In a message dated 10/31/99 3:14:00 AM Eastern Standard Time, Research.Self@btinternet.com writes: << Indicating that Robert LERCHE was not found in the 1881 census for Scotland and I now believe that he arrived after 1881 and before 1889. It is always more difficult to prove a negative hypothesis! Strange thing is there is another family of LERCHEs [from IGI] who were already settled in Scotland before 1881 and who should have turned up on the 1881 census. One of these was from Germany [Emanuel LERCHE, b 1839] but all the family were born in Scotland. This family were mainly round Midlothian circa 1881 but eventually were in Alloa. Although I did not ask about this family, there was no trace of any LERCHE in Scotland in 1881 at all. They must be masters of the elusive! No wonder I can't find any of them. >> Hello Gordon, Can't help with Robert but I can make proving the negative hypothesis somewhat more difficult as a search of Midlothian with no name produces one unknown entry with a birth place of Germany. (see extract below) Any chance Robert was a ships carpenter? Would love to have heard the conversation on this one with German and Scot accents. I think the other extract is your elusive Emanuel. Dwelling: 21 Broad Wynd Census Place: South Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland Source: FHL Film 0224020 GRO Ref Volume 692-2 EnumDist 49 Page 1 Marr Age Sex Birthplace Willam SMITH M 56 M Edinburgh South Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland Rel: Head Occ: Coal Merchant Ann SMITH M 53 F Scoon, Perth, Scotland Rel: Wife (NK) (NK) M M Germany Rel: Lodger Occ: Ship Carpenter ************************************************************************ Dwelling: Ochil St Census Place: Alloa, Clackmannan, Scotland Source: FHL Film 0203534 GRO Ref Volume 465 EnumDist 2 Page 19 Marr Age Sex Birthplace Emanuel LERCHIE M 43 M Bohemia (British Subject) Rel: Head Occ: Glass Engraver Helen LERCHIE M 46 F Cairneyhill, Fife, Scotland Rel: Wife Stephen LERCHIE U 18 M Rustterigg, Edinburgh, Scotland Rel: Son Occ: Glass Engraver Mary LERCHIE 14 F Edinbro, Edinburgh, Scotland Rel: Dau Occ: Scholar Helen A. LERCHIE 6 F Alloa, Clackmannan, Scotland Rel: Dau Occ: Scholar Rick McMeechan Broadview Hts. Ohio, USA Rmcmeechan@aol.com