Hi Al My MKinnon an Mac Donald ancestors came from Strath in the Isle of Skye. (Karen Macrae in today's post was just recommending the Clan Donald research centre) However I recommend that initially you forget about the birth. Go to Scots Origins and look for the marriage (it costs. I think £6 for 30 pages within 24 hours). Look for the marriage and get the certificate (more money) Once you have the certificate you'll know the where and when of the births. Or there are some excellent researchers who, for much the same cost, will go in to New Register House and check it out for you. (I'm saving all mine up and will eventually go there myself!) Just possibly you make strike it lucky and find them in the 1881 census. These two were all the Norman/Ann connections in the age group and in the Highland region, but neither is a sailor Dwelling: 3 Brue Road Census Place: Barvas, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland Source: FHL Film 0203414 GRO Ref Volume 086-A EnumDist 3 Page 1 Marr Age Sex Birthplace Norman MC DONALD M 38 M Brue, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland Rel: Head Occ: Crofter Ann MC DONALD M 38 F Arnol, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland Rel: Wife Murdoch MC DONALD U 10 M Brue, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland Rel: Son Occ: Scholar Henrietta MC DONALD U 8 F Brue, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland Rel: Daur Occ: Scholar Colin MC DONALD U 6 M Brue, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland Rel: Son Mary Ann MC DONALD U 5 F Brue, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland Rel: Daur Norman MC DONALD U 2 M Brue, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland Rel: Son Dwelling: 37 Cross Census Place: Barvas, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland Source: FHL Film 0203414 GRO Ref Volume 086-A EnumDist 7 Page 8 Marr Age Sex Birthplace Norman MC DONALD M 30 M Barvas, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland Rel: Head Occ: Miller Anne MC DONALD M 27 F Barvas, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland Rel: Wife Occ: Miller Wife Donald MC DONALD 3 M Barvas, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland Rel: Son Malcolm MC DONALD 9 m M Barvas, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland Rel: Son Margaret MATHIESON U 21 F Barvas, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland Rel: Serv Occ: Dom Serv If neither is right it may be worth checking the Lowlands un less you know they left before 1881. Jim McArthur