Introduction / Families / Hourston

Walter Hourston and Margaret Hercus

There is no certainty that there is a connection between Walter Hourston, his wife Margaret Hercus, and Pharay. All that is known is that they had a child born in 1793, whose baptism is recorded in the Old Parish Records covering Eday and Pharay:

• Christian Hourston, born 10th February 1793

The entry in the Old Parish Records does indicate a number of surnames associated with Pharay at that time:

“Christian, lawful daughter to Walter Hourston and Margaret Hercus, was born on the tenth of February Seventeen hundred and ninety three and baptised on the eighth following by the Reverend James Izet(?) Minister of Westray in presence of Robert Hercus and William Sinclair – Witnesses”

No reference is made to Christian having been born in Pharay rather than the larger island of Eday. However Robert Hercus and William Sinclair were known to have lived on Pharay during this time.