Greetings (whatever your name is :) ) Scottish batch numbers follow the sequence listed here. Birth/Christening batch number prefix is C Marriage batch numbers prefix is M The first two numbers are 11 The next three numbers are the parish number (There are exceptions in very large parishes where another number is used, but I have not found the sequence of them yet) The last number starts with 1, progressing through 2,3 , on to 9. Example: Kilmarnock is parish # 597 Birth batch number is C115971 which gives you births for 1855 - 1874. To find the parish number for the one you wish to search, go to http://www.ktb.net/~dwills/index.html . This is David Wills excellent site which has, among other things, lists of parish numbers. This is the arrangement for all of Scotland, not just for Ayr. Hope it helps. George M. McCaig, Dwight, Ontario, Canada. -