I'm hoping someone on the list can advise me on my lost Donnellys in the 1871 census and the missing father, James Donnelly, still in the 1881. I've tried lateral searches of all known family of Bridget to see if they were living elsewhere but no luck. I've searched both the Lanark and the West Lothian records, since the family seemed to move between these counties to no avail. I am going to send this same post to the West Lothian (Midlothian) list. I have been searching scotlandspeople for both this family for quite a while, in vain, and have spent a fortune for naught so far. Any James Donnelly that I find in the 1881 is either a border or lodger and there is no evidence in the enumeration that can support that he might be "mine" Since I've exhaused any ideas, I'd be most grateful for any suggestions. Thank you, Brigid DONNELLY (surname variations Donnolly, Donelly, Donnely, Donly, Donlay, Donnaly, Donally, Donely, Donoley, Dennely, Dunnelly, Donneley, Downely James, born about 1829, Ireland, iron miner Bridget, born about 1837, Ireland, m.s. Laggan/Lagan Michael, born 1858, Whitburn, West Lothian, coalminer James, born 1861, Fauldhouse, Whitburn, West Lothian, coalminer Found the family in these records: Census 1861 Fauldhouse, Whitburn, County of Linlithgow (surname Dennely), James, 40, Bridget, 25, Michael, 2 1871 James, Bridget, James not found anywhere. Their son Michael is found in the Hannan (Hanan/Heenan)household of his mother's sister in Fauldhouse, Crofthead, Whitburn, Linlithgow Heenan, John, 30, pit sinker, Refrewsh., Shaws Heenan, Roseanne, 28, Ireland Michael Donelly, nephew, 12, miner's assistant, Whitburn 1881 census Family found, but no James the father. Bridget and her sons are found living with a sister of Bridget's. Bridget is listed as married, the sister is listed as widowed, which was her true state in 1881. There is no sign of James Donnelly in the 1881 that I can prove, but since Bridget is not listed as widowed, I'm still searching for him. I know he was deceased by the 1884 marriage of his son James, but I can't find a death certificate for him anywhere either. Carnwath, Lanark, Scotland Michael Donelly, son, 22, coal miner, Whitburn Bridget, head, married, 39, housekeeper, Ireland James, son, 19, coal miner, Linlithgow John McLeish, son, 4, West Calder Mary McLeish, wid, 34, Ireland James McLeish, son, 9, Airdrie, Lanark