In a message dated 3/5/01 2:34:13 AM GMT Standard Time, [email protected] writes: > 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. > Hi I found this use of the wife's maiden name in an 1841 census in Muirkirk. I wouldn't be too surprised to find it on the islands. Apart from the fact that legally Scots married women retain the use of their maiden name, on an island where everyone would know everyone else, chances are the use of maiden names would persist long after they were married. Maybe the enumerator reckoned that by being widowed the women reverted to their maiden name. A nice little bonus for us searchers if so! Irene