Ivan, I only know that my ancestors spelled the name Ritchie in the late 1700's in Mecklenburg Co NC. That is they spelled it that way when they signed their own name. I have this from some original documents that I copied at the NC Archives. Of course, the name was spelled many different ways back then, depending on who was writing it or spelling it for someone to write. Later on, and particularly after they moved to GA, my ancestors spelled the name: Ritch. Your information is of great interest to me. Do you think it fact or "tall tales?" Franklin Ingram >In the book by Bremner, "Hoy- The Dark Enchanted Isle" the Ritches are stated to be >descendants from Ritchie brothers who escaped from the wreck, at Deerness in >1679, of the prison ship, "The Crown" which was transporting Covenanters to America." > >Ivan >