Inkster Families
 
 

 The Inkster Name

In his book The Place-names of Rousay Dr Hugh Marwick traces the name of the farm of Innister in Rousay back to its original form of Ingar's garth, the land of a someone called Ingar.  He then goes on to add that the name Inkster also developed down through the ages from Ingar.  In the 18th and 19th century parish registers for Rousay the name Inkster is usually spelt INKSATER, and later INKSETTER.  Until about 50 years ago older people could be heard pronouncing the name according to these spellings, but the Inkster spelling and pronunciation now prevail.

In the 1800s there were lots of Inkster families in Rousay.  Most of the Wasbister Inksters were related but it has not been possible to find a connection between them and other Inkster families living in the Sourin district of the island.

 

 

 
 

Samuel Inkster (1876-1953) grandson of Thomas Inkster, born c1779, and his wife Isabel Marwick.

 

Hugh Inkster (1845-1933) with his daughter Mary Jean (Inkster) Logie, his grandson George Logie, and his g-granddaughter Mary Jean Logie. Hugh's earliest traceable ancestor is his grandfather John Inkster born c1770.
(Photos - T. Gibson)

In Sourin William Inkster born c1770 married Robina Rendall.  Their grandson Hugh Inkster, 1839-1908,  and his family can be seen in the photos below.

The Inkster family of Westness.
Back row (l to r) -  Ann, Janet, Lily, Mimie, and Mary.
Middle row - Hugh and Mary (the parents), Isabella, and Fred.
Front row - David and Robert.

(Photo by courtesy of Ron Spence, Banchory, Aberdeenshire

 a grandson of Mimie Inskster who married James Groundwater)

 

 

Some of the children of Hugh and Mary Inkster of Westness (above)
l to r -  Ann, Mimie, Janet, Fred, Mary and Lilly

(Photo by courtesy of Ron Spence, Banchory, Aberdeenshire

 a grandson of Mimie Inskster who married James Groundwater)

Some of the daughters of Hugh and Mary Inkster of Westness (above)
l to r -  Ann, Lily, Mimie and Mary

(Photo by courtesy of Ron Spence, Banchory, Aberdeenshire

 a grandson of Mimie Inskster who married James Groundwater)
   Inkster children in later years - l to r - Mary, Isabella, Mimie, Fred

(Photo by courtesy of Ron Spence, Banchory, Aberdeenshire

 a grandson of Mimie Inskster who married James Groundwater)

 

 

About 1794 John Inkster of Innister and later of Saviskaill married Barbara Marwick.  Their son William married Rebekkah Marwick in 1827 and their son William married Mary Gibson of Langskaill c1859 and made their home at the farm of Cogar in Rousay.  Their son David (1862-1928) married Isabella Sinclair.  Their son William (1888-1955) married Ann Inkster (no relative).  They emigrated to Manitoba, Canada.

 

 

William Inkster of Cogar 1831-1906. The child is thought to be his granddaughter Annabelle Sinclair born in 1886.

(Photo - T. Gibson)

 

 

William Inkster (1888-1955) with his wife Ann Inkster. The baby is probably their eldest child Annabel who lived to be a 93-year-old residing in Brandon, Manitoba. William was a grandson of William (above)

(Photo - T. Gibson)
 

 
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