Hi everyone, As far as I can tell my Gt Gt Gt grandafther ,William Dacier Baxter, was born in Nova Scotia, probably Cornwallis. He certainly gives NS as his place of birth in all UK cenuses. There is also a William Baxter, born in 1760, who has a son William Dacier, born 1796, by his second wife Julia Swigo.It seems a reasonable assumption considering Dacier is an unusual Christian name I would like some advice on how to gather any documentary evidence, bearing in mind that we live in the UK. Also, does anyone have an idea why a family should start using a French surname as a family middle name? Regards Geoff Baxter