LANARK-L Archives

Archiver > LANARK > 2003-02 > 1044175496


From: Frances Crum <>
Subject: Re: [LKS] OPR - "Diet of Examination" Meaning Please
Date: Sun, 2 Feb 2003 08:45:08 +0000 (GMT)
In-Reply-To: <000001c2c99a$9cbbdfe0$5e718e8b@jtappp>


I know that a couple of hundred years before this it would have had a more sinister meaning - at the peak of the witchcraft scares they used to examine children before baptism to see if they had a witch's mark (abnormalities) as well as for proving and accepting (attesting to )lines of descent- in case of ambiguity. At that time it would have been a meeting of the elders of the religious community, the town - which would have included the most prominant people and legals in the area a that time (usually same peope - church and social heirarchy).
"Arnott, J&H" <> wrote:Today, whilst transcribing and entry from the OPRs in 1776 I came across a
phrase I hadn't seen before.....

"July 14th 1776
....... was born etc ....and baptized before witnesses at a diet of
examination at Craighall on the 17th "

Can anyone explain the meaning of "a diet of examination" please?
Possibilities in my Webster include "a day set for a meeting, also a
session or sitting of a court or assembly (Scot.)".

Thank you

Jim in Canada



==== LANARK Mailing List ====
The Lanarkshire Surnames List
http://www.rootsweb.com/~sctlks/




---------------------------------
With Yahoo! Mail you can get a bigger mailbox -- choose a size that fits your needs

This thread: