This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: GordonPertJohnson Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.scotland.general/22364.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Anyone who was linen Merchant would probably be listed in trade directories, but these were location-based, e.g. Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen. You need to have some general idea of where they had their business, to look them up. Another possible approach is to look for some record of them in the National Archives of Scotland online catalogue. There were often court cases over debts and trading disputes, and these records should be on there. (NAS.gov.uk) The catalogue requires exact spelling of names, so be sure of your facts before searching. You didn't mention the name of the firm, I noticed: names of firms often changed over the years, so allow for that. Once you establish the firm's location, the partners were probably burgesses in the local burgh, and there would be records of that. Gordon. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.