Thanks for the kind comments, Babs. In return here's a wish for a Happy 4th of July to you and all my USA neighbours. And here's also a little tidbit of Tiree genealogy news that at least some Americans can take advantage of--those in the Pacific North West who perhaps already travel up to Vancouver, BC occasionally. Of course those Tiree folk right in the Vancouver area will benefit the most from this: A fellow researcher recently told me that the microfilm "FHL BRITISH Film 1041081" containing all of the Tiree Old Parish Records (OPR) is now permanently available in Surrey, BC at the Family History Centre which is run by the Latter Day Saint's Church. And I can verify that she is right because I had a chance to look at the film briefly the last time I was in Vancouver. Anyone can of course search a transcription of these records online at: http://www.familysearch.org but the online records only give the Parish location of "Tyree", and don't say in which township the event took place. The microfilm is actual photographs of the original Parish registers kept at Register House in Edinburgh. There is no charge to view the film, though there is of course a charge for photocopies. Because the film contains several different registers covering the period 1766-1854, it is very useful to do your research first on the website above, which searches across all the registers. Then if you take print outs with you of those results, you will have an easier time finding the entries on the film. The FHC also has computers which you can use for free to do the online searching, though there is a charge for printing. This FHC is at 6270-126th Street in Surrey, BC, phone 604-597-9695. It is closed for a summer break this month, but is scheduled to reopen on Aug. 2, 2005. I'm sorry that I can't offer to do look-ups on this film because I don't live anywhere near Vancouver. Don't be fooled by my address of Vancouver Island--it means a car-and-boat journey of at least 3 hours to get to Vancouver on the mainland. Perhaps there is someone else on this Mailing List who lives close to Surrey who might be willing to do look ups? If so, please let us know here on the list... Well, we've now covered Canada and the USA national holidays. Most other Tiree descendants are in Austrailia and New Zealand. So what & when are your national holidays, all you Down Under listers? Louise MacDougall, Vancouver Island, BC Canada