An amazing find - a 250-year-old census showing the earliest recorded population of the Island of St Kilda has been discovered thanks to work by the National Records of Scotland.
If you are a Maclachlan, MacQueen, Ferguson, Gillies, MacDonald or MacKinnon, the list of people on the census might have been your ancestors. We still have some space on our St Kilda cruise aboard Proud Seahorse on September 4th 2017 if this trip is on your bucket list and you fancy a bit of luxury on the journey!
The census lists the 90 people living on the island on 15 June 1764, 38 males and 52 females, including 19 families and 9 individuals. After listing their names, the census says that they each ate “36 wild fouls eggs and 18 fouls” (seabirds) a day, an overall daily consumption of 3240 eggs and 1620 birds.
The document was discovered among the papers of the Maclachlan of Maclachlan family during cataloguing by the National Register of Archives for Scotland (NRAS), the branch of the National Records of Scotland which records historical papers held in private hands in Scotland. It is not known exactly why the census was taken, or by whom, but it is likely it was made to contribute to a wider report on the Hebrides.
Until now, the oldest known record of the population dated from 1822. As the later document included ages, it is possible to track five residents of St Kilda who appeared on both censuses, 52 years apart. The 1764 census also includes the ancestors of the final five families to be evacuated from the island in 1930, the MacQueens, Fergusons, Gillies, MacDonalds and MacKinnons.
Dr Alison Rosie, Registrar of the National Register of Archives for Scotland, said that this document sheds new light on the history of St Kilda and the families who lived there, and gives an insight into their lives more than 250 years ago. Through it individuals can be traced back fifty years earlier than the next surviving census, and many of the people listed were the ancestors of the families who left the island in 1930.
The document was found as part of a hoard of papers - around 13 large boxes. The first document that was pulled out dated from 1590 and it was realised that the time had come to call in the professionals. The team from NRAS had the papers spread out all over the dining room of Castle Lachlan – which is not a small room – and went through them, gasping a bit, before explaining that they would need more than an afternoon to evaluate them, boxing them back up and taking them away. A year and half’s study produced a 79 page catalogue .
Emma, James and all of the Hebrides Cruises team - thank you for the most wonderful, memorable experience aboard Lucy Mary last weekend on the Hebrides Magical Mini-Cruise. We are missing it all so much already! Every single detail was so perfect, from the minute we stepped on board and were welcomed so warmly by the crew with the lovely Prosecco and canapés to the excitement of setting sail and knowing that we and our cruise companions had all begun a unique adventure together, making lifetime memories in the most tranquil, spiritual setting that would bond us all. Everything felt familiar and like home so quickly but also so far away from our day to day reality which didn’t creep in and disturb us once. We were utterly immersed in the experience and the wildlife aspect was simply phenomenal. I still can’t quite believe we actually experienced those moments. The anticipation of a ‘spot’, seeing a beastie emerge and sharing the wonder of that experience together as a group. Those are etched memories and I know how moved and elated every single person in our group was, time and time again on our trip. Having a pod of common dolphins, followed by bottle nose dolphins bow riding Lucy Mary as we journeyed towards Ardtornish was a moment we will never forget. It was other worldly and really quite emotional. The depth of knowledge and experience James has gave us the experiences we were so lucky to have, and having a wildlife guide on board is one of the most unique aspects of the cruise. James and Bella knew exactly what to look for in the waters which led to a successful spot each time - whales, dolphins, porpoises and all manner of sea birds. We had such lovely cruise companions - we all bonded and became very fond of each other quickly, with Hebrides Cruises creating the foundation for that with the quality of the experience. I hadn't appreciated just how much we would enjoy that aspect, being around people we had never met. It really is such a special part of the experience. The accommodation was so comfortable -
Andrew Wilson: 19 April 2024Hebrides Magical Mini Cruise