Kirkwall Genealogical Records

Kirkwall Birth & Baptism Records

Baptism Registers of Kirkwall (1657-1854)

The baptism registers of Kirkwall provide details of births from 1657 to 1854. Entries usually record parents' names (with mother's maiden name) and date of birth and/or baptism.

Baptism Registers of Orkney (1632-1855)

The registers of baptisms for Orkney provide details on parentage and are the primary source for such information before 1855.

Scotland Statutory Births (1855-2009)

An index to all foreign, domestic, air-borne, consular, High Commission, marine and military births registered by the Scottish government. The index is linked to images of birth registers from 100 or more years ago. They contain a great deal of information, including parent's full names, date and place of birth, date and place of parent's marriage and more.

Baptism Registers of Scotland (1553-1871)

The baptism registers of Scotland provide details of births from to . Entries usually record parents' names (with mother's maiden name) and date of birth and/or baptism.

British Birth and Baptism Records (1400-2010)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of birth and baptism records that cover over 250 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

Kirkwall Marriage & Divorce Records

Marriage Registers of Kirkwall (1657-1854)

The registers of marriages for Kirkwall provide details on marriages and are the primary source for such information before 1855.

Marriage Registers of Orkney (1632-1856)

Index to names and images of the original marriage registers of Orkney. They commonly record the bride and groom's names and their parishes. Occasionally parents' names and witnesses may be recorded.

Scotland Statutory Marriages (1855-2012)

An index to all foreign, domestic and military marriages recorded by the Scottish government. The index is linked to digital images of records more than 75 years old. Details given include date & place of marriage, full names of all parents and more.

Marriage Registers of Scotland (1553-1885)

The marriage registers of Scotland are the primary source for marriage details before civil registration. A full index to names with original images of the registers are available between and .

British Marriage Records (1392-2011)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of marriage records that cover over 160 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

Kirkwall Death & Burial Records

Burial Registers of Kirkwall (1666-1853)

The burial registers of Kirkwall provide details of deaths from 1666 to 1853. Entries usually record no more than the deceased's name; occasionally an age and cause of death are given.

Burial Registers of Orkney (1666-1854)

The burial registers of Orkney are the primary source for death details before civil registration. A full index to names with original images of the registers are available between and . Entries are usually brief, but may contain occupations, ages, cause of death and location of burial.

Scotland Statutory Deaths (1855-2012)

An index to all foreign, domestic, air-borne, consular, High Commission, marine and military deaths registered by the Scottish government. The index is linked to images of death registers from 50 or more years ago. They contain a great deal of information, including parent's full names, date and place of death, age and more.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Burial Registers of Scotland (1549-1920)

The burial registers of Scotland provide details of deaths from to . Entries usually record no more than the deceased's name; occasionally an age and cause of death are given.

Kirkwall Census & Population Lists

1911 Census of Scotland (1911)

Documents listing households and residents throughout Scotland. The records include family relations, gender, age, occupation, place of birth, employment status, number of years married, number of children living and deceased, nationality, whether an individual could speak Gaelic, number of windows in property and some infirmities.

1901 British Census (1901)

The 1901 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

1901 Census of Scotland (1901)

Documents listing households and residents throughout Scotland. The records include family relations, gender, age, occupation, place of birth, employment status, whether an individual could speak Gaelic, number of windows in property and some infirmities.

Scottish Valuation Rolls (1895-1920)

Inventories of all land and buildings in Scotland. They give a description of the property, the name of the owner, tenant & occupier and the rates due on the property.

1891 British Census (1891)

The 1891 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Newspapers Covering Kirkwall

John o' Groat Journal (1836-1872)

A newspaper publishing local news, shipping intelligence, family notices etc. for Caithness, Sutherland, Orkney & Shetland.

The Daily Herald (1926)

A London newspaper that later became The Sun.

The Sunday Post (1915-1950)

A popular Scottish tabloid.

Daily Herald (1914-1918)

A left-wing, British daily that sold up to 2 million copies a day at its peak.

Daily Mirror (1914-1918)

Digital images, searchable by text, of a British daily tabloid.

Kirkwall Wills & Probate Records

Scottish Wills & Testaments (1500-1925)

An index to testators and the subject's of other testamentary documents. The index is linked to digital images of the documents. An account is required to search the index.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills (PPV) (1384-1858)

A index to testators whose will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. They principally cover those who lived in the lower two thirds of Britain, but contain wills for residents of Scotland, Ireland, British India and other countries. A copy of each will may be purchased for digital download.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills (Subscription) (1384-1858)

An index and digital images of PCC wills, available on a subscription basis.

British Wills and Probate Records (1163-1999)

A collection of indexes, abstracts, transcripts and digital images of over 5.5 million wills, administrations and other probate records.

British Inheritance Disputes Index (1574-1714)

An index to almost 78,000 wills that were disputed. The index can lead you to documents that may shed a great deal of genealogical information as disputes often arose between siblings and cousins.

Kirkwall Immigration & Travel Records

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

17th Century British Emigrants to the U.S. (1600-1700)

Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.

Migration from North America to Britain & Ireland (1858-1870)

A list of over 40,000 passengers traveling from North America to the British Isles. Details of passengers may include: occupation, nationality, gender, age, martial status, class, destination, and details of the vessel they sailed on.

Kirkwall Military Records

Prisoners of War of British Army (1939-1945)

A searchable list of over 100,000 British Army POWs. Records contains details on the captured, their military career and where they were held prisoner.

British Prisoners of World War II (1939-1945)

Details on around 165,000 men serving in the British Army, Navy and Air Force who were held as prisoners during WWII.

British Army WWI Medal Rolls (1914-1920)

Index and original images of over 5 million medal index cards for British soldiers It can be searched by individual's name, Coprs, Unit and Regiment. Due to the loss of many WWI service records, this is the most complete source for British WWI soldiers

British Army WWI Service Records (1914-1920)

This rich collection contains contains records for 1.9 million non-commissioned officers and other ranks who fought in WWI. Due to bomb damage in WWI, around 60% of service records were lost. Documents cover: enlistment, medical status, injuries, conduct, awards and discharge. A great deal of genealogical and biographical documentation can be found in these documents, including details on entire families, physical descriptions and place of birth.

Silver War Badges (1914-1920)

An index to nearly 900,000 military personnel who were awarded the Silver War Badge for sustaining injures. Records include rank, regimental number, unit, dates of enlistment and discharge, and reason for discharge.

UK Lunacy Patients Admission Registers (1846-1912)

Digital images, searchable by a name index, of registers recording the admittance and discharge of over 840,000 people to insane asylums.

Register of The Privy Council of Scotland (1545-1632)

The Privicy Council dealt with a wide spectrum of issues pertaining to administration, the economy, politics and social affairs.

Licences of Parole for Female Convicts (1853-1887)

Details on the parole and revocation thereof, of over 4,400 female prisoners.

Perry's Bankrupt Gazette (1828-1867)

A publication giving brief details of bankruptcies, including the names of parties and companies involed.

Scottish Covenanters (1679-1688)

A list of over 81,000 Presbyterian opponents of the Catholic church. Entries may list name, occupation, residence, names of relatives and other details.

Kirkwall Taxation Records

Scottish Valuation Rolls (1895-1920)

Inventories of all land and buildings in Scotland. They give a description of the property, the name of the owner, tenant & occupier and the rates due on the property.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures (1710-1811)

An index linked to original images of registers recording apprenticeship indentures. Details are given on the trade and nature of apprenticeship. Many records list the parents of the apprentice.

Revenues of Excise Settlement & Customs in Scotland (1656)

A report detailing the manner in which customs and excise are dealt with in Scotland.

Kirkwall Land & Property Records

Scottish Valuation Rolls (1895-1920)

Inventories of all land and buildings in Scotland. They give a description of the property, the name of the owner, tenant & occupier and the rates due on the property.

Landowners of Scotland (1873)

A list of people who owned more than one acre of land in Scotland. Lists a landowner's residence, acreage and estimated gross yearly rental.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Perthshire Cess, Stent and Valuation Rolls (1650-1899)

A collection of various land valuation documents extending as far back as 1650, but primarily covering the period after 1884. Useful for establishing the ancestry of land owners and their tenants.

UK Poll Books and Electoral Rolls (1538-1893)

Poll books record the names of voters and the direction of their vote. Until 1872 only landholders could vote, so not everyone will be listed. Useful for discerning an ancestor's political leanings and landholdings. The collection is supplemented with other records relating to the vote.

Kirkwall Directories & Gazetteers

Orkney Almanac & County Directory (1926)

A book containing a trade and residential directory of the isles. It also includes local information, such as statistics, history, officials and more.

Orkney & Shetland Directory (1915)

A listing of the island's leading persons of commerce, trade, professional & public offices. Also contains details on the amenities of the various towns.

ScotlandsPlaces Gazetteer (2010-Present)

A detailed gazetteer of localities, geographic features, buildings and other features in Scotland.

Directory of Engineering, Hardware & Metal Trades (1934)

Breif details of companies engaged in or related to the engineering, metal and motor trades industries. Organised by trade and place.

Slater's Directory of Scottish Counties (1921)

Historical and contemporary descriptions of settlements, detailing their governance, churches, schools etc.; to which is appended lists of residents, with their occupations.

Kirkwall Cemeteries

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Mausolea and Monuments (1500-Present)

Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.

Scotland Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Scotland's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Maritime Memorials (1588-1950)

Several thousand transcribed memorials remembering those connected with the nautical occupations.

Kirkwall Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Kirkwall Histories & Books

Orkney Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Orkney.

History of Orkney Library (1683-Present)

A brief history of Orkney's Kirkwall-based library from its official inception in 1683.

Geograph: Photos of the UK and Ireland (2005-Present)

A growing database including millions of photographs of the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Ireland catalogued by latitude & longitude and OS grid reference.

Britain from Above (1919-1953)

Ariel photographs of the British Isles. Browsable by location.

UK & Ireland Historical Postcards (1885-1950)

Over 19,000 postcards depicting places in the UK & Ireland.

Kirkwall School & Education Records

Edinburgh University Roll of Honour (1914-1919)

Contains dates and information (and photographs of the fallen where available) for members of Edinburgh University who served and fell during The Great War. Also includes a section on orders, decorations and dispatches.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Britain School & University Memorial Rolls (1914-1918)

Details of around 60,000 alumni who fought in WWI.

Kirkwall Occupation & Business Records

British Trade Union Membership Registers (1870-1999)

An index to and images of registers recording over 3.7 million trade union members.

UK Medical Registers (1859-1959)

Books listing doctors who were licensed to operate in Britain and abroad. Contains doctor's residencies, qualification and date of registration.

Railway Employment Records (1833-1963)

A rich collection of records documenting those who worked for railway companies that were later absorbed by the government. Records include: staff registers, station transfers, pensions, accident records, apprentice records, caution books, and memos. Records may include date of birth, date of death and name of father.

Royal Navy Medical Journals (1817-1857)

Indexed medical journals from British ships containing personal and medical details of patients. The journals list names, ages, rank/status, diseases, illness duration and notes on symptoms and treatment. Contains details on military men as well as people immigrating or being deported to colonies.

British Postal Service Appointment Books (1737-1969)

This collection gives brief details on the appointment of over 1.4 million people who worked for the Post Office. Includes references to corresponding data in the Postmaster General’s minute books and is a starting point for research in the rich archive of the British Postal Museum.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Kirkwall

Scotland Public Register of Arms (1672-1913)

Digital images of registers recording those who are eligible to bear coats of arms in Scotland. The records can contain genealogical tracts and renderings of the arms.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Kirkwall Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Scotland Public Register of Arms (1672-1913)

Digital images of registers recording those who are eligible to bear coats of arms in Scotland. The records can contain genealogical tracts and renderings of the arms.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage (1921)

A dictionary of families elevated to the peerage of Great Britain & Ireland. It includes genealogies and biographical details.

Burke's Landed Gentry of Britain & Ireland (1885)

Lineages of Britain and Ireland's untitled landed families; supplemented with biographical sketches.

Kirkwall Church Records

Old Parish Registers of Kirkwall (1657-1854)

The old parish registers of Kirkwall provide details of births, marriages and deaths from 1657 to 1854. Deaths and burials were often not recorded or the registers have not survived.

Old Parish Registers of Orkney (1632-1856)

The baptism registers of Orkney are the primary source for birth details before civil registration. A full index to names with original images of the registers are available between and . Entries usually contain date of birth and/or baptism, parents' names (with mother's maiden name) and occasionally father's occupation and witnesses.

Scotland Parish Registers (1914-2013)

Prior to civil registration in 1855, the parish registers of Scotland are the most common place to turn for details on births, marriages and deaths.

Old Parish Registers of Scotland (1549-1920)

Index to names and images of the original baptism registers of Scotland. They commonly record the date of birth or baptism with parents' names (often including the mother's maiden name).

Scotland Parish Registers (1538-1855)

The parish registers of Scotland are a collection of books documenting baptisms, marriages and burials from 1817 to 1934.

Biographical Directories Covering Kirkwall

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

Jacobites of North East Scotland (1715-1745)

A compendium of biographies of thousands of Scottish Jacobites.

Kirkwall Maps

Maps of Orkney (1572-1896)

Images of maps covering Orkney.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Ordnance Survey 1:10 Maps (1840-1890)

Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Parish Maps of Britain (1832)

Maps of parishes in England, Scotland and Wales. They are useful in determining which parish records may be relevant to your research.

Kirkwall Reference Works

Scotland Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in Scotland.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

British Family Mottoes (1189-Present)

A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.

Heraldry Clipart (1189-Present)

A growing collection of heraldic and related clip art that can be used to reconstruct a families' arms. Includes packs for British, German, Austrian, Spanish, Italian, Danish, Polish, Portuguese, French, Swiss and Dutch arms. Images are available in a variety of formats including vectors.

Historical Description

Kirkwall, the chief town of the Orkneys, is situated in the parish of Kirkwall and St. Ola, in this island: it stands on the northeast coast, on a narrow strip of land, with the open sea, called the road of Kirkwall, washing one side of the town, and an inlet of the sea flowing on the other, close to the gardens at high water.

The town is about a mile long, of inconsiderable breadth, and composed chiefly of one street: it is badly paved, and the ends of the houses being placed next the street, gives it an awkward appearance. It was formerly the see of the bishop of Orkney, and is a royal burgh, and contains 417 houses, and 2621 inhabitants, viz. 1078 males and 1543 females, of whom 36.3 were returned as being employed in trade, This town was of considerable note at a very early period, if credit is to be given to the poems of Ossian, to the time when they are thought to have been written, and the interpretation that has been given them. This was perhaps the Carricthuna of that justly celebrated work, where was the palace of Cathulla, king of Innistore, which was besieged by Trothal, on account of an indignity which he imagined he had received from that prince, and which was afterwards delivered by Cathnlla's good friend and ally, the mighty Fingal. The Danes, we are informed, called it Kirkivog, which both Buchanan and Torfoeus thought should have been written Cracoviaca; and that this word had first been corrupted into Circua, and thence into Kirkwall. But all these words are said to signify the same thing, namely, Kirkvaa, or Kirkwaa, the great church, or perhaps the church of St. Magnus.

The only buildings here worthy of remark are, the cathedral of St. Magnus, the king's castle, and the bishop's and earl's palaces. The first of these is a large gothic pile, reared by the superstition of the dark ages, nearly in the same form and dimensions with many others in different parts of the kingdom. Rognwald, count of Orkney, we are told, laid the foundation of it in the year 1138: bishop Stewart, who lived in the time of king James IV. made an addition of three pillars or arches to the east end of it, with a window, which for grandeur and beauty is far superior to any other in the fabric; and Robert Reid, the last popish bishop of this see, added three pillars to the westward of it, which, though never completely finished, were, in point of elegance, much inferior to the former. The length of this stately fabric on the outside is two hundred and twenty-six feet, its breadth fifty-six; the height of the main roof is seventy-one, and from the level of the floor to the top of the steeple, it is one hundred and thirty-three feet. The roof is supported by a row of fourteen pillars on each side, besides four of the most magnificent of the whole church that support the steeple. In it there is an excellent chime of bells, which by the inscription apon them appear to have been made by Robert Borthwick, in the castle of Edinburgh, in the year 1528; and they were furnished to the cathedral by bishop Robert Maxwell. The window in the east end is thirty-six feet high by twelve broad, including a circular rose window at the top, twelve feet diameter. There is a window in the west end, somewhat similar, but much smaller; as also a rose window on the south gable of the cross, of like form and dimensions with that on the top of the east window.

On the west side of the street, opposite to the cathedral of St. Magnus, stood the king's castle of Kirkwall. Time and the ravages of war have long since laid it in ruins. No tradition remains by whom it was founded, though it is probable, from the representation of a mitre, sculptured on a stone in the wall next the street, that it was the work of some bishop. The walls of it are very thick, the dimensions are large, and the stones with which it is constructed are so firmly cemented together, that it is more difficult to dig them from the rubbish of it, in which they are buried, than it would from a quarry. This fortress seems to have been in good repair, and a place of no inconsiderable strength in the days of Patrick Stew art, Earl of Orkney, a son of Robert Stewart, natural son of King James V. who in the year 1581 was created Earl of Orkney. His son Patrick, who was a man of a haughty turn of mind and cruel disposition, committed many acts of oppression against the people, and of rebellion against his sovereign; and in order to screen himself from the punishment he so justly deserved on that account, he took refuge in the castle, which he maintained with much desperate valour for some time against the king's troops, till it was at last taken and demolished.

This same earl built that extensive and elegant mansion on the east side of the town, known by the name of the Earl's Palace. From the date above the principal door, which is still legible, it appears to have been built in the year 1607, and indicates much vanity in the founder; for there are engraven on stones, on many parts of it; the capital letters P. E. O. the initials of his name and dignity. This palace has walls remarkably well built, though only of grey stone: they are at present as straight as if they had been erected only twenty years ago; and there are on several parts of the building, particularly on the Corners, projections of hewn stone, in the form of turrets, but in fact balcony windows. One very spacious and elegant hall is the chief room in the mansion. It has long been unroofed, and without inhabitants since bishop M'Kenzie, who died in the year 1688.

Almost adjoining are ruins of much greater antiquity, denominated the bishop's palace. Of the foundation nothing is known; but so long ago as the year 1263, when Haco, king of Norway, undertook his expedition against Alexander III. it seems to have been a place of consequence, for on his return he took up his headquarters at Kirkwall, and kept court in the hall of the bishop's palace, till worn out with disease and vexation, he expired, and was interred in the cathedral church.

The harbour is excellent, with good anchorage in the outer road, and the whole commanded by a fortification, erected in the time of Oliver Cromwell, sur rounded by a ditch and rampart mounted with cannon.

The commerce of Kirkwall is not inconsiderable. The chief articles of exportation are beef, pork, butter, tallow, hides, calf-skins, salt fish, oil, feathers, linen yarn, coarse linen, and, in years of plenty, corn in considerable quantities. The chief commodities imported are wood, flax, coal, sugar, spirits, wines, snuff, tobacco, flour, biscuit, soap, leather, hardware, broad cloth, printed linens, and printed cottons.

About the beginning of the eighteenth century, the wool of the country is said to have been manufactured into cloth and stuffs, for the wear of the natives, and for exportation. The manufacture of linen yarn was introduced in the year 1747, and after that the manufacture of coarse linen cloth; but kelp seems to have been a more fortunate article than either of the others, and has, for several years, employed three thousand hands during the months of June and July, each earning in that time, on an average forty shillings sterling.

Kirkwall is governed by a provost, four bailiffs, a treasurer, dean, and guild, and a council elected annually. It joins with the boroughs of Wick, Dornock, Dingwall, and Tain, in returning one member to parliament. It lies in latitude 58 deg. 33 min. longitude 2 deg. 57 min. west.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

Kirkwall, a royal burgh, and chief town of the Orknevs, is situated in the parish of Kirkwall and St. Ola, in this island. It stands on a neek of land washed on one side by the road and bay of Kirkwall, and on the other by a pleasant inlet of the sea, which flows at high water by the back of the houses.

It consists of one street, about a mile long, very narrow, and badly paved; and the ends of the houses are placed next the street, giving it an awkward appearance. It contains 417 houses, and 2621 inhabitants; viz. 1078 males, and 1543 females, of whom 365 were returned as being employed in trade.

The cathedral of St. Magnus, supposed to be named after Magnus king of Norway, the founder of the town, is a large Gothic pile, built in the year 1138 by Rognwald, earl of Orkney: it is still entire, and part of it is occupied as the parish church. It is 226 feet in length and 56 broad; and the height of the steeple is 133 feet. The roof is supported by fourteen pillars and arches; besides four which support the steeple. The gates are decorated with a kind of Mosaic work. Opposite to the cathedral are the ruins of King’s castle, near it the earls and bishops palaces, which appear to have been formerly very extensive and elegant buildings.

The harbour is excellent, with good anchorage in the outer road, and the whole commanded by a fortification, erected in the time of Oliver Cromwell, surrounded by a ditch and rampart mounted with cannon.

The principal articles of exportation are beef, pork, butter, tallow, hides, calf-skins, rabbit-skins, salt fish, oil, feathers, linen yarn, coarse linen cloth, kelp, and in years of plentifulness, corn in considerable quantities. The chief commodities imported are wood, flax, coal, sugar, spirits, wines, snuff, tobacco, flour, biscuit, soap, leather, hardware, broad cloth, printed linens, and printed cottons. The manufacture of linen yarn was introduced here in the year 1747, and about the year 1730 the manufacture of kelp.

Kirkwall is governed by a provost, four bailiffs, a treasurer, dean, and guild, and a council elected annually. It joins with the boroughs of Wick, Dornock, Dingwall, and Tain, in returning one member to parliament. It lies in latitude 58 deg. 33 min. longitude 2 deg. 57 min. west.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

Most Common Surnames in Kirkwall

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Orkney
1Sinclair1691:2816.92%1
2Muir1101:4420.11%3
3Smith1091:4426.85%12
4Flett911:5317.50%4
5Wilson901:5433.83%23
6Scott761:6314.62%4
7Miller741:6520.39%16
8Heddle671:7234.36%37
8Hercus671:7256.30%77
10Thomson661:7313.72%7
10Leslie661:7345.52%60
12Shearer631:7617.45%17
13Craigie621:7821.31%21
14Peace591:8223.60%27
14Work591:8230.26%37
16Reid581:8318.95%19
17Sutherland531:9112.44%11
17Spence531:919.67%2
19Bews521:9320.47%24
20Drever491:9811.45%10
21Johnston451:1079.78%8
22Linklater421:11510.97%14
23Rendall411:1178.02%6
23Lennie411:11726.28%55
23Garrioch411:11732.80%74
26Manson401:12022.73%47
27Marwick391:12315.92%28
28Liddle381:12761.29%134
29Walls371:13031.36%78
30Mowat361:1349.76%15
30Eunson361:13425.53%63
32Gibson351:13827.13%71
32Allan351:13817.86%35
32Leask351:13818.42%39
35Robertson341:1428.52%13
35Irvine341:14213.39%24
35Laughton341:14216.83%33
38Tulloch321:1507.42%9
38Cutt321:15029.91%85
40Wylie311:15525.41%76
41Slater291:16618.95%57
41Hourston291:16616.38%45
43Chalmers271:17814.67%40
43Cumming271:17828.42%97
45Tait261:18515.03%48
46Williamson241:20142.86%149
46Harrold241:20130.77%109
48Milne231:20947.92%159
48Gunn231:20917.29%67
48Copland231:20931.94%115
51Corsie221:21927.16%106
52Fraser211:22943.75%159
52Logie211:22915.22%65
52Dearness211:22916.03%69
55McGregor201:24168.97%204
55Calder201:24155.56%191
55Guthrie201:24120.20%92
58Anderson191:2537.98%29
58McKay191:2539.69%35
58Driver191:25326.76%119
58Sclater191:25357.58%196
58Mainland191:25310.33%40
58Seatter191:25313.01%59
64McKenzie181:26820.45%100
64Park181:26827.27%125
64Kirkness181:2687.89%30
64Foubister181:2689.78%40
68Taylor171:2835.30%18
68Bruce171:28316.04%88
68Leonard171:28326.98%130
68Pottinger171:28316.83%89
68Swanney171:28310.37%50
68Goar171:28336.96%166
68Kelday171:28353.13%199
75Gray161:30111.03%60
75Petrie161:30113.56%78
75Harcus161:3015.44%20
75Yorston161:30120.00%107
75Wards161:30112.31%70
75Fotheringhame161:30144.44%191
81Brown151:3215.95%26
81Cooper151:32111.90%73
81Stewart151:32122.73%125
81Graham151:32175.00%241
81Aitken151:32134.09%170
81Horne151:32160.00%216
81Hutchison151:32117.44%104
81Wishart151:32115.00%91
81Isbister151:3217.54%34
81Borwick151:32126.79%149
81Groundwater151:32115.31%93
92Morrison141:34432.56%172
92Barnett141:34432.56%172
92Maxwell141:34422.58%134
92Brough141:34442.42%196
92Mooney141:34482.35%253
92Dennison141:34456.00%216
92Dunnet141:34418.67%111
92Baikie141:3449.46%58
92Foulis141:34419.44%115
101McDonald131:37018.31%119
101Munro131:37046.43%205
101Laird131:37014.13%98
101Wick131:37072.22%247
101Rosie131:3708.28%54
101Meil131:37027.08%159
101Costie131:37050.00%211
108Grant121:40140.00%203
108Kent121:40121.05%148
108Firth121:4016.78%45
108Scollay121:40135.29%195
112Wood111:4388.15%66
112Campbell111:43816.18%121
112Ritchie111:43823.91%166
112Newland111:43868.75%259
112Groat111:4386.79%51
117White101:48250.00%241
117Green101:48276.92%291
117Russell101:48216.95%140
117Ross101:48210.20%93
117Stevenson101:4825.81%49
117Henry101:48283.33%307
117Bain101:48223.81%174
117Stuart101:48283.33%307
117Arthur101:482100.00%334
117McLachlan101:48283.33%307
117Grieve101:48213.33%111
117Towers101:48215.15%125
117Cormack101:4828.85%83
117Sommerville101:482100.00%334
117Omand101:48214.93%122
132Webster91:53590.00%334
132Low91:53536.00%216
132Angus91:53514.06%128
132Finlayson91:53590.00%334
132Inkster91:5357.89%81
132Moar91:5353.98%31
132Traill91:53537.50%222
132Howatt91:535100.00%365
132Gaudie91:53550.00%247
132Fea91:53537.50%222
142Mason81:60221.05%184
142Davidson81:6029.20%102
142Brodie81:60220.51%181
142Nicolson81:6029.09%100
142Hitchcock81:602100.00%392
142Hewson81:602100.00%392
142Hadden81:602100.00%392
142Spark81:602100.00%392
142Hewison81:60216.67%159
142Skea81:6026.02%67
142Louttit81:6026.20%71
142Twatt81:60218.18%170
142Beatton81:60250.00%259
142Fleth81:602100.00%392
156Clark71:68853.85%291
156Thompson71:6888.05%102
156Morris71:688100.00%429
156Morgan71:68887.50%392
156Henderson71:68826.92%211
156McIntosh71:68863.64%318
156McRae71:68887.50%392
156Donald71:68877.78%365
156Greig71:68863.64%318
156Walter71:68831.82%234
156Gerrard71:688100.00%429
156Leitch71:68887.50%392
156Hepburn71:6889.09%110
156Stout71:6884.96%63
156Moodie71:6885.98%80
156McBeath71:68838.89%247
156Brass71:6886.14%81
156Garson71:6884.86%62
156Caithness71:68817.50%178
156Garriock71:6888.14%104
156Chrystall71:688100.00%429
156Cursiter71:68811.48%137
156Halers71:68818.92%188
156Velzian71:68828.00%216
180Davis61:803100.00%468
180Holland61:80354.55%318
180Paterson61:8036.59%99
180Hay61:8034.80%74
180Leith61:80310.34%142
180Bertram61:80385.71%429
180Garden61:803100.00%468
180Fotheringham61:80325.00%222
180McBeth61:803100.00%468
180McGilvray61:803100.00%468
180Clouston61:8032.08%22
180Birse61:803100.00%468
180Ritch61:8032.68%32
180Oag61:80375.00%392
180Corrigall61:8033.35%44
180Bichan61:8038.11%113
180Tomison61:8039.68%134
180Norquoy61:80315.00%178
180Cleat61:803100.00%468
180Cusiter61:803100.00%468
180Deldy61:803100.00%468