Parish of Firth & Stenness in 1841

Firth

The person appointed by the Sheriff to divide Firth was Samuel Hourston the schoolmaster of Quoysinclair in Enumeration District 2. William Malcolm signed as the Minister of the Parish and lived at Cursater in Enumeration District 3 although he was absent on census day as he and wife Ann are recorded as staying with the minister of Evie.
No persons were listed as sleeping outside or in boats, barns etc.

Enumeration District 1 containing 40 houses with Enumerator James Corston is described as:
So much of the parish of Firth as lies within the boundaries of the township of Settiscarthy Wale Burness Shoreside and Redland - bounded on the north by Rendall & the Bay of Firth, S. District No 2 and W. Hills separating it from Harray.
Samuel Hourston as Person appointed to divide the Parish recorded the following remarks:
The number of persons absent in this district is about 8 respecting whom the same remarks are applicable as in Schedules Nos 2 & 3. The same remarks made in Schedule No 2 are also applicable here respecting those denominated Farmers and the Straw plait Manufacturers. There is one Farm in this District worth above £50 yearly rent occupied by a Life renter all the rest excepting one of £12 are below £10 and the occupants are in general very poor.
None have emigrated to the Colonies during the last six months.
The people are most numerous during winter for the same reasons as mentioned in Schedule No 2.

Enumeration District 2 containing 62 houses with Enumerator Samuel Hourston is described as:
So much of the parish of Firth as lies within the boundaries of the townships of Quatquoy, Cubister, Holland, Savil, Horralshay, Seater, Wasdale, Hillside, Bainscarthe, Millquoy, Finstown and Thickbigging - bounded on the north by district No 1 and hills between it and Harray, on the east by the Bay of Firth & district No 3 on the south by the parish of Stenness and on the west by Mossy ground separating the parish of Firth from the parish of Harray.
Samuel Hourston as Person appointed to divide the Parish recorded the following remarks:
The number of persons absent in this District is about 30 eight of whom are at sea and expected to be home during winter - 9 as servants in neighbouring parishes and the rest on business of a more temporary nature.
Many of those denominated Farmers scarcely deserve the name, as they occupy only samll plots of ground and partly maintain their families from other sources chiefly fishing and building, while the Females are left to manage the little farm especially during the summer. There is one Farm in the district of £30 of Rent, 1 about £15 all the rest are from £5 to £10 of yearly rent and a few even below £5.
The only manufacture carried on here is the Straw plaiting which many of the females work at in their own houses during the intervals of time that can be spared from agricultural labour but none are altogether maintained by it and I understand it is insufficient for that purpose.
None have emigrated to the Colonies during last six months.
The inhabitants are most numerous during winter when many who follow the sea trade during the other seasons come home to their families.

Enumeration District 3 containing 42 houses with Enumerator Thomas Millar is described as:
So much of the parish of Firth as lies within the boundaries of the townships of Rennibister, Cursater, Grimbister & Heddle, bounded on the north by the Bay of Firth and district No 2 on the east by Hilly ground between it and Kirkwall, on the south by the Hills between it and Orphir and on the west by Stenness & district No 2.
Samuel Hourston as Person appointed to divide the Parish recorded the following remarks:
The number of persons absent in this district is about 25 some of whom are at sea and expected home during winter others engaged in the Mason trade and as servants in neighbouring parishes.
The same remarks made in Schedule No 2 respecting the Farmers and Straw plaiters are also applicable here. There is one Farm in this District of £50 yearly rent - 1 about £20 and the rest from about £4 and £5 to £10.
None have emigrated during the last 6 months.
The inhabitants are most numerous during winter for the same causes as mentioned in Schedule No 2.

Certified by Wm Malcolm Minister of Firth & Stenness

Remarks of Sheriff
Approved

The population of the parish of Firth by the Census of 1841 is 584
ditto by ditto of 1831 was560
Increase24

Chas Shirreff

Stenness

The person appointed by the Sheriff to divide Stenness was Joseph Isbister the schoolmaster of the Parochial School in Enumeration District 2. William Malcolm signed as the Minister of the Parish and lived at Cursater in Enumeration District 3 of Firth although he was absent on census day as he and wife Ann are recorded as staying with the minister of Evie.
No persons were listed as sleeping outside or in boats, barns etc.

Enumeration District 1 containing 42 houses with Enumerator David Isbister is described as:
So much of the parish of Stenness as lies within the boundaries of the township of Geriniston and along the hill side to the southward of the Stromness Road and which lies within the boundaries of the township of Clouston to the north of the Stromness Road
Joseph Isbister as Person appointed to divide the Parish recorded the following remarks:
There has been no emigration from this part of the Parish for the last six months with the exception of ten men who have gone to sea and being uncertain whether as emigrants or otherwise.

Enumeration District 2 containing 41 houses with Enumerator Joseph Isbister is described as:
So much of the parish of Stenness as lies immediately adjoining the said Stromness Road on either side of it but without the boundaries specified in district No 1 and so much of said parish as lies within the townships of Upper and Nether Hobbister within the township of Coulston and within the Barony of Stenness.
Joseph Isbister as Person appointed to divide the Parish recorded the following remarks:
From this district there are absent about eight young men five have gone to the whale fishery Davis Straits, the remaining three have gone as merchant seamen. There has been no unusual increase or decrease within the last six months.

Enumeration District 3 containing 43 houses with Enumerator Sinclair Mackay is described as:
So much of the parish of Stenness as lies within the boundaries of the township of Inland, is reckoned one third of the parish and is one and a half mile long and one broad.
Joseph Isbister as Person appointed to divide the Parish recorded the following remarks:
The greater part of the young men in this district generally go as merchant seamen or to Davis Straits to the whale fishery, none have gone this season to the last mentioned place. There has been no unusual increase or decrease nor any emigration within the last six months.

Certified by Wm Malcolm Minister of Firth & Stenness

Remarks of Sheriff

Total population of the parish of Stenness by the Census of 1841 is 583
By the Census of 1831 it was640
Decrease57