Peter, You're absolutely right of course - I think I've got myself confused by going round in circles so many times, and I now can't remember where I saw Emily listed as having been born in Lancashire, or maybe I just dreamt it. Thanks for putting me back on the right track. (The family you mention from the 1901 census is definitely the right one, their oldest daughter Gertrude being my grandmother.) Sandie In a message dated 27/05/06 00:03:32 GMT Daylight Time, st.peter@paradise.net.nz writes: I don't have much to add, just a query about some of your information. You said that in 1891 Emily Shepherd is in Bolton and her birthplace is given as Blackley, Northampton. Then you say that in later census returns Emily's birthplace is given as Bolton. The only later available census is 1901 by which time she is Emily McInnes married to George. Is she not with her family in Oldham at that time as follows (I don't have access to Ancestry, so the following people are on the same census page, but admittedly not necessarily the same family)? George McI 29 b.Scotland Carter Emily McI 29 born Northampton Blackley