this isnt as bonkers as it sounds although I think the tale has got a bit confused in the telling ;-) Somewhere stuffed into a drawer I have a helpful chart of the Ker or Kerr family and I think there were indeed 2 branches, altho it does get a bit complicated. The chart is in the back of a guidebook. The Ferniehurst branch won out I believe and the family of the Marquis of Lothian are Kers. or Kerrs. That includes Michael Ancrum - the Tory MP? Yes, the very same. Cessford Farm is owned by the Duke of Roxburghe, but I think that is an altogether different family. Land does change hands, but the D of R has owned it for well over a century anyway. I would not swear to all this as fact, I am just putting down what I can remember from the time I looked into all this. On the other hand....in the Borders you can hardly cross a field without tripping over a Kerr. So if you are a Kerr in Denholm there is little to stop you claiming to be the rightful heir in the Cross Keys on a Saturday night. It might get you a pint, and who's to gainsay you? Your pals might call you the Duke of Roxburghe with a certain amount of irony. Judy ---------- >From: "john murray" <jmba17414@blueyonder.co.uk> >To: SCT-ROXBURGH-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: [SCT-ROX] Kerr's of Cavers Parish. >Date: 04, Mon Oct, 2004, 8:32 pm > > Hi All, > Is any body Researching the Kerr's who came from Cavers Parish in the 1700. > I am trying to find out about Walter Kerr born 1744 Cavers Parish, it is > stated that he was commonly known in Denholm by the nickname of > 'Duke of Roxburgh' in reference to his claim to be the heir male of the > Kerr's of Cessford. > I did find a reference to Sir Walter Ker/Kerr of Cessford in the book > Rulewater and it People Page 198. > Walter Ker born 1744 Blacksmith in Cavers Parish & also Castleton Parish > now Newcastleton. > Died 9 May 1817 Buried in Castleton Churchyard. > Married Isabel Murray Born 1751 Bedrule Parish. > Died 12th July 1818 Castleton Parish. > Isabel is one of the Murray of Rulewater. > John Murray. > Died > > > ==== SCT-ROXBURGH Mailing List ==== > Help us to improve this list by asking all your Roxburgh friends to > subscribe to 'SCT-ROXBURGH' > > ============================== > Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration > Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237 >