Hi Angela In an effort to try and assist you I had a look at the IGI and see that the first three children are recorded as 'Henderson or Ross' but the next four (all that are covered by the IGI) are simply listed as Henderson. This indicates to me that the first three were illegitimate but the others may not be. However a look at the 1881 Census gives the following entry for the family: Dwelling: 8 Queens Lane Census Place: Drainie, Elgin, Scotland Source: FHL Film 0203432 GRO Ref Volume 130 EnumDist 2 Page 16 Marr Age Sex Birthplace Alexander HENDERSON U 40 M Duffus, Elgin, Scotland Rel: Head Occ: Lab Catherine ROSS U 41 F St Andrews, Elgin, Scotland Rel: Housekeeper Occ: Dom Housekeeper George HENDERSON U 14 M Lossiemouth, Elgin, Scotland Rel: Son Occ: Ag Serv Ann HENDERSON U 12 F Lossiemouth, Elgin, Scotland Rel: Dau Occ: Scholar Helen HENDERSON U 10 F Lossiemouth, Elgin, Scotland Rel: Dau Occ: Scholar Catherine HENDERSON U 8 F Lossiemouth, Elgin, Scotland Rel: Dau Occ: Scholar Jamima HENDERSON U 6 F Lossiemouth, Elgin, Scotland Rel: Dau Occ: Scholar Peter HENDERSON U 4 M Lossiemouth, Elgin, Scotland Rel: Son Jane HENDERSON U 1 F Lossiemouth, Elgin, Scotland Rel: Dau William SHEARER U 14 M Lossiemouth, Elgin, Scotland Rel: Gd Child Occ: Scholar Catherine SMITH U 1 F Lossiemouth, Elgin, Scotland Rel: Gd Child Alexr. SMITH U 17 M Lossiemouth, Elgin, Scotland Rel: Neph Occ: Ag Serv As you can see this indicates they were not married at that time and John and Margaret are not included in the entry. Alexander Smith who is listed as a Nephew could be the son of Alexander Smith and Johanna Ross (possibly a sister of Catherine?). Who are the parents of William Shearer and Catherine Smith who are listed as Grandchildren. Margaret Henderson would appear to be the only possibility but not for a 14 year old. You have probably been over all this already and have the answers, Ian A C Scott