Introduction

Westray Grays

Examination of the early parish records for Westray and Papa Westray indicates several Gray families which cannot be linked to one another. Through the period from 1738 to about 1760, the records show that there were five men with the surname Gray whose children were being baptised in Westray and Papa Westray -- Andrew, George, Henry, James and Thomas. Note listing of early Gray family baptisms per the Old Parish Records of Westray.

By about 1760 the children who were baptised in the “first generation” were beginning to marry and have children of their own. The descendants of George Gray and Margaret Seatter have been documented, but links between the other Gray families are only guesses.

The “second generation” consists of the grandchildren of George Gray and Margaret Seatter, and the children of the following,born between 1768 and 1790:

John Gray and Barbara Gray

Archibald Gray and (1) Hannah Meil, (2) Marjory Peterson

James Gray and Jane Harcus

By the time of the first census in 1841, most of the Grays on Westray were descended from George Gray and Margaret Seatter, and were based at Gretna Green in that island. There were a few representatives of other Gray families still in Westray in the earlier censuses, but by 1881 the male line had all died or moved away.