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The Moray Burial Ground Research Group Newsletter Issue 23 - July 2015 - PUBLISHED BIANNUALLY
[Page 6]
MORAY – Thank You
The advance in technology since the end of WW2 could almost be described as
frightening. How fortunate we the community are that we now have a resource such
as the internet, which has made us so global, made so much information readily
and immediately available, and removed the tyranny of distance.
As a youngster, here at the bottom of the world my family regularly holidayed
on the old family farm at Scarsdale, near Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. The
first owner when the land was settled in the late 1850’s was James Young who had
emigrated from Scotland, the son of a provost of Elgin. All families have early
stories and so I thought I would try to validate the claim.
The internet opened the doors which would not have been available a mere few
years ago. I ascertained that Alexander Young was Provost of Elgin in 1839-40
and as the timing appeared right, I sought further death and burial information
for Alexander. Our Australian connection James Young was born in Elgin in 1822,
married in Forres in 1849, had a penchant for alcohol and apparently a good
fight in the Plough Inn at Elgin in late 1851. As the ‘ black sheep ‘ of the
family he departed shortly thereafter for the antipodes and the good of
Scotland, financed by his father, or so the family story goes. A slight problem
though, Provost Young was apparently not married and the death certificate for
James highlights that his mother was unknown. But he obviously had money for the
venture.
So logically I turned my internet search in the direction of Elgin. I contacted the Moray Burial Ground Research Group Webmaster Lindsay Robertson. Even with wonderful technology and good and reliable infrastructure, reputation can be still controlled by personnel and how fortunate I was with Lindsay. Not only were his email replies quick and efficient they were extensive and full of information which I craved. I got the impression that he was keen to assist which I welcomed (and enjoyed). Having spent many years as a Trustee of Ballarat’s two large cemeteries, and being presently involved photographing the headstones of the rural cemetery where James Young is buried I have an empathy with MBGRG, and salute the volunteers who record and photograph the memorials. I am well aware of the work and commitment involved and required.
Lindsay also steered me in the direction of the Moray Council’s Local Heritage Centre, and their LIBINDX on-line genealogical research website.
I availed myself of both those services to my great satisfaction and received very prompt email replies from Sharon at the Heritage Centre and processed purchases, but it made me aware of the necessary infrastructure behind the scenes and the number of ‘backroom‘ people of whom I am not aware required to bring requests to fruition. It felt like ‘christmas’ and all the presents were coming in my direction. How pleased and fortunate I was that James Young came from Moray and not elsewhere.
The Scotland’s People website was another invaluable resource, and while further trawling the internet found photographs of Moray and tracked down their origins to Nancy Whyte, a family history researcher with particular interests in Moray, with whom I also corresponded. Nancy too was much forthcoming with local information and corresponded regularly to my benefit.
I am staggered by what I could achieve from the convenience of
my house ‘down under‘ late at night, but it is only because of the wonderful and
amazing resources and initiative emanating from Moray.
So in that vein I say a genuine thank you to Lindsay and MBGRG, Moray Council
and LIBINDX and Nancy Whyte. Not only has your infrastructure been brilliant,
the personal contact has been an absolute pleasure and speed of your
correspondence amazing. I thank you all – my search has been an absolute
pleasure, well rewarded because of the resources made available to me, from you.
I am astonished by the breadth and depth of the local research facilities
available and the success achieved, and that has given me a distinct affinity
with Moray to the degree that in future years I would like to visit.
I sincerely thank you all once again,
Peter Butters
Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
xjsapb@ncable.net.au
[Page7]
Strange Symbols
(3 Images)
We are all familiar with the standard symbols of Mortality & Immortality along
with various trade and guild markings on our earlier stones, but sometimes more
unusual unexplained symbols appear. The grave of the Reverend Ichabod Wiswall is
one such stone. It is located in Duxbury, Massachusetts and although the winged
skull is familiar, the addition of what appear to be two cephalopod on either
side are somewhat unusual. Duxbury does lie on the sea, however, so it may be
locally symbolic.
The second is from the grave of an iron ore miner in Ohio. The symbol looks like
a cross between a fist and a skull with either a figure or a flower coming from
the top?
And finally, back to the UK, and this unusual tomb in London showing a snake, a
mirror and another object behind. Any suggestions from the readership?
[Page 8]
Caring for God’s Acre
(Image: Logo - Protecting wildlife, Preserving Heritage, Involving People)
Caring for God’s Acre’s began as a pilot scheme in the Shropshire Hills Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1997. In May 2000 it became an independent
charity, extending its geographical area to cover the Diocese of Hereford.
Due to demand for its support CfGA amended the constitution in 2008 to allow
work outside the Hereford Diocese. It also extended its remit, continuing with
its initial focus on nature conservation within churchyards and burial grounds,
but also developing a commitment to lifelong learning, and a greater
understanding of the built environment, and of the role of churchyards in
tourism.
This inclusive approach to the conservation and enhancement of churchyards and
burial grounds has encouraged local interest groups such as schools, history and
wildlife groups, and individuals to become involved in community projects based
on these sites.
Caring for God’s Acre is unique in terms of the focus and remit of its work.
(Image: Press Article - Pupils study graves as part of history project)
http://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/
[Page 9]
(Image: Crossword Puzzle)
[Page 10]
Two of Scotland’s more remote burial grounds
by Bruce B Bishop FSA Scot, ASGRA
As the genealogist and local historian on board the research ship “Polar
Pioneer”, for a 12 day cruise with 48 passengers from various parts of the
world, all anxious to see where their ancestors originated, I was able to visit
several remote islands and the burial grounds which had been in use for
generations.
The archipelago of St Kilda, “the islands on the edge”, some 40 miles west of
the Outer Hebridesand constantly battered by the Atlantic gales, are now
inhabited only by the men at the occasionally-used army rocket range and by some
temporary conservation volunteers on short-term visits. But the main residents
are the innumerable, inquisitive, and very comic puffins. It was quite
interesting landing on the island in a 10ft swell in Zodiac inflatables, but
well worth the effort despite a thorough soaking.
(Image: The Cemetery on Hirta, St Kilda.)
There are only 6 inscribed tombstones in the cemetery which lies at the back of
the ruins of the village on the main island of Hirta. These seem to be dedicated
to individuals and families who were able to trace their ancestry back to a time
before the island was evacuated in 1930, and may not represent actual
interments, except possibly of ashes. Due to the very shallow soil in the
cemetery, in most cases the bodies were laid in a shroud, on the rock, and the
soil and sand was formed into a mound above the body, as is clearly visible in
the photograph. Local rocks, uninscribed, were used as headstones and
footstones.
Another site which was visited was the Old Farm at Jarlshof, on Shetland. The
burial ground here occupies what was the courtyard of the old farm. The old farm
associated with the ‘Earl’s House’ went out of use in the first decade of the
19th century, so the burials there must date from sometime after about 1810.
There are two suggestions as to why these burials did not take place in the
local churchyard at Dunrossness, one is that they were victims of a shipwreck on
the shore beneath the old ‘Earl’s House’, and it was convenient to bury them
there, the other is that they may have been burials
following an outbreak of Cholera in the area, probably in the 1830’s.
There are no written records which can either confirm or deny either of these
suggestions, but the lack of any inscriptions or even initials on the rough
stones maybe suggest that the former reason for the burials is the most likely.
There were also many more similar sites which may have indicated earlier burial
grounds, on Lunga, on Staffa and on several other islands, but time and tide
prevented a more detailed examination of these places.
(Images:
The burial ground in the courtyard of the old farmhouse at Jarlshof, Shetland,
and location map)
[Page 12]
Press release for Fife Grave Stones Conference 2015
Press contact:
Hugh Hoffman
Fife Family History Society
01337 831403
hughhoffman@hotmail.co.uk
FIFE GRAVE STONES CONFERENCE, 14 NOVEMBER 2015, KIRKCALDY
Gravestones and graveyards offer fascinating insights into past lives and the
ways in which different societies have dealt with death and burial over the
years. The sixth Fife Grave Stones Conference which takes place in Kirkcaldy on
14th November brings together half a dozen experts whose insights are guaranteed
to be informative, thought provoking and entertaining.
This year’s speakers and their topics include Dr. Margaret Bennett: ‘Regional
variations in Scottish burial customs’, Martyn Gorman: ‘For the security of the
dead’, Dr. Richard Fawcett: ‘Scottish Medieval Canopied Tombs’, Thomas Elliott:
‘Scotland’s Epidemics’; and Frank Hay & Len Saunders: ‘The Briggers – Forth
Bridge casualties’.
In addition to the talks, there will be an exhibition where a dozen stallholders
will be offering books, CDs and other relevant products for sale.
The conference takes place at Kirkcaldy Auld Kirk, Kirk Wynd, Kirkcaldy, KY1 1EH
on Saturday 14 November, from 10.00 a.m. till 4.00 p.m. The cost for the day,
which includes lunch and coffee as well as attendance at the talks, is only £15.
To book a place, please contact Anne McIntyre, 73 Harcourt Road, Kirkcaldy KY2
5HF. Please make out cheques to Kirkcaldy Civic Society. For further details
phone 01337-831403 or email hughhoffman@hotmail.co.uk or go to
www.kirkcaldycivicsociety.co.uk
The event, which has taken place every 2-3 years since 2004, is organised by
Kirkcaldy Civic Society and Fife Family History Society, with support from Fife
Council and Crosbie Matthew Funeral Directors.
[Page 13]
The Cost of Dying
By Bruce B Bishop FSA Scot, ASGRA
We all know that the cost of a funeral is increasing, but how expensive was it
over two centuries ago?
The lists of Funeral Charges for Edinburgh St Cuthbert’s [the West Kirk] were
well-publicised back in 1788, and it was also shown just what everyone received
as their share of the fees. The Recorder [the Session Clerk], the Grave Digger
and the Beadle all got a fee, and a proportion also went to the Poor’s Fund. Of
course, the Pauper’s Burials are not included in this table, and generally the
Parish paid a total of between 8d and 1/0d for each poor’s burial.
How comparable this is with other parts of Scotland is not clear, as very few of
these lists have survived.
Funeral Charges in 1788
Parish of St Cuthbert’s Edinburgh
| Recorder | Grave Digger | Beadle | Poor | Total | |
| Full spokes, turff & train | 1/0d | 7d | 1/3d | 8d | 3/6d |
| Full spokes & turf, no train | 8d | 7d | 1/3d | 8d | 3/2d |
| Full spokes without turf or train | 4d | 7d | 1/3d | 7d | 2/9d |
| Half spokes, turf & train | 1/0d | 5d | 11d | 6d | 2/10d |
| Half spokes & turf, no train | 8d | 5d | 11d | 6d | 2/6d |
| Half spokes without turf or train | 4d | 5d | 11d | 6d | 2/2d |
| A child’s corps in arms with a turf | 6d | 5d | 7d | 6d | 2/0d |
| A child’s corps in arms, no turf | 3d | 5d | 7d | 6d | 1/9d |
| A large turf | 3/6d | 2d | 1/0d | 2/0d | 6/8d |
| A small turf | 1/9d | 1d | 6d | 1/0d | 3/4d |
| A Hearse Burial | 2/6d | ||||
| A Coach Burial | 6d | ||||
| To the Sexton for all Children’s Burials in arms |
8d |
“The Session appoints the Clerk to extract a copy of the above table and deliver
it to Mr George Innes in order to have it painted in oil paint on two boards,
one to be fixed up at the West Church [St Cuthbert’s] and the other at the
Chapel of Ease for the inspection of all concerned”.
National Records of Scotland CH2/718/24/255
[Page 14]
Captain Neil McEacharn and the Villa Taranto
(by Keith Mitchell)
Normally when Helen and I are on holiday we frequently end up migrating to a
churchyard or burial ground of some description. Last year while making a tour
of Hitler’s infamous so-called “Eagle’s Nest,” we popped in for a quick walk
about in the local churchyard of Berchtesgaden as reported in a previous
Newsletter.
This year was somewhat different. Our “MBGRG” continental tour was slightly
reduced in numbers on this occasion with just ourselves and Gordon &Irene for
company. Graveyards were only viewed occasionally and in passing through the bus
windows. However, on a separate excursion Helen and I discovered an interesting
memorial to Scotsman, Captain Neil McEacharn in the beautiful botanical gardens
he created known as the Villa Taranto on the shores of Lake Maggiore in northern
Italy.
(2 Images)
Captain McEacharn was the son of Sir Malcolm McEacharn of Galloway House which
is now a Category A listed building in Sorbie, Wigtonshire. The estate
originally belonged to the Earls of Galloway and it was purchased by Neil’s
father Sir Malcom McEacharn in 1908 after giving up a very successful career as
a shipping magnate and Australian politician.
Captain McEacharn appears to have been a multimillionaire, and in 1931 he
purchased the mansion house and estate, which he named “Villa Taranto,” after a
Macdonald ancestor, a Marshal of France, who had been given the title of 1st
Duke of Taranto by Napoleon. For about 10 years McEacharn set about
significantly transforming the landscape of the 40 acres estate, which was
opened to the public in 1952. Amongst many other attributes the Villa gardens
now contains about 20,000 plant types. These are accessible via some four to
five miles of paths and we walked most of these – slowly it must be added and
with several stops to admire the view, or rest. It was an extremely hot, sunny
day, so a very slow walk with lots of beauteous things to look at was a tranquil
moment or two in life to enjoy. Along with the mansion house
where McEacharn died, is a little chapel where a large sarcophagus style
memorial to him is situated. The
[Page 15]
inscription on one line reads:-
1884 - ANTONIO NEIL BOYD WATSON MCEACHARN - 1964
In the gardens not far from the tiered area of flowers is a memorial bust of
McEacharn on a carved stone pedestal. The inscription on this reads as follows.
1884 NEIL MCEACHARN 1964 CRATORE DI QUESTI GIARDINI DA LUI DONATI ALL ITALIA,
which if my minimal Italian and intuition is correct translates as 1884 NEIL
MCEACHARN 1964 CREATOR OF THESE GARDENS DONATED BY HIM TO ITALY.
Preserving the past
(Image: This is the gravestone of William de Roos, 1255-1316, once an
unsuccessful claimant to the Scottish crown, at Kirkham Priory, Yorkshire. It is
hidden beneath an old piece of plywood out in the open)
(Image: Gravestone erosion on the hills of Whitby )
It seems even in our current day where our history is better preserved than ever
before, that there still remains a lack of preservation for gravestones. Whilst
buildings are generally better protected from degradation, we have seen on many
occasions stones that are literally falling apart. Some are due to the type of
material used, with stones splitting along natural fracture lines causing slabs
to just fall away (usually the front carved face) creating a few instances of
impromptu jigsaw puzzle solving in the field. Others may be due to natural
erosion by the elements such as those shown on the cliffs of Whitby where the
sea air laden with salt has had a really detrimental effect on the stone. Some
stones here have been eaten right through in places and toppled!
[Page 16]
Rear Cover
(Image: Gravestone in Fordyce Kirkyard, © Derek C Page Photography MMXII)
For all submissions and queries, please contact the Editor: Derek C Page
editor@mbgrg.org
© Derek C Page Photography MMXII
Rivendell, Carsehill, Alves, Elgin, Moray IV30 8XF