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This is a question for Jim Cooper. Is this the James Maxwell who married Isabella Smith and who was twin brother to Thomas?
If so, then I have a picture of his eldest brother, John (who was my Great-grandfather).

Hello Clare, Yes this is the same James Maxwell married to Isabella Smith. Think they had one daughter who died when she was a baby. James was my grandmothers uncle. They farmed at Newfield and built the house called Olivebank to retire to. He died i think in 1925, she died of a very bad flu in 1937. There was a very bad snow fall at the time and as the hearse driver had been very ill with the flu the doctor would not let him go out with the hearse [pulled by a horse] so my father took the coffin to the church yard on a horse and cart.

James was also therefore my grandmother`s (Clara`s) uncle. Was your Grandmother named Barbara? Was her Mother also Barbara, sister to the (above) James Maxwell and also to John, Clara`s father. Where on Stronsay did the Barbaras live? I have diaries written in 1896 which refer to members of the family going to Stronsay and helping with singling turnips. Newfield, the Myres and Sunnybank are all mentioned and visited, as are many countless relatives, but I find it difficult to unravel who lived where? I think that my Great-great-grandfather, (also named John) latterly lived with James, etc at Newfield. I think you and I share this Great-great-grandfather along with Rhoda or am I wrong? The Maxwells have a very complicated family tree!

Hello again Clare, You are correct with all of the above as far as I can tell. Rhoda and John in Iona are my second cousins. In the census of 1891 great great grandfather John is living at Newfield and is said to be a widower aged 78.The Maxwells do indeed have a very complicated family tree. A quick glance at the old tree shows at least six Maxwells married to Maxwells which makes it very difficult to understand. The Barbaras would have been at the Myres. Barbara senior also married a Maxwell[ Samuel]. They farmed the Myres along with his brother David. Samuel and Barbara had a large family. Brother David had three wives and also had several children. which makes it all a bit complicated. I suppose for his sins he would also have had three mothers in law.