In the quest to trace my g/grandfather I have come across some information which I am hoping someone could look up for me? A Willie Allan (I think his name was William) was the stud groom at the Clydesdale stud farm at Merryton Farm, Hamilton, Scotland looking after the horse Prince of Avondale. He is believed to have gone to Australia and started up in a business as a vet. But as he had no credentials to practice vet. Surgery he had to take down his sign!! There may be a link between Riddlell in Scotalnd and nr. Melbourne as I understand that this area is/was a big horse breeding area. The only info I have is that he may have come out somewhere around 1885. All very sketchy but if anyone can help I would be very pleased to hear. As I would of anyone researching the Allan family from near Hamilton, Scotland. Denise ............................................................................ ................................................. See the Nottinghamshire Heritage Gateway at http://www.thorotonsociety.org.uk "This is wonderfully, clearly designed and easy to navigate, as well as having extremely useful content" Elizabeth Williamson, English Heritage Commissioner. "...the site is clear, easy to navigate, and informative...Ideally websites like this should be available throughout the country." Local History News Nottinghamshire Heritage Gateway has been included in Intute "a free online service providing you with access to the very best Web resources for education and research, selected and evaluated by a network of subject specialists". http://www.intute.ac.uk Dr Denise Amos, co-ordinator NHG. Contact me at [email protected] [email protected]