thanks to all who replied to my query on CUMMING surname > broke down a couple of "brick walls" This list is GREAT! to break down some more walls i thought i would ask all listers if they could possibly identify the names below who were witneses at the baptisms/marriage of my GARDENS living in Old machar/Aberdeen City ca 1780-1855. i have some census info (1841/1851) and records from ScotslandPeople to give me some "possibilities" but cannot make a connection Is it safe to assume that most likely there is some family connection to my GARDEN family if they were "witnesses". was there any "customary" tradition in 19th century Scotland when "witnesses" appeared NAMES: #1: COUTTS Family Connections Witnesses on ROB for Alexander Coutts ( b. 1806) were (1) John Esson (merchant) & (2) Alexander Esson of Westertown, Kincardine O'Neil #2 Witnesses are ROM (1862) for Alexander Coutts = Isabella Gillanders were (1) James Ewan (2) James McCormach. Alexander Coutts gave his son James and his daughter Jane the middle name > "Ewan". James Ewan, therefore, might be a relative of either family. Possibly the maiden name of his wife's paternal grandmother (mother of Alexander Gillanders) There are EWANS buried in Kincardine O" Neil Churchyard. #3 Witnesses at the Baptism (1848) of Catharine Garden (d. John Garden & Catharine Robson) were (1) Mary Massie and (2) Catherine Gibson. #4 Witness at the Baptism of a George GARDEN (1811) = John REID Witness at the Baptism of William GARDEN (George's brother) (1813) = William REID thanks in advance for any help Schani Biermann, Canada