Hi List: I have a general genealogy question relating to the 1871 census for Isle of Arran, Kilbride, Bute. While reviewing a microfilm of this census the other day I noticed the odd widow whose children had a different last name. In discussion we initially assumed the widow had simply re-married and maybe lost a second husband. However when I found the following entries I became quite puzzled. First entry is: West Clauchland #5 Ann STEWART, a widow, whose children go by SHAW. Next entry is: West Clauchland #6 Margaret STEWART, a widow whose children go by HAMILTON Next entry: West Clauchland # 7 Alexander STEWART married to Marg't ROBERTSON Now on the information I've been able to gather thus far I think the second (#6) entry is the one I'm interested in as I believe Margaret HAMILTON's maiden surname was STEWART. I'm just a little perplexed to see it on the census that way. Would anyone have a suggestion about the following: Could this have been a particularly fastidious census taker who had genealogy as a hobby or was there a trend toward calling widows and/or wives by their maiden surname? As I mentioned there were other instances but this one was of particular interest and has 3 examples on the same page. Any help or clarification greatly appreciated. Brian Dunn Kamloops BC, Canada