Hello Many thanks to all those who replied to my posting about the spelling of surnames etc. Quite clearly our ancestors couldn't spell! While I have not considered changing the probably inaccurate spelling and pronunciation of my surname, various databases have decided that my wife is an O Dowling. Her initials are S.O.Dowling, and more and more official and junk mail is arriving addressed to S. O Dowling, and in one instance to S.O'Dowling! Cheers Mick Dowling a.k.a; Dowlan, Doolan, Doolen, Doolin, Dooling, Doolon, Doulan, Dolan, Dooley.....................................