Hello Douglas, You don't say if you have sighted them on the 1881 census but if case you haven't here is Thomas and possibilities for Jane - don't know where Bothkennar is and my old gazeteer here doesn't list it - 1881 census House of Muir Village, Ormiston, Haddington, Scotland FHL Film 0224027, GRO Ref. Voulme 715 EnumDist 2 Page 7 John JACK Head Coal miner 40 born Newton, Edinburgh, Scotland Helen Jack Wife 41 born Inveresk, Edinburgh John Jack Son Coal miner 18 born Newbattle, Edinburgh Peter Jack Son Coal miner 14 born Cockpen, Edinburgh Thomas Jack Son Scholar 11 Born Cockpen Margaret Jack Dau Scholar 8 born Lasswade, Edinburgh Elizabeth Jack Dau Scholar 3 born Ormiston, Haddington Robert Jack Son 1 born Ormiston Because the name Scott and Grace appeared within the names of their children, this is a guess - 70 Carrick Street, Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland FHL Film 0203653 GRO Ref Volume 644-7 EnumDist 18 Page 4 John Laird Head General Baker 45 born Glasgow. Lanark Margaret Scott Laird Wife 43 born Girvan, Ayr Margaret Laird Dau coton spinner 18 born Glasgow John Laird Son general labourer 17 born Edinburgh Grace Laird Dau White steam loomer 15 born Edinburgh Archibald Laird Son baker boy 12 born Glasgow Agnes Laird Dau Industrial school 8 born Glasgow Dugaqld Laird Son scholar 8 born Glaasgow Mary Laird Dau 4 born Glasgow Catherine Laird Dau 2 born Glasgow Ther are two Jane Lairds of an age working elsewhere - Foxbar Derry Woman House, Abbey, Renfrew, Scotland Agnes Laird Bleachfield worker 19 born Dreghorn, Ayr Jane Laird Bleachfield worker 14 born Stevenson, Ayr This appear to be a lodging house for women workers Jane Laird Domestic Servant 15 at Melville Terrace, St. Cuthberts, Edinburgh (working for a professor of music). Of course, the above could all be the wrong Janes and could be one of the many others listed with their families - would need specifics. Hope it helps, Eileen in Hampshire, UK http://www.geocities.com/elnalexjoe/lowlands.html