I have been doing a study of the ancestors of John CAIRNIE of Largs, Ayrshire, the first president of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club. He was born in New Kilpatrrick, Dunbartonshire, in 1769, third son of Neil CARNIE and Mary SHIELS. As a teenager he took up curling at Denny. There was another family of CARNIEs in the same parish at the same time headed by Thomas CARNIE and Elizabeth MALCOLM. I know they are connected because John had three of the grandaughters of Thomas and Elizabeth in his care at Largs later on. I cannot find any earlier trace of Neil and Thomas CARNIE. Can anyone shed any light on this family? Alan Cairnie Perth, Ontario