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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Aberdeenshire => Topic started by: anne50 on Wednesday 04 June 08 12:54 BST (UK)
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I wonder if anyone can help me find out what happened to the crewmen who died on the boat as it returned from Kekerton Island in 1861. They were very badly treated and a lot of them died from scurvy and inadequate food. My Gt Gt Uncle was only 17 when he died on the return trip and i have come up against a brickwall. I cannot find his death certificate. The last entry for him was on the 1851 cencus aged 7 years of age. His name was Alexander Pickard and he was born in Longside. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
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Hi,
Google the whalers heritage project (if you haven't already)
also ship wrecks in "Artic whalers",this one has an email address which may be of help to you..
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Hi Anne
Welcome to Rootschat
A newspaper report I have sighted (Oct 1861) suggests that the 10 crew who died actually perished in the Cumberland Straits/Kitterton (Kekerton?) Island at some time during the whole of the previous winter. For England and Wales I would suggest checking the overseas death registers but I am not sure of the procedure for Scottish deaths at sea :-\
As they were in such a remote place, I'm not sure what (if any) Canadian records there would be :-\
May we ask the source of your information/sources you have already covered?
Casalguidi :)
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Hi,
Thanks for your quick response. I have just been gathering little info from our local newspaper archives. This story was kind of hushed up and there was no memorial for the men. My 2x Gt Uncle is a mystery to me as i can find no death records for him. I will try and explore the Canadian deaths and see if i can come up with anything. Which paper may I ask were you looking at?
From what i have gathered, seamen who died while whaling, were buried in very shallow ground (as the ground was frozen solid) or they were buried in barrels!. Thanks again
Anne
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Hi Anne
The story was in a number of newspapers nationwide - appearing to have been copied form the "Dundee Advertiser". No mention of any names though only that 10 perished and the ten surviviors (all the crew from Peterhead) were too weak to sail their own ship back so the captains of the "Alibi" and "Arctic" (both of Aberdeen), when they came across the ship the following year, sent some of their own crews aboard to sail the "Alert" back - arriving in Peterhead on the Tuesday (October 1st?).
Casalguidi
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There is more in "The Aberdeen Journal" (from the "Sentinel") 9 Oct 1861 ............... captain Mr Forbes MILNE (didn't hold a ticket!). BARNETT & MITCHELL were pitched out of the boat when it was upset by a whale and not seen again July 27th 1860. A harrowing story about how the men were mistreated by the captain ie. not rationed properly. The names of the dead men:
John MITCHELL, New Deer 27 Jul 1860
William BURNETT, Strichen 27 Jul 1860
John WALKER, Peterhead 11 Nov 1860
John M'KENZIE, Portknockie 13 Dec 1860
William M'KENZIE, Peterhead 24 Apr 1861
Peter CAMBELL, Sutherlandshire 30 May
Alex PICKARD, Longside 3 Jun
Robert MILNE, carpenter, Peterhead 25 Jun
William NICOL, Peterhead 31 Jul
It is reported that she wintered about 20 miles equi-distant from Niatlik and New Boyen stations and was preparing to head home 23 Aug 1861.
Casalguidi :(
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Hi Anne,
Here's a link to the Aberdeen maritime museum -
http://www.aagm.co.uk/code/emuseum.asp?page=buildings_maritime_museum
There is an email address on the page, so it might be worth contacting them. They may not have the answer themselves, but may be able to point you in the right direction.
Cheers
Jim
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Hi
I am a new user of this site. I received a Christmas card today from a distant relative who on my behalf has been researching Alexander Low Pickard (a relative) who died in the Cumberland Strait off Baffin Island on 3 June 1861 having set sail from Peterhead the previous year. Hilda has been researching the history of the Alert of Peterhead via the library in Peterhead and has amassed a wealth of information regarding deaths, mutinies and the unexpected return to Peterhead of the whaling boat about 18 months after leaving port. Hilda advises me that someone at the Peterhead Maritime Museum has collated all the information and is producing a booklet on the subject in summer of 2009. I have besides traced Alexander's death certificate in New Register House, Edinburgh and have the details if required.
Let me know if my operation of this system works.
Alex730
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Hi Alex
Welcome to Rootschat
That's some great "news" you have there - I'm sure Anne will be delighted (she should get notification that somebody has replied to her post on here)
Casalguidi :)
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Hi
I am a new user of this site. I received a Christmas card today from a distant relative who on my behalf has been researching Alexander Low Pickard (a relative) who died in the Cumberland Strait off Baffin Island on 3 June 1861 having set sail from Peterhead the previous year. Hilda has been researching the history of the Alert of Peterhead via the library in Peterhead and has amassed a wealth of information regarding deaths, mutinies and the unexpected return to Peterhead of the whaling boat about 18 months after leaving port. Hilda advises me that someone at the Peterhead Maritime Museum has collated all the information and is producing a booklet on the subject in summer of 2009. I have besides traced Alexander's death certificate in New Register House, Edinburgh and have the details if required.
Let me know if my operation of this system works.
Alex730
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Hi Alex,
I have just saw your post on here as i have not logged on for a while. I have actually met Hilda, the Peterhead Museum lady who is putting together the booklet on the "Alert" put us in touch. She is a mine of information. I would dearly love to know the details on Alexanders death certificate. I have been trying to find it myself. Alexander would have been my Gt Gt Uncle, and the family lived just 7 miles from where i live now. It would be great if you could tell me the details of the death certificate.
Many Thanks
Anne Coutts nee Pickard
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Hi Ann,
this is all the info I have.
Alexander died aboard the Alert on3/6/1861 cause of death unrecorded he is buried at the Cumberland Straits Canada.
Jim
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The lady who is a mine of info on the ALERT is Fiona Riddell, Curatorial Assistant at the Arbuthnot Museum, Peterhead, and who is also a mine of info on all things concerning the history of the Peterhead Whaling fleet and arctic exploration.
The museum telephone number is:
01779 - 477778
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to Anne Coutts nee Pickard
I have received during the month of November 2009 a small booklet on the Alert of Peterhead produced by Fiona Riddell of the Arbuthnot Museum in Peterhead. It was passed on to me from Hilda Pickard. The booklet is not in a published format but contains most of the information on the ill-fated journey of the Alert and the aftermath all as described in the Peterhead Sentinel newspaper. Has Hilda provided you with a copy?
Also I would be interested in knowing what family history you have on the Pickards in Scotland. My line goes back through William Piccard born about 1808 in Selby Leicestershire married on 3 Dec 1825 in Longside to Elizabeth "Lillie" Brown. William's parents were William Pickard, soldier, and Mary Farquhar. Elizabeth's parents were John Brown and Isabella Warrender. Although my surname is Warrender, this is not the most direct line with the Pickards. My great grandfather John Leslie married my great grandmother Elizabeth Brown Pickard in 19 Dec 1891 at Cruden.
Alex730
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Hi Alex,
My line is through William and Elizabeths son Joseph. Joseph would have been my 3x Gt Grandfather. He was born in Longside, and married there too.
As for William and Mary Farquhar, i am still trying very hard to find out more about them. Mary was born 21/11/1762 in Strichen, Aberdeenshire. She and William (senior) had their family in Sileby (not Selby) Leicstershire. I have come across a few possibilities as to what happened to them, but its not definite.
As for the Pickards in Scotland, they farmed in Longside and many other places too. William (1808) is buried in Longside cemetry along with wife Elizabeth. At least 2 other brothers came to Peterhead and lived here.
I have found the grave for Robert Pickard and his family in Peterhead.
If theres anything you want to know then post me a message and i hope i can help you out.
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Hi Alex & Anne
I too am related to the Pickards. Amelia Pickard, daughter of William Pickard and Isabella G. Smith was my great grandmother and would have been a sister to Elizabeth Pickard. I have a photograph of John Leslie & Elizabeth Pickard's gravestone in Cruden Parish kirkyard if you don't already have it. I also have a family group of who I suspect are John & Elizabeth with family. Would you be able to confirm this for me?
MeeToo
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Hi Meetoo,
I would love to see the photos. It would be great to put a face to the names.
Anne
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Hi Anne
This is the family group I mentioned earlier. My aunt thought they might be John Leslie, Elizabeth Pickard and family. The photographer was Wm Hutcheon, Tipperty, who was only there in 1911, so that must date the photo pretty accurately.
The gravestone is in Cruden Parich Churchyard.
MeeToo
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Hi,
Thanks for the photos. Your William was my Gt Gt Grandfather (Joseph) brother. I donb't know what that makes Amelia and Elizabeth? I get so confused!.
Its great to put faces to names on a sheet of paper.
Anne
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If I've got things right - Amelia and Elizabeth Pickard were sisters and nieces of your Joseph. What that makes you and me, who knows! :D
MeeToo
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Hi again,
Yes it looks like Amelia and Elizabeth were sisters. I keep looking for a family resemblance but can't see any haha.I have a long list of ancesters that i got sent from another rootchatter, i will try and send it if you have'nt got it. It starts with William and Mary in Sileby and it goes up to the present day. Its looses its direct line to me a bit and goes off to another branch of Pickards. You would maybe recognise them.
Anne
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Yes please, Anne - send me the list of ancestors. Even if I have them already, it would be good to check.
MeeToo
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Hi Alex and MeeToo,
Are either of you on Genes Reunited if you
are I have quite a few Packard's right up to the present day on my tree some of which I kindly got from Ann. if you are not on genes and are interested send message with e-mail address and I will try to send you what I have.
Jim
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Hi MeToo
I have exactly the same photo! It was taken in 1908 and is of the Leslie family. My grandfather (James Smith Leslie) is on the far right, in the front. His twin brother, Robert, is seated on the far left. They were 10 years old in the photo.
In the back is Donald(1895), William(1893), John (1896)
In the front is Isabella(1900), Robert(1898), Edward(1903) John Leslie (1865), Harry (1904), Elizabeth Brown Leslie/nee Pickard (1865), James Smith Leslie (1898)
My grandpa and grandma moved to Canada in 1928. I live in BC Canada.
Louise
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Hello Louise...
...and thank you so much for confirming the family in the pic as Leslies. It's great to know their names (and ages) at last. Another new '42nd' cousin - fantastic! ;D
There is another Pickard thread here too if you haven't already seen it. If you want to share any information on the Pickard line, send a pm and I'll give you what I have, as well as other photos if you're interested.
MeeToo
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Hi MeeToo
I'd love to have all the info/photos you have. Unfortunately, I've just joined RootsChat, and new members must make at least three postings before being allowed to use the PM facility. Don't know if I can post my email her, but here goes... (*)
(*) Moderator Comment: e-mail removed in accordance with RootsChat policy,
to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.
New members must make at least three postings before being allowed to use the PM facility.
See Help-Page: http://www.rootschat.com/help/pms.php
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Hi MeeToo
The only other photo I have is of my grandfather's parents (John Leslie & Elizabeth Brown Pickard). I also have a copy of their wedding certificate (1891). If anyone has photos from this branch, I'd really appreciate having them. I think my grandpa (James Smith Leslie) pretty well lost contact with his family when he moved to Canada.
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Hi Louise,
Another Pickard connection! lol. My line comes in from Elizabeth B Pickard who married John Leslie. Elizabeths father William Pickard was my Gt Gt Grandfathers brother (Joseph). They were born in Longside.
Happy hunting
Anne
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I have just joined 'Roots' as I came across a post about Inspector Fiddes who was in Penang. On further searching I came across the picture, I have a copy of this exact picture and you are correct it is the Leslie family. Back row: Donald & William, Front Row: Isabella, Robert, Edward, John, Henry, Elisabeth, John & James Leslie.
Meetoo, I am related to Fiddes family, Robert Fiddes's sister Isabella was my great grandmother and I have been trying to find people with connections to the fiddes side of the family
FDH
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Here is hoping that WEEZ is still in touch with this site after her last post of 6 years ago! Anyway I thought that I would react to her picture of the Leslie's in 1908 (confirmed) - as my grandmother was 8 and is the only girl in the pic!! I am really pleased to hear that her grandfather James Smith Leslie and grandmother Jane Ann Bain had emigrated to Canada as I have been searching for James's d cert for ages. Can you please let me have details the date of date and place of death? Also you say that you have a pic of John Leslie and Elizabeth Brown - can you please post this? Finally anyone researching the Pickard line in Aberdeenshire may be interested to know that I have uncovered that Isabella Ann Pickard (b. 14 Feb 1870) appears to have had several illegitimate children whilst staying with her uncle George Pickard (chr 23 Aug 1846). Details can be supplied. Alex 730
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Alex,
I am not researcing the Pickard family but, I think there is a connecting marriage in my tree.
Is the person discussed Elizabeth Brown Pickard was born in Cruden circa 1865 daughter of William Pickard and Isabella Smith?
If I've got this right, Elizabeth's brother was called John Brown Pickard and married Annie Sinclair.
John B Pickard and Annie Sinclair had a son named Leslie McGaughie/McGaughan Pickard who was born in Cruden 1888.
( he is entered on the 1891 census as 2yr old Jessie M Pickard, son)
Leslie M Pickard married in Paisley, Renfrewshire in 1920 and he they too emigrated to Canada.
When this couple left Scotland in 1922, they were going to the home of Leslie's older brother, Alexander Pickard who lived in Alberta
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Thank you for bumping this thread.
Reply #4 mentions The Alibi. I think the Captain McKinnon mentioned here
https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=Vjgcg0rjwwEC&pg=PA213&lpg=PA213&dq=mckinnon+alibi+arctic+captain+penny&source=bl&ots=anIDdf5Rzp&sig=nu2W3Oj8O4TNZ2FRzQ39Bu1ndaY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiAs5Wm-f_QAhXDmpQKHURrC1QQ6AEIHzAB
Could be Gordon McKinnon from Peterhead. If the various crew hadn't known each other personally I expect they would have known their families.