Can anyone tell me if there was such a thing as Queen Vicctorias pardon? My 2X Great Grandfather William McDonald or McKay born Ross and Cromarty 1835. There is no trace of birth and marriage and death cert have mothers name as McDONALD on one and McKay on the other,fathers name changes too. The explanation for this was passed down by American relatives They say he was born to Ann McDONALD and Alexander McKAY joined the British Army,don't know which one ,was a deserter and came back to North Scotland and used his mothers surname. All deserters were apparently pardened by the q ueen on her Golden Jubilee would this be correct? and would there be copies of names somewhere? June