Hi All, The following I posted on the 11th but with the list problems, I suspect it has disappeared off into a black hole somewhere. (If it didn't, I apologise for the repeat.) Last week Peter raised the question of comments on census films. >From what I can see, they were absent from the county in 1841. In the 1851 census there was, at the start of each enumeration district, a space for remarks of the Minister of the Parish. While the majority of these, that I have seen so far, are nothing more than a declaration that it's an accurate record, the Minister for Cumbray had a bit more to say for himself. He did have handwriting however that is even worse than mine so this is the best I can. do. "ED 1 As this is the largest district, I here remark in regard to the parish generally, that by the present census the population is 138 less than in 1841. To account for this it is remarked that the pop. In '41 was taken in June when in summer this place is ... to by visitors and others for the benefit of their health, hence the decrease. At the same time the Native population is about 1000 an I have several times observed in the course of my official visitations; and the [increase?] from 1000 to 1275 to be accounted for, from the circumstance of there being at present - as for about 2 years past, a vast importation of masons, joiners, labourers etc employed in the erection of new building, while, when complete - they will again be obliged to leave the parish. At the same time a few visitors and strangers were in the village when the census was taken. ED 2. As this No 2 forms part of the village of Millport, the remarks made on No 1 apply to this district. P.S. In No 3 I have remarked that there is an increase of the population in the country, which perhaps ought to have been entried in No 1 & which will afill farther account for the increase of the population generally for these three or four years ED 3. The Little Cumbray, the population of which has been taken, is not part of the parish of Cumbray but of West Kilbride, Ayrshire and yet it is in the County of Bute and so, for that reason I conclude it has been included with the parish. It will be observed that in the county there are 15 houses and 127 persons, the rest of the population being confined to the village of Millport. The population has increased in the country district in consequence of a greater number of agricultural labourers being required for improvements and the reclaiming of waste land. I approve of the manner in which the enumerator has discharged his duties." There are also, occasionally, some interesting descriptions of the individual enumeration districts within the county. Following are a couple from Arran (Again 1851) ED # 8 Kilbride The district combines the village of Lamlash and a few detached farm houses upon both sides of the said village. There are no public works going on in the village. It is a great watering place. Steam boats run twixt Glasgow and Lamlash every day during the steamer season and crowds of people come from Glasgow, Paisley and all the neighbouring towns upon the opposite coast of the mainland. Lamlash district is bounded upon the east and nor-east by the Brodick road , on the north and nor-west by the heathery hills that stand about 1 quarter of a mile above Lamlash, on the west and south-west by Penlester Burn, a small water that runs from the hills and upon the south east by the far famed harbour of Lamlash so acceptable by the poor fatigued sailor. ED # 1 Kilmory So much of the parish of Kilmory as lies between the march separating Dipping from Kilbride Parish and Levencorrach Water (comprehending five farms vis:- Dipping, Kildonian, Drumlabarra, Ballymenoch and Auchenhew also the island of Pladda.) The district is entirely agricultural, each farm divided into lots of different sizes varying from 16 acres to 50 acres each. These lots increase in size as to their distance to the shore, their rent varying form 15/- per Scotch acre to 35/- according to the quality of the land and the nearness to the shore for seaweed for manure. The Island of Pladda is separated from Arran by a channel about a mile in breadth If anything else turns up I will let you know. Cheers, Bill