Monica
Thanks. I found a map showing Cromblets/Cromlet so I'll see where Mackieshillock fits. I tried to find Helen Gresse/Gracie on FamilySearch and came across a large list of French families. John Steel's father was married to Janet Jaffrey. The same search shows this name also to be of French origin. A local laird was a Jaffray. So it looks possible my family married the decendents of 1066 who remained in this country or who have a connection with the 'Auld Aliance' and the Stuarts. I know there was a close connection at that time and people travelled between the two countries.
Want to hear something 'spooky'? Apart from a neighbour Robb, I spent a couple of summers with friends of my mother in Aberdeen. Their name was Morrison and they had a daughter Marie who married someone Whyte. I was reminded of this from a FamilySearch link. They also knew where a cousin of mine lived and directed me to her house.
I spoke to my friend about the army connection and we thought she had discovered records, but the dates were wrong. John Steel was possibly in the 71st (Highland) Regiment of Foot who fought in Spain or the 72nd who remained in Scotland to train and supply the 71st.
Frances
