Hello, I have replied directly to those individuals who responded so quickly. I thought that it would be worthwhile 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. Thank you all again. Regards, Gordon Self ----- Original Message ----- From: Research.Self <Research.Self@btinternet.com> To: Scotland-list <SCOTLAND-GENWEB-L@rootsweb.com>; ABERDEEN-List <ABERDEEN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, October 30, 1999 8:53 PM Subject: 1881 census for Scotland