This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: BruceMcDowall27 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.scotland.wig.general/1869.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi Lynne, I note that the NEILSON family which Nancy has reviewed, is inconsistent with your information. Not knowing the source information for either proposition, I have an open mind. The transcribed 1851 census data at http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/HistoricalIndexes/census.aspx#search appears to show the family described by Nancy at Bridgend, Newton Stewart, in Penninghame parish, household 3/50. (Just select the parish and enter the household number.) The children of this couple all appear to have been born in Newton Stewart, parish of Penninghame. Using the same site, there is a family at Hanover St, Stranraer, parish of Stranraer, household number 4/202, which looks likely to be the one you describe. They are recorded as NELSON, but spelling of names back then was somewhat arbitrary. This family also includes a Janet, Margaret, and Benjamin, but you didn't indicate expected ages for them. Are those ages consistent with your information? The Alexander here seems to have been born in 1846 or 1847, rather than 1848, but you did seem uncertain of his year of birth. This Alexander was born in the parish of Portpatrick, but as he seems likely to have spent his early childhood in Stranraer, he may well have grown up thinking that was where he was born. Regards, Bruce Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.