I will try to explain my brickwall problem in broad strokes, and be prepared to elaborate if there appears to be a solution available. My maternal line is Spalding. I have traced a branch from a marriage of John Alexander Spalding b 1828 in Monikie, to Mary Caird b 1835 in Dundee. The marriage took place in 1857. At this point I should add that I have failed to find a connection of Mary Caird with James Key Caird, the Dundee benefactor born Dundee 1837. The significance of this will emerge as I trace the following Spalding line which has ended up as a brickwall. The family line exists and in part resident today in the Broughty Ferry/Monifieth area. I have learned, from a source in Canada that James Caird Spalding b 1920 d 2003 has a family of two sons, and two daughters. At least one of his sons with a son resident in Dundee. I have made contact with him and received an enthusiastic response, requesting more details of my requirements. For reasons which can be imagined, there was a sudden silence. Letters to one son of James Caird Spalding went unanswered. I have no information on the whereabouts of the two daughters. Ten Spalding families in the Broughty/Monifieth area have been contacted with no success, although replies offering assistance were received. My distant relative in Canada has tried, by telephone to persuade the widow of James Caird Spalding to co-operate in my search, but information has been refused. I am seeking a way to break this brickwall without antagonising the existing Spalding members who appear to be anti-genealogy. The Caird connection (if any) has been intriguing, in that in successive Spalding generations, the name Caird has emerged as middle name five times. Even if there is no connection, the family appear to think there is. I don't think this story is as clear as I would have hoped, but any suggestions on how to find a way round this barrier of silence would be appreciated. Alistair Macdonald