SHETLAND PLACE NAMES PROJECT
The Shetland Place Names Project has got off to a very encouraging start.
Since August 2001, I have been working with local history groups, day care residents and individuals from throughout the isles to locate lists of names, maps and documents held locally, recruit volunteer recorders and identify potential informants. As many old names do not appear on maps or survive in documents, there is an urgency to record these before they die out all together. We are therefore concentrating on collecting theses names first before moving on to check documentary sources and undertake linguistic analyses. We have attracted a great deal of interest and local groups and individuals are already enthusiastically noting down local names on copy maps and recording sheets.
The type of information we are gathering includes:
information about the name or suggested interpretations e.g. named after an individual
Various recording techniques are being employed including the use of tape/minidisc recorders, maps and recording sheets, walking the ground, photographing sites and extracting information from documentary sources.
We have a good list of potential informants covering most areas, but are continuing to receive suggestions and information about maps or lists of names in private hands.
For further information contact:
Eileen Brooke-Freeman, Shetland Place Names Project Officer
Shetland Amenity Trust, Garthspool, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE 1 ONY
Tel: 01595 694688 Fax: 01595 693956
Bibliography (to see the full bibliography, click here)
Stewart, J., 1987, Shetland Place-Names.