Hugh, I appreciate the valid word of warning when you say ... "A word of caution on Janet Churnside. Chirnside (i not u) is a small town southeast of Haddington. Be sure the name is right and not picking up a home parish as part of a name." As Black's surnames mentions - the name CHIRNSIDE (and many variants) derives "from the place of this name in Berwickshire". In the case that I quoted - of a Janet CHURNSIDE marrying Benjamin THOMSON in 1826 - I have already found other supporting evidence to suggest that this was in fact her family name. I believe that she is the baptism referred to in the IGI (10 Mar 1799 Cockpen - parents David CHURNSIDE & Isabel HENDERSON). I have also found her in the 1851 census at 32/2 Arthur Street, St Cuthberts - aged 50, born Cockpen - in which she is listed as the wife of Benjamin THOMSON, but described as Janet CHIRNYSIDE. Their eldest son Benjamin (born abt 1826/7 Dalkeith) married Jane SMITH on 17 Jun 1851 at the United Presbyterian Church, Infirmary Street, Cowgate - and they named one of their children Jessie CHURNSIDE Thomson (born 13 Sep 1860). So in this case, I suspect that I am safe in concluding that her maiden surname really was CHURNSIDE. Duncan, Dundee