Fàilte! (Welcome!)

Fàilte! (Welcome!)
This blog is the result of my ongoing research into the people, places and events that have shaped the Western Isles of Scotland and, in particular, the 'Siamese-twins' of Harris and Lewis.
My interest stems from the fact that my Grandfather was a Stornowegian and, until about four years ago, that was the sum total of my knowledge, both of him and of the land of his birth.
I cannot guarantee the accuracy of everything that I have written (not least because parts are, perhaps, pioneering) but I have done my best to check for any errors.
My family mainly lived along the shore of the Sound of Harris, from An-t-Ob and Srannda to Roghadal, but one family 'moved' to Direcleit in the Baighs...

©Copyright 2011 Peter Kerr All rights reserved

Monday 19 July 2010

Net Workers of Lewis & Harris

These are the only records of people from the censuses of 1841-1901 in all of Lewis & Harris who are listed as working with nets. In each case, the Head of the Household was a Fisherman:

1861
Donald Macdonald, 14, Net Mender, Son, Bayble Road, Stornoway, b. Stornoway
(John Macdonald, 36, Fisherman, b. Stornoway)

1881
Mary Macleod, 28, Net Spinner, Daughter, Fisherman's House, North Harris, b. Harris
(John Macleod, 60, Fisherman, b. Harris)

1891
Malcolm Macaulay, 50, Net Mender, Servant, 21 Portnagman(?), b. Stornoway
(Murdo Campbell, 32, Fisherman, b. Stornoway)

Donald Matheson, 15, Net Mender, Servant, 5 Portoller(?), Stornoway, b. Stornoway
(John Martin, 27, Fisherman, b. Stornoway)

It would appear therefore that net-making was either performed as an integral part of the role of being a Fisher, or that the finished articles were imported. Either way, it surprised me to find no net-makers on these isles.
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