18 February 2016, Starts: 19:30

‘The cry of a young child’: Pregnancy, Community and Infanticide in Early Nineteenth-Century Sutherland

Talk by Elizabeth Ritchie, UHI Centre of History

Community Lounge, Brora. Organised by Clyne Heritage Society. Further information from their website www.clyneheritage.com

In what promises to be a very unusual talk, Dr Ritchie will examine this under-researched taboo topic, using the case study of a child murder case in Inveran, Sutherland, to examine the nature of community relationships, especially the use of gossip and the use of institutions like the church. From an Act of 1809, it was a crime when a woman concealed her pregnancy, usually from an out of wedlock relationship, during its course and did not seek help or assistance at the birth, and the child was found dead or missing.

The event will be held in the usual place, the Community Centre lounge at the rear of Brora Primary School in Johnstone Place, Brora. The meeting is open to all and there will be a raffle (donations always welcome). Refreshments and admission are free. Anyone wishing to join the Society will be made most welcome. Information on the Society's activities can be found on its website: www.clyneheritage.com or on its Facebook and Twitter pages.