On the 1881 census of Cambusbarron, St Ninians, Stirling, Scotland was listed John McIntyre, his wife, Mary Cowan Howat, their children, her brothers, and a Homer Cowan that was listed as "wife's cousin". I believe the Homer Cowan below is one and the same: 1867 - 882 - 133 Homer Cowan, was born at 7am on the 22nd of August, 1867 at Maxwelltown, Dumfries, Scotland. Mother - Janet Cowan. Registered as Illegitimate. Mary Cowan Howat's parents were James Howat b. abt. 1813 in Eng., and Margaret Kennedy Ross, b. abt. 1819 in Dumfries town. I'm trying to determine how Homer was a cousin. Since Mary's middle name was Cowan, I feel there is a common Cowan ancestor, but where? There are a lot of earlier Homer Cowans in the Dumfries town area. Mary had a brother named Homer Howat in 1847 in Dumfries. It must be Margaret Kennedy Ross' mother was a Cowan, or possibly, if his family was originally from Dumfries area, James Howat's mother could have been the Cowan. When are the monument inscriptions for Dumfries supposed to be available? Maybe they will shed a clue. Any Cowan researchers familiar with Homer Cowans? Thanks, Marc Archer in Flint, Michigan