Orkney Image Library

Stuart Flaws (Ayrshire), the contributor has now done some leg work on his Family Tree, via the excellent Scotland's People website and other sources. He is now fairly sure the couple & babe in arms at the right hand end of the 'posse' are his Great Grandparents John & Isabella Flaws with their eldest son John. Married in 1858 in Fordyce aged 23 & 20 respectively, it is assumed that John & Isabella (nee Murdoch) had returned for a visit to their homeland of South Ronaldsay & Burray to show relatives & friends their new arrival. Since it is known that all 4 parents of the bride & groom were deceased by the date of their marriage, it is certain (barring Voodoo!) that the older couple on the left are not either set of their parents. Whether or not they and the two other women are Flaws or Murdoch kin folk remains to be established. It would be nice to know if this was an original Flaws or Murdoch family croft. Perhaps Orkney readers can identify the property, thought to be in South Ronaldsay & Burray? If so, a location & modern photograph along with any other details would be very much appreciated.

Point for Mr Editor: The picture can therefore be dated at approx 1859, not 1880 as the contributor had originally thought. Please amend your database.

It would be a great help to know the size of this image. Can anyone help?

As I recall, the original is old fashioned postcard sized printed on card with the commercial photographer's details printed on the reverse - image of this was also sent to the website. But I will look out the item and provide the accurate size.

I think it's Flaws farm went up the road from st Margaret's hope to see the craft up a lane off the main road , the sign says Flaws farm at this time don't know if anyone lived there in June 2018 when we went dident go to the house

The above pic that I commented on is not the one I thought Stuart's Flaws are the other branch of Flaws who live on Rousay I found out by looking at Stuart's tree