This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/ReC.2ACI/324.358.1.1 Message Board Post: Hi Sue. Thanks for the kind offer. Since posting my message, I purchased the 1871 census of my great grandmother - Jane Smith. On the 1881 census she was listed with 4 sons - James Shepherd, John Lobban Shepherd, George Shepherd and Alexander Smith Shepherd, but no father of the children living with her. I had hoped I would find him living with her on the 1871 census, but no luck. On 1871 census she resided at #39 ? Street, Huntley with James (age 2) and another unexpected son William Cruickshank (age 4.) But even more interesting, at #41 was the family of a John Lobban, wife Margaret and 4 sons James, George, John and Alexander. My belief is that this family were a great assistance to Jane and her 2 sons and consequently she gave her 4 boys the names of the Lobban's 4 boys. I have now traced Jane's parents and grandparents without encountering the Lobban name, so their is possibly no family connection. I guess it is possible that a sibling of her parents could hav! e married a Lobban. I have not traced other children of her parents - John Smith and Jean Anderson. But, for the time being I am satisfied to know how the Lobban name fit within my family tree.