Thursday 6 December 2012

A MONUMENTAL TASK COMPLETED


Saturday 24th November 2012

A MONUMENTAL TASK COMPLETED

A group of dedicated volunteers from Portsoy Salmon Bothy have had their efforts rewarded with the publication of a set of three booklets which will be welcomed by family historians with Portsoy connections.  Back in the summer of 2009 work began on recording the inscriptions on gravestones in the graveyard in Portsoy, in association with Aberdeen & North East Scotland Family History Society.  The initial transcription phase was followed by further painstaking work to check the accuracy of each record, with volunteers turning out at regular intervals and in every weather.in action recording nscriptions

“This publication represents a tremendous achievement by all those people who took part in the project”, said Alison Smith, Genealogy Co-ordinator at the Salmon Bothy.  “The results of their work will benefit family historians all over the world, so that, by purchasing these booklets, anyone whose ancestors were recorded on gravestones at Portsoy will have access to the full inscription on each stone.”

There are three booklets in the full set, which represents over 1,000 gravestones dating from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. Copies will be available for sale on Saturday 24th November, at the Coffee Morning in aid of the Salmon Bothy which will be held at Portsoy Church Hall from 10am to mid-day.  Personal customers will be able to purchase them at the Salmon Bothy during museum opening times, and they will also be on sale via the Salmon Bothy online shop (coming soon!).


Saturday 17th November 2012

The Bothy held its Christmas Market on Saturday 17th November. bothy christmas marketWe were delighted to host a fair with such a great selection of high quality, local crafts and foods. We were also pleased to see all the people who visited us and purchased! It was a great opportunity to make a start on the Christmas shopping. Visitors also enjoyed a cup of tea and a homemade mince pie just to get us into the spirit children managed to get their first glimse of Santa Claus who was downstairs in his grotto.

Thursday 20 September 2012

Open Doors Day and Aquarium Open Day


The Bothy had a special opening for Aberdeenshire's Open Doors Day on Saturday. Other venues included PORT's boat-shed by the harbour, Portsoy Past and Present, Durn House and several other interesting venues around the town.



It was an absolutely beautiful day and we were delighted to to have lots of visitors – the Bothy had over 70.

On Sunday, we set up a display about the Bothy and the Boat-shed, at Macduff Aquarium. Once again, there was a good deal of interest from visitors - and we were able to watch the fishies! Many thanks to everybody who helped with these events.

Bothy Volunteer Brian Smith beside the stand at the Macduff Aquarium Fish Fest





Paintings by Jim and Ann Johnston - exhibition upstairs at the Bothy until 27th Sep 2012

New Picture Hanging System up in the Bothy
We're now fully equipped for top notch exhibitions with funding from the Community Council Common Good Fund and a willing volunteer to install it!


Saturday 7 July 2012

Family history advice sessions, summer 2012

Are you researching your ancestral roots in the local area?  Why not drop in at the Salmon Bothy to see what advice our local specialist can offer?  Our resources include a collection of ancestor charts compiled by researchers with local links, as well as other material specific to Portsoy and Fordyce.  There's no need for an appointment - just come along between 2pm and 4pm any Wednesday throughout the summer, from July until the end of September.

Sunday 22 April 2012

Ancestral research in Fordyce

A fascinating new resource has just been added to our collection of family history materials. In 1798 the parishioners of Fordyce (including the citizens of Portsoy) were so fearful of a French invasion that almost every household made a contribution to a defence fund. The names and addresses of all who donated were recorded in the Kirk Session Register and a transcription of this information is now available for reference by researchers who visit our genealogy facility. So if you had ancestors in the Portsoy area 200 years ago, there's a good chance you'll find them listed!