TO GAIL IN ORKNEY

Hi Gail

I have tried to update the blog, and keep it readable.

I was up in Orkney some seven years ago, I don't remember the name of the grocers shop, but it was near the harbour just off the ferry from the mainland.  I saw a death announcement of a Sarah Hercus in the shop window.  

I haven't done an ADN study of the Herkes etc, but I believe there were some people in New Zealand who have done such a study with their own Orkney ADN. I believe that the results may dismay some folks, but Hercus and all other spelling variations,  originated in the parish of Fogo, Berwickshire, Scotland around 1200 and it was spelt Harcarse.  As the family verbal history goes, my line of descent was supposed to originate in Orkney, but I can't find the paper trail to lead me there.  I have added in the Spelling variations we found when doing our family tree, but I believe that the couple in New Zealand came across over 100.  As Hercus or Harcus is a phonetic name, it was written as it sounded, and many regions of Scotland, just by some miles, pronounce it differently.

As far as I know there have not been any more reunions or gatherings arranged.  

POST GATHERING

Our Herkes Family Gathering

We all had a wonderful time at Hercus Gathering Event.  I have never in my life seen, so many people hit it off instantly; I think instant bonding would be the correct words to describe the scene unfolding before my own eyes.

We did talk about Genealogy in the morning/afternoons to those who were present, but most went off on a tour or went headstone hunting in the Graveyards.   Wednesday was really the day the people were about, but when one comes with one’s spouse, and the other party is not interested, they had a choice of staying and we talked about family tree, or off they went on an excursion to Edinburgh to explore.

We had on display three printed books, all Herkes/Hercus families related in East Lothian, our line, is two volumes thick, then we had another line we managed to trace back to Scotland, to be exact to Innerwick in East Lothian. 

We managed to do a 120 photo book/album, the proof copy has arrived, although my husband is the author, it is really a very nice book/album; even I was surprised at the way he has set it out.  There should be an email going out regarding this point.

The venue was first class, top marks for presentation and serving, Reid Herkes who sat next to me the first evening, said to me, Wow this is the first time in many years have I seen the food being served in the correct way.

The farewell banquet was on the Friday evening, and it was some affair.  We had the haggis ceremony (nothing to do with Robert Burns), the piper piped it in, along with the Honour Guard, and I had a small sized sword to insert into the haggis and taste it, a sign that all could eat it, and the Haggis was good.   Then we had our meal, typical Scottish meal, Roast Lamb with all the trimmings.

During dessert (Scotch Trifle) we had a demonstration of Highland dancing, which was really out of this world, they did eight dances, including the Highland fling and the Sword Dance.  I have three uploaded videos in face book, where the quality is much better than here.  Here on the Blog the quality is really quite poor.

Then there was music later on to finish off the evening.   Everyone had a marvelous time, the only dampener was the tour to East Lothian, where it rained all day, typical Scottish weather. Still we can't complain it only rained the one day.

Let's hope the next Gathering say in some four to five years, will be even better than the first!

Jacalyn, Jim, John and Neil

HERKES GATHERING VIDEOS HIGHLAND DANCING 2

FINAL COUNTDOWN 3, 2, 1 - HERCUS GATHERING 3RD,4TH, 5TH AUGUST 2011

Hi to all

With just under four months to go before “The First Hercus Gathering”, everything is moving onward and falling into place as it should.

Time is also closing in on our editing window, so we need to once again remind those people who still have bios or photographs pending, to send them along – SOON -- before we send the tree into print.  Enough said on that point.  We know we have pestered quite a lot of people on that score, but it had to be mentioned, we are sure you all understand.

Circumstances may have changed for some people who now find they cannot attend, so for those who are attending, please reconfirm your participation.  We have to get this part right so that the organising Team can complete the pre Gathering preparations.                                                      

We would also like to remind you about the trips suggested.  There has been very little feedback on this, we need to know numbers to hire the appropriate transport. Please let us know – YES or NO – plus numbers -- for the following choices.

·        Day trip to Edinburgh

·        Day Tour around the “Scottish Borders” visiting the many historic Border Towns.

·        Day Tour around “East Lothian” visiting the main places where the “Hercus” et al spellings appear.

·        Historic and industrial tour of East and Midlothian including Rosslyn Chapel (Da Vinci Code).

·        Golf.

Could those people staying at Carfraemill please confirm once again to Jacalyn Herkes (jacalyn.herkes@gmail.com) their reservation?  These would be for the nights 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th of August taking into account that the “Gathering activities” start in the morning 3^rd of August.

Looking forward to seeing you all then, we shall have great time.

Best regards

Jacalyn, John and Neil.

WHY THE “HERCUS” SPELLING WAS CHOSEN

My own surname is spelt Herkes, so I was putting my own nose out of joint when the “Hercus” spelling was chosen.  We took many things into account, but on looking over all the different Hercus spellings (and there are plenty believe me) they all had one common denominator "HERCUS", and that was how the first spellings are to be found at Scotland’s People (SP) or New Register House in Edinburgh in the Old Parish Records.

Our surname varied in the way of spelling over time, and I suppose you could say it boils down to the following modern ways of spelling Harkes, Harkess, Herkes, Herkess, Herkis and Harkis some very occasional Harkness.  So we are indeed one family, although not all the branches join up to the same trunk of the tree, that is to say, as far as the paper trail leads us.

The proposed trip to East Lothian towns and villages is for those keen genealogists seeking the “Hercus” beginnings, to see where the surname props up. 

Remember the tour can only be organised if we have enough numbers to hire a coach or mini bus, that is why your feedback is important to be able to organise this or other tours already proposed in the last email.

Thanking you once again for your kind attention.

Jacalyn Herkes

Team Member

“Hercus” Gathering 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th August 2011

Hi everyone,

I’m Neil Spacinsky your MC for the “Hercus” Gathering next August at Carfraemill, Scotland and I’m sending you this follow up email on behalf of the team that is coordinating all arrangements.  The Gathering continues to generate steam and momentum, and is certainly creating worldwide interest.  We have now reached a point where it is only about 9 months away, so it is time to finalise the activities.

 

As previously mentioned, the Gathering is set to take place in the Lodge at Carfraemill.  As assurance, two of our Team members have personally been to the Lodge to check and confirm its suitability for the Gathering.  

DRESS

While casual attire will be acceptable throughout most events, Friday evening will be the closing Banquet.  The Ladies will no doubt want to look their best at dinner so suitable semi-formal evening attire is recommended for this event.

SCOTTISH ATTIRE

Will be welcomed throughout but it is not in any way a must. (If you feel good in a kilt or tartan sash, go for it). The “Hercus” folk did not form part of any Clan, but were mainly tradesmen serving the people as needed.

We could have designed our own Tartan by having a Tartan woven especially for us, but this would work out to be extremely expensive.  As such, we have adopted the “The Flower of Scotland Tartan” for our kin at this gathering, and this can be worn by all Scots throughout the world.

WEATHER 

Rain can be expected anytime, the local saying is, “Sun before seven, rain after eleven” so clothing for changeable weather is advisable.  After the sun goes down there is a wee bit of chill in the air.  During the day it should be warm.   We can’t guarantee the weather.  I wish we could!

NIGHT ACTIVITIES

Drinking and Driving Laws are strictly enforced, to the point that no one in Scotland drives after a drink.  We urge all our Folk to keep this in mind while in Scotland.

TRAVEL

The preferred Airport to fly into will be most likely the large International Airport at Edinburgh.  Fortunately for us it is about a 40 minutes drive from where the Gathering will be taking place.

Other Airports that could be used are Glasgow Airport, also in Scotland, which is about 1 hour 30 minutes from Carfraemill, or Heathrow in London, which is about a 10 hour car drive to the place of the Gathering.

THE FAMILY TREE

This has been a massive project.  Team members have been active for many years working on its preparation and those attending will be giving talks and will be happy to answer questions on genealogy research.  A Master Family Tree will be available for your inspection.  Copies and supporting documentation will be available on CDs for the Folk for a nominal fee.

PHOTOGRAPHER

At any time during the Gathering, those of you that have a camera feel free to use it during the Gathering, but we ask you to use common sense and be polite.  For those of you without a camera we will have a photographer, who will be taking photographs and these will be available at the end of the gathering on CDs for a nominal fee.

This is the first Gathering of the Hercus Folk in 300 years and we are looking for a momentous reunion.  Family and friends are all invited.  We want this to be a great and memorable occasion for all, something to perhaps repeat in the future, and something to tell our grandchildren. 

FEEDBACK

It is important to us now in the final stages of the planning, for you to get back to us as soon as possible on three points:  FIRST, your payment which reserves you a place at the gathering.  SECOND, a list of activities you wish to attend, and THIRD, and very important to us right now, any thoughts or recommendations you may wish to express and give us.

REGISTRATION

Registration will officially open Tuesday night 2^nd of August, at Carfraemill.   We assume a number of people will be arriving early because official gathering activities will begin Wednesday morning.

ACCOMMODATION 

Lodging is expensive in the UK; fortunately Scotland is slightly cheaper.  For this Gathering it falls into four categories, the most expensive is probably hotels, then Carfraemill, B&B’s, and cottages (self catering) being cheaper.  Carfraemill is mainly an activities centre, but they have 10 bedrooms which can be hired.

ESTIMATED PRICE DAY TOURS – ABOUT £40 OR LESS

Price per person depends on the number of people who would like us to arrange tours for them.  We have several types of tours in mind that may be of interest.  These will really depend on the feedback we receive, as to whether or not we go ahead and arrange tours, or just let people do their own thing.

HARCUS/HERCUS AND ONWARD FOLK REUNION 3,4 & 5 AUGUST 2011

Hi to one and all.  Be it Harcus, Hercus, Herkes, Harkes, Herkess, Harkess, etc.  I shall use one way of spelling; Hercus, and perhaps this was the original way it was spelt many, many, years ago.  Who knows, time modified many things in life, and that included the Hercus surname.

This is our next update for the Family Reunion 2011. 

This coming August, 2010,  my husband and I, are meeting  up with another Hercus (Herkes) Team Member and his family, and we shall tie up any loose ends at Carfraemill.  At the same time we will scout around for more possible accommodation nearby, and leave things sort of settled, for our “Gathering” on August, 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2011. 

In the meantime to assist the committee in developing a schedule of events we would appreciate if you could all take a few moments and develop some ideas or suggestions as to what you would expect to happen during these three days. Please do not be shy all suggestions are welcomed.

We realise we asked this once before but since then many new names have been added to the list and their input is important in developing a programme.  If you did respond earlier please do so again.

Campbell Function Room at Carfraemill

We have booked the Campbell Function Room at Carfraemill for the three days of our gathering.   On Friday August 5, 2011 a gala closing dinner is scheduled, and we hope to have various types of entertainment such as Highland Dancing, Scottish Pipes.
.

Tartan "Flower of Scotland"

 

The above tartan is called the "Flower of Scotland", as the Hercus family doesn’t have its own tartan, one of the Team has proposed, this could be adopted as the Herkes Tartan, being one, which can be used for all other families such as Hercus which has no tartan of it’s own.

One idea suggested was a detailed tour of East Lothian, visiting as many as we can of the towns, villages, hamlets where our surname pops up.  Although we all know things have changed very much so, one will get a feeling of their kin when perhaps visiting a church where an ancestry was married, or baptized, or an address known to house a relative.  I think this would be practically a whole day affair.

Sample of Death Register

As well those coming to the event do not forget to bring your research to share with one and all.  Perhaps putting your family tree data, registrations, photos of the Family Bible, ancestors and present day photos, etc on a CD would be better than bringing all of your paperwork.   Then copies could be made and distributed to one and all to review at a later date when back home.   These photos and registers are from one of the Team member’s branch.

Notation of births found in the Family Bible

Notation of Deaths found in the Family Bible

Best wishes to all, and let's get together at the HERCUS etc Family Folk Reunion.


Any questions please ask any of the following members of the Team. 
  


Neil Spacinsky (nspacinsky@cogeco.ca) Jacalyn Herkes (jacalyn.herkes@gmail.com)
John Herkes (herkes@uidaho.edu)