Help deciphering Death Cert please

[nzmike]

Hi,

I hope this is the right place to post this - I did look for a specific topic to do with deciphering certificates but there doesn't seem to be one (which surprises me a bit actually) so I guessed this would be the place to post it.

Anyway, this is the death cert of my g.g.gf James Christie and the only thing I can't read properly is his mother's maiden name. I can see his father was Robert Christie and his wife's first name was Isabella but what is the name next to "M.S"?  I *think* it says "Alistair" but if anyone can look at this file and let me know what they think what it says I'd appreciate it.

I attached the image but you can also find the image at the link below - it's the first entry on the page (just so no one is confused):  http://www.41south.com/familyresearch/DeathCert_JamesChristie_17-Jun-1889.TIF

Many thanks in advance,

Mike

[PrueM]

Hi Mike 

Looks like "Whitlaw" 

Cheers
Prue

[Canuc]

I could read that as Whitlaw too.

Suggest that "MS" is for Maiden Surname as it appears in the later entries

Happy Hunting
Canuc

PS you could have put in the the Scotland section on the basis that there are people looking there who are used to trying to decipher Scotish names, short forms and handwriting (if that differs).

[JoMC]

Also think it reads Whitlaw. M.S is pretty standard on Scottish records.
Gadget

PS -  Canuc - think some of the Scottish searchers found this though 

[Canuc]

Oh, and if you have the option I find turning it negative can help with reading things too.

Canuc

[nzmike]

Thanks folks - I just found out it is indeed Whitlaw or Whitelaw as I did an IGI search and found her marriage to Robert Christie in 1799.  (IGI seems to think the name was Whitelaw)... I could have sworn it said Alistair though!

Canuc, that is a great idea re turning it negative... I can do that in Photoshop CS2 quite easily so will try that in future.

Cheers for the help...

Mike