Grace (Bruce) Irvine (abt. 1755)

Born about 1755 in Shetland, Scotland [uncertain]

Descendants

Died [date unknown] in Shetland, Scotland

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Allan Baxter [send private message]

Biography

Data Sources

Sources

• https://www.bayanne.info/Shetland/getperson.php?personID=I91945&tree=ID1

• Son's death record: 1859 Deaths in the Parish of Lerwick and Gulberwick in the Country of Zetland. Robert Irvine, married died 1 am on March 11, 1859 at Lochside Lerwick at age 84 years. Parents: Robert Irvine, fisherman and Grace Bruce. Cause of death: General Debility. Burial place: Churchyard of Lerwick. Informant: Robert Irvine, son. Allan Baxter 22:54, 3 October 2012 (EDT)

• Individual's historical record in Sheltand: http://www.bayanne.info/Shetland/getperson.php?personID=I91946&tree=ID1

Notes

The island measures some five and a half miles from south west to north east, and some two miles wide. With a population that stood at 1034 in 2001, Whalsay is one of Shetland's more densely populated islands and, unusually for an island community, this population has increased fairly steadily over the past century and a half, from 628 in 1841. Whalsay has through history been known for the sailing abilities of its menfolk. This has had its drawbacks. It was far from unknown for Royal Navy ships of the Napoleonic era to intercept traditional fishing sixareens from Whalsay, open boats with six oarsmen to supplement the sail, and "press" the whole crew into service. As far as their families were concerned these men simply disappeared. And there were more natural dangers: a storm in 1832 claimed the lives of many Whalsay fishermen, as did another in 1840. It is possible that Whalsay residents focused on the sea because of problems on the land. The island was largely a crofting community until acquired by the Bruce family in the 1600s. They then oppressed the island and its residents for the better part of three centuries. As late as the 1800s any islander crossing the Bruce family was exiled from Whalsay. (Source: http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/whalsay/whalsay/) Baxter-952 11:27, 10 October 2012 (EDT)

• The name 'Grace' may be a variation of the name 'Grizel' or 'Girsall' Baxter-952 16:00, 18 June 2015 (EDT)

• Grace Bruce is identified as person I91946 on Shetland Family History http://www.bayanne.info/Shetland/ Baxter-952 16:11, 18 June 2015 (EDT)

• This Grace Bruce wed Robert Irvine and bore a child Robert Ivine in 1776 on the island of Whalsey, Shetland. At this time period, the Bruce Family (descendants of Robert the Bruce) controlled the island. Population on the island was likely less than 1000 people at the time. Baxter-952 16:15, 18 June 2015 (EDT)

• "Grizel" as a women's name only occurs in the Bruce of Symbister, Whalsay family descendants (5 times)

• "Grace" only appears once in the Bruce Shetland family descendants with a Grace Bruce born on or before 1716.

• Origins on the Name Grizel / Grizelda / Griselda - This name is thought to have been derived from the Old German "grisja" (grey) and "hild" (battle). The 14th century author Boccaccio wrote a story about Patient Griselda in the Decameron and the English author Chaucer wrote a version of this in "The Clerk's Tale" which popularised the name and associated it with patience. Grizel became a popular form in Scotland though there were many variations - Grizzel, Girsel, Girzel and Goirzel. It was used by both the nobility and commoners - one well known bearer of the name was Lady Grizel Baillie (1665-1746), daughter of a Covenanter, the 1st Earl of Marchmont. She wrote a number of Scots songs and her "Household Book" was reprinted by the Scottish History Society in 1911. In Scotland, Grizel sometimes became Grace and a diminutive form was Zelda.