'The Living Voice'

This is the title of Michael Robson's brilliant essay in 'Togail Tir ', the 1989 book that is a treasure for those of us with an interest in the mapping of the isles and matters arising from such mapping.

On page 102 of the book and with regard to the recording of placenames by the Ordnance Survey, he writes, 'The islanders who helped were recorded by name, and it would be an interesting and worthwhile task to identify them all.' which is precisely what I intend to do for one such individual.

Robson records 'Angus Shaw, at Strond' as the man who helped so what can we learn of Angus?

There are a few possible candidates for this man but the one who appears to be the best fit appears in the censuses as shown below (People in bold are those who appear more than once over time)

1841 - Strond

Angus Shaw, 25

Mary Shaw, 25

Christian Shaw, 1

1851 – Geocrab

Angus Shaw, 42, Gamekeeper

Una Shaw, 36

Christy Shaw, 10

Duncan Shaw, 8

Alexander W Shaw, 6

Donald Shaw, 4

John Shaw, 1

1857 – Charts of the Sound of HarrisSound of Harris (Otter) & East Loch Tarbert (Thomas)

1861 – Ardslave

Angus Shaw, 50, Gamekeeper

Winford Shaw, 40

Christina Shaw, 20

Duncan Shaw, 17

Donald Shaw, 13

John Shaw, 11

Anne Shaw, 7

1871 – Strond

Angus Shaw, 64, Gamekeeper

Una Shaw, 58

Duncan Shaw, 25

Alex Shaw, 25

Donald Shaw, 21

John Shaw, 19

Anne Shaw, 17

1875-77 Ordnance Survey surveying Harris

1881 - Strond

Angus Shaw, 70, Crofter

Ann Shaw, 60

Alexander Shaw, 34

Anna Shaw, 24

Donald Shaw, 32

Rachel Shaw, 12, Granddaughter

Angus Mackay, 10, Grandson

John McDermid, 80, Brother-in-law

1891 – Strond

Una Shaw, 79, Crofter

Alexr Shaw, 40

Anne Shaw, 32

Rachel Shaw, 22

1901 – Strond

Alexander Shaw, 45, Crofter

Anne Shaw, 36, Sister

Rachel Morrison, 30

Angus Mackay, 25, Nephew

Peggy Mcsween, 12, Granddaughter

I am sure that this is the same family, followed from 1841 onwards, and am reasonably sure that this is indeed the Angus Shaw who assisted the Ordnance Survey.

Whether his wife, 'Mary', died and he remarried Una/Winford(?)/Ann could be discerned from an examination of their Death Certificates, plus those of the daughter Christian and one of the later children, should one wish to do so.

However, I am happy to present Angus Shaw, born circa 1810, a Gamekeeper in South Harris and father of six, as my first contribution to this '...interesting and worthwhile task...' !

Notes: Robson also discusses the roles of Alexander Carmichael and FWL Thomas and I remind readers of the gem that is Bald's 1804/5 Map of Harris & of my less-shiny attempt at a prose-poem on landscape.