NOTE
The lead article in our last issue was an April Fool story
This issue of The Corncrake has been posted late because of a difficulty with our Service Provider - we apologise for the delay and will be reviewing our service arrangements to see how the problem can be avoided in future.
MATTHEW GONSHAW, Convicted Thief?
On Wednesday 27th March, 2002 Colonsay featured in a case at Thames Magistrates Court, 58 Bow Road, London E3.
The defendant was one Matthew Gonshaw of 12 Cherrywood Close, Bow, London, born 22 November 1962
Gonshaw was charged with the following offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981:
§ The theft of three red kite1 eggs from Oxfordshire in April, 2000
§ The theft of four marsh harrier eggs from the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, in April 2000
§ The theft of six chough2 eggs from Colonsay in April 2000
§ The theft of two red-throated diver eggs from North Uist in June 2000
§ The theft of three dotterel eggs from the Cairngorms in June 2000
§ Possession of items capable of being used to take birds' eggs, including containers, climbing equipment, telescope, maps and documents.
The case was reported nationally:
"A man has been found guilty of stealing eggs from some of Britain's rarest birds.
Matthew Gonshaw, 39, of Cherrywood Close, Bow, East London, appeared before Thames magistrates charged with several offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
He is due to be sentenced on April 22.
Gonshaw, who had denied the charges, was found guilty of the theft of four marsh harrier eggs from the Isle of Sheppey, Kent; the theft of six chough eggs from Colonsay in the Inner Hebrides; the theft of two red-throated diver eggs from North Uist in the Outer Hebrides; and the theft of three dotterel eggs from the Cairngorms.
He was acquitted of stealing three Red Kite eggs from Oxfordshire.
All the offences were said to have taken place in April and June 2000."
David Jardine and Mike Peacock were amongst the expert witnesses who attended. Seemingly evidence revolved around diaries in which the defendant recorded the details of his alleged exploits. One awaits with interest the sentence which is to be handed down. Persons who choose to come to Colonsay to carry out crimes should clearly be discouraged and "The Corncrake" would be pleased to receive a photograph of this convicted thief.
"ARANDORA STAR"
Dear Mr Byrne,
After the emails we exchanged I published an article in the Italian magazine Diario about the Italian victims of the sinking of the Arandora Star whose bodies where washed ashore on Colonsay and nearby Eilean nan Ron.
From August 1940 when, as shown in the two photographs I sent you, crosses and flowers were put on the spots where the remains where buried, to the present day when as you pointed out a new wooden cross is to hand and will be erected on Eilean nan Ron as soon as sea conditions are suitable, I have described how the people of Colonsay have shown extraordinary kindness and respect for the remains of the Italians who were washed ashore.
The article has caused considerable interest, especially among the inhabitants of Borgotaro from where one of the victims originated. I am told that some people may wish to get in touch with you directly to express their thanks.
Alfio Bernabei
alfio@freeman.dircon.co.uk
Dear Mr Byrne,
In the latest issue of 'Diario', a very good Italian weekly magazine, there is an article about Giuseppe Delgrosso and other two Italians dead in 1940 in the sinking of the Arandora Star ship. The writer Alfio Bernabei tells how their corpses were found on Colonsay and Eilan nan Ron and how the people of Colonsay still take care of their graves.
My name's Paola. I'm a 37 year old Italian, recently happy mom of a little girl (our Alice was born last 16th March). I was deeply moved by that article and I would like to thank the people of Colonsay for all they have made and are still making to honour the memory of those three unlucky Italians.
My husband Diego and I, we visited Scotland and several of its islands (unfortunately not Colonsay) back in 1998, because we worked on a website devoted to the Scottish prehistoric monuments (Ancient Stones of Scotland http://www.stonepages.com/ancient_scotland). So we had the opportunity to know better your beautiful country and the nice Scottish people.
Thanks again. A warm ciao from Italy and congratulations for your Corncrake net magazine.
Paola, Diego and little Alice
Stone Pages
http://www.stonepages.com
PS
You know, 'corncrake' (Crex crex) is 're di quaglie' in Italian. Quite impossible to tell you the English pronunciation, but the meaning is 'king of quails'.
OPENING OF NEW SEAFOOD SHOP
This week, Jenni McNeill and her mother, Isobelle Robertson, opened "Tides Seafood Take Away" at Kilcraig, Kilchattan. Open daily from 12.00pm - 5.00pm, they offer mussels, winkles, cockles, prawns, crabs, crab sticks, oysters and a selection of fish. They also sell fine conectionary, "Colonsay Rock" and a selectgion of beach toys.
They are delighted to accept orders or discuss special requirements - telephone 01951 200364. This is a pioneering venture and will hopefully be very successful - by all accounts, trade has been very brisk in the first week and customers have been very pleased.
Jenni and Isobelle at "Tides"
ALL CHANGE AT THE PO
Pede MacNeill is now up and trading as the new shopkeeper and is busily working away at re-arranging things to take advantage of the additional space. He is full of enthusiasm and vim (?), and customers should note that he will be offering credit card and off-sales facilities. Pede is the manager, and is in equal partnership with his wife Carol and with Alex Howard. He sells petrol on behalf of the Community Development Company, and he is ably assisted by Linda Robinson who has continued in post.
Meantime, Keith has re-located the Post Office counter and associated business into the adjoining premises. He continues to offer all the usual services, including the Post Bus and sales of diesel. He operates a delivery service for the shop, and visitors are invited to submit advance orders to the shop which can be ready on arrival.
Excitingly, MacLennan's van is now driven directly to the shop so that Royal Mail, bread and papers can be off-loaded without delay. Persons wishing to pre-empt the delivery service can now uplift their freight in comfort, away from the ferry marshalling area.
APPEAL
The congregations of the Church of Scotland and the Baptist Church are both working to increase the accessibility of their premises and have made tremendous progress in the last year or two. They are now co-operating in a twin scheme to make provision for those with impaired hrearing, and an "inductive loop" is to be provided in both churches later this year.
The installation will be by qualified specialists who have agreed to work on a voluntary basis, restricting their charge to the cost of the equipment and basic costs of travel etc. Total cost to each church will be about £1,500. Since each church has about ten active members, any contributions will be gratefully received.
Readers of "The Corncrake" are invited to send any such contribution c/o The Editor, The Corncrake, Isle of Colonsay, Argyll PA61 7YR. Cheques may be made out in favour of "Colonsay Church", and payments by credit card will be drawn down via a business account and then transferred to the two churches. Please note that any contributions made via "The Corncrake" will be divided equally between the two churches.
"LADY JAYNE of COLONSAY"
So far, so good. 83 passengers have been carried to date, there have been three sightings of dolphins and, of course, plentiful sightings of seals. On two consecutive Mondays, Donald Gibbie skippered a fascinating circumnavigation with splendid views of the bird cliffs and a demonstration of some of the intricacies of the "inside passage" at Ardskinish.
On Saturday, an expedition to the highest of the Paps of Jura was rewarded by perfect weather and good visibility. There were sightings of Red Grouse, deer and a particularly impressive adder, perhaps 30" long and hissing away very fiercely.
Malcolm and Alasdair Holwill on top of Beinn an Oir with Colonsay in the background, and on the descent.
LINK BETWEEN PARA MOR AND GEORGE ORWELL
The following fascinating contribution is from Ian Harding:
"I wonder if you saw some correspondence in the Sunday Times last month on the subject of George Orwell's stay at Barnhill, Jura? The original article described a visit by a journalist, Allan Brown, to Barnhill in search of Orwell's Rudge motorcycle which was rumoured to have been abandoned by Orwell when he left Jura in 1950. Brown found no sign of the bike and the locals were unable to help him in his quest.
However, a couple of weeks after the article appeared, a letter appeared in the ST from someone who knew a little more of the story. It seems that Orwell took the Rudge down to the jetty on the day of his departure and sold it to the skipper of a small boat who plied a trade selling Calor Gas around the islands. He in turn sold it to a man at his next port of call (Colonsay) who used the bike until the end of its life and then scrapped it.
Finlay MacFadyen told me that the purchaser was Para Mor. I spoke to Maryann who used to ride pillion on Peter's bike with the dog on the petrol tank but this was some time later as she was only 15 in 1950."
Has any reader got a snapshot of the late Para Mor and the Rudge?
NOOKS & CRANNIES: Laimrig Mhor
The full name is Laimrig Mhor a' Rudha Chaoil, which Loder translates as "The Big Landing Place at the Bare Point". It is on the left in this picture, which has Jura in the background, and is the southern extremity of Oransay. Malcolm MacPhee arrived here on a spring tide when he was a fugitive and managed to splash across the channel and reefs to his final hiding place, under a pile of seaweed on the western extremity of Eilean nan Ron. From the traditional account, we know that Malcolm was sufficiently blessed as to have a red beard.
WHAT'S ON IN COLONSAY
The bar and restaurant opening times are as follows:
BAR - OPEN DAILY -11am till 1am- serving alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, tea & coffee, confectionary and tobacco.
OFF SALES - available from 11am till 1am
BREAKFAST- for non residents from 8.30am till 9.30am (Booking Essential)
PACKED LUNCHES- from 10am till 2pm
MORNING COFFEE - from 11am till 12 noon
LUNCHES AND LIGHT BITES- 12 noon till 2.30pm
AFTERNOON TEA- 3pm till 5pm
EVENING MEALS - served from 6pm till 9.30pm
From 1st May food will be served all day Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
May's Pantry is open daily from 9am, licensed to sell wines, beers and spirits. Meals and snacks are served all day, with homemade bread baked to order. Please book in advance for evening meals, to be sure of a reservation. Telephone the Pantry on 01951 200325 or call May MacKinnon at home 0n 01951 200341
Tides Seafood Take Away - 12.00 - 5.00 pm, Tel 01951 200200364
Quiz in the Hotel every Wednesday at 9.30 pm.
Church Service
Please note that services in both the Baptist Church and the Church of Scotland are at the new time of 11.30hrs. Services are sometimes held jointly - please see notices in the shop and hotel for details.
Sunday April 21st 11.30hrs, Service at Church of Scotland (Rev. Freda Marshall)
c. April 22: Blackthorn in flower
c. April 26: The first Swallow
c. April 28: The first Corncrake and the first Cuckoo
LATE CORRECTION: whoops, cuckoo was heard in Scalasaig on 13th April this year
Other activities to be advertised in shop etc. Keep looking out for notice of a meeting about the ferry tender specification, which may have to be held at short notice.
SNIPPETS
Seamus has resigned from the Community Development Company due to pressure of work and family commitments; anyone bringing a camper van or caravan to Colonsay should note that ticketing is now available ONLY through the Colonsay office on 01951 200308 (tel 01951 200320 out of hours); a comprehensive Public Transport Timetable for Colonsay is in preparation by A & B Council and will be published shortly; one or two yachts have already berthed at Colonsay this season; lambs are to be seen everywhere; the Golden Eagle has been sighted this week; work on the new houses is to start at any moment, contractor Messrs Brown of Dunoon - economies mean that the Aga cookers have been sacrificed, and there is to be no parquet flooring; Alastair Scouller's Gaelic courses were both very successful - persons interested in an autumn course should get in touch soon
TOPICAL LETTERS
For convenience of readers, letters now appear in two sections. Anything to do with current events appears here, and letters to do with the Magazine section or historical research etc. will appear at the end of the Magazine section.
Good for Cal Mac…
I have just come back from a wedding in Lochaline, which is in Morvern on the Sound of Mull, probably not much further from here than Oban - as the crow flies - but a long haul round by various roads and ferries. I thought it would be nice for The Corncrake to feature some positive feedback about Caledonian MacBrayne and so am writing a wee note praising everyone's kindness and efficiency to me as a lone traveller. For anyone who doesn't know me I should explain that I have MS, which is getting steadily worse and which makes walking more than a short distance VERY hard work. I have wheelchair, which I don't use very often in Colonsay but mostly get around using two crutches. Some doubts had been expressed about how easy it would be for me to get home alone without my own car and I must admit to having some misgivings myself.
I left Colonsay in Jeannie's car on the Friday night ferry; we stayed the night in Oban and drove to Onich in the morning. There we took the Corran ferry to Ardgour and drove on, arriving at Ardtornish at the head of Loch Aline in time for lunch and a snooze before the wedding - a brilliant affair full of happy families, seemingly endless refreshments, flamboyant outfits, fanciful decorations and inspiring dance music.
On the Sunday morning Jeannie took me down to the Lochaline ferry where she was allowed to drive aboard and install me in the cabin before going ashore again. On Mull, at Fishnish, a kind Ian, member of the ferry crew, gave me an arm for the ramp and carried my bag to the bus which came right down the slip for me. The driver Hugh Morrison, deposited me at the end of the Craignure pier in a wheelchair borrowed from Cal Mac and I was wheeled through the glass tunnel and on to "our" boat, the Isle of Mull and to the familiar faces of her crew. Unfortunately she doesn't go to Colonsay on a Sunday so these kind people got me to the Oban pier waiting room and from there I got onto the Clansman for the final leg of the voyage home. As we approached Colonsay I was advised that The Piermaster (can't remember his name!) had sent a message to say that a car would collect me from the car deck. When I emerged from the lift - there was May, who kindly drove me to my own front door.
6 hours door to door, completely hassle free and very pleasant.
Georgina Hobhouse
Birdwatching on Colonsay -Easter 2002
A week of dry, sunny weather provided an excellent opportunity to enjoy some of the many species to be found on the island at this time of the year. Great Northern Divers were found all around the coast with some starting to show their spectacular breeding plumage. Many of the geese which spend their winter where still around and included 164 'Greenland Whitefronts regularly in fields by East Loch Fada. Three 'new ' species for us on the island were a Grey Plover on the Strand, a Sanderling at Kiloran Bay and amazingly a Jack Snipe, sitting right next to road by the turn-off to Balerominmore. We had good views of all the specialities including Black Guillemot, Chough, Rock Dove and Golden Eagle as well as many other more common species.
The woodlands were alive with birdsong and we were delighted to hear our first Chiffchaff near Kiloran on March 30th. In Colonsay House gardens we found 3 pairs of Long-tailed Tits, unusual for the island, as well as a pair of Treecreepers which seemed to favour the car park for the Flats! David Binnie told us about a Woodcock he had seen whilst on the east coast of the island. This news prompted us to walk from Riasg Buidhe up to Choille Bheag -[ not an easy trip at the best of times] - in search of one of these interesting and quite secretive birds. Despite our best efforts we did not manage to find one, however on reflection the day David reported it was April 1st - mmmmm!
Birds we expected to see and did not included Moorhen - used to be regular but we have not seen one for 4 years. Also Linnet , Twite and Reed Bunting used to be easily found but seem to be in decline. We would be most interested to hear of any recent records of these species. Please contact us at ajdavis17@hotmail.com
Another excellent week over we are now looking forward to a brief visit in July and the chance of seeing a Corncrake - hope they don't keep us awake after the party.
Alan Davis and Tony Baker - April 2002.
PS. We would encourage all visiting birdwatchers to send their records to the Argyll County Recorder - Paul Daw. His address is - Tigh - na - Tulloch, Tullochgorm, Minard, Inverary. Argyll PA32 8YQ
Dear Kevin,
… please forward my very best wishes to Margaret and Brian Smith, to May and Charlie McKinnon, to Dougie "Black" McGiliwray, to Netta Titterton, to Frank Nicolson
and to your wife, Christa, and to all that still remember us.
Love to all of you. ULF. (Hagman)
En route to Kathmandu by truck
We are now in sunny Petra having had the most awful
weather for most of the trip so far - everything from
rain, hail, snow, gale force winds and huge amounts of
mud to pitch the tents in.
We left Goreme in the snow and headed straight for the
Syrian border - first stop was Aleppo. We opted out
of the group hotel on the grounds that the third room
they showed us was absolutely filthy and the sheets
hadn't been changed - we upgraded to a very nice place
just around the corner. Didn't earn us any brownie
points with the drivers but worth it all the same!
Aleppo was great, especially the souk which is really
something from another era - you can buy everything
from silk to gold to sheeps heads all within 5 mins
walk of each other. We enjoyed visiting the Citadel -
tremendous views - and were accosted by hordes of
local school-children who wanted us to sign our names
on little scraps of paper. This lasted for about 1/2
hour until one little girl was given a large thwack
around the head for her impudence by one of the
teachers. We made quite a hasty exit...
We had pre-dinner drinks at the Baron Hotel, previous
guests include TE Lawrence (didn't pay his hotel bill,
now on display in the bar), Agatha Christie etc. Then
we all went out for a group meal at a local restaurant
where we witnessed our first Whirling Dervish. I took
lots of photos and thankfully the flash didn't seem to
put him off...
From Aleppo we headed for Krak des Chevalliers
(Crusader castle) via a Deserted City and the wooden
water wheels of Hama. Mmmmm... The drivers "took the
scenic route" (i.e. got lost) and we all arrived very
cold and miserable, having been unable to see out of
the steamy windows for hours... The weather was so bad
that we had to sleep the night on the floor of a local
restaurant. Quite dramatic as the thunder and
lightening crashed around the castle outside.
Fortunately we awoke to glorious sunshine and had a
great tour of the castle - it's very well preserved,
very robust, has lots of secret passageways and a
knights round table. The stuff of fairy tales really.
The weather closed in again just as we were leaving
and so we headed straight for Damascus. There we were
rescued for two days by [a friend in the F.O.] - she picked us
up from our campsite (in the middle of an industrial
estate, 4ks out of town) and whisked us off to her
gorgeous appartment. [She] deserves a medal - we were
treated like kings throughout... After taking us up to
the top of the big hill behind Damascus so that we
could orientate ourselves we then had a lovely dinner
party [at her house with friends, including] a Syrian who works
at the British Council and has been to the Edinburgh
festival lots of times, and also a fellow Diplomat.
We had such a lovely evening and slept like tops that
night. The next day we explored the souk (much more
touristy than Aleppo, not as good), the Umayyad Mosque
(where the Head of John the Baptist is), the Azem
Palace and the Christian Quarter where we bought
Easter eggs. That evening we went out to a lovely
restaurant and enjoyed mezze. After supper [she] took
us to visit a small glass blowing factory - it's
completely off the tourist trail and it felt like a
real privilege to be there - one old guy had cheeks
like Dizzy Gillespie!
The next morning we set off for a day trip to the Lebanon. First stop was Baalbek - a
very well preserved Roman temple complex with some of
the blocks weighing over 400 tonnes - the size of a
small house! We then travelled through Hezbollah
country, where there were lots of black flags and
anti-aircraft batteries on our way to Beirut. By then
the rain was lashing down again and the great view
that you are supposed to get from the top of the hill
was obliterated by low cloud. We stopped to take
photographs of the war-torn buildings - some of them
so riddled with bullet-holes etc they looked like old
lace. Remarkably, most of these apartment blocks are
still lived in as the residents are waiting for
compensation. Downtown Beirut was very impressive, we
visited the grounds of the American University and saw
a banyan tree. The rain was lashing down by now so we
huddled in an English language bookshop and I read
"Hello" practically cover to cover without buying it...
We did buy 4 books there though! Last stop of the day
was McDonalds for Big Mac Meals and then a quick walk
along the Corniche.
On to Jordan and our first stop was Jerash - very
impressive Roman city on a par with Ephesus. Raining
still... Then on to see the mosaics at Madeba and
Mount Nebo, from where Moses saw the promised land and
promptly died aged 120. Sadly the view was
non-existent as the rain was still tipping down... We
headed to the Dead Sea and spent the night in another
restaurant as it was too wet to pitch tents. The next
morning we voted to return to the Dead Sea for
obligatory float in salty waters when the weather is
more clement (hopefully we can do this when we head
North after Egypt) and pressed on to Wadi Musa and
Petra. We're now staying in a very nice hotel - with
CNN!!! - and enjoyed our first whole day of sunshine
yesterday while exploring the red city. (lots of red
faces at supper last night as everyone forgot their
sun-tan lotion in their daypacks...) Another sunny
day today and we are just about to venture in again to
climb up to the Monastery - about a 12k round trip.
That's about it for now - we leave here tomorrow for
Wadi Rum, of Lawrence of Arabia fame, and then on to
Egypt and St Catherine's Monastery.
Sophie and Nico xx
En route to N.Z. by cargo ship
MV Contship "Vision", crossing the Indian Ocean
We are now East of Suez, with all that that implies. The transit of the Suez Canal must be a high point of the trip. Any reader who has been there will recognise all that went on. First we got there later than we had hoped as the itlainans in La Spezia took rather longer than they had said they would loading the containers. Then when we got to Port said the Port Authorities tried to make the Captain reduce the ship's dxraft so that we could go into an inner anchorage rather than the one furthest out. He refused … so we sat at anchor for nearely 8 hours before we could move in to join the convoy starting at 1 a.m. When we did move, we went in so far and then took on a Port said pilot who took us the last few miles to the entrance to the Canal. There he left us and we took on the following:
1. The Canal pilot. A real gentleman who could have charmed the birds off the trees and could have doubled as Omar Shariff.
2. A mooring boat and crew of fellaheen, who had to be picked up on the stores crane and carried that way all the way to Suez (a Health and Safety Inspector would have freaked out).
3. The Canal Electrician and his minions to operate the Suez Canal searchlight if the pilot needed it (he didn't).
4. The Canal Inspector who had to check on cargo, oil fuel and passengers. So for the duration we four passengers all became part of the crew, classed as supernumeraries.
5. The Port Health Inspector who had to check that we all had Cholera Vaccination Certificates. These are no longer issued, so we had to send £5 each to a place in Reading who will forward them by return of post!
All these people came in different launches which milled around the bottom of the gangway while we were still doing 10 knots or so, hooting and shouting at each-other, and avoiding collisions by a hair's breadth. The star turn was an official who "needed" to check certain plans. [The Captain set about placating him but was foiled]. "Captain, it's my wife's birthday tomorrow, perhaps you have a present for her, like a mobile phone?" Apart from that everyone wanted, and got, 200 Marlboro cigarettes, over 2000 cigarettes in all, and that on top of the $180,000 Canal dues.
…. After bunkering we set off down the Red Sea on the 6200 mile leg to Fremantle in Western Australia. And if anyone thinks that sounds like a boring 13 days, it isn't. We hardly see another ship, but we have been buzzed by a naval helicopter, we have also seen schools of dolphin and flying fish. And there is the swimming pool, filled directly from the sea at 31 degrees! Finally, the price of beer on board is 25p for a 33cl bottle of Beck's."
Andrew MacGregor
Kevin, If I had any doubts that my ancestors came from Colonsay they were
all laid aside after seen photographs in the #52 issue of Corncrake. The
pictures of Pede MacNeill and Flora MacNeill look just like some of my
relatives...especially Pede's bald head. One part of our family has lots of
bald heads. Flora looks very much like my own Aunt Flora. My husband and I
look foreword to visiting Colonsay soon to research our families...mine
MacNeill and his MacDuffie. We both enjoy the website.
Thanks,
Nancy McNeill Brandon
POSITIONS VACANT
Do you live in your own home and lead the life of your choice? We work with people who also want to do this, but need help to make it happen.
The following vacancies have arisen on the island of Colonsay: -
* FEMALE LIVE-IN SUPPORTERS (Ref No: A/S4), £13,827 per annum (inclusive)
Fixed Term Contract – 12 months
You will provide personal & domestic support to a lady who lives in her own home. This will be on a 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off basis. You will promote ordinary, homely living and have sound values. You will also like animals and be flexible, committed, able to work independently and on your own initiative. A full driving license is essential.
* The above positions are exempt under s.7(2) (b) (i) (ii) (ba) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.
We offer continuous training and excellent terms & conditions of employment, including 37 days annual leave and a contributory pension scheme.
If you think you have the necessary skills, qualities and commitment for such a post and want a rewarding career with a national, progressive organisation, then we want to hear from you. For an informal chat about these posts, please contact Craig Wright, Service Manager on 07764 569 094. For an Application pack, please apply in writing to: The Richmond Fellowship Scotland, 17 Barns St, Ayr, KA7 1XB, or visit our website at
www.trfs.org.uk.
The closing date for completed applications is Thursday 02 May, 2002.
The Magazine Section
NOTE TO READERS
The editor regrets that this issue is somewhat incomplete. Margatet Kiernen's Wildlife Notes will appear in the next issue, and the next installment of The Colonsay Catechist has been delayed due to personal commitments of Domhnall Stiubhart. The editor himself has been a bit busy boating etc. There was no response to the transcription of Kilchattan 1901 census, but the Uragaig transcription will appear in our next issue.
Fortunately, correspondence received for this issue is of outstanding interest and grateful thanks are due to all contributors.
SEARCH ENGINE
Instructions are supplied, but two hints may help:
1. When using phrases, enclose them in quotation marks. For example, [lifting stone] will get you every instance of [lifting] or [stone] but ["lifting stone"] will get you what you want.
2. When you see the results, they may seem unlikely. This is because many documents (e.g. each issue of The Corncrake) are in reality just one single "page", covering many unrelated topics. No problem! Open the page, then go to the "Find (on this page)" option at the top of your screen, on a drop-down menu presented by the second button from the left. Type in the word you seek and hey-presto, it is highlighted for you. Note that you must give the page time to load (an issue of The Corncrake takes up to a minute), also that there may be more than one example on the page, so use the "Find (on this page)" function again to check that you have not missed anything.
A COLONSAY FAMILY BIBLE
Mary MacKay reports:
"Today I visited a ggg-grandaughter of Flora McNeill. She showed me a
Gaelic bible which was a family heirloom. It had the following four messages
written in it, written in excellent penmanship and fairly easy to
read.
To Hugh McNeill
I hope that you will search this gift
and read it publick among your family
as it is the only guide that will
lead every Soul to the Kingdom of Heaven
A Mc [initials]
A present from Angus McNeill,
Ardskinish, Colonsay 1856
My love to my dearest sister and Mary also
and all their families
[ note 1. 'dearest sister' is Flora and 'Mary' is their niece Mary
d/o Murdock, who was married to Alexander McNeill
(s/o Lauchlan), which proves my conclusion that they
were the only members of the family of Neil McNeill
and Mary Brown to come to Canada]
These are the names of my children
first Marry Malcolm Neil Arch'd John Catherine
Chirty Rodger Flora
[note 2 : since this was 1856, Margaret was not yet born]
[note 3: spelling as found ]"
COLONSAY EMIGRANTS ON "The Nubia", 1862
Dear Kevin,
Just thought I would send some information to you that may be of some
interest to some of your readers.
As a direct descendant I am researching the family of Jasper Brown, like
probably a lot of people researching Colonsay families I come across
information about other families not directly related to mine. The
Corncrake is an excellent way of sharing this information and bringing
together the community of families who have left for other shores and
places.
I hope my latest find is of interest to someone and relates to Colonsay
families who left on a ship called "Nubia" in 1862 bound for Quebec. Going
by the passenger list I believe this ship may have sailed from Glasgow or
Liverpool via Belfast to Quebec.
BLUE JOHN age 31
Ann Campbell age 26
Mary Blue age 1
John is shown on the 1861 Census as a Fisherman living with his wife Ann and
daughter Mary at 9 Riskbuie.
John Blue & Ann Campbell married in 1860 and daughter Mary was also born in
1860. (Information from Scots Origins)
MCMILLAN, ANDREW age 32
Bell age 30
Anne age 11
Catherine age 8
Mary age 6
Bell age 4
Euphemia age 2
Peggy age 9m
Andrew is shown on the 1861 Census as Angus McMillan Quarrier living with
his wife Bell McMillan and children Catherine, Mary, Isabella and Euphemia
at 6 Riskbuie.
Angus McMillan married Bell McMillan on 4 May 1853 on Colonsay.
Anne age 11 is Ann Ross daughter of James Ross & Isabella McMillan
Christened on 13 October 1850, In 1861 census she is in the household of her
Grandfather Donald McMillan at 3 Glassart.
MCLAGASH, ARCHIBALD age 69
LAGASH DONALD age 25
MARION BLUE age 30
LAGASH PEGGY age 4
" Donald age 2
" Mary age 6m
This family is shown living together on the 1861 census at 25 Kilchattan.
Archibald McLugash is the head and listed as a crofter 4 Acres.
Marion is listed as Sarah and the surname is McLugash.
Donald McLugash married Mirren Blue in 1857 on Colonsay.
McLugash, Archibald age 36 fam 1
"Mary age 26
"Donald age 5
"Archibald age 2
"Peggy age 6m
-------------------------------
"John age 45 fam 2
"Curne age 38
"Anna Bella age 15
"Mary age 13
"Anne age 11
"Donald age 9
"John age 5
"Marion age 3
"Archibald age 9m
These 2 families are listed as travelling together I have separated them to
add additional information.
family 1 Archibald McLugash is shown on 1861 census living at 26 Kilchattan as
a Crofter 4 acres living with his wife Mary, children Donald and Archibald
and Mary McLugash age 11 serv ( I believe she may be the daughter of the
next family John & Curne)
Archibald married Mary Galbreath in 1855 on Colonsay
family 2 John McLugash is shown on the 1861 census as a ploughman living at 2
Balnahar with his wife Lucy and children Anabella, Donald, John & Mirren.
Daughter Mary is as above living with Archibald & Mary McLugash. Anne is
listed with her Uncle James Campbell at 15 Kilch.
John McLugash married Lucy Currie on June 22 1846 on Colonsay.
GALBRAITH, DONALD age 72
"Ann age 55
"Laughlan age 27
"Marion age 23
"Flora age 2
Donald Galbraith is shown as a crofter 4 acres living at 10 Kilch. with his
wife Ann, children Lachlin, Margaret, Sarah and granddaughter Flora.
Donald Galbreath married Annie McLugash on 5 March 1827.
I don't know who the parents of Flora are or what happened to Margaret but I
have added them to my list of lookups at New Register House.
CAMPBELL, DONALD
"Ann
"Colin
"Malcolm
Donald Campbell is shown as an ex-Ploughman born Morven living at 3 Scalsaig
with his wife Ann, Grandsons Malcolm McDougall and Allan Cameron + 2
Lodgers. I have found a christening record for Colin Campbell on 7 March
1836 at Kilfinichen & Kilvicken, but this is only a guide and not
conclusive.
AND FINALLY...
One more family is listed but not found on Colonsay and possibly come from
Bowmore (or Kilarrow)
CAMPBELL, NEIL age 57
" Betsy age 47
"Donald age 25
" Flora age 22
" Neil age 19
" John age 11
" Malcolm age 7
" Catherine age 14
The other families listed were from Ireland or were listed as single names
from Glasgow or Bridgetown.
I hope this information is of interest to someone Kevin and perhaps you can
add it to your emigration list, the information has been obtained from J & J
Cooke Passenger Lists, 1847 -1867.
Kind regards
Melanie McKellar
[This is a most helpful lead. Additional information will be most welcome - for obscure reasons, the Editor would be interested to know whether these emigrants might have had a common connection with Uragaig; can probably work it out next winter, but just possibly a reader may like to comment now?]
THE SEARCH FOR THE CHIEFTAIN
Hi Kevin,
I was very interested to see the article about John McPhee and Hester
Galbraith in your latest issue of the Corncrake.
Earle Douglas MacPhee wrote about this couple in his booklets about
the Macfie clan ("The mythology, traditions, and history of
MacDhubhsith-MacDuffie clan") and identified John McPhee as a
possible candidate for the Clan Chieftain. He based this on a letter
to the Oban Times in 1935 that was signed "Dhushibh". Apparently this
was Malcolm McPhee, "Resident Proprietor of the Port Sonachan Hotel
in Argyll", and his letter indicated that John McPhee was a direct
descendant of "Malcolm, Chief of the Clan who was killed at Eilean
non Ron in 1623". Malcolm or Dhushibh was a nephew to John McPhee,
son of John's brother Donald.
MacPhee's research indicated that John McPhee was the son of Malcolm
McDuffie and Ann Patterson and that he was born in Risag Buidhe on
December 1, 1814. He married Hester Galbreath on June 11, 1845 (OPR
says June 6) and emigrated to Canada in 1847, settling first at
Mariposa Township, Victoria County, Ontario, then moving to Paisley,
Saugeen Township, Bruce County in 1852.
According to Dr. MacPhee, descendants of John McPhee and Hester
Galbraith were living in Vancouver, BC in the 1970s. Their eldest son
Angus McPhee and wife Sarah Buchanan had a daughter, Florence, and
two sons, Malcolm and John Wallace. Malcolm died in 1932, unmarried.
John Wallace McPhee married Bertha Milligan and had one son, Douglas.
As I understand it, Douglas was not interested in being clan chief
and Dr. MacPhee reluctantly gave up on his search for an hereditary
chief. He was successful though in his efforts to re-establish the
clan and became its first clan commander in 1981.
Take care,
Daryl Lacey
A POSSIBLE SUCCESS…
[Readers may like to share the anticipation as the possibility of a family connection is explored, in response to a letter recently published here - Editor]
Kevin as you can see below I strongly believe this is our MacMillan family. If this is correct you will have solved another link in many individuals (your readers) trees such as Shirley Douglas, Mary Snyder, Carol Willis, Dorothy Reid, Pat Drummond, Roy Fortune, and I'm sure I'm missing others. I think it would be fabulous to be able to hear from Jim and his mother.
forever in your debt,
Kim
To: jim.campbell@unitedbusinessmedia.com
Subject: Malcolm MacMillan & Margaret
Hello Jim,
I believe we are related. I read your message before and thought it sounded familiar but it is not until now that I see you are referring to my ancestors.
Margaret McMillan b:abt: 1801 m: Malcolm MacMillan b:abt: 1806 their children Angus, Margaret, Bell, Mary, Curstie & Rob. I think Curstie is Christine & Malcolm is Rob.
I am a descendant of Angus who married Isabella MacMillan b: 1830 d: 1918 Elderslie Township, Bruce County, Ontario, Canada.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Kim
WEBSITE TO EXPLORE
A touch of culture this week. For William Sharp's interesting work featuring Colonsay and Oransay, the Inn etc. go to:
Regulars
Readers Write
NOTICE:
Any correspondence relating to current events will hopefully be found in the first part of the "Corncrake" after the News section. Items in connection with history, genealogy etc. will appear here.
Hi Kevin, another super Corncrake, and I almost missed it live. I went in
to see if the new April issue was up and found another informative issue
waiting for me. The following death certificate may be old news to you and
if it is just disregard it. I hope you and Christa have a lovely Easter,
and that you had a successful trip on the Lady Jane today.
Mary
This death register proves that Malcolm Blue's parents were Malcolm Blue and
Janet McDonald. His first wife, and the mother of his children was Margaret
(Peggy) McLugash and his second wife was Catherine McNeill. Malcolm and his
children are shown in the 1841 census living in Baleraominmore. Peggy must
have died, perhaps in 1837 at the birth of their last son Angus. I have
found no record of her death however.Malcolm and Peggy are my 3rd great
grandparents and Malcolm and Janet McDonald are my 4th great grandparents.
Record from New Register House, Edinburgh, Scotland.
7 Dec 1886 at Baleraominemore, Colonsay
Malcolm Blue, pauper (formerly a labourer) age 95
Widower of Catherine McNeill
Son of Malcolm Blue and Janet McDonald, both deceased
Cause of death: unknown, 4 months (duration)
Informant: Flora Munn, her mark, daughter
1881 British Census
Dwelling: Kilchattan
Census Place: Colonsay & Oronsay, Argyll, Scotland
Source: FHL Film 0203561 GRORef Volume 539-2 EnumDist 1 Page 17
Malcolm Blue Rel: Head - Occ: Pauper - Married - Age 88 - Birthplace:
Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland
Catherine Blue Rel: Other - Occ: Pauper - Married - Age 75 - Birthplace:
Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland
Hi Kevin,
Here are three death certificates I ordered from New Register House, if you
want to publish them in the Corncrake.
Cheers,
Mary
Catherine Blue died 23 Sept 1874 - 35 yrs. Ardskinish, Colonsay
Married to Archibald McEachern - Shepherd
Father Angus Blue - ploughman (deceased)
Mother Ann McMillan (deceased)
Cause of death unknown duration 3 days
Informant Malcolm McNeill brother in-law - not present
WOULD ANYONE KNOW THE NAMES OF THE PARENTS OF ANGUS BLUE AND ANN McMILLAN?
Catherine Blue died 6 Jan 1870 - 21 yrs. Kiloran, Colonsay
Single
Father Malcolm Blue - ploughman
Mother J. (Janet) Shaw
Cause of death unknown duration 4 months
Informant Malcolm Blue (his mark X) father - present
Donald Munn Weaver died 25 Dec 1867 - 29 yrs. Kilchattan, Colonsay .
Father James Munn - Weaver
Mother Margaret Docherty (deceased)
Cause of death unknown duration 7 weeks
Informant James Munn - father - present
Hi i am Paul Heffey from Blackpool on the fylde coast, I have been researching my family name, as you can tell it's not a very common name,,, My family roots are in Liverpool , going back to the early 1700s and then into Ireland ,,, So you can imagine the fun i've had so far, trying to find an original spelling etc,,,So my research brought me to the McHeffy's or MacHeffie and then i came to the Clan MacFie the keepers of Colonsay..........I think possibly Colonsay could be the actual begining or origin of my name,,It seems a very sad story the breaking of the clan.....but a very good addition to my familys history,I wonder if theres any surviving Persons called MacHeffie or any records of the name,, any help would be most appreciated, I realise you must get requests like this all the time but if you know of any sources of information on the subject i would be very grateful,, All the very best Paul..........................
paul.heffey@rdplus.net
Mary MacKay replies to a letter in a recent issue:
Hi Lois,
Did the Malcolm and Girsal 'Grissel' 'Grace' McNeill have a daughter Mary born Oct. 14, 1804 in Colonsay and died at 101 years of age in Paisley , Ontario, Canada?
Mary McMillan( Oct. 14, 1804-Nov. 15, 1905) married
Malcolm Blue (1809-1859) and raised the following children (all born in Colonsay)
1. John 1832-Feb. 2, 1921
2. Grizel (Grace) 1833/ m.
3.Duncan 1841
4.Barbara 1843
5. Angus 1845
6. Alexander Hamilton 1853(a grandson).
6. John Fisher Blue, July 19, 1859
Lois, please contact me directly
Mary MacKay
jms.mackay@bmts.com
I have just found your wonderful newsletter, Corncrake, on the Internet! I
have been dreaming of visiting Colonsay for years, and will do it yet!
Possibly this summer. The legends of Colonsay and the McAfees have come down
through the family for many generations. My original ancestor was Duncan
McAfee, born in1757. He was a private in Gen. Wolfe's army that came to
Canada and captured Quebec and then all of Canada from the French, according
to family lore. His oldest son (we do not have his given name) joined the
British army and rose to the rank of Lieutenant. All four of the
Lieutenant's sons, Daniel, Angus, Samuel, and Dudley fought in the war of
1812 in Capt. Hatt's Co. in Gen. Brock's forces. They were born in New
York but settled in Ontario, Canada. Both Daniel and Samuel are my
GGGGrandparents. I'd love to trace their Grandfather Duncan McAfee's origins
across the pond. Do you or anyone there know where I might look? Or does
anyone there have any information that would help me look? I'd very much
appreciate any information you could send, as well as what to see when I
come. Thank you!
Alpha Quincy, Lafayette, California contact: Alphaq@aol.com
[Can any reader help please? - am really tied up myself. The names are interesting - Dudley is of course the more conventional form of the traditional McAfee forename of "Dubh" or "Duff", and Samuel is "Somhairle" or "Somerled", a very Colonsay name. Somerled's grandfather lived in Dun Eibhinn …. Editor]
I am not certain, but I believe my ancestors may have come from Colonsay. I am descended from a Robert McAfee, who was born about 1745. (I believe his father was James McAfee, who settled in Lancaster PA. James McAfee married Jane McMichael. I believe James McAfee's father was John McAfee m. Mary Rogers? Jane McMichael's father was Malcolm McMichael?)
Robert McAfee m. Anne McCoun in Pennsylvania USA and they had a daughter Jane McAfee. Jane married Matthew Forsythe from NC (then KentuckY) and they had James McAfee Forsythe. James McAfee Forsythe married Elizabeth Washbourn, and they had Parthonia Isabelle Forsythe (Belle). Belle married Lucian Hunter Ralston in Kentucky around 1863. They had Lucien McKee Ralston. Lucian McKee Ralston married Bessie Lindsay in Denver Colorado and had Craig Strode Ralston. Craig Strode Ralston had Ronald Dean and Jean Anne Ralston. Ronald Dean married Kathleen McGraw and they had Jennifer Kathleen Ralston (myself).
I am not certain that my Robert McAfee came from Colonsay, but I read something which indicated he or his ancestors may have and I am interested in finding out if this is true.
I have much more information on the other children of all of these generations if indeed we did come from that area and you are interested.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Ralston Philips
Blewflame1@aol.com
[Again, any reader who can help is entreated to do so - Editor]
G'day from the beautiful Blue Mountains in NSW, Australia.
I am building a family history of my line of Grahams. I have done well from resources available here, thus far, but would like to trace the Scottish "end". I am particularly keen to verify descendancy from James Graham, First Marquis of Montrose.
My great-great-grandfather, Duncan GRAHAM, was born on Colonsay c1800. He arrived in Australia aboard the 'Duncan' in July 1838 with his wife Anne nee BUCHANAN (1806-1885) and six children. A 7th was born in Australia in 1853 (probably in Victoria). Duncan died in South Australia in 1885.
I would like to know about Duncan's birthdate and reasons for being so far from the traditional Graham territory and also about his forebears. I believe Duncan's father was also Duncan whose wife was Ellen Johnston. However, I know nothing about event dates for these and also seek further information about their lineage.
I am quite happy to pass on what I already know about this line of Graham's in Australia.
The elder Duncan (wife Ellen Johnston) is the 5 x Great Grandfather of the last male of my direct line of Graham's. His name is Angus Patrick James GRAHAM. Don't worry, though, there are plenty more related Grahams here. My Great Grandfather James, who arrived here at age 1 aboard the 'Dunacan', ... had 20 children by two marriages.
I wouls also like to learn more of the life on Colonsay c 1800.
I hope we can help one another,
Kind regards,
Donald Eric Beattie GRAHAM (b 11 July, 1940 at Leeton, NSW).
Born in Kilmarnock, Scotland and now living in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada. I have discovered that my Great Grandfather was born in Colonsay about 1845.
His name was Dugald McMillan (or MacMillan) maybe a Policeman who left the Island and made his way to Kilmarnock. Where he met and married my Great Grandmother.
Any information about his Family , Parents name etc.
would be greatly appreciated.
MAY BARCLAY
mbarclay@rogers.com
[My best shot is "Dugald, son of Angus McMillan and Flory Blue", baptised September 25 1837 - if this is the correct person, I will be happy to forward a copy of the Old Parish Register etc. to May Barclay if she sends me a postal address. In 1841, Angus McMillan lived at "Black Park" (i.e. above East Loch Fada) with his wife and five children; he was an agricultural labourer and the outline of his house can still be traced; there were four cottages together and a holly bush is still struggling to survive in one of the gardens, the last living remnant of that small community - Editor]
Anne MacCannell
Subject: Shaws of Colonsay and PEI
Kevin - It been quite a while since I e-mail you but I have not missed a single issue of the Corncrake. I have enjoyed each and everyone especially the ones with reference to the MacCannells. I was hoping that you could perhaps run the following inquiry in the next issue:
I have recently found after a long search info that my (step) grandfather's mother was Catherine Shaw daughter of John Shaw (b. 1806) and Mary Matheson from Bonshaw (Lot #30), PEI. I believe that John may have been the son of Archibald Shaw and Catherine Bell of Colonsay (from Colonsay Parochial Records). Do you by any chance have any info on this family? I can provide more details and I would appreciate any help anyone can provide!
Many thanks!!
Anne
Hello,
My name is Paula Mac Afee McDermott, a decendant of Andrew McAffee who came from Ireland to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. I have learned that orginally my ancestors came from Colonsay and went to Northen Ireland. I have copies of land petitions of Andrew McAffee dated 1824 and he was granted land here in NB. Just wondering if you might know of this man or his ancestors. Andrew is as far back as I can go so far. He is my gr gr greatfather. My email address is paucanad@nb.sympatico.ca. Hope you know something, or if I can help you, please let me know. Sincerely Paula MacAfee McDermott
We will be happy to receive more letters and, as always, the editor would like to hear from anyone who might wish to contribute. Individual articles on news or local events will always be welcome.
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