Okay, I am NOT a MIDDLEMISS researcher; I know nothing about anyone of that name. However, I have been a member of the Borders Family History Society for the past 12 years (and you all should join it!) and while browsing through some back numbers of the Magazine I noticed the following : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Borders Family History Society Magazine Issue No. 35; October 1997 in an article entitled "The Gladstones - a Study" by G.M.S. Lauder-Frost, F.S.A. (Scot.) James (Gladstone) (b.1861), a ploughman, married also at Earlston on 30/10/1885 a lassie named Barbara YULE (b:13/2/1857 West Morriston, Legerwood, Berwicks.; d:8/5/1947 at Easter Muirdean, Kelso), daughter to Andrew YULE and his wife Barbara nee HOPE. Here our story develops an additional interest. Both young Barbara and her sister Jane Vallance YULE (b:20/1/1855 West Morriston) had illegitimate boys - one each. Jane's lad, Robert Yule, had as his natural father Robert ALLAN of Stichill Parish and he was born at Spotsmains, Smailholm on 11/7/1880. Barbara's boy, William, had as his natural father Robert MIDDLEMASS (sic) of Kelso and he too was born at Spotsmains on 7th November 1880. Obviously a bad year for the Yules! Robert MIDDLEMISS (sic) became Sergeant of Police at Jedburgh amd married on 1/6/1898 at Denholm, Roxburghshire, a Margaret LITTLE of that parish. I wonder if she knew his secret. James Gladstone was clearly a decent fellow as he took young William into his family and allowed him to use the name GLADSTONE. William became a lumberman, spending some time in Canada before returning to St Boswells. He died unmarried on 13/4/1960. That said, he, like his mother, had a liaison which also produced a boy but I will not cover that line's history further here. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I cannot provide any further information on any of the above people, but I hope this adds to someone's research. Best wishes, Valerie Melbourne, Australia