Hello yet again, Alan I was curious about your Fanny because 'SAXBY' is very much an English surname and most unusual for a lassie born in Fife. I had a look for her in the 1881 Census, but couldn't find her. But she was in the 1871 census living with her grandparents in Easter Aberdour Old Manse. Her grandparents were Hugh BLAIK, 61, born Aberdour and Elizabeth FORSYTH, 60, born Aberdour. Hugh was a Road Labourer. For some reason ( and fortunately for you!), Elizabeth was listed under her maiden name. Also living in the house was Thomas Blaik, son, 15, born Aberdour, postboy, and Elizabeth's sister, Margaret Forsyth, aged 63. There was no sign of Fanny's parents but she may have been visiting her grandparents on the night of the census. I then looked for Fanny's birth certificate on Scotlands People but there was none listed under the name Fanny Saxby. However I did find her listed as Fanny Saxby Blaik born on 24th January 1863 in Easter Aberdour. She was illegitimate and born to Agnes Blaik, house servant. The father's name wasn't given but I think it would be safe to say that his surname was Saxby. I looked for Agnes Blaik in the 1861 Scotland Census, and found her aged 20 working as a Laundry Maid in Scone Palace, Perthshire, the home of the Earl of Mansfield, a prominent Scottish aristocrat. The household had numerous servants and included amongst those was a William Saxby, a footman aged 24, born in England. He sounds a likely culprit. I couldn't find him in the 1871 Scotland Census, and unfortunately the 1861 Census didn't specify where in England he was born. I was unable to trace Agnes Blaik after 1861 (couldn't find a marriage or death certificate for her on Scotlands People) nor could I find her as Agnes Blaik on any of the later censuses (including the 1871 England Census). She may have moved south (to England) and got married there, or she may have emigrated. Regards Rhoda p.s. I will send you the image of Fanny's birth certificate off-list.