Thanks listers for such terrific information - it seems my ancestor Christy (Christian) Sword b 1807 at Southdean had a son by an Andrew Douglas (not identified) and he was christened John Sword Douglas on 8 March 1834, at Mervinslaw Farm by the minister of the Free Church of Jedburgh. In 1841 aged 5, John lived at Larkhall Farm 1 mile west of Jedburgh with grandmother Betty Sword, a widow, and her son Thomas aged 20 (agricultural labourer, probably at this farm). His mother Christy Sword was a servant to Robert Pringle at Bairnkine Farm about 2 miles to the south of Jedburgh and quite near to Mervinslaw. Christy died at Denholm in 1880 of 'general decay'! Could anyone with census lists say where Christy Sword resided between 1851-1880? (dau John Sword and Elizabeth). What level of education would young John have had in 1840's? He was successful in Australia, leaving 'many farms'! Robyn Melbourne, Aust.