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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Orkney => Topic started by: nickgc on Thursday 30 August 07 05:55 BST (UK)

Title: Glebe of Birsay?
Post by: nickgc on Thursday 30 August 07 05:55 BST (UK)

Is this a correct way to refer to a specific area in Orkney, or is it simply "Glebe, Birsay"?

I have an old letter that uses the "Glebe of" phrase twice, once referring to a person who moved there, and again for a person who died there.

Trying to get a handle on where my 2xgrt gpa John Manson was between 1901 and 1910.  In 1901 he was "farm manager" Hurtisgarth, Sandwick after raising his large family in Deepdale, Stromness.  By 1910 he was retired at Firthside Cottage, Finstown, Stromness.

So is Glebe a parish in Birsay, or possibly a farm?

Thanks,  Nick

Title: Re: Glebe of Birsay?
Post by: airdlass on Thursday 30 August 07 08:26 BST (UK)

Hi Nick
Not sure if my reply will help but I have several of my family listed as born at either "Glebe, Barony ,Birsay" or Millers, Glebe, Birsay"

Title: Re: Glebe of Birsay?
Post by: alastairgm on Friday 21 September 07 18:07 BST (UK)

Hi Nick,
Glebe land was land owned by the local church which could either be farmed by the Minister himself if he wanted to or else let to another party. Either way it provided him with a bit of extra income.
Most parishes had glebe land for this purpose.
For a description of the Birsay glebe land look at
<http://stat-acc-scot.edina.ac.uk/sas/sas.asp?action=public&> and enter Birsay as Parish. The second survey of 1834-45 has slightly more on the Glebe land of the parish (See Section V) but the first survey is an interesting read for a picture of Birsay at that earlier time.
Regards

Title: Re: Glebe of Birsay?
Post by: nickgc on Friday 21 September 07 23:26 BST (UK)

Thank you Alastair.  This looks like an excellent resource for many of the counties I am interested in.  I had never seen it before.

Nick