review College of the Arts & Humanities Research Council and the Royal Society of Edinburgh of which he is also a member of the Council. He is in frequent demand by TV, radio and print media as consultant, presenter and contributor. He is also a founder director and chair of the editorial board of Dundee University Press.
Thanks to Professor Whatley for his courtesies in sharing this article with our readers. We also appreciate the support of Aileen Ross for her added assistance.
You can read this article at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives139.htm
All Franks articles can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
By Beth Gay
I had a good chuckle at Beth's account of going to NC...
We drove up to Huntersville, NC last Sunday morning - getting up before 4 AM, to leave at 5 AM. Surprisingly, we were on the road just a few minutes ahead of time. It was very hot in Walhalla, so I took off my sweater and opted for one of Tom’s new Tartan Day 2012 t-shirts. I did grab my red plaid rain boots thinking it was too hot for socks in rain boots. I grabbed my fancy rain jacket...thinking, it’ll be really hot if I have to wear this. (Ha.)
Reflecting my summer thoughts, staggering my sleepy self out to the car...thinking of how hot it can be in Huntersville, I left big, warm, lined raincoat at home. I left socks, gloves, scarves and car blankets...left them at home..
Thanks to the rigours of the last 2 months of moving, moving, moving and moving some more, I was soon curled up and sound asleep. We stopped somewhere for breakfast and I noticed it was a bit coolish.
“Moof,” I said sleepily to sweet Tom...and was immediately back to sleep.
“We’re here!” Tom said.
The car was warm and snug...but as I prepared to de-car...I noticed rain on the glass windows.
“Moof,” I said again...and opened the door.
“EGAD! YIKES! HELP,” I hollered!
Freezing rain blustered into my hair and face. My hand stuck briefly to the door handle.
“Where ARE we? The North Pole?”
I hollered at Tom over the sound of surely a gale force wind.
“Huntersville,” said Tom, trying not to laugh at me. By this time, maybe 30 seconds into the early morning, My hair was wet and cold, my hands felt like they had sort of frozen off...my clothes were wet and ice was forming in my boots. I was shivering from one end to the other and there was what surely was snow and ice down my shirt.
On went my rain jacket, bare feet into rain boots...and that’s all I had. Looking as if I were a Scottish homeless person who had been soaked in a wild river somewhere,
I was ready for the day. To my astonishment, there were others who looked to be my sisters in bad fashion. Lots of them.
We all forgot about the rain and cold and how awful we looked...and just had a gloriously lovely time.
Next time though, I’m bringing everything!
Beth has now made available the May 2012 issue which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
Ancient Deeds and other writs in the MacKenzie-Wharnliffe Charter Chest
This is a pdf file and thought it was also of general interest so made it available from the Clan MacKenzie page which you can get to at http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/m/mackenz.html
There is actually a very good biography in here and well worth a read.
History of Cowdenbeath
This is a book I found which was published to celebrate the Jubilee of the Parish 1890 - 1940. It's not in very good state so I really couldn't ocr it in but it is very readable and very interesting. Here is a wee bit from the book...
Outside of the list of men in public life I have always been impressed with the many modest personalities lying in Beath Churchyard whose lives could easily be associated with the beautiful passages in Gray's "Elegy."
I just mention one I can easily picture in my mind an old white-haired lady, long before the introduction of district nurses, who went about the town nursing the poor and needy sick. Her only call to her self-imposed duty was the knowledge that some poor person was sick and needed nursing and attention, and her only reward was the knowledge that she had done something to relieve pain and to stretch out the hand of sympathy in this practical manner. I have met this dear old lady at all hours of the night and in all weathers, and I have on many occasions raised my hat to her as she passed me on her errands of mercy. Her name Mrs Hunter, Union Street.
This dear old lady and others I met years ago were the remnants of a beautiful trait found in Cowdenbeath in its mining village days. It was very pronounced in the "miners' raws," and of which a writer has written truly"
"In cases of sickness, death, or accident, the latter in a mining community, coming upon them at a moment's notice, a sympathetic neighbour is a friend indeed, and it is to her the afflicted one goes for sympathy in the full knowledge that she will not be denied. Should one be sick the other will send her daughter or go herself to 'tidy up her hoose' make the meals, and attend to the general comforts of both her and her family. In time of mourning and sadness she also mourns, and is a great comfort in an affliction, her kindly words and tactful disposition opening out a means of relief to the bereaved.
You can get to this pdf file on the council page at http://www.electricscotland.com/council/fife.htm
And finally...
Q1. In which battle did Napoleon die? * his last battle
Q2. Where was the Declaration of Independence signed? * at the bottom of the page
Q3. River Ravi flows in which state? * liquid
Q4.. What is the main reason for divorce? * marriage
Q5. What is the main reason for failure? * exams
Q6. What can you never eat for breakfast? * Lunch & dinner
Q7. What looks like half an apple? * The other half
Q8.. If you throw a red stone into the blue sea what it will become? * It will simply become wet
Q9. How can a man go eight days without sleeping ? * No problem, he sleeps at night.
Q10. How can you lift an elephant with one hand? * You will never find an elephant that has only one hand..
Q11. If you had three apples and four oranges in one hand and four apples and three oranges in other hand, what would you have ? * Very large hands
Q12. If it took eight men ten hours to build a wall, how long would it take four men to build it? * No time at all, the wall is already built.
Q13. How can u drop a raw egg onto a concrete floor without cracking it? *Any way you want, concretefloors are very hard to crack.
And that's all for now and hope you all have a great weekend.
Alastair