This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: milldriggan Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.scotland.wig.general/2120.5.1.3.1.1.3.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Donald, and any other McHARRIE researchers, Have you searched the archives of the Wigtownshire Mailing List: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/search?path=SCT-WIGTOWNSHIRE There are lots of relevant postings. You should search not only on McHARRIE, but also on variants such as McHARRY, M'HARRY, MEHARRY, HARRY etc. Make sure that you read postings by Bill Copland, one of the best informed contributors. Although I don't have specific knowledge of dyers also being farmers, I'd be surprised if that were not the case. My own family were grain millers, and Scottish country millers were always farmers as well. They were mainly tenants in an estate owned mill, (until the 20th century), but the tenancy agreement always included a modest amount of farm land. Its best not to get too hung up on spelling of names. Prior to the latter half of the 19th century, spelling of names was arbitrary, and had more to do with the whim of the official writing the record than the origin or preference of the family being recorded. I consider it highly likely that the parents of John McHARRIE b abt 1813, were John McHARRIE the dyer & Isabella CAMPBELL. As outlined in my earlier message, the death registrations I suggested, in conjunction with relationships given in census records, should be able to confirm that. Regards, Bruce Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.