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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: CaileanMac on Wednesday 30 October 13 13:43 GMT (UK)

Title: Handwriting - related to unexplained death.
Post by: CaileanMac on Wednesday 30 October 13 13:43 GMT (UK)
Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anyone could make out the following details from an ancestor from Inverness, I believe it says:

1856 August Seventh, Found dead in the Afternoon (?) in the ? of ?, ? residence 16 Stephen's Brae

Grateful for any help.
Title: Re: Handwriting - related to unexplained death.
Post by: Mike in Cumbria on Wednesday 30 October 13 13:49 GMT (UK)
it's the something of Culloden.

I'll look for a placename that fits.
Title: Re: Handwriting - related to unexplained death.
Post by: Mike in Cumbria on Wednesday 30 October 13 13:52 GMT (UK)
Could it be Muir of Culloden?
Title: Re: Handwriting - related to unexplained death.
Post by: CaileanMac on Wednesday 30 October 13 13:55 GMT (UK)
Hi Mike, thanks a lot for checking, I'm not very good with the handwriting. I can kinda see 'muir' there, and looking on the map it could make sense.

The family had connections to Cantray and Drummore of Clava, so he would walk through the Muir of Culloden to get there and back to Inverness.
Title: Re: Handwriting - related to unexplained death.
Post by: Mike in Cumbria on Wednesday 30 October 13 13:58 GMT (UK)
That would make sense then. I've convinced myself, but let's see what others think.

Mike
Title: Re: Handwriting - related to unexplained death.
Post by: despair on Wednesday 30 October 13 14:01 GMT (UK)
Perhaps "Meer" is a variant on "Muir" as in the following:-

http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerel513.htm

Regards
Roger
Title: Re: Handwriting - related to unexplained death.
Post by: CaileanMac on Wednesday 30 October 13 14:08 GMT (UK)
I did not know that! Fantastic! Thanks very much for letting me know.
Title: Re: Handwriting - related to unexplained death.
Post by: Mike in Cumbria on Wednesday 30 October 13 14:10 GMT (UK)
Quote from: despair on Wednesday 30 October 13 14:01 GMT (UK)
Perhaps "Meer" is a variant on "Muir" as in the following:-

http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerel513.htm

Regards
Roger

I could easily be convinced of that. Either way, it appears he collapsed and died on Culloden Moor - what a bleak and cold place to die.
Title: Re: Handwriting - related to unexplained death.
Post by: CaileanMac on Wednesday 30 October 13 14:12 GMT (UK)
Not the first to die a miserable death on that moor...



Title: Re: Handwriting - related to unexplained death.
Post by: Isabel H on Thursday 31 October 13 08:46 GMT (UK)
Usual residence 16 St Stephen's Brae

Title: Re: Handwriting - related to unexplained death.
Post by: Geoff-E on Thursday 31 October 13 13:02 GMT (UK)
Quote from: Isabel H on Thursday 31 October 13 08:46 GMT (UK)
Usual residence 16 St Stephen's Brae
Title: Re: Handwriting - related to unexplained death.
Post by: Isabel H on Thursday 31 October 13 16:51 GMT (UK)
You are quite right Geoff-E.  :-[  I've cleaned my specs now!