Peter, You mention the discrepancy in the date of birth (see excerpts from your message below). I have recently visited St Michael's graveyard to search for a stone to try to resolve a similar issue. I had 1744 (from a document) as the date of death for a man. However McDowall gave it as 1774 and there was no mention of the man's wife. It was very difficult to find the stone and even then there were considerable (both physical and sight) difficulties in reading it. I eventually found that the date of the man's death on the memorial stone was in fact 1744 was followed by a note of his wife's death in 1774. It was a most satisfactory resolution of the disjunction of dates and has given me added information. Eunice Smith Edinburgh, Scotland ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Didsbury" <pdconsarch@yahoo.co.uk> To: <DUMFRIES-GALLOWAY-L@rootsweb.com> | JAMES McLAUCHLAN, SURGEON, DUMFRIES | | The following details are taken from a transcription | of a family gravestone in Kirkgunzeon churchyard (MIs, | stone 29): | Son: James McLachlan,surgeon, Dumfries, | 14.3.1799-10.12.1848. | McDowell, Memorials of St Michael's Churchyard of | Dumfries, p. 357: The memorial record runs as follows: Born 14th March 1798; died 10th December 1848.'" | | Note the 1798/1799 discrepancy in birth year - | McDowell clearly repeats the data from the memorial | tablet (which is located in the porch of St Michael's | church - I have a photo if anyone requires one).