[MACKENZIE] THE BARONETS OF NOVA SCOTIA 109 
tentee: and as a matter of fact many of the present Baronets of Nova 
Scotia are not lineally descended from original patentees, whose heirs 
male, however, they are, and as such they have lawfully and without dis- 
pute, succeeded to the dignity. 
It is owing to the wide limitations of so many of the Nova Scotia 
dignities that confusion has arisen so frequently in connection therewith. 
It is often a matter of extreme difficulty for a man, perhaps a very dis- 
tant kinsman of the last holder of the title to prove that he is the heir 
male; when the branches of the family may have been, for several gencra- 
tions, drifting apart, during which time all tangible evidence of the con- 
nection may have been lost ; or, indeed, he may be the heir male of a 
Baronet, who himself, as heir male, succeeded a previous holder of the 

‘ Indien en habit de Chasse.” 
From a Map of the Eastern Part of New France.. 
“ Corrigée et Augmentée Par le Sr. Tillemon.”’ 1689. 
title; possibly not one of the three being a lineal descendant of the ori- 
ginal patentee, albeit each, eventually his heir male, and as such, inherit- 
ing in due succession. 
It is sincerely to be hoped that steps will be taken by those in au- 
thority to set at rest the doubts existing with regard to several of the dor- 
mant Baronetcies of Nova Scotia, which are claimed by various persons. 
Certain it is that all the claims cannot be groundless, and those who be- 
lieve in the justness of their pretensions can scarcely be blamed for as- 
serting their rights and claiming the privileges due to their rank inher- 
ited from loyal and patriotic predecessors. It has been well observed 
upon this very point, by a distinguished Baronet of Nova Scotia, a gene- 
+ Vide. Vindex, The Order of Baronets. 1898. 


