In a message dated 28/06/00 2:03:58 AM Central Daylight Time, condor@ansonic.com.au writes: << My checks (or rather Elizabeth in Inverness) of the 1841, 51, 61 & 71 census have shown my family to be McDonalds on one, MacDonald on another & some records even McDonell. GGGrandfather Ewen was recorded as Ewen McDonald in the 1841 & 1851 census, his brother as Duncan McDonald. Ewen's marriage certificate in 1856 in Melbourne shows his name as Hugh MacDonald and his brother who was a witness as Duncan McDonell. >> I am sure you know, but for the others, Hugh and Ewan are the same name or translation of the same Gaelic name Eoghan (accent over the O) It is pronounced hEwan, and translates to Hugh. The h in Eoghan/hEwan is breathed and not necessarily pronounced. Much like the h when a gael pronounces the English word you, (heuw) DaveM.