In a message dated 2/15/02 5:10:34 PM Eastern Standard Time, lizthompson99@hotmail.com writes: > have been told that David Shearer (1798-1888) was Provost, I think of Wick. > What is a Provost and how would I find out more? A Provost is a municipal government position who heads up the Burgh Council in a role similar to a Mayor. The Council records for Wick are held in the North Highland Archives in Wick (http://caithness.org/community/museums/nha/). As a caution however, the men who were Provosts in that period were normally lawyers or wealthy merchants - but not likely to be a lighthouse keeper. I say this from experience, because one of my ancestors (who had been a blacksmith in Wick) was also rumored to have been Provost of Wick prior to 1860, and I went through the Council records for the period. Here are my notes: ----------------------- "The post of Provost was an elected position, voted by the Burgh Council (or equivalent). The record of the Wick Council portrays a role similar to a mayor, leading the council and often initiating motions for the council to consider. This appears to have been the most respected position and usually filled by Bankers, Lawyers, or a well educated Merchant. The term was generally for 3 years, but re-election could extend the position to 6 years, etc. Alternately, someone could be voted in to fill an unexpired term (in the event of a death, or disqualification, for example) and only serve a brief time. Mr Joseph (Josiah) Rhind (Bank Agent) Provost of Wick 1844-1858 Mr. William Waters (Esquire) Provost of Wick 1858 (9 mo.) Mr. Alexander Bruce (Esquire) Provost of Wick 1858-1863 Mr. James Louttit elected Provost of Wick 1863" ------------------- I've often wondered how these kinds of family myths get started, and imagined that my ancestor may have exaggerated his past importance when he moved his family to Edinburgh - possibly believing that few people in Edinburgh would know any better <g>. In my ancestors case, he wasn't even the owner of the smithy - but worked for his brother who was a more prominent member of the community. Sorry, I can't help with the lighthouse. Sheila