Introduction / Families

Hourston

Hourston is one of the early surnames in Pharay but before the 1841 census it appears only as a name in the 1810 rental. It occurs on a few occasions in the births recorded in the Old Parish Records (OPR) and there are instances of Hourstons being recorded in subsequent censuses elsewhere as having been born in the island. As a result, much of the information on these early Hourstons is merely glimpses, perhaps just the individual’s name, and consequently cannot be linked together or at least not with certainty.

Rental of 1810

There is a David Hourston in the 1810 rental, living at Doggerboat. Descendents of this David Hourston are to be found in Eday and Westray although there is some confusion with regard to which particular family member this David Hourston may be.

Parents for births in OPR or deaths registered post 1855

• David Hourston and Christian Fergus (child abt. 1773)

• Ann Hourston and Thomas Drever (children 1784-1797)

• Jane Hourston and Robert Harcus (children 1791-1797)

• Walter Hourston and Margaret Harcus (child 1793). It has not been verified in this case whether there was definitely a Pharay connection.

• David Hourston and Christian Drever (children 1793-1798)

The name David Hourston appears regularly and has caused some difficulty in identifying the relationship between these early Pharay residents.

It would appear likely that these Hourstons are related in some way.