For all newbies ......and anyone on this list who hasn't already visited, may I strongly recommend a visit to http://www3.sympatico.ca/jburness/burness.html John Burness has done a one name study on BURNESS originating in Kincardineshire.(from whom Robbie Burns is descended). He has a database of over 15000 names and I doubt there is a Kincardineshire name missing!! Pam Manning