Shirley,

For some reason your message concerning the subject individuals was removed from the message boards. Or at least I couldn’t find it. However, I'll try to restate the question as I remember it, along with a response.

(Q1) Who was the father of the Alexander Houston of Ballemeachan who married Anna Edmonstone and was he living at the time of the marriage?

(R1) I believe the father of this Alexander Houston was WILLIAM Houston 4th of Cotreoch, who was married to KATHERINE VAUS. WILLIAM Houston 4th of Cotreoch died, I believe, between Bet. 08 Jul 1645 - 13 Jun 1655, so he was living at the time of the marriage in 1625.

(Q2) Who was William Houston of Ballemeanaghe & Cullybackey' and what was his relationship to Alexander Houston of Ballemeachan?

(R2) I am not absolutely sure about this but I believe that this William Houston of Ballemeanaghe & Cullybackey who was living at the time of the aforementioned 1625 marriage, may have been the son of WILLIAM Houston, 3rd of Cotreoch, (Alexander Houston's grandfather) and Katherine McCulloch, Lady Jedburgh.

Jim Houston