Hello Rob, On Tue, 5 Sep 2000 you wrote: > John Paton and Alison Trotter married in Edinburgh 29th March 1804. > Alison daughter of William Trotter a mason of Berwick > They had at least on son, Peter in 1818 > > I think > Alison was born in Duns, Berwick on 4th April 1782 > Parents William Trotter and Elizabeth 'Betty' Henderson > Other children Peter 1778, Janet 1780, Thomas 1784, William 1786, > Betty 1788, Margaret 1793 and Jean 1796 all born in Duns. It took me a little time to find them for you. However, from the Duns parish register there are the following entries for the above family: ----------------------------- (The following from OPR 735/4 pp. 26) 1. April 4th (1780) Janet TROTTER lawful Daughter of William TROTTER Mason in Dunse and his Spouse Betty HENDERSON Wm HOUSE Mason & Wm TROTTER (Shoemaker <can't read the word> ??) in Dunse witnesses (The following from OPR 735/4 pp. 163-4) 2. 1782 Alison TROTTER Lawful Daughter of William TROTTER Mason Dunse & Betty HENDERSON was born April 4 1782 & Baptized April 24 Wm TROTTER, Thomas GRAY (witnesses) 3. 1784 Thomas TROTTER Lawful son of William TROTTER Mason Dunse & Betty HENDERSON was born Febr. 24th & Baptized March 10th. Wits. Wm TROTTER, Thos GRAY 4. 1786 William TROTTER Lawful son of William TROTTER Mason Dunse & Betty HENDERSON was born April 24 1786 & Baptized May 20th. Witnesses Wm TROTTER, Thos GRAY 5. 1788 Betty TROTTER Lawful Daughter of William TROTTER Mason Dunse & Betty HENDERSON was born 19 April 1788 & Baptized April 30 Witnesses Jas. SINTON, Wm TROTTER 6. 1790 John TROTTER Lawful son of William TROTTER Mason Dunse & Betty HENDERSON was born 21st Febr. 1790 and Baptized March 5 Witnesses Jas. SINTON, Wm TROTTER 7. 1793 Margaret TROTTER Lawful Daughter of William TROTTER Mason Dunse & Betty HENDERSON was born 11th April 1793 and Baptized April 24th Witnesses Jas. SINTON, Wm TROTTER 8. 1796 Jean TROTTER Lawful Daughter of William TROTTER Mason Dunse & Betty HENDERSON was born 3d Novr 1796 and Baptized Nov 20 Witnesses Jas. SINTON, Wm TROTTER ----------------------------- I noticed that there is an IGI entry for Alison TROTTER born 4 April 1802. I did not see such an entry in the registers, and realised that the IGI entry is merely a Patron submittal. Hence, it is likely the Patron Submittal is in error. Along that line, I notice that the 1778 entry for Peter TROTTER is a Patron Submittal. This is another entry that I did not see in the register. I must point out, though, that the parish register for that time period is a little messy. Hence, I may have missed the baptism entry for Peter. It would seem that there are some interesting things that may develop for you, if these entries are your family. First, William TROTTER's occupation is consistently listed as Mason. From that, it seems to me there's a good chance the Alison at marriage is the same person as the Alison baptized Duns 1782. Second, I notice from the IGI that James SINTON was married to a Jean TROTTER. Coincidence?? Third, there were various other entries in the register for children of a Peter TROTTER...and another entry for a Peter TROTTER, son of John. I'll let you figure these out <grin> Actually, if you are interested in these - let me know. I hope this helps. Best regards, Steve Karner (sugarglider@cox-internet.com, Texas USA) In BEW I like BLACKADDER, CAMPBELL, COSSAR, ENNERWICK (& a few more) - it's in the blood!