I am trying to find if there is a link between my James Gall, tailor, of Leadhills LKS, born 1738 Crawfordjohn parish, married Mary Jack.1769, and a George Gall b.abt 1725, m.Kathren Greenshiels; an Archibald Gall, b.abt 1723, m.1) Janet Dick, m.2) Agnes Dodds; and another Archibald Gall b.1737, m.Mary Black.

My James was son of John Gall, Leadhills, and possibly an Agnes White. A marriage is recorded in 1737. James was born in 1738. I know James' son, another James, who lived in Leith, near Edinburgh, was corresponding in the 1830s/40s with a William Gall in Crawfordjohn, who had a brother called Archibald. These two could be the sons of Archibald and Janet above.

This sounds rather haphazard but I hope there are enough names for someone to recognise.

Archibald Gall b.1737, m.Mary Black

They had a son called George (b.1771) who I think very possibly could be my grt-grt-grt grandfather.

George Gall married Margaret Milligan and had a son, James who married Janet Buchanan.

Although there are two George Galls born quite close to each other in Crawforjohn. So I may be mistaken, but this is my best bet.

The George Gall who married Margaret Milligan died 4 Oct 1841 "in his 73rd year", which would mean his birth year was c.1768. Ths suggests that he may not have been the George Gall son of Archibald and Mary.

I visited Crawfordjohn Heritage centre today ( http://www.crawfordjohn.org ) and got to the bottom of this puzzle. The census records had originally been conflicting with your info below Chris. But the assistant in the heritage informed me that in census records, ages were, in these days, rounded down or up to the nearest 5 eg all ages were listed as 25, 30, 35 etc. George's age was listed as 70 in 1841 (the year of his death) - but he was actually 73. Eureka! Crawfordjohn Heritage centre is really worth a visit - The staff are exceptionally helpful and friendly.

I think I should pay a visit to the Crawfordjohn visitor centre too. I have found some more information from an old family bible in the National Library for Scotland, so will start a new post.
Evelyn Inglis aka eveeanne