Have you had a look at the 1873 birth certificate for Thomas James Bottomly - as the birth was in Scotland, it should be available on the film of Dunbartonshire births for that year which can be ordered on loan through your nearest LDS. If you are not sure of the exact date you might need to check the indexes through Scots Origins if your nearest LDS doesn't have the indexes there permanently. That name would not be very common in Scotland so you should be able to identify your ancestor fairly quickly in the index. The birth certificate will show parents' names including mother's maiden name and possibly also the date and place of their marriage. If the father was in the army it may also name his regiment. Good luck with the search Lesley Instone Invercargill New Zealand Researching McCALLUM in Luss and Row (Helensburgh), CHALMERS in Roseneath & Row, MacFarlane (pre 1800) in Luss, New Kilpatrick and Dumbarton, > -----Original Message----- > From: jedp [SMTP:jedp@erols.com] > Sent: Thursday, 7 October 1999 02:25 > To: DUNBARTONSHIRE-GENWEB-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Bottomley of Dumbarton Castle, ca. l875 > > My mother was born in Kilwinning, Ayrshire 7 April l903 and came to > America > in l922. Her father was Thomas James Bottomley, born l873, presumably > either at or in the environs of Dumbarton Castle, where his father, > according to the family tradition, was in the British Army and > stationed. > This soldier--my great-greatgrandfather--died between l879 and l88l. I > am > attempting to find out his identity. At present we do not even know > his > first name. His wife was Mary, and there is some indication her > maiden name > was Hayman, and that she was born in Ireland. If anyone on this list > can > help me identify my great-grandfather Bottomley and details about his > army > service, death, place of burial, and from whence he came I will be > greatly > obliged for the help. Many thanks. James Pearsall, East Millstone, > NJ USA.