Jim: A fellow list member offered to do a look-up at Register House for me, as I was at a dead end on my Herkes line. I didn't even know where my grandfather was born. She sent me my Herkes ancestors back to the death of "Andrew Herkes in 1863, aged 70, at Brownshiel (?), Haddington." That's exactly how she typed it. I haven't ordered the extract yet, so it's based on what she read, and I know it can be difficult to read. Any help will, as usual be appreciated. Hurricane Floyd is over my county right now. We have had over 15 hours of torrential, unremitting rain. The winds are picking up, and I'm worried about a few of my really big trees coming down on the house. Just a few weeks ago I was complaining about the heatwave and severe drought!!!! Regards, Eileen >Brownshiel doesn't appear on my map although there is a Brothershields B. >(Burn?) which flows into the River Tyne which goes through Haddington. ... >and there is a Blackshields. It does seem this may be a farm. > >I had hoped someone at present in the area would appear to help you. > >Maybe if you provided more data we could say where to look next. ( I say we >because I'm sure someone out there knows more). Meantime I'll try my >nephew - too busy for genealogy - but he lives in Haddington and may know.