Hi List,   I'd like to thank Rhoda Overson, John Stevenson and Fionnghal for suggesting possible sources of William Balleny's medical background.   I've just checked with Newcastle Central Library and they do have a copy of the "Eighteenth Century Medics" recommended by Fionnghal, which I'll peruse directly.   Moving on to Tammy Mitchell's Balleny family background e-mail, I'm of the opinion that   William Balleny's most likely parents were David Balleny and Elizabeth (Betty) Vetch or Veitch, married at Liberton on July 18 1735 (the second of four Balleny families noted in Tammy's e-mail). Their first born was a daughter, christened Marrion, on March 5 1736 at Liberton.   It so happens, that amongst Ballenys who died at William's Little Greencroft estate, Lanchester, County Durham,  was a "Marrion Massey, widow, late Balleny, aged 74", buried Lanchester, County Durham, October 2nd 1810. Not quite one hundred per cent proof, but ....   Tammy, you may be aware of William's other siblings, if not and they're of any interest to you, I can send them on.   Thomas Simpson in Sunny South Shields.