Hi Christine and Peter, There is a possibility that you'll need to search through non conformist records to find Alexander's baptism details (bearing in mind that he was a Primitive Methodist Lay Preacher). I'm not 100% sure about the location of these, but I'm fairly sure that non conformist records aren't held by the GROS (General Register Office for Scotland); instead, I think they may be at the NAS (National Archives of Scotland) see http://www.nas.gov.uk/ (but see below). I think I may have found out why Alexander's eldest daughter was called Rebecca Bell WATSON - in 1841, Alexander and family were at the same address as (but different household to) a Rebecca BELL at Whitley, Tynemouth, Northumberland: 1841 census Whitley, Tynemouth, Northumberland James BELL, 20, Coal Cutter, Y George BELL, 15, Coal Cutter, Y James BELL, 14, Coal Cutter, Y Jane BELL, 9, Y Rebecca BELL, 30, Independent, Y *** Alexander WATSON, 30, Coal Cutter, S(cotland) Jane WATSON, 35, Independent, Y John WATSON, 6, Y I just had a thought, and had a look in the British Vital Records Index v2. and found the following baptism: WATSON, Alexander Birth Date: 5 Jun 1809 Christening Date: 6 Jul 1809, South Leith, Midlothian, Scotland Father: Alexander WATSON Mother: Janet BURNS I couldn't see a brother John WATSON, but did find two sisters, Janet and Mary: WATSON, Janet Birth Date: 21 Feb 1805 Christening Date: 28 Feb 1805, South Leith, Midlothian, Scotland Father: Alexander WATSON Mother: Janet BURNS WATSON, Mary Birth Date: 7 Oct 1812 Christening Date: 15 Oct 1812, South Leith, Midlothian, Scotland Father: Alexander WATSON Mother: Janet BURN I should point out though that there were lots of WATSONs baptised in South Leith alone, so this may not be your Alexander. (Fingers crossed though!). Best wishes, Sue -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Christine Sent: 14 October 2007 10:52 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [MIDLOTHIAN] Some spare OPR births/baptisms, South Leith,1771/1772 Hi Susan and Jean, Alexander WATSON is my Brick wall being born approx 1808 in Leith according to the English 1861 and 1871 Census. He must have left Scotland as a youngster as he landed up marrying Jane HINDSON from Long Benton in Bishopwearmouth Co. Durham in 1834.They called their eldest daughter Rebecca Bell WATSON so is that a clue. He worked in the Coal Mines of Northumberland, being a Primitive Methodist Lay Preacher he was jailed in Morpeth Prison for a couple of months on the Treadmill as an example when an "Illegal" Strike took place in 1859. Torture. He must have been a tough nut. I believe he had a brother John WATSON who was a little older. Christine and Peter in NZ