I have been in contact with a Mr. Dan Weinbren who publishes a newsletter "Friendly Society Research Group" for the Open University in Milton Keynes. Dan has been very helpful in my search for info on the Ancient Order of Free Gardners, with my gggrandfather, William Nesbit, being a member in Dalmellington. He has posted an short article for me on William in his newsletter. He has also put me in contact with a Mr. Cooper, who has written a book on the subject and is the curator of the Grand Lodge of Scotland Museum and Library. I have Mr. Cooper's and Mr. Weinbren's email address for those that are interested. There are records out there. We have our William's apron and it lists his lodge as-- Dalmellington Thistle Lodge #335. We have purchased Mr. Cooper's book on "The Order of the Free Gardners" and in it he lists names and dates. Good luck with your research, Sandy Nesbit Money in Phoenix researching Nesbit Ireland>Scotland>Pittsburgh, PA McCracken Ireland>Scotland George, Cameron, Margaret Teague wrote: > Dear List and Judy, > > I received one response saying that they had been searching for Friendly > Society records in the Dalmellington area and had been told that no records > had survived. > > If anyone has any success with uncovering Friendly Society records, please > post it on the list as there are several of us on the list interested in > locating these records for the areas in Scotland where our ancestors lived. > > Jo Teague > > ============================== > Search ALL of RootsWeb's mailing lists in real time. > RootsWeb's Personalized Mailing Lists: > http://pml.rootsweb.com/