Introduction / Barbara Allan / Westray Allans / David Allan and Elizabeth Sinclair / James Allan and Elizabeth Reid / John Allan and Christina Bews

Alexina Allan and David Work

Alexina Allan was born on Shapinsay on 28th June 1866 to John Allan and Christina Bews. On 26th January 1888 she married David Work, son of Wiliam Work and Elizabeth Work, born on 21st Apr 1859. Alexina and David had the following known children, born on Shapinsay:

• Elizabeth C. Work, b. abt 1888 who married Peter Swanney, son of Peter Swanney and Elizabeth Park, on Shapinsay on 3rd June 1909

• Catherine Jane Work, b. abt 1890 who married Robert Rendall, son of William Rendall and Jane Sandison, on Shapinsay on 30th Dec 1910

• Margaret Work, b. abt 1892 who married Thomas S. Kelday, a distillery worker in Kirkwall, on 28th March 1912 on Shapinsay. Thomas was the son of William Kelday and Jane Dunnet.

• David Work, b. abt 1894 who married Mary Isabella Bews, daughter of John Bews and Eliza Linklater on Shapinsay on 7th December 1922

In 1891 David and Alexina were living with David's family at Blackmyres, Shapinsay, but by 1901 the family had moved to Ness where David was a farmer. The family must have been at that farm for many years as that was the address of the younger David when he reported his uncle's death in 1948. There is a gravestone in the Shapinsay Kirkyard with the following inscription: "Erected in loving memory of David Work, farmer, Ness, died 5th Dec 1924 aged 65 years. Also his father Wm. Work died 4th Dec 1896 aged 83. Also Alexina Allan, wife of the above David Work, died 2nd May 1955 aged 88. We saw him fading like a flower. We dared not bid him stay. We nursed him with the tenderest care Till God called him away."