Magnus Flett and Janet Johnstone - Our Direct Ancestors - my generation’s g g g grandparents

Magnus Flett, who was born on the 22nd of August, 1837 at Harray. His wife, Janet Johnstone, was born on the 8th of July, 1835 at Birsay. I have not found out any further information about their forebears to date.

I am unclear when Magnus and Janet were married. Their children included

1. Isabella Mgt (probably Margaret) - born circa 1859

2. John - born circa 1862

3. Jane / Janet known as Jean - born born on the 14th of October, 1863 in Dounby, Sandwick - our direct ancestor - more about Jean in the post on John Corrigall and Jean Flett

4. Mary Jane - born circa 1871

5. Elizabeth H - born circa 1875

6. Magnus Smith - born circa 1877

Magnus Smith Flett, son of Magnus Fleet and Janet Johnstone

Magnus was a mason. According to the 1881 census, Magnus was 43 years old and the head of the household at ‘Midhouse’, Sandwick. Living there with him was his wife Janet (spelt Jannet in the 1881 census) who was 44 and several of their children, including: Isabella Mgt who was 22 and a general servant; John, 19, an apprentice blacksmith; Mary Jane, 10 and Elizabeth H, 6, both attending school; and Magnus Smith, 4. Their granddaughter, Catherine Flett, 3, was also living with them, and I suspect Isabella was her mother.

At this time Jean, our direct ancestor, was 17 and working as a servant and dairymaid at ‘Yeldaval’ for James and Mary (nee Corrigall) Johnston and family. I am unclear whether Jean’s employers, the Johnstons were known to the Fletts. I wonder with the varying spellings of names at the time, if the Johnstons were in fact related to Janet (nee Johnstone)?

Ten years on and the census data tells us that Magnus was now working as a general labourer. Living with him at this time was his wife, Janet, 54; their children Margaret A., 19, and Magnus Smith, 14; and grandsons William, 8 and Peter, a baby.

According to the census of 1901, Magnus was a widower. I have not found details on Janet’s death or burial to date. Living with Magnus at ‘Midhouse’ in 1901 was his daughter Isabella, now 42 and an unemployed sick nurse and granddaughter Catherine Flett who was a knitter and now 23 years old. Other grandchildren at the residence included Peter, 10 and Williamina C, 6, both scholars and Johina only 1 year old. Possibly these children also belonged to Isabella, but I suspect from the other census data that Peter was Margaret’s son and Johina was actually Catherine’s daughter. Also living at ‘Midhouse’ was Catherine Johnston (note the spelling of Johnston), 53, who was Janet’s sister, single and a wool spinner. Magnus was still labouring at the time of the census, but died himself on the 19th of December, of that year.

In 1911 Isabella or ‘Bella’ was the head of ‘Midhouse’ at 52 years old, where she lived with her Aunt Catherine Johnston, daughter Catherine ‘Katie’ Flett 33, and grandaughter, Joina who was 11 and attending school.

To date I have found no further information about Magnus Flett and / or Janet Johnstone or their families.