Orcadian Kim Foden traces the footsteps of her ancestor Magnus Twatt, who left Orkney to work for the Hudson’s Bay Company in Canada in the 18th Century.
Kim Foden: Homecoming
From Hoy to Hudson Bay and Back
William Sinclair Ritch of Rackwick in Canada where he worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company for 38 years
Full Circle: An Orkney family reunited after 200 years separated by distance and culture (Part 11)
“While visiting the youth camp at Sturgeon Lake, Robert Ermine had explained the sweat lodge to us and its role in the lives of the people.”
Full Circle:An Orkney family reunited after 200 years separated by distance and culture (Part 10)
“We visited the graves of many of our relatives but most poignant was the site of William Twatt‘s final resting place. “
Full Circle: An Orkney family reunited after 200 years separated by distance and culture (Part 8)
“We arrived at Harold’s late parents, Hannah and William Kingfisher’s home. Hannah was William Twatt’s grand-daughter. “
Full Circle: An Orkney family reunited after 200 years separated by distance and culture (Part 7)
“Thus began an extraordinary journey – the journey to meet my Cree relations, eighth cousins. “
Full Circle: An Orkney family reunited after 200 years separated by distance and culture (Part 6)
William Twatt was one of nine chiefs who met the Queen’s Commissioner at Fort Carlton in August, 1876 to negotiate Treaty Six in order to preserve their way of life and culture while facing starvation and possible massacre at the hands of the settlers.
Full Circle: An Orkney family reunited after 200 years separated by distance and culture (Part 5)
By 1804 the Twatt Mortification School was built and in use. As requested, it was built in the township of Kirbister, part of Sir William Honyman’s Graemsay Estate.
Full Circle: An Orkney family reunited after 200 years separated by distance and culture (Part 4)
“On 26th September 1801 Magnus was sent by William Tomison from Cumberland House to Carrot River with John Brough and a party of natives with the object of intercepting the trade established by the Canadian traders in that neighbourhood.”
Full Circle: An Orkney family reunited after 200 years separated by distance and culture (Part 3)
“In May, 1782 Magnus is again mentioned in the Cumberland House records as having been off hunting, returning with 28 geese.”
