Voices from the Scottish Diaspora: Highland Emigration to Canada in the Twentieth Century

 

Recently I had the honour of recording the presentation that Professor Marjory Harper is presenting for the November ViC. I was mesmerized. Actually hearing the voices of those who have emigrated, I was acutely aware that so much of what they were saying mirrored my own family's emigration story. 

The ViC is just a month away. Registration for the November ViC ends on Nov 26th. This allows me to ensure everything is ready for the 28th. The syllabus will be sent out ahead of the ViC so that you can read through and prepare questions for the presenters. 

If you haven't yet registered but want to, you can do so here: https://www.genealogyvic.com/ 

You will have access to the presentations for 6 weeks.

ARE YOU READY TO RESEARCH YOUR HIGHLAND ANCESTORS?

 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 28th, 2020

 

If you ancestors were from the Highlands or Western Isles of Scotland, you won't want to miss this learning opportunity.

• Highland Scots in Nova Scotia
• Highland Archives
• Argyll Archives (at Inverary Castle)
• Cromarty Emigrants and the Ships That Took Them
• Highland Regiments
• Learn Gaelic
• A Jacobite Tour of Edinburgh

7 presentations, live Q&A, detailed syllabus, access to the recordings for 6 weeks. All for just $74cad. 

REGISTER HERE

Discounted Deposit for Celtic Genealogy Cruise!

Just in time for Summer!

Just in time for the May Two-Four weekend, or the Memorial Day weekend, Cruise Planners is offering a discounted deposit. For only $100 (usd), you can book your cabin for the Celtic Genealogy Cruise.

Visit your ancestral homeland much the way your ancestors did, by sea!

Ports of Call: 

Dublin

The cruise begins and ends in Dublin. Arrive a day early and join us for a night of dinner, storytelling and folklore at Dublin's Oldest Pub. While in Dublin, there will be the opportunity to research at the Irish Family History Centre, to consult with experts from the Centre and to have a private tour of the Emigration Museum. Those who choose to research will get a goodie bag that includes free access to Findmypast. 

Belfast

Because we arrive in Belfast on a Bank Holiday, we won't have an opportunity to research at the Ulster Historical Society but we will have the chance for consultations by the experts from the UHF. There will also be the opportunity to tour the Titanic Museum. 

Glasgow

We will dock in Greenock, the port many Scottish ancestors departed their homeland from. While in port, there will be the chance to research at the Mitchell Library, home of the Glasgow City Archives. Other research opportunities can also be arranged. For those not researching, Glasgow is an amazingly historic city. There are guided walking tours, including a guided tour of the Glasgow Necropolis, free social history museums like the People's Palace, the Police Museum or the Hunterian Museum 

Inverness

Indulge in the rugged beauty of the Scottish highlands. Research opportunities will be available at the Highland Archives. History is in abundance at the Culloden Battlefield, the Clava Cairns or any number of castles. Enjoy a cruise on Loch Ness. or simply wander along the River Ness and enjoy the beauty of the heart of the highlands. 

Arguably the best city on the planet, Edinburgh is full of history, full of culture, and a great place to spend a day. Research opportunities will be at the ScotlandsPeople Centre, the National Library of Scotland or the Scottish Genealogy Society. History abounds all along the Royal Mile all the way from the Castle at the top of the hill to Holyrood Palace at the foot of the hill. Wander along historic Princes Street where there is shopping, beautiful gardens and all sorts of street entertainment. 

Guernsey

We leave Edinburgh and enjoy a day at sea before arriving in the channel islands of Guernsey. Visit the home of Victor Hugo (it was here that he wrote Les Miserable), or the underground German war tunnel. This little island has lots of history to enjoy. 

Southampton

From Guernsey, we head to Southampton, another port where ancestors departed their homeland for shores unknown, full of the promise of new opportunities. The genealogy part of the cruise ends in Edinburgh but the history and beauty continues. 

Le Havre

From England, we venture across the Channel to Le Havre, France. This UNESCO heritage site was completely rebuilt after being bombed to bits in WWII. The apartment museum explains the impact on the city and the new build. Half an hour down the coast is Etreat where the natural arch bridge provides spectacular scenery. 

Cobh

Our final port is Cobh Ireland. This of course, is most famous for being the place from where the ill fated Titanic launched. There will be a chance to tour the Titanic Experience in the former White Star Lines Ticket Office or learn more about the ship at the Cobh Heritage Centre. The Centre also explores Cobh's history as a major port where people sailed from during periods of mass emigration. 

Ready to immerse yourself in the history of your emigrant ancestors? Interested in having the chance to consult with genealogists while in port, or even having a chance to research in local records? Why not take advantage of the discounted deposit sale, happening between May 24 and May 31. Just $100 usd holds your cabin. 

Here's the link to register: http://www.oconnelltravel.com/rw/cruise/38998

Auchindrain

Just six miles south of Inveraray is the only remaining farming township, Auchindrain. At one time some 4,000 of these communities dotted the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Auchindrain was abandoned in 1962 when the last member of the farming community, Eddie McCallum, moved into Furnace. The township is now managed by a charity trust. 

A wander around Auchindrain gives an incredible and unique glimpse into the lives of ordinary people in the Highlands of Scotland. Our ancestors. Farmers. Not crofters - those came later. Townships like Auchindrain, a cluster of buildings scattered on a landscape, in random position to one another, yet all connected by the land they shared. This was a truly communal way of life. The animals were placed on the outskirts of the township on the less arable land. The homes were simple and functional. Generally one room which served as a living area, kitchen and sleeping quarters. Some of the homes, longhouses, created a divide between their living and sleeping quarters. Longhouses also had a byre (barn) at one end for the animals to be sheltered. The barn held one or two cattle and a working horse. 

The land was divided into rigs, or strips of land, each strip being tended by one family. The families rotated rigs every couple of years, ensuring everyone had a chance at the best land. The manure from the animals kept the crops well fertilized. The weather is/was often drizzly and water was abundant. In order that the crops not be flooded out, a series of irrigation ditches were dug by the farmers to move the water away from the rigs. 

Cattle were the mainstay of farming life, providing milk, meat and fertilizer. Those not slaughtered for the community were rounded up and driven (walked in droves) into the nearest market or to markets further south where they were sold. The money then went to pay rents or to add to the needs of the township. 

Auchindrain still has sheep and hens that wander freely. The hens are fed organic foods and produce some of the finest tasting eggs in the area. Because the township continues to look and work the way it always has, animal droppings are abundant. Another little glimpse into the everyday lives of our farming ancestors. 

Each home also had a kailyard, an enclosed garden where vegetables and herbs were grown for the family's use. Many also had a stackyard, an enclosed area where grains were stored for use during the winter months. 

Three buildings in the township held particular fascination for me. The first and perhaps the most compelling for me is Bell a'Phuill's house (Bell who lives by the muddy place). A single room home. Perhaps it was the wonderfully comforting smell of the peat fire that drew me to the home. 

Bell, whose name was actually Isabella McCallum, live in this single room home with her two children. The thatched roof needs to be replaced every 7 years. 

The second house that held my fascination was the Slate House. The only one in the township with a slate roof. 

Now used as a barn for the hens, this was once the barn housing horses. You can see the rain barrel in the back corner of the building. 

And the third building that fascinated me, and perhaps the more modern of any of them outwith the visitor centre and office, is what was once Eddie McCallum's home. This is a traditional longhouse. 

Seen here with the barn next door, the longhouse was separated into living space and kitchen, sleeping quarters and then the barn. 

 Auchindrain is unique. Auchindrain is a window into a life long lost yet one that was a vital and common way of life for those in the highlands and islands. I encourage anyone and everyone with highland ancestors to pay a visit to Auchindrain. Your understanding of your ancestor's lives will be enriched beyond measure. Thanks to the hard work of the Auchindrain Trust and their strong belief that the township should remain as it was, not prettied up, tidied up or re-created in any way that is not authentic. Well done to each and every one of them. 

Leaving the Highlands

Today, we left the Highlands and headed back to Glasgow. We have had an amazing week together but it isn't over yet! Our first stop, in the chucking rain, was Glenfinnan Monument and Viaduct

Our next stop was in Glencoe - first to the Clachaig Inn where one of the participants' ancestors had worked.

Then we stopped for a spectacular view of the Three Sisters (mountains) of Glencoe

Our final stop was in Luss, home of Clan Calquhoun

We arrived in Glasgow in time for me to check in and then meet up with the Glasgow Tour group. Tomorrow, all 20 of us will be up bright and early to head over to Kinghorn in Fife for the annual conference of the Scottish Association of Family History Societies.

Research at the Highland Archive Centre

The Highland History and Research Tour has two full days of research at the Highland Archives in Inverness. 

We were treated to a behind the scenes tour, being able to see the way this purpose built building works to preserve and conserve the genealogical and historical memory of the Highlands

Then it was time to tuck into the records in either the Family History Room or the Search Room