Hello again - Can anyone shed light on the following reference to a census in Sutherlandshire in or before 1800? What follows is from personal research notes dated 1988. (I am no further ahead!) >TO CHECK: >1. census of Sutherland estates pre-May 1800 >2. list of 600 inspected at Inverness August 1800 >3. muster list "3rd Sutherland Fencibles" >Source: The Clans & Regiments of the Scottish Highlands by Frank Adam >(1908); revised by Sir Thomas Innes of Learney; Johnston and Bacon, >Stirling, Scotland; 1984 reprint (eighth edition 1980) ISBN 0 7179 4500 6 Mr. Adam mentions such a census in the following transcript. Unfortunately, no specific date is given. "A striking peculiarity in the raising of this regiment was that the original levy was made by a species of conscription, and not by the ordinary mode of recruiting. A census having been taken of the population of the estates of the Countess of Sutherland, her agents requested that a certain proportion of the able-bodied sons of the tenants should join the ranks, as a test of their duty to the Countess and of their loyalty to their Sovereign. The appeal was well responded to, and in a few months the ranks of the regiment were filled up. Naturally, some of the parents grumbled at being deprived of their children. However, the young men themselves never seem to have questioned this claim over their military services. The levy was made up, to a considerable extent, of men who had served in the 3rd Sutherland Fencibles, which had been disbanded about two years previously. Many of the men, as well as the non-commissioned officers, were sons of highly respected farmers. The officers were mostly well-known gentlemen connected with Sutherlandshire and the adjacent counties. "The recruits, after having enrolled their names on enlistment, were permitted to pursue their callings at home, until it was announced in the various parish churches that their presence was required, when a body of 600 men was assembled, and marched to Inverness in August 1800 for inspection by Major-General Leith Hay, without there being a single absentee..." - Adam: Clans, Septs & Regiments of the Scottish Highlands, p. 475 Could this be the "1801" census discussed in Sources for Scottish Genealogy by D J Steel? (Thanks for that, Christine.) With best wishes, Frances