Jan 3 Hello, List, This is my first posting and I am a complete newbie regarding Scottish genealogy. I learned recently that my great grandmother was born in Scotland. My information is very limited but hope springs eternal. Her name was: Elizabeth Crighton McDonald, dob abt. 1858. Her father's name was: Malcolm McDonald My first question will show my complete ignorance. Were Mc and Mac used interchangeably or were records fairly strict to keep them separate? I ask because I found an Elizabeth MACDonald, daughter of a Malcolm. In the 1881 census there's a Malcolm MACDonald of the appropriate age married to a Jane Mitchell. One of their daughters was Isabella. My great grandmother named her first daughter Elizabeth Isabella. I'd appreciate any advice anyone has to get me started on my journey to my Scottish ancestors. Best regards, Roberta Meehan antrob@optonline.net