Hi Sue,

Thanks for the heads-up. I tend to go for the original documents rather than transcripts -- the writing style is often up to interpretation, but I've found the off-side notations made by the Vicars is of particular interest for me. When I find an original Parish image on LDS, I dive into it and scan page 1 to end, just browsing through. You almost get to know the Vicars personally. Vicar Thomas Woods often made notations aside from the listing of names and dates. There was actually a boundary dispute between KK Michael and Ballaugh, when 16 families from KK Michael were ordered to go to the Ballaugh Parish, and the Vicars were not happy with one another! In one entry when the date coincided with the defeat of the French by Capt. Elliot (?) - how did the French even find you? Yet, it's sad when the child you've just found baptized is being buried on the next page. Four or more names in brackets with "perished at sea during a great storm' is also devastating. It was a hard life..

I understand that the Parish Registers were being recopied at some point as the originals were deteriorating. Also, that there is also a Bishop's Registry copy?
However, not a problem. Thank you for your advise. As you suggested, I will look into joining IOMFHS. I'm sure I'll find something to help continue the search.
Thanks again for going that extra effort!
Brenda