Chirurgeon is just an archaic word for surgeon - from old French 'cirurgeon'. Degrees such as BChir or Bch - Bachelor of Surgery and MCh or Mchir - Master of Surgery and MChD - Master of Dental Surgery were still around not that long ago. I believe that degrees from some universities still have this appellation. Peter Amsden, Argyll, Scotland Researching Amsden World Wide Outline History: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~amsden Amsden Forum: http://www.genforum.com/amsden Books I have written: http://www.btinternet.com/~amsden AllExperts: http://www.allexperts.com/displayExpert.asp?Expert=38044 Never dump originals - they may be all that is left after the computer age.