Hear about the Thurso man eaten by sharks at Caithness history group
Caithness Family History Society (CFHS) is hosting an online talk on September 8 which will include some wild and lurid tales from Caithnessians across the globe in past times.
Caithness people have settled all over the world and many had fascinating lives, though few with such a dramatic conclusion as Oswald Murray (1796 – c. 1828). The Thurso-born man was eaten by sharks in a terrible accident off Grenada and his relatives not only had plantations in the Caribbean, but also boasted an abolitionist, John Murray. This piece of family history was discovered by an Australian member of the group.
These world-wide connections are the theme of a talk for CFHS by Ayrshire-based professional genealogist, writer and lecturer Chris Paton. The online event, on Wednesday, September 8, is entitled Genealogy Without Borders and will be the first event held by the society since Covid stopped its usual programme of talks.
Chris will examine how a person’s family history may not be confined to the country within which they themselves were raised, and why consideration of the extended family around the world can be particularly fruitful for family history research.
"Originally from Northern Ireland, but with both Scottish and Irish roots, I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Genealogical Studies from the University of Strathclyde, and work as a professional genealogist, running the Scotland’s Greatest Story research service," said Chris.
CFHS committee member Anna Rogalski said: "Our March 2020 talk happened just before the lockdown but members and non-members have kept in touch, usually online, with their enquiries and also to submit family information for us to put on our website. The most exotic place we've had an enquiry from this year is the Cook islands. The lady in question has Dunnett ancestors.
"We postponed our 2020 October AGM and held it online in March this year. This proved of great benefit to members who are not resident in Caithness, because they were able to take part. It was great to see the faces of people we had previously known by name only. One member in Australia got up at a ridiculous time of the morning to take part."
CFHS was formed in September 1999 by a small group of enthusiasts and has already grown to around 250 members worldwide. Recently, the society published a new book, Stroma Cemetery, which contains a short history of the graveyard, photographs of gravestones and transcriptions of the information on the stones.
Anna added: "I have posted our new Stroma Cemetery books to folk all over the UK and to Australia and the USA. One sent me lovely photos of his family on Stroma in days gone by. Our aim is to promote an interest in genealogy and, wherever we can, to help others trace their roots – especially families originating from Caithness. We accept new friends and members readily, so please get in touch if you have an interest in the history of Caithness."
The group hopes to continue with face-to-face meetings from October onwards, when it will hold its AGM in Thurso. November’s meeting will be in Wick. For details of how to join the online event on September 8, and to register, email caithnessfhs@btinternet.com before Wednesday, September 1.
Visit the group's revamped website at www.caithnessfhs.org.uk and the Facebook page which hosts a discussion group.
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