In a message dated 6/2/03 7:02:03 AM Pacific Standard Time, SCT-CAITHNESS-D-request@rootsweb.com writes: > Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 16:08:32 -0500 > From: "The Nevilles" <trinev@rogers.com> > To: SCT-CAITHNESS-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Maiden surnames > > Hello listers > > I have found a possible 3x great-grandmother living with her son in the > 1841 census. She uses her maiden surname. Was this usual or was she > possibly not married? She is also listed as a "spinster" - is this her > occupation or her marital status? > > Thanks for your help. > > Sharon > Ontario Sharon, The usual in Scotland was for married women to continue using their maiden surname, so this is no surprise. The other is speculation, but I would expect the "spinster" to relate to her occupation. The census should show marital status with a single letter: S or M or W FWIW ...... Unless specifically stated otherwise in this message, there is no intentional attachment on this e-mail transmission. Ken Harrison North Vancouver, Canada HARRISON Yorkshire, Staffordshire, London (Highgate/Hampstead) POTCHIT Yorkshire FISHER London (Highgate/Hampstead) GRIFFIN Staffordshire STANLEY Staffordshire SMELLIE Lanark, Orkney, Glasgow, Tasmania STIRRAT Ayrshire & Glasgow BAIN Caithness MILLER Caithness, Swaziland SPENCE Orkney TRAILL Orkney SELKRIG Lanark WICKETSHAW Lanark MORRISON Perthshire, Islay, Dumbarton, Glasgow, Australia (Vic) BAIRD Renfrew HAM Australia (Vic) THOMPSON Suffolk AGGUS Suffolk BRIGHTWELL Suffolk LAWSON Clackmannan McNABB Islay MURRAY Dumfries, Renfrew GILLESPIE Dumfries HENDERSON Dumfries TICKET (TAKET) Dumfries CALDWELL Tyrone, Renfrew GRAHAM Tyrone, Ontario Genealogists never die ... they just lose their census.