The "naming patterns" are a custom not a law. I have many families throughout my tree where the grandfather's name was never used, even without gaps in births. It is also possible that John & Elspeth are not your George's parents. Once you get back that far it becomes much more difficult to "prove" relationships. -- Jo-Ann Croft -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Judith Liddell <[email protected]> > > Thanks for your response about George b. 25 Jun 1758 in Alves to John and > Elspeth Brodie. I had rejected those parents because of the naming patterns. > However, since I can only find two children born to George Brodie and Margaret > Anderson, perhaps other children died. The only problem with that argument is > that George's son William was born in 1792 and George and Margaret were married > in 1791. George and Margaret's other known child was Margaret, b. 1797. > Judy Brodie Liddell >