Al Clouston
Encyclopedia
Alwyn Vey Clouston was a Canadian
storyteller
and humourist known as "Uncle Al."
He was popular at conventions
during the time he worked as a travelling businessman and owner of John Clouston Ltd. of St. John's, Newfoundland. He retired in 1975 and became a best-selling author of comedy books. In 1980, his comedy album Cinderelly was nominated for a Canadian Juno Award
. His other albums included Spinn'Yarns and Come 'er till I tell You.
Clouston married Ida Bridden at St. John's Topsail Anglican Church on November 25, 1933, and they remained together until her death. Clouston died aged 94, and was survived by their two children (Carol Ann and Ian Bridden; died 2008), four grandchildren (Nancy, Doug, John, and Elizabeth), and five great-grandchildren.
Alwyn was the son of John Clouston, grandson of Thomas Clouston (both of St. John's), and the great-grandson of John Clouston, a stonemason from Kirkwall
, Orkney (early 19th century).
He was almost certainly related (at least distantly) to Brian Clouston
, Sir Edward Clouston, 1st Baronet
, Storer Clouston
and William Alexander Clouston
, as the surname Clouston is (according to Storer Clouston
in his book Family of Clouston) exclusive to descendants of Haakon Harvardson Klo, from whom the name derives. However this is not supported by official records. All that can be correctly stated is that he had the same surname as these Cloustons.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
storyteller
Storytelling
Storytelling is the conveying of events in words, images and sounds, often by improvisation or embellishment. Stories or narratives have been shared in every culture as a means of entertainment, education, cultural preservation and in order to instill moral values...
and humourist known as "Uncle Al."
He was popular at conventions
Convention (meeting)
A convention, in the sense of a meeting, is a gathering of individuals who meet at an arranged place and time in order to discuss or engage in some common interest. The most common conventions are based upon industry, profession, and fandom...
during the time he worked as a travelling businessman and owner of John Clouston Ltd. of St. John's, Newfoundland. He retired in 1975 and became a best-selling author of comedy books. In 1980, his comedy album Cinderelly was nominated for a Canadian Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
. His other albums included Spinn'Yarns and Come 'er till I tell You.
Clouston married Ida Bridden at St. John's Topsail Anglican Church on November 25, 1933, and they remained together until her death. Clouston died aged 94, and was survived by their two children (Carol Ann and Ian Bridden; died 2008), four grandchildren (Nancy, Doug, John, and Elizabeth), and five great-grandchildren.
Alwyn was the son of John Clouston, grandson of Thomas Clouston (both of St. John's), and the great-grandson of John Clouston, a stonemason from Kirkwall
Kirkwall
Kirkwall is the biggest town and capital of Orkney, off the coast of northern mainland Scotland. The town is first mentioned in Orkneyinga saga in the year 1046 when it is recorded as the residence of Rögnvald Brusason the Earl of Orkney, who was killed by his uncle Thorfinn the Mighty...
, Orkney (early 19th century).
He was almost certainly related (at least distantly) to Brian Clouston
Brian Clouston
Brian Clouston is a British landscape architect, and founder of Brian Clouston and Partners once the largest landscape architecture practice in Europe. Clouston was trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh and at the University of Newcastle...
, Sir Edward Clouston, 1st Baronet
Sir Edward Clouston, 1st Baronet
Sir Edward Seaborne Clouston, 1st Baronet was a Canadian banker and financier.He was born in Moose Factory to James Stewart Clouston, chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company and his wife Margaret....
, Storer Clouston
Storer Clouston
Joseph Storer Clouston was an Orcadian author and historian.-Life and work:J S Clouston OBE, the son of psychiatrist Sir Thomas Clouston, was from an "old Orkney family", according to his obituary in The Scotsman...
and William Alexander Clouston
William Alexander Clouston
William Alexander Clouston of Orkney was a 19th century British folklorist.A Supplement to Alliborne's Dictionary , as quoted in Folklore, gives the following biographical information:b...
, as the surname Clouston is (according to Storer Clouston
Storer Clouston
Joseph Storer Clouston was an Orcadian author and historian.-Life and work:J S Clouston OBE, the son of psychiatrist Sir Thomas Clouston, was from an "old Orkney family", according to his obituary in The Scotsman...
in his book Family of Clouston) exclusive to descendants of Haakon Harvardson Klo, from whom the name derives. However this is not supported by official records. All that can be correctly stated is that he had the same surname as these Cloustons.