Dear List, I have been trying to locate and identify a Captain Donald Fraser from Kiltarlity who I believed was related to my Fraser family in Fraserburgh in some way as he was a witness at the baptism of my 3 x Great Grandmother's sister's baptism in 1800. Recently a very helpful list member provided me with a memorial inscription from Tomnacross Cemetery and although I am now reasonably certain that the Captain Donald Fraser that I was looking for is either the brother or possibly brother in law of my 4 x Great Grandfather Alexander Fraser who was born about 1768, I still have no idea of their parentage. The information that I have received raises a few questions. This is what I know for certain: Donald Fraser was born about 1760/61. His brother? Alexander was born about 1767/68. There was also at least one sister who married a Mackintosh. In 1795 Donald was a tacksman at Ballindown (or Ballindoun). He was married to Mrs Ann Fraser who was born 1757/58. Their only child Hannah Fraser was born on the 26th February 1795 and was baptised on the 18th April at Belladrum by the Rev Mr John Fraser. James Fraser of Belladrum was one of the witnesses. On the 4th July 1797 Donald Fraser entered into a post nuptial contract of marriage whereby he agreed to provide his wife with an annuity of thirty pounds sterling. By 7th September 1800 when he attended the baptism of Ann Fraser in Fraserburgh, the daughter of Alexander Fraser and Bathia Clubb he had acquired the status of Captain. On the 19th March 1810 Captain Donald Fraser entered into an agreement with the Honourable Archibald Fraser of Lovat to lease the lands of Bruiach. Captain Donald Fraser died on the 20th August 1836. His sole heir and executor was his daughter Hannah who was then residing at Lakefield. Hannah Fraser died at Rossbank Inverness on the 6th November 1856. She bequeathed sums of money to a number of people and organisations including: Millicent and Isabella Fraser of Kirkhill, sisters who where said to be residing at Rossbank, Miss Margaret Fraser of Fraserburgh "my Uncles daughter" and her sister Mrs Bathia Levay, and James Mackintosh "my Aunts son". My questions are as follows: When I have come across references to people of the surname Fraser they are always identified as being of somewhere. Does this identify which family they are from or does it just identify where they live or does it depend on who they were. Would Captain Donald Fraser of Bruiach have become known as such just because that is where he lived or would there have been a familial relationship there. Is there anything unusual in having a marriage contract after the marriage has taken place. I would have thought that a marriage contract would identify the assets that each party would bring to the marriage. Would there be any significance in the fact that the contact was entered into after the birth of a child. Would Donald have had to purchase a commission in the army in order to call himself a captain. If so would any record of this exist. When Donald was a tacksman at Ballindoun would there have been a written lease agreement and would this identify his family or where he was from. Does anyone know where Rossbank and Lakefield are or were. If anyone can answer any of the above questions or has any information that may be of interest it would be appreciated. Regards, Christine Tregonning