Tweet
CONTENTS
Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
The United Empire Loyalist Settlement at Long Point, Lake Erie
Making Good in Canada
Canadian Monthly Magazine
The Flag in the Wind
Electric Scotland
The Bards of Bon Accord 1375 - 1860
Northern Notes and Queries
Kirkintilloch Town and Parish
Shetland: Descriptive and Historical
Robert Burns Lives!
Waddell’s Life And Works Of Robert Burns
Slavery
Scotland's People Annual Report
Electric Scotland News
We have done a wee update on our Electric Scotland Community by adding some more social networking add-ons. We have now added a Tweet function, enhanced the Facebook interface by bringing in pictures of your friends. We also added Google + and also a Share button.
At the same time we've now made a start at getting "Scotland's Future" running which we are sponsoring by providing the forums facility. It probably won't get going properly before October as we're still gathering moderators for the forums. However they wanted to see what it might look like so I started the "General Messages" and "Diaspora View" forums. You can get an overview of this new group of forums by reading my post at http://www.electricscotland.org/show...tland-s-Future.
Also, as the long Labour Day weekend is almost upon us Steve said he's likely to add more add-ons to the community as while getting the social networking add-ons he noticed a few other interesting ones. So we'll keep our fingers crossed as to what he might come up with.
I might also add that when you read any of the messages in the forums at the foot of the message there are two options "Like this post" and "Thanks for this post". I am aware a lot of us don't always have the time to reply to a message to say thanks for it but with these wee links it only takes a mouse click to voice your appreciation. So hopefully with more of you signifying your appreciation it will encourage the poster to post more messages that we can enjoy.
-----
The next point of interest comes from requests about providing Scottish news. We're in the middle of creating RSS feeds one of which will become our new "What's New" page. The other is intended to be a "Scottish News" feed. When we launch these anyone with a web site will be able to embed those feeds into a page on their own site. This then gives you a dynamic page which will always be bang up to date any time the page is viewed. We intend to make a page available where site owners can download a script and then by embedding the script in code view on a web page will turn that into the dynamic feed. So do look out for this becoming available. Right now we have tested the publishing of the feed so all that is left is to create the desired template for display purposes and provide the script code.
-----
I am also considering a re-design of the main Electric Scotland Index page. The idea is to greatly simplify the page by removing the many links down the page. I'm looking at replacing the links with the RSS feed of the Scottish News feed. This won't of course happen until I can get a regular supply of news but hopefully I can make progress on this over the next few weeks.
-----
I was reminded this week of a book I published some time ago on "Sketches of North Carolina". I put it up as there are many Scots-Irish names in it and thought it would be of interest. The author mentioned he'd also gathered a lot of similar information about Virginia so thought I'd see if he had done a book and indeed he had. So I'm now intending to publish this book on the site and will be starting to work on it next week.
-----
From Scotland To Stone Mountain 2012: Chiefs and Clans Connecting to Sustain Our Common Future
The Council of Scottish Clans & Associations and The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs Announce An Historic Gathering At Stone Mountain Highland Games 2012
The Council of Scottish Clans & Associations (COSCA) and The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs (SCSC), in association with the 40th anniversary of the Stone Mountain Highland Games are pleased to announce a joint seminar to be held on Friday October 19, 2012 2:00pm – 4:30 pm EST. This event will take place at the Atlanta Hilton Hotel Northeast, Norcross, Georgia. This is the host hotel for the Stone Mountain Highland Games.
An unprecedented number of Scottish Chiefs, Commanders and heirs will gather at Stone Mountain as Honored Guests of the Games. This presents a unique opportunity for COSCA and SCSC to host a Scottish clan leadership caucus to convene the day before the games official opening.
The event, titled “From Scotland to Stone Mountain 2012: Chiefs and Clans Connecting to Sustain Our Common Future” is the first ever joint event organized in the United States between COSCA and the SCSC. This collaborative event will bring together American clan leaders, leaders of the American Scottish diaspora, Scottish Chiefs and heirs and invited special Scottish guests to discuss some of the most important issues facing the American Scottish diaspora.
Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor, Convener of the SCSC remarked, "the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs fully acknowledges the importance of our American kith and kin within the clan network. So it is more than appropriate to work with COSCA at our first joint seminar at Stone Mountain.” MacGregor continued, “The clan convention in 2009 in Edinburgh successfully laid the framework for developing our common goals and relationships. This seminar means that we can continue that work right here in the United States. For chiefs it is an opportunity to deepen relationships and to learn more of the expectations of our American clans folk. For Americans, it is a chance to bring issues to the chiefs."
At press time, the following Scottish Chiefs, Commanders and heirs will participate in the Stone Mountain clan caucus (many will be accompanied by their North American clan leaders):
The Marquess of Ailsa, Chief Clan Kennedy
The Earl of Caithness, Chief Clan Sinclair
Iain Gunn of Banniskirk, Commander Clan Gunn
James McBain of McBain, Chief Clan McBain
Ranald MacDonell of Glengarry, Chief Clan MacDonell of Glengarry
Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor Bt., Chief Clan Gregor
Lorne Maclaine of Lochbuie, Chief of Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie
Donald MacLaren of MacLaren, Chief Clan MacLaren
Ruairi Morrison of Ruichdi, Chief Clan Morrison
The Lord Sempill (Jamie), Chief Clan Sempill
Kenneth Urquhart of Urquhart, Chief Clan Urquhart
The Lord Montgomerie (Hugh), Heir Clan Montgomerie
David Rose younger of Kilravock, Heir Clan Rose
Wilkins Urquhart younger of Urquhart, Heir Clan Urquhart
For those who are interested but cannot attend in person, a free live webcast will be available and the event audio/video and presentations will be recorded and available at www.COSCA.net following the event. Anyone wanting information on the webcast should contact Susan L. McIntosh at coscainfo@gmail.com.
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
The United Empire Loyalist Settlement at Long Point, Lake Erie
We continue to add more chapters from this book and in the past week we've added...
Chapter XXXVI. McCall.
Chapter XXXVII. Munro.
Chapter XXXVIII. Hazen.
Chapter XXXIX. Bowlby.
Chapter XL. Freeman.
Chapter XLI. Finch.
Chapter XLII. Tisdale.
These are all pages providing information on these families. Here is the complete chapter on Munro to give you a flavour. Note that in the pdf version of this newsletter I've added a picture of the house.
Lieutenant Munro was one of the chief members of the McCall party which came to Long Point in 1796. He settled in the township of Charlotteville, three miles west of the village of Vittoria.
Being a man of considerable means, he built the best house which had been erected up to that time. It stands to-day, a disused relic, about half a mile back from the road running straight west from Vittoria. It is a two-storey frame house of considerable size. The frame of hewn timber was made so strong that it seems even yet able to defy the storms for another century. The bents are four feet apart, strengthened by tie girths, morticed and tendoned—a marvel of axeman’s skill.
The planks for the floors and sheeting were cut out by the “whip” saw; and there must have been many a bee to accomplish the tremendous task of providing sawn lumber for so large a dwelling. The floors of this old building are almost worn through with the wear of many feet for nearly a century.
The writer was assured that it is the original roof which is on the building at the present time. The shingles are of cedar, rudely whittled by the draw-knife, and show in places an original thickness of over an inch.
In the main room is the immense fire-place, built of rude stone, occupying in itself almost space enough for a modern sleeping chamber, in which many a back log of oak or walnut five feet long and two feet through, roared and hissed and sputtered in the early years of the century.
This building is notable for another reason, namely, because it was used as the court-house of the district for two years, 1800-1802, for it was not until the latter date that the court was removed to Turkey Point. This was the only building in all London District that was capable of accommodating the court.
The first court was organized in April, 1800, the first commission of magistrates being as follows: Peter Teeple, John Beemer, William Spurgin, Wynant Williams, and Captain Samuel Ryerse; to which two others were afterwards added, Captain William Hutchison and Major John Backhouse. Colonel Joseph Ryerson was the first sheriff and Thomas Welch the first clerk of the court. The old journal of the court, containing the minutes of the meetings between the years 1800-1812, was found some time ago in a heap of rubbish. It is preserved to-day in the Norfolk archives in Simcoe.
A temporary jail was erected near the house, a log building, 14 x 25 feet, divided into two rooms, one for debtors and the other for those charged with criminal offences. Lieutenant Munroe was to act as jailer, his stipend being $100 per annum. It was agreed that as soon as a permanent court-house and jail were erected elsewhere, that Mr. Munroe should buy back this building at a fair and just price. This building was erected during the winter of 1800, by day labor, and was used for nearly a year, until the courts were removed to Turkey Point.
Lieutenant Munro was a son-in-law of Donald McCall, having married Catherine, the eldest daughter, before coming to Long Point.
His family consisted of two sons, Robert and Daniel, and one daughter, Mary.
The U. E. Loyalist records show the following grants of land to his daughters:
“Amelia Sophia Munro, spinster, two hundred acres in Walsingham, 23rd December, 1815.
“Charlotte Dustin, wife of Paul Dustin, two hundred acres in Walsing-ham, 23rd December, 1815.
“Harriet Ann Gillaspy, wife of William Gillaspy, two hundred acres in Walsingham, 23rd Decembar, 1815.
“Mary Green, wife of Jeremiah Green, two hundred acres in Townsend, 23rd December, 1S15.”
Among the descendants of Lieutenant Munro was J. H. Munro, Esq., member of Parliament at Confederation, who remained in the House of Commons till 1872. His brother, Malcolm Munro, was a member of the Local Legislature for about the same time.
The Munro family are connected with the Wood, Smith, Jewell, Smalley, Wilson and Tisdale families of Norfolk County.
You can read the other chapters at http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...oint/index.htm
Making Good in Canada
By Frederick A. Talbot (1912)
This week we've added the following chapters...
Chapter VII - The Cook: The Autocrat of the Camp
Chapter VIII - On the Frontier Telegraph Line
Chapter IX - The Game and Fire Wardens
Chapter X - Navvying and Railway Building
Chapter XI - Frontier Journalism
Chapter XII - Life in a Frontier Town
Here is a bit from Chapter VIII...
In Canada, as in other countries, the telegraph is the herald of the settling forces of civilization. Although the greater part of the telegraphic network embraces settled country, linking cities, towns, and villager together iii a continuous chain from coast to coast, yet there are several hundred miles of line which even yet droop in festoons through virgin forests forming a hairlike, albeit potential means of communication between the remote isolated districts and civilization. These are pioneer telegraphs in the fullest interpretation of the word. They are laid out by the Government, upon inexpensive lines, being regarded as of a temporary character, to await the coming of private enterprise as the country is opened up to establish a permanent, up to date installation. The Government merely breaks the ground with the initial frail link, and generally in the end the system is handed over to a railway.
It is along the route of the pioneer line where the most attractive atmosphere of adventure and romance is encountered. There is nothing humdrum about the telegraphist’s life in the lonely cabin on the mountain side, in the swamp, or forest. “Tapping the key” upon a frontier electric wire had none of that monotony associated with the selfsame calling in the crowded cities. It offers an excellent opportunity to make good, not only in regard to the pocket but to health as well.
It must be confessed that in some situations the life is terribly lonely, but the wire-tapper is far better off than his colleagues engaged in other up-country occupations. He is in touch with the world at large. The ghost of the wire ticks out in dot and dash precisely what is happening between the two poles, and very often the operator in his cabin, five or six hundred miles from the nearest town, will be found to be better posted up with the affairs of the world, than the city dweller. The key and the sounder are placed conveniently beside his bunk, and more than one operator has confessed to me that during the darkest hours of the night, when the forest is hushed save for the sounds of the prowling animals, and he has endeavoured to woo sleep in vain, he has merely cut into the wire to listen to what the world beyond is doing. If the business over the line is slack, then the operator calls up a “chum” in a distant cabin, perhaps 100 or 200 miles off, and holds a conversation, with as much ease as if the two wore chatting round a camp fire.
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electriccanadian.com/pion.../chapter08.htm
You can read this book at http://www.electriccanadian.com/pion...king/index.htm
Canadian Monthly Magazine
Published by the Vanderhoof-Gunn Publishing Company
I've now added Volume 12 - 1912. A good wee range of articles in this edition plus the story of Just Smith, a story of the Mounted. The next series of issues are rather clearer so will be adding the complete issues from next week onwards.
This can be found at http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...zine/index.htm
The Flag in the Wind
This issue was Compiled by Margaret Hamilton. A good range of articles this week one of which talks about Scottish Education. I have to say that I totally agree that Education up to University level should be free as that is a major investment in our youth and a future work force.
I'm not too sure what is covered in the syllabus these days but I would certainly encourage a class on working with money and how to look after it I would also like to see some emphasis on good manners in the online world.
Well worth a read... and there are also some excellent articles in the Synopsis.
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Electric Scotland
The Bards of Bon Accord 1375 - 1860
By William Walker
Added Thomas Denham, William Anderson and Alexander Robb.
You can read these chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/poet...cord/index.htm
Northern Notes and Queries
Note: In the pdf version of this newsletter I am placing a graphic of the Contents page so you can see what is included in each issue. Note that from the 1894 edition we are using a new source to bring you other issues of this quarterly magazine. Each issue continues to bring information on different families such that this current issue includes information on Stirling and Murray families, Ramsay, Campbell of Auchmannock, Gray, Scrymgeout, Crichton, Campbell, Bethune, Douglas, Macdonnell, Bulloch and Horn Families and James Ross of Balneil.
1894 Articles 548 to 562
This issue can be viewed at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...hern/index.htm
Kirkintilloch Town and Parish
By Thomas Watson (1894)
This week we've added...
Luggie Bridge
The Monument
The Aqueduct
The Old Cross-Stone
Odds and Ends
Flax Manufacture
Dress in 1770
Social Life
Rob Roy, 1716
Prince Charlie and Highlanders, 1746
Here is the chapter on Social Life about marriage...
We give the following particulars from “Roger’s Social Life,” which no doubt illustrates life in Kirkintilloch parish, as well as other parts of Scotland:—
“At the Reformation it was enacted by the General Assembly that all who wished to marry must submit their names to the minister or session-clerk for proclamation of banns on three successive Sundays. Subsequently it was permitted on payment of a larger fee that the banns might be completed by one public announcement, the words, 'for the first, second, and third time,’ being added.
“In times immediately subsequent to the Reformation forty days were required to ensue between the time of "booking" and the day of marriage. During the interval the bride was supposed to receive no visitors save her relations and early friends. Young folks rubbed shoulders with the bride, so as to obtain matrimonial infection.”
We have the authority of an experienced matron for the following as a complete inventory of a bride’s plenishing, according to old Scottish notions, and which—especially in the country—is often still regarded as indispensable:—(1) A chest of drawers, “split new,” and ordered for the occasion; (2) bed and table linen, or ttaiprie, as it is styled, with a supply of blankets; (3) a “set" of silver tea spoons, and in some districts (4) an eight-day clock. But the sine qua non of all was (5) a. LADLE.— Wilson.
“A process of feet-washing was enacted. One or twa evenings before the nuptial ceremony a party of the bridegroom^ friends assembled at his dwelling. Into his spence or parlour they bore a washing-tub, with towels and soap. Volunteering to wash his feet as a respectful service, the privilege was readily granted to them. But no sooner was the bridegroom's unclothed limbs plunged into the water than commenced a horrid saturnalia. The limbs were besmeared with grease and soot. Then were applied brushes of coarse bristle, and when the cleansing process was completed the besmearing was renewed. The merriment was prolonged till both the performers and the bridegroom were utterly exhausted. Feasting followed at the bridegroom's cost.
“In rural districts it was held that a bride should on her marriage day appear uncovered, but wear a cap ever afterwards. All declined to marry in May. . . . The Lowlander was averse to marry on Friday, but the Highlander chose that day as the most hopeful.
“Creeling the bridegroom was during the last century practised in Berwickshire. Early in the morning after the marriage there was strapped to the bridegroom’s back a basket of stones or gravel, and a large-handled broom laid on his left shoulder. Thus equipped, he was forced to run fleetly, while the bride was expected to follow and to disengage him of his burden.
“By sundry rites was the newly married wife welcomed to her home. At the threshold was held over her head a sieve containing bread and cheese, and as she entered the dwelling there was broken upon her head the infar-cake, a cake of shortbread specially prepared, while all joined in the song—
Welcome to your ain fireside,
Health and wealth attend the bride;
Wanters noo your true weird make,
Joes are spaed by the infar-cake.
The rest of this chapter can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter29.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...loch/index.htm
Shetland: Descriptive and Historical
By Robert Cowie (1874)
We are now continuing with Part II of this publication which goes into detail on the various parts of Shetland and this week we've added...
Chapter IX. - Agriculture
Its Primitive Character—Grain derived at one time from Orkney—An Orkney Farmer’s Voyage to Shetland—Oats and Bere—Cabbage—Potatoes—Turnips— Rye-Grass—White Oats—Products of the Garden—Soil—The Shetlander’s Croft—Manure—Farm Implements—The Shetland Mill—Seedtime—Causes of Destitution—Cattle— Poultry—Pigs—Dogs.
Chapter X. - The Scatholds (or Commons) and their Inhabitants
Products of the Commons-Game, &c.—The Shetland Pony —The Shetland Sheep—Their Wool—Native Dyes—Skins —Mutton—Method of Removing Wool—Their Food in Seasons of Scarcity—Diseases—Birds of Prey—Attention paid to the Rearing of Sheep in Ancient Times—Wadmel— Shetland “Tweeds”—Proposed Introduction of Grouse— Peat-Moss—Great Depth in many Places—Its Formation—The Cutting, Curing, and Transport of Peats—Might not Peat-Moss be further utilised?—Improvements in Shetland Farming, and its assimilation to that of the Mainland of Scotland—Fishing of greater importance there than Farming—Division of Commons—Shetland rather a Grazing than an Agricultural Country—Years of Destitution by Destruction of Crops—Trees.
Chapter XI. - Shetland Hosiery
That exported restricted to Coarse Stockings, &c., for a long period—Fine Shawl-knitting of Recent Introduction—Its Origin and Rise—Veils, &c.—Present to the Princess of Wales.
Chapter XII. - Bressay and Noss
East Coast of Bressay—Cave—Bard— “Giant’s Leg”—Holm and Noup of Noss—The Cradle—Dr Copland—Farm of Noss—Dangers of Noss Sound—Bressay again—Gardie—Maryfield—Parochial Statistics—Slate Quarries.
Chapter XIII. - Scalloway and Tingwall
The Journey—Magnificent view from Hill above Scalloway—The Castle—Earl Patrick Stewart—Gallow Hill—Garden of Westshore— Gibbleston Lodge — Blacksness — Harbour — Tingwall — The Ting— Church, Jdanse, &c.—Veens garth and Laxfirth Farms— Dale.
Chapter XIV. - From Lerwick northwards to Nesting and Whalsey
Remarks on Shetland Scenery in Autumn—North Entrance to Lerwick Harbour—Rova Head—“Luggie’s Knowe ”—Baa Green—Unicom Rock—Bothwell’s Shipwreck—Girlsta —Catfirth—Vassa—Isles of Gletness—Mull of Eswick— Maiden Stack—Hou Stack—Bay of Nesting—Brough, &c.— Dangerous Reefs—Neap—Hog Sound—Tragedy at Neap— Nesting Statistics—Wnalsey—Symbister—Manor House— Whalsey Sound—Its Islands—Manufacture of Kelp— Parpchial Statistics, &c.
You can read these chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...land/index.htm
Robert Burns Lives!
Edited by Frank Shaw
Chapter 150 - How Many Copies Were Printed of Burns's Second (Edinburgh) Edition? By G. Ross Roy
This is the 150th article on Robert Burns Lives! and little did I realize what had been set in motion when the first chapter appeared in The Family Tree publication out of Moultrie, Georgia with a circulation of over 75,000 subscriptions. Sadly that marvelous paper ran into financial trouble and went out of business. It was then, however, that Robert Burns Lives! moved to the internet site ofwww.electricscotland.com.
What began as an outreach to Burns laymen like me changed directions because of one man. In a short time our web site evolved into both an academic and layman presentation. Originally the Burns web site was not my focus as I was then reviewing books under the title of A Highlander and His Books. Doing both meant fewer articles on Burns, so I made the decision to cut back drastically on the book reviews and concentrate primarily on Robert Burns. Doing so has been such a fun trip! Much joy has come my way through meeting people whose names I only knew on the spines of books they wrote or edited. Many are now my friends, and as time or conferences allow, we find time to break bread or share a bottle of wine.
The one man I credit with giving Robert Burns Lives! its new emphasis is Professor G. Ross Roy from the University of South Carolina. This man, recognized as a world-class Burns scholar, is one of the finest writers in the world dedicated to scholarly research of Burns. He was even once referred to as the “Chairman of the Bard” by Edinburgh columnist Jim Gilchrist. No one in the Burns community is more respected than Dr. Roy. His affair with Burns began on a trip to Scotland with his grandfather when Ross was only eight years old. He is an easy man to admire and is a grand gentleman who was fortunate to marry a young French girl named Lucie. Both have become close personal friends of Susan and mine. I credit his article titled Important Editions of Robert Burns (Chapter 6 in our Index and later expanded on in Chapter 13) as the turning point in our emphasis on Burns. I like to think that Robert Burns Lives! is a different type web site since there are so many excellent contributors writing on numerous areas of the Burns mystic.
While corresponding back and forth in several emails with Dr. Patrick Scott, also from the University of South Carolina, he shed some light on the article below by saying that it “is about a Burns puzzle—some jotted numbers in Burns’s handwriting where there is no immediate clue about what the numbers represent. Soon after he got the letter on which they are written, Ross Roy published his solution to their meaning, in his journal Studies in Scottish Literature. The account below is his recent updating of that article, for readers of Robert Burns Lives! “
Reaching our 150th chapter is a milestone for Robert Burns Lives! and I wanted this one to be a special article by a special person, thus we give you another commentary by G. Ross Roy. Thank you, Ross, for helping make Robert Burns Lives! what it is today. (FRS: 8.29.12)
You can read this article at: http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives150.htm
Other articles in this series can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
Waddell’s Life And Works Of Robert Burns
We already have a huge amount up about Robert Burns but we acquired this 2 volume publication and consulted with Frank Shaw and so we decided to serialise this on the site. It also has a number of excellent illustrations and some colour plates.
This week we added "Poems of First and Second Editions: Notes Critical and Historical". Mind you need to scroll down the page a bit to find the link to this 13Mb pdf file.
You can read this book as we get it up at http://www.electricscotland.com/burns/lifeandworks.htm
Slavery
I've often wondered how the Scots got involved in slavery when they emigrated to America. While I in no way condone slavery I have often wondered if the Highlanders thought this to be an extension of the clan system. I've always been meaning to try and compare how the slaves lived, worked and were treated and to compare it with how Scots lived back in Scotland at roughly the same time period. So I took some time off this week to try and explore this and so have produced an article giving some background on this question.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ca/slavery.htm
Scotland's People Annual Report
Results from 2011 Scottish Household Survey.
The Scottish Household Survey (SHS) is designed to provide reliable and up-to-date information on the composition, characteristics, attitudes and behaviour of Scottish households and individuals, both nationally and at a sub-national level. It covers a wide range of topics to allow links to be made between different policy areas.
I've acquired the pdf version of this report which you can download at http://www.electricscotland.com/business/household.htm
And finally...
How Old is grandma?
Stay with this -- the answer is at the end. It may blow you away.
One evening a grandson was talking to his grandmother about current events. The grandson asked his grandmother what she thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general.
The Grandmother replied, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born before:
' television
' penicillin
' polio shots
' frozen foods
' Xerox
' contact lenses
' Frisbees and
' the pill
There were no:
' credit cards
' laser beams or
' ball-point pens
Man had not invented:
' pantyhose
' air conditioners
' dishwashers
' clothes dryers and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and
' space travel was only in Flash Gordon books.
Your Grandfather and I got married first, ....... ... and then lived together...
Every family had a father and a mother.
Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, "Sir".
And after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, "Sir."
We were before gay-rights, computer-dating, dual careers, daycare centers, and group therapy.
Our lives were governed by The Bible, good judgment, and common sense.
We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions.
Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege.
We thought fast food was eating half a biscuit while running to catch the school bus.
Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins.
Draft dodgers were those who closed front doors as the evening breeze started.
Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends-not purchasing condominiums.
We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings.
We listened to Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President's speeches on our radios.
And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey.
If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan ' on it, it was junk.
The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam.
Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of.
We had 5 & 10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents.
Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel.
And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards.
You could buy a new Ford Coupe for $600....but who could afford one?
Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon.
In my day:
' "grass" was mowed,
' "coke" was a cold drink,
' "pot" was something your mother cooked in and
' "rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby.
' "Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office,
' "chip" meant a piece of wood,
' "hardware" was found in a hardware store and
' "software" wasn't even a word.
And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby.
No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap. or from the archives.
How old do you think I am? I bet you have this old lady in mind....you are in for a shock! Read on to see -- pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time.
Are you ready ?????
This woman would be only 59 years old.
GIVES YOU SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT....... PASS THIS ON TO THE OLD ONES, THE YOUNG ONES WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT.
And that's all for now and hope you all have a great Labour Day weekend.
Alastair
Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
The United Empire Loyalist Settlement at Long Point, Lake Erie
Making Good in Canada
Canadian Monthly Magazine
The Flag in the Wind
Electric Scotland
The Bards of Bon Accord 1375 - 1860
Northern Notes and Queries
Kirkintilloch Town and Parish
Shetland: Descriptive and Historical
Robert Burns Lives!
Waddell’s Life And Works Of Robert Burns
Slavery
Scotland's People Annual Report
Electric Scotland News
We have done a wee update on our Electric Scotland Community by adding some more social networking add-ons. We have now added a Tweet function, enhanced the Facebook interface by bringing in pictures of your friends. We also added Google + and also a Share button.
At the same time we've now made a start at getting "Scotland's Future" running which we are sponsoring by providing the forums facility. It probably won't get going properly before October as we're still gathering moderators for the forums. However they wanted to see what it might look like so I started the "General Messages" and "Diaspora View" forums. You can get an overview of this new group of forums by reading my post at http://www.electricscotland.org/show...tland-s-Future.
Also, as the long Labour Day weekend is almost upon us Steve said he's likely to add more add-ons to the community as while getting the social networking add-ons he noticed a few other interesting ones. So we'll keep our fingers crossed as to what he might come up with.
I might also add that when you read any of the messages in the forums at the foot of the message there are two options "Like this post" and "Thanks for this post". I am aware a lot of us don't always have the time to reply to a message to say thanks for it but with these wee links it only takes a mouse click to voice your appreciation. So hopefully with more of you signifying your appreciation it will encourage the poster to post more messages that we can enjoy.
-----
The next point of interest comes from requests about providing Scottish news. We're in the middle of creating RSS feeds one of which will become our new "What's New" page. The other is intended to be a "Scottish News" feed. When we launch these anyone with a web site will be able to embed those feeds into a page on their own site. This then gives you a dynamic page which will always be bang up to date any time the page is viewed. We intend to make a page available where site owners can download a script and then by embedding the script in code view on a web page will turn that into the dynamic feed. So do look out for this becoming available. Right now we have tested the publishing of the feed so all that is left is to create the desired template for display purposes and provide the script code.
-----
I am also considering a re-design of the main Electric Scotland Index page. The idea is to greatly simplify the page by removing the many links down the page. I'm looking at replacing the links with the RSS feed of the Scottish News feed. This won't of course happen until I can get a regular supply of news but hopefully I can make progress on this over the next few weeks.
-----
I was reminded this week of a book I published some time ago on "Sketches of North Carolina". I put it up as there are many Scots-Irish names in it and thought it would be of interest. The author mentioned he'd also gathered a lot of similar information about Virginia so thought I'd see if he had done a book and indeed he had. So I'm now intending to publish this book on the site and will be starting to work on it next week.
-----
From Scotland To Stone Mountain 2012: Chiefs and Clans Connecting to Sustain Our Common Future
The Council of Scottish Clans & Associations and The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs Announce An Historic Gathering At Stone Mountain Highland Games 2012
The Council of Scottish Clans & Associations (COSCA) and The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs (SCSC), in association with the 40th anniversary of the Stone Mountain Highland Games are pleased to announce a joint seminar to be held on Friday October 19, 2012 2:00pm – 4:30 pm EST. This event will take place at the Atlanta Hilton Hotel Northeast, Norcross, Georgia. This is the host hotel for the Stone Mountain Highland Games.
An unprecedented number of Scottish Chiefs, Commanders and heirs will gather at Stone Mountain as Honored Guests of the Games. This presents a unique opportunity for COSCA and SCSC to host a Scottish clan leadership caucus to convene the day before the games official opening.
The event, titled “From Scotland to Stone Mountain 2012: Chiefs and Clans Connecting to Sustain Our Common Future” is the first ever joint event organized in the United States between COSCA and the SCSC. This collaborative event will bring together American clan leaders, leaders of the American Scottish diaspora, Scottish Chiefs and heirs and invited special Scottish guests to discuss some of the most important issues facing the American Scottish diaspora.
Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor, Convener of the SCSC remarked, "the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs fully acknowledges the importance of our American kith and kin within the clan network. So it is more than appropriate to work with COSCA at our first joint seminar at Stone Mountain.” MacGregor continued, “The clan convention in 2009 in Edinburgh successfully laid the framework for developing our common goals and relationships. This seminar means that we can continue that work right here in the United States. For chiefs it is an opportunity to deepen relationships and to learn more of the expectations of our American clans folk. For Americans, it is a chance to bring issues to the chiefs."
At press time, the following Scottish Chiefs, Commanders and heirs will participate in the Stone Mountain clan caucus (many will be accompanied by their North American clan leaders):
The Marquess of Ailsa, Chief Clan Kennedy
The Earl of Caithness, Chief Clan Sinclair
Iain Gunn of Banniskirk, Commander Clan Gunn
James McBain of McBain, Chief Clan McBain
Ranald MacDonell of Glengarry, Chief Clan MacDonell of Glengarry
Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor Bt., Chief Clan Gregor
Lorne Maclaine of Lochbuie, Chief of Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie
Donald MacLaren of MacLaren, Chief Clan MacLaren
Ruairi Morrison of Ruichdi, Chief Clan Morrison
The Lord Sempill (Jamie), Chief Clan Sempill
Kenneth Urquhart of Urquhart, Chief Clan Urquhart
The Lord Montgomerie (Hugh), Heir Clan Montgomerie
David Rose younger of Kilravock, Heir Clan Rose
Wilkins Urquhart younger of Urquhart, Heir Clan Urquhart
For those who are interested but cannot attend in person, a free live webcast will be available and the event audio/video and presentations will be recorded and available at www.COSCA.net following the event. Anyone wanting information on the webcast should contact Susan L. McIntosh at coscainfo@gmail.com.
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
The United Empire Loyalist Settlement at Long Point, Lake Erie
We continue to add more chapters from this book and in the past week we've added...
Chapter XXXVI. McCall.
Chapter XXXVII. Munro.
Chapter XXXVIII. Hazen.
Chapter XXXIX. Bowlby.
Chapter XL. Freeman.
Chapter XLI. Finch.
Chapter XLII. Tisdale.
These are all pages providing information on these families. Here is the complete chapter on Munro to give you a flavour. Note that in the pdf version of this newsletter I've added a picture of the house.
Lieutenant Munro was one of the chief members of the McCall party which came to Long Point in 1796. He settled in the township of Charlotteville, three miles west of the village of Vittoria.
Being a man of considerable means, he built the best house which had been erected up to that time. It stands to-day, a disused relic, about half a mile back from the road running straight west from Vittoria. It is a two-storey frame house of considerable size. The frame of hewn timber was made so strong that it seems even yet able to defy the storms for another century. The bents are four feet apart, strengthened by tie girths, morticed and tendoned—a marvel of axeman’s skill.
The planks for the floors and sheeting were cut out by the “whip” saw; and there must have been many a bee to accomplish the tremendous task of providing sawn lumber for so large a dwelling. The floors of this old building are almost worn through with the wear of many feet for nearly a century.
The writer was assured that it is the original roof which is on the building at the present time. The shingles are of cedar, rudely whittled by the draw-knife, and show in places an original thickness of over an inch.
In the main room is the immense fire-place, built of rude stone, occupying in itself almost space enough for a modern sleeping chamber, in which many a back log of oak or walnut five feet long and two feet through, roared and hissed and sputtered in the early years of the century.
This building is notable for another reason, namely, because it was used as the court-house of the district for two years, 1800-1802, for it was not until the latter date that the court was removed to Turkey Point. This was the only building in all London District that was capable of accommodating the court.
The first court was organized in April, 1800, the first commission of magistrates being as follows: Peter Teeple, John Beemer, William Spurgin, Wynant Williams, and Captain Samuel Ryerse; to which two others were afterwards added, Captain William Hutchison and Major John Backhouse. Colonel Joseph Ryerson was the first sheriff and Thomas Welch the first clerk of the court. The old journal of the court, containing the minutes of the meetings between the years 1800-1812, was found some time ago in a heap of rubbish. It is preserved to-day in the Norfolk archives in Simcoe.
A temporary jail was erected near the house, a log building, 14 x 25 feet, divided into two rooms, one for debtors and the other for those charged with criminal offences. Lieutenant Munroe was to act as jailer, his stipend being $100 per annum. It was agreed that as soon as a permanent court-house and jail were erected elsewhere, that Mr. Munroe should buy back this building at a fair and just price. This building was erected during the winter of 1800, by day labor, and was used for nearly a year, until the courts were removed to Turkey Point.
Lieutenant Munro was a son-in-law of Donald McCall, having married Catherine, the eldest daughter, before coming to Long Point.
His family consisted of two sons, Robert and Daniel, and one daughter, Mary.
The U. E. Loyalist records show the following grants of land to his daughters:
“Amelia Sophia Munro, spinster, two hundred acres in Walsingham, 23rd December, 1815.
“Charlotte Dustin, wife of Paul Dustin, two hundred acres in Walsing-ham, 23rd December, 1815.
“Harriet Ann Gillaspy, wife of William Gillaspy, two hundred acres in Walsingham, 23rd Decembar, 1815.
“Mary Green, wife of Jeremiah Green, two hundred acres in Townsend, 23rd December, 1S15.”
Among the descendants of Lieutenant Munro was J. H. Munro, Esq., member of Parliament at Confederation, who remained in the House of Commons till 1872. His brother, Malcolm Munro, was a member of the Local Legislature for about the same time.
The Munro family are connected with the Wood, Smith, Jewell, Smalley, Wilson and Tisdale families of Norfolk County.
You can read the other chapters at http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...oint/index.htm
Making Good in Canada
By Frederick A. Talbot (1912)
This week we've added the following chapters...
Chapter VII - The Cook: The Autocrat of the Camp
Chapter VIII - On the Frontier Telegraph Line
Chapter IX - The Game and Fire Wardens
Chapter X - Navvying and Railway Building
Chapter XI - Frontier Journalism
Chapter XII - Life in a Frontier Town
Here is a bit from Chapter VIII...
In Canada, as in other countries, the telegraph is the herald of the settling forces of civilization. Although the greater part of the telegraphic network embraces settled country, linking cities, towns, and villager together iii a continuous chain from coast to coast, yet there are several hundred miles of line which even yet droop in festoons through virgin forests forming a hairlike, albeit potential means of communication between the remote isolated districts and civilization. These are pioneer telegraphs in the fullest interpretation of the word. They are laid out by the Government, upon inexpensive lines, being regarded as of a temporary character, to await the coming of private enterprise as the country is opened up to establish a permanent, up to date installation. The Government merely breaks the ground with the initial frail link, and generally in the end the system is handed over to a railway.
It is along the route of the pioneer line where the most attractive atmosphere of adventure and romance is encountered. There is nothing humdrum about the telegraphist’s life in the lonely cabin on the mountain side, in the swamp, or forest. “Tapping the key” upon a frontier electric wire had none of that monotony associated with the selfsame calling in the crowded cities. It offers an excellent opportunity to make good, not only in regard to the pocket but to health as well.
It must be confessed that in some situations the life is terribly lonely, but the wire-tapper is far better off than his colleagues engaged in other up-country occupations. He is in touch with the world at large. The ghost of the wire ticks out in dot and dash precisely what is happening between the two poles, and very often the operator in his cabin, five or six hundred miles from the nearest town, will be found to be better posted up with the affairs of the world, than the city dweller. The key and the sounder are placed conveniently beside his bunk, and more than one operator has confessed to me that during the darkest hours of the night, when the forest is hushed save for the sounds of the prowling animals, and he has endeavoured to woo sleep in vain, he has merely cut into the wire to listen to what the world beyond is doing. If the business over the line is slack, then the operator calls up a “chum” in a distant cabin, perhaps 100 or 200 miles off, and holds a conversation, with as much ease as if the two wore chatting round a camp fire.
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electriccanadian.com/pion.../chapter08.htm
You can read this book at http://www.electriccanadian.com/pion...king/index.htm
Canadian Monthly Magazine
Published by the Vanderhoof-Gunn Publishing Company
I've now added Volume 12 - 1912. A good wee range of articles in this edition plus the story of Just Smith, a story of the Mounted. The next series of issues are rather clearer so will be adding the complete issues from next week onwards.
This can be found at http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...zine/index.htm
The Flag in the Wind
This issue was Compiled by Margaret Hamilton. A good range of articles this week one of which talks about Scottish Education. I have to say that I totally agree that Education up to University level should be free as that is a major investment in our youth and a future work force.
I'm not too sure what is covered in the syllabus these days but I would certainly encourage a class on working with money and how to look after it I would also like to see some emphasis on good manners in the online world.
Well worth a read... and there are also some excellent articles in the Synopsis.
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Electric Scotland
The Bards of Bon Accord 1375 - 1860
By William Walker
Added Thomas Denham, William Anderson and Alexander Robb.
You can read these chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/poet...cord/index.htm
Northern Notes and Queries
Note: In the pdf version of this newsletter I am placing a graphic of the Contents page so you can see what is included in each issue. Note that from the 1894 edition we are using a new source to bring you other issues of this quarterly magazine. Each issue continues to bring information on different families such that this current issue includes information on Stirling and Murray families, Ramsay, Campbell of Auchmannock, Gray, Scrymgeout, Crichton, Campbell, Bethune, Douglas, Macdonnell, Bulloch and Horn Families and James Ross of Balneil.
1894 Articles 548 to 562
This issue can be viewed at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...hern/index.htm
Kirkintilloch Town and Parish
By Thomas Watson (1894)
This week we've added...
Luggie Bridge
The Monument
The Aqueduct
The Old Cross-Stone
Odds and Ends
Flax Manufacture
Dress in 1770
Social Life
Rob Roy, 1716
Prince Charlie and Highlanders, 1746
Here is the chapter on Social Life about marriage...
We give the following particulars from “Roger’s Social Life,” which no doubt illustrates life in Kirkintilloch parish, as well as other parts of Scotland:—
“At the Reformation it was enacted by the General Assembly that all who wished to marry must submit their names to the minister or session-clerk for proclamation of banns on three successive Sundays. Subsequently it was permitted on payment of a larger fee that the banns might be completed by one public announcement, the words, 'for the first, second, and third time,’ being added.
“In times immediately subsequent to the Reformation forty days were required to ensue between the time of "booking" and the day of marriage. During the interval the bride was supposed to receive no visitors save her relations and early friends. Young folks rubbed shoulders with the bride, so as to obtain matrimonial infection.”
We have the authority of an experienced matron for the following as a complete inventory of a bride’s plenishing, according to old Scottish notions, and which—especially in the country—is often still regarded as indispensable:—(1) A chest of drawers, “split new,” and ordered for the occasion; (2) bed and table linen, or ttaiprie, as it is styled, with a supply of blankets; (3) a “set" of silver tea spoons, and in some districts (4) an eight-day clock. But the sine qua non of all was (5) a. LADLE.— Wilson.
“A process of feet-washing was enacted. One or twa evenings before the nuptial ceremony a party of the bridegroom^ friends assembled at his dwelling. Into his spence or parlour they bore a washing-tub, with towels and soap. Volunteering to wash his feet as a respectful service, the privilege was readily granted to them. But no sooner was the bridegroom's unclothed limbs plunged into the water than commenced a horrid saturnalia. The limbs were besmeared with grease and soot. Then were applied brushes of coarse bristle, and when the cleansing process was completed the besmearing was renewed. The merriment was prolonged till both the performers and the bridegroom were utterly exhausted. Feasting followed at the bridegroom's cost.
“In rural districts it was held that a bride should on her marriage day appear uncovered, but wear a cap ever afterwards. All declined to marry in May. . . . The Lowlander was averse to marry on Friday, but the Highlander chose that day as the most hopeful.
“Creeling the bridegroom was during the last century practised in Berwickshire. Early in the morning after the marriage there was strapped to the bridegroom’s back a basket of stones or gravel, and a large-handled broom laid on his left shoulder. Thus equipped, he was forced to run fleetly, while the bride was expected to follow and to disengage him of his burden.
“By sundry rites was the newly married wife welcomed to her home. At the threshold was held over her head a sieve containing bread and cheese, and as she entered the dwelling there was broken upon her head the infar-cake, a cake of shortbread specially prepared, while all joined in the song—
Welcome to your ain fireside,
Health and wealth attend the bride;
Wanters noo your true weird make,
Joes are spaed by the infar-cake.
The rest of this chapter can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter29.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...loch/index.htm
Shetland: Descriptive and Historical
By Robert Cowie (1874)
We are now continuing with Part II of this publication which goes into detail on the various parts of Shetland and this week we've added...
Chapter IX. - Agriculture
Its Primitive Character—Grain derived at one time from Orkney—An Orkney Farmer’s Voyage to Shetland—Oats and Bere—Cabbage—Potatoes—Turnips— Rye-Grass—White Oats—Products of the Garden—Soil—The Shetlander’s Croft—Manure—Farm Implements—The Shetland Mill—Seedtime—Causes of Destitution—Cattle— Poultry—Pigs—Dogs.
Chapter X. - The Scatholds (or Commons) and their Inhabitants
Products of the Commons-Game, &c.—The Shetland Pony —The Shetland Sheep—Their Wool—Native Dyes—Skins —Mutton—Method of Removing Wool—Their Food in Seasons of Scarcity—Diseases—Birds of Prey—Attention paid to the Rearing of Sheep in Ancient Times—Wadmel— Shetland “Tweeds”—Proposed Introduction of Grouse— Peat-Moss—Great Depth in many Places—Its Formation—The Cutting, Curing, and Transport of Peats—Might not Peat-Moss be further utilised?—Improvements in Shetland Farming, and its assimilation to that of the Mainland of Scotland—Fishing of greater importance there than Farming—Division of Commons—Shetland rather a Grazing than an Agricultural Country—Years of Destitution by Destruction of Crops—Trees.
Chapter XI. - Shetland Hosiery
That exported restricted to Coarse Stockings, &c., for a long period—Fine Shawl-knitting of Recent Introduction—Its Origin and Rise—Veils, &c.—Present to the Princess of Wales.
Chapter XII. - Bressay and Noss
East Coast of Bressay—Cave—Bard— “Giant’s Leg”—Holm and Noup of Noss—The Cradle—Dr Copland—Farm of Noss—Dangers of Noss Sound—Bressay again—Gardie—Maryfield—Parochial Statistics—Slate Quarries.
Chapter XIII. - Scalloway and Tingwall
The Journey—Magnificent view from Hill above Scalloway—The Castle—Earl Patrick Stewart—Gallow Hill—Garden of Westshore— Gibbleston Lodge — Blacksness — Harbour — Tingwall — The Ting— Church, Jdanse, &c.—Veens garth and Laxfirth Farms— Dale.
Chapter XIV. - From Lerwick northwards to Nesting and Whalsey
Remarks on Shetland Scenery in Autumn—North Entrance to Lerwick Harbour—Rova Head—“Luggie’s Knowe ”—Baa Green—Unicom Rock—Bothwell’s Shipwreck—Girlsta —Catfirth—Vassa—Isles of Gletness—Mull of Eswick— Maiden Stack—Hou Stack—Bay of Nesting—Brough, &c.— Dangerous Reefs—Neap—Hog Sound—Tragedy at Neap— Nesting Statistics—Wnalsey—Symbister—Manor House— Whalsey Sound—Its Islands—Manufacture of Kelp— Parpchial Statistics, &c.
You can read these chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...land/index.htm
Robert Burns Lives!
Edited by Frank Shaw
Chapter 150 - How Many Copies Were Printed of Burns's Second (Edinburgh) Edition? By G. Ross Roy
This is the 150th article on Robert Burns Lives! and little did I realize what had been set in motion when the first chapter appeared in The Family Tree publication out of Moultrie, Georgia with a circulation of over 75,000 subscriptions. Sadly that marvelous paper ran into financial trouble and went out of business. It was then, however, that Robert Burns Lives! moved to the internet site ofwww.electricscotland.com.
What began as an outreach to Burns laymen like me changed directions because of one man. In a short time our web site evolved into both an academic and layman presentation. Originally the Burns web site was not my focus as I was then reviewing books under the title of A Highlander and His Books. Doing both meant fewer articles on Burns, so I made the decision to cut back drastically on the book reviews and concentrate primarily on Robert Burns. Doing so has been such a fun trip! Much joy has come my way through meeting people whose names I only knew on the spines of books they wrote or edited. Many are now my friends, and as time or conferences allow, we find time to break bread or share a bottle of wine.
The one man I credit with giving Robert Burns Lives! its new emphasis is Professor G. Ross Roy from the University of South Carolina. This man, recognized as a world-class Burns scholar, is one of the finest writers in the world dedicated to scholarly research of Burns. He was even once referred to as the “Chairman of the Bard” by Edinburgh columnist Jim Gilchrist. No one in the Burns community is more respected than Dr. Roy. His affair with Burns began on a trip to Scotland with his grandfather when Ross was only eight years old. He is an easy man to admire and is a grand gentleman who was fortunate to marry a young French girl named Lucie. Both have become close personal friends of Susan and mine. I credit his article titled Important Editions of Robert Burns (Chapter 6 in our Index and later expanded on in Chapter 13) as the turning point in our emphasis on Burns. I like to think that Robert Burns Lives! is a different type web site since there are so many excellent contributors writing on numerous areas of the Burns mystic.
While corresponding back and forth in several emails with Dr. Patrick Scott, also from the University of South Carolina, he shed some light on the article below by saying that it “is about a Burns puzzle—some jotted numbers in Burns’s handwriting where there is no immediate clue about what the numbers represent. Soon after he got the letter on which they are written, Ross Roy published his solution to their meaning, in his journal Studies in Scottish Literature. The account below is his recent updating of that article, for readers of Robert Burns Lives! “
Reaching our 150th chapter is a milestone for Robert Burns Lives! and I wanted this one to be a special article by a special person, thus we give you another commentary by G. Ross Roy. Thank you, Ross, for helping make Robert Burns Lives! what it is today. (FRS: 8.29.12)
You can read this article at: http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives150.htm
Other articles in this series can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
Waddell’s Life And Works Of Robert Burns
We already have a huge amount up about Robert Burns but we acquired this 2 volume publication and consulted with Frank Shaw and so we decided to serialise this on the site. It also has a number of excellent illustrations and some colour plates.
This week we added "Poems of First and Second Editions: Notes Critical and Historical". Mind you need to scroll down the page a bit to find the link to this 13Mb pdf file.
You can read this book as we get it up at http://www.electricscotland.com/burns/lifeandworks.htm
Slavery
I've often wondered how the Scots got involved in slavery when they emigrated to America. While I in no way condone slavery I have often wondered if the Highlanders thought this to be an extension of the clan system. I've always been meaning to try and compare how the slaves lived, worked and were treated and to compare it with how Scots lived back in Scotland at roughly the same time period. So I took some time off this week to try and explore this and so have produced an article giving some background on this question.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ca/slavery.htm
Scotland's People Annual Report
Results from 2011 Scottish Household Survey.
The Scottish Household Survey (SHS) is designed to provide reliable and up-to-date information on the composition, characteristics, attitudes and behaviour of Scottish households and individuals, both nationally and at a sub-national level. It covers a wide range of topics to allow links to be made between different policy areas.
I've acquired the pdf version of this report which you can download at http://www.electricscotland.com/business/household.htm
And finally...
How Old is grandma?
Stay with this -- the answer is at the end. It may blow you away.
One evening a grandson was talking to his grandmother about current events. The grandson asked his grandmother what she thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general.
The Grandmother replied, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born before:
' television
' penicillin
' polio shots
' frozen foods
' Xerox
' contact lenses
' Frisbees and
' the pill
There were no:
' credit cards
' laser beams or
' ball-point pens
Man had not invented:
' pantyhose
' air conditioners
' dishwashers
' clothes dryers and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and
' space travel was only in Flash Gordon books.
Your Grandfather and I got married first, ....... ... and then lived together...
Every family had a father and a mother.
Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, "Sir".
And after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, "Sir."
We were before gay-rights, computer-dating, dual careers, daycare centers, and group therapy.
Our lives were governed by The Bible, good judgment, and common sense.
We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions.
Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege.
We thought fast food was eating half a biscuit while running to catch the school bus.
Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins.
Draft dodgers were those who closed front doors as the evening breeze started.
Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends-not purchasing condominiums.
We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings.
We listened to Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President's speeches on our radios.
And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey.
If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan ' on it, it was junk.
The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam.
Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of.
We had 5 & 10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents.
Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel.
And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards.
You could buy a new Ford Coupe for $600....but who could afford one?
Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon.
In my day:
' "grass" was mowed,
' "coke" was a cold drink,
' "pot" was something your mother cooked in and
' "rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby.
' "Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office,
' "chip" meant a piece of wood,
' "hardware" was found in a hardware store and
' "software" wasn't even a word.
And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby.
No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap. or from the archives.
How old do you think I am? I bet you have this old lady in mind....you are in for a shock! Read on to see -- pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time.
Are you ready ?????
This woman would be only 59 years old.
GIVES YOU SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT....... PASS THIS ON TO THE OLD ONES, THE YOUNG ONES WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT.
And that's all for now and hope you all have a great Labour Day weekend.
Alastair