20 August, 1999 There, I've finally found it. An Orkney Islands mailing list web site. Now, maybe I can get down to business and get some answers to my many questions concerning my genealogy. For instance, I am a decendant of Charles Rich who was born in Rackwick on Hoy on 18 June, 1833. He was the son of Thomas Rich, b. 27 February, 1793 in Rackwick, and Barbara Thomsen, b. 30 September, 1792 also in Rackwick. They had four other children (known to me), John Rich, b. 07 October, 1821; Thomas Rich, b. 06 July, 1824; Andrew Rich, b. 01 August, 1826; Margaret Thomso(e)n Rich b.26 August, 1828; then Charles, the youngest. Charles went to work on a whaling vessel when he was a very young man, sailing, I suppose, around there in the North Sea and the Orkney Islands. Later he went ot work aboard a freighter vessel which sailed between Port Elizabeth, South Africa and ports in China. He then, and with two of his ship mates, decided to emigrate to the United States, to Salt Lake City, Utah to be exact. I am looking for any and all of the information which I can get regarding Charles Rich, his mother and father, his brothers and sister and any of his ancestors. I understand that there was most probably a change in the spelling of the surname of Rich. That is it seems that at one time the spelling was probably Ritch. Although I have seen spellings of Richie and Ritchie, as well. Also, I understand that the Rich's/Ritch's arrived in Orkney after fleeing from a sinking prison ship named the Crown on which they and about 250 othe people were being held as prisoners for religous descention, (they called themselves, Covenanters) and the battle in which they were involved, in England, was the Battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679. Many of the prisoners drowned in the sinking ship, as the captain had them battened down in the hold. It seem that at least two of the Rich"s/Ritch's escaped and changed their names at that time to avoid detection. I really don't know who my ancestors were that escaped from that sinking ship, but possibly one was a man named Hugh Ritch. I could go on with much more, but I wont take up your time. If you do have any information regarding any of these people or for that matter any of the events which I have described, Please, oh please write to me. Anything will be appreciated...... Respectfully Mel Rich E-mail: MRich10000@AOL.com