Orkney Image Library

Mary,

I recently was advised a relative of mine (John Alec Johnston) went to Canada and stayed with a Davy Manson while there... John Alec and family also from the South Walls area..would you know the story or Davy's travels probably early in the 1910's as a guess?

Richard

Mary, as a distant relative of the Mansons, through the Davidsons, perhaps you you could email me at [email protected]

This John Alec Johnstone that Richard speaks of here,would this be a brother of (Engeneer Bob) and (Coxwain Fred)?.
If Richard is correct about John Alec being a reletive of his, then Donald Johnston (Burnhouse)Richard,s Gt Grandfather, is indeed the same Johnston's as Fred and Bob?.
Can Private Investigator!! Fred Johnston comment on this one.

Quit spelling Johnston with an e on the end John. That's the Sassenach way of spelling it. A different class of beast entirely. John Alec was indeed Bob and Fred's eldest brother, but I do not think that the above Davy Manson was the one John Alec worked for when he went out to Canada, although I cannot be sure. There was also a Davy Manson, who lived at the Haven in Brims and it was very likely to be one of his relatives. Again, not sure and both of John Alec's sons have passed away.

Sorry Fred I have already hin me fingers rapped for this, hids as I explained tae Audrey wae Budge hivan an E, hid jist comes automatic miby I shuld drop the E and call meesell Budg!!.

I thought the English dropped the t :-)

For Mary:
There was a John Johnston born abt 1898 in Orkney who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick Canada in April 1928. He sailed from Glasgow on the ship Tunisian leaving from Glasgow. If you want to give me your e-mail address I can send you a copy of his declaration if this is the correct John. He gives his fathers name as James

For Mary:
If this is not him, I have a copy of a marriage cert for a John Alexander Johnstone from Longhope who married a Jane Campbell on 15 Feb 1916 in Canada. His parents were Alexander and Margaret Johnston.

Willie, Cpt Fred is your man again on this one, I do remember Engineer Bob speaking of John Alex,dont know if he was a brother or an uncle of his and Fred but Fred jun, will sort hid out. Freddie is the font of all knowledge with Brims families.

If these folk were told to 'watch the birdie' there must have been quite a flock in the vicinity.

I am sure that the John Alec Johnston described by Willie Sinclair is my father and Bob O Brimsness's late brother. If I remember rightly, he was married to a Jane Campbell, who died when their two boys were small. John Alec's sister Jessabel and her husband Sandy Windwick helped to bring them up.