Hi All, Thought it was time to give a progress report on the 1851 census transcription for Bute. Transcribing is now 85% complete and 35% of the county is now available on-line at http://freecen.rootsweb.com/ The parts done are the parishes of Kilmory, Lochranza and EDs 9-16 of Rothesay burgh. The description of the area covered by these pieces can be found at; http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~buteshire1841/index.htm Another 50% of the county is currently being checked or waiting to be done. This has all been done in about 8 months which is quite an achievement by a small team of volunteers. We are always looking for additional helpers so if you have access to a fiche reader and a bit of spare time, I'd be delighted to hear from you. It certainly would lighten the load, particularly if we are going to do further censuses. The county population was steadily growing through the 19th century and each one is bigger than the last. Happy hunting Bill McKinlay FreeCen coordinator for Bute and Ayr