Hi Ian, Linda & Mary (+ Bob & Alex) This is interesting for Bob & me as the relationship between Neilina MacKechnie & Alexander Fletcher is one which we've looked at and could 'prove' parentage of Archibald MacPhail (m. Anne MacPherson). Linda said: Any chance they could be 2nd or 3rd cousins? Maybe Archibald McPhail and Angus McPhail are brothers? That scenario is exactly what Bob and I hope is the case! > It would look like Marion [Sarah] and Margaret are sisters > but looking further back we have Marion's parents as > Archibald McPhail and Anne McPherson and Margaret's as > Angus McPhail and Mary McPhail (this could be her married > name not her maiden name). Bob, Alex & I are descended from Archibald MacPhail & Anne MacPherson. Angus MacPhail was my great-great grandfather's brother. Angus' parents were Donald og MacPhail & Sarah Fletcher. (I'm connected with both families by a MacPhail/MacPhail marriage). The MacEachern Fragments (Fletcher section) specifically refers to Donald og MacPhail as having 6 sons - 4 are confirmed as Donald, Angus, John (my g-g-grandfather) & Duncan. Another son is likely Malcolm MacPhail of Oskamull. The 6th son points very strongly to being Archibald MacPhail who married Anne MacPherson (Bob and I have a fairly good list of positives for this). IF Angus MacPhail & Archibald MacPhail are indeed brothers then Neilina MacKechnie & Alexander Fletcher would be 2nd cousins (i.e. their parents (Margaret MacPhail (MacKechnie) & Sarah MacPhail (Flether) were 1st cousins). > Angus McPhail and Mary McPhail (this could be her married > name not her maiden name). > Mary MacPhail was the daughter of John MacPhail & Janet MacKinnon so yet another MacPhail/MacPhail marriage. Mary - you said your dad was working on these families. I have fairly comprehensive notes on both familes (esp Angus & Mary from Scotlandspeople docs & descendants still on Mull). If your Dad would like these let me know and I'll email to you - they are in Word format. Likewise, Ian, if you would like a copy let me know. Bob & I would love to be able to finally confirm Archibald as a son of Donald MacP & Sarah Fletcher. Best wishes Moira