Local
residents with connections to Portsoy and the parish of Fordyce are being
offered the chance to take part in an imaginative project led by Aberdeen
University researchers. The aim of
CURIOS is to preserve local heritage in rural communities through the use of
digital media designed to share information about their cultural heritage.
The
CURIOS team is working in partnership with Portsoy Salmon Bothy and a selection
has already been made of local families based on gravestones in the cemetery at
Portsoy. A wealth of additional
information relating to the same people is already held in the form of census
data, photographs, newspaper reports and other types of records. The success of the project now depends on
finding folk willing to bring together all the available material. Volunteers will work in small teams and each
team will focus on just one family, collating relevant records for inclusion in
a database which eventually will form the basis for a website dedicated to the
history of Fordyce and Portsoy.
“This is
an unmissable opportunity for anyone interested in the history of our area”,
said Alison Smith, genealogy co-ordinator at the Salmon Bothy. “Everyone involved will be contributing to a
unique resource which has the potential to put Fordyce and Portsoy on the map
for family and local history”.
The
initial focus will be on just a few families:
James
Badenoch (1839-1916) and his wife Mary Sutherland
Alexander
Chalmers (1845-1927) and his wife Margaret Godsman
Charles
A. Goodall (1882-1966) and his wife Margaret Rhind
George
Gray (1889-1963) and his wife Ellen Robertson
James
Irving (1854-1940) and his wife Maggie Wood
Herbert
Laird (1900-1968) and his wife Elizabeth Russell
Alexander
Leys (1850-1920) and his wife Marjory Merchant
Alexander
McKenzie (1856-1947) and his wife Jane Robertson
William Milton
(1840-1935) and his wife Elizabeth Ingram
Charles
Nicol (1843-1903) and his wife Ann Wood
John
Russell (1829-1915) and his wife Elizabeth Horne
Charles
Watt (1850-1913) and his wife Jessie Gauld
“All the
details collated will eventually be published online” added Alison, “so we’d welcome help from anyone with a connection
to these families. Apart from
contributing to a remarkable resource, everyone who takes part stands to
discover long-lost relatives.”
This
innovative project is now ready to move onto the next phase, which will require
volunteer input. If you’re willing to
get involved, please get in touch by phone (01261 842951) or by emailing
contact@salmonbothy.org.uk.
The Salmon Bothy is organising an exhibition of the Shops and Services on Portsoy's Seafield St. The exhibition will feature mainly visual content - such as photographs, written information, adverts, newspaper articles and reminiscences.
Wow what a fantastic weekend! A grand re-opening of our museum brought people from far and wide to see our new revamped ice chambers with new artifacts, information and photographs on display. Fishing is the theme that runs throughout, the salmon fishing that took place from this very building and the herring fishing that was once a thriving industry here in Portsoy and later many fishing lassies travelled from here following the herring for their livelihood.
We were honoured to have Mr David Gordon of the popular local publication the Knock News to come and cut the ribbon. We were then treated to freshly baked pancakes and jam upstairs by Liz Ashworth and Letty's Preserves. There was more for people to see upstairs at the Bothy with an exhibition of work by the users groups.
