Does anyone have any information on: RITCH/RITCHIE - Their origins in the Orkney's, or the prison ship "The Crown" - read on... The following are bits and pieces I have plagiarised from a couple of emails: In the book by Bremner, "Hoy- The Dark Enchanted Isle" the RITCH's are stated to be descendants from RITCHIE brothers who escaped from the wreck, at Deerness in1679, of the prison ship, "The Crown" which was transporting Covenanters to America. (The Covenantor's memorial in Deerness is dedicated to the loss of those who were not as lucky as our RITCH ancestors). One brother settled in the east and one settled in the west of Orkney, hence the branch differences of the RITCH family in Orkney. Regards, Ivan ________________________________ http://www.alphalink.com.au/~isanders