This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: BURN Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/FlG.2ACEB/64.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Just there seem to be links through the seafaring tradition & close proximity of North/South Shieds & Sunderland. Some of Burn family of North & South Shields were Tyne River Pilots e.g. Lancelot Burn & Brittain Burn. Pilots were/are a close band whose tradition was passed from father to son though, sadly, this has declined in relation to the decline of river traffic & industries such as shipbuilding, ship-repairing & the shipping trade re. carrying.