When I first started learned my ggrandfather, Hugh Howard MacDonald, was born in Nova Scotia I thought it wouldn't be too tough to track him down. Then I posted my query and was repeatedly told "there are thousands of those across NS". With the LDS 1881 census I was able to find in NS: 276 Hugh MacDonalds, of which 95 were in Antignish county, 56 Inverness, 51 Pictou, and 25 Cape Breton. That's a bit more managable. Since I'm looking for Hugh son of Hugh that narrows it down also (though Hugh Sr. may have died before 1881). I still haven't determined which one of the 31 Hughs born 1868 to 1872 would be my ggrandfather. Also glad to hear from anyone with Hugh MacDonald ancestors. Thanks. Raymond MacDonald schradea@shell.core.com