Can anyone help Patti? Christine I have been struggling with Alexander and Anne Matheson for as long as I have known they have existed. Would (or could) someone please help me straighten these two people out - and put them on the road to greater understanding? Alexander (Bon Homme) Matheson was born in Helmsdale OR Lairg, Sutherlandshire around 1781. One lovely Thursday - 9 February 1805 - in Kildonan OR Authbreackachy Alexander took Anne Matheson for his bride. I THINK he found her in Gartymore, the Parish of Loth. She may even have been born there sometime around 1781. These two starstruck souls join forces to produce several possibilities - which we might call OFFSPRING or ISSUE. As far as I am concerned - they just produced HEADACHES! Introducing the Matheson Migraine Production. . . . . John 18 June 1797 Ann 1 July 1799 James 16 July 1802 **HUGH 12 Feb 1805 Katherine 4 April 1807 William 15 Mar 1807 George 21 Aug 1808 James 29 March 1809 **Angus 5 Sept 1810 **Katherine 3 July 1812 **John 28 Sept 1814 You can see there are some questionable birthdates in this mixture. I know you must be asking. . . . where DID all these children come from? Stumped? Me, too! But that isn't the BEST part of this saga. The Duke of Sutherland decided to clear out a few encumbrances. He suggested that the Matheson-Matheson show take their act on the road. Wisely, Ann and Alexander each grabbed a couple of children (the four above with the handy **s in front of their names)and got on a boat going to the Red River Settlement in Canada. A LOT of questions rise up in your mind, don't they!? Why didn't they take ALL of the children? Had the others DIED? Did they stay behind with family who did not leave for Canada? Did the left behind children NOT BELONG to Alexander and Ann? How will I EVER get this mess sorted out? (I am SO glad you asked that!) Does there happen to be a Matheson cousin out there who would like to step forward and put me (AND Alex and Ann!) on the path to inner peace and discovery? (Or out of our misery?) Do the words "eternally grateful" give you an idea how I would feel? I know I have asked a lot of questions, but I KNOW there are answers out there. Could some kind soul please point me to them? Patti - from the mountains of North America -- Patti Flynn Heimsness pattiflynn@gmx.net Sutherland Research Sent through GMX FreeMail - http://www.gmx.net --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.255 / Virus Database: 128 - Release Date: 5/17/01 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.255 / Virus Database: 128 - Release Date: 5/17/01