1851 Census Image File

[Southpaw]

I have uploaded an image from the 1851 census and am interested in help with the first surname on the page:

http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-1570

Alex ???, Son, U, 3.

The rest of the household is on the previous page and consists of:

John McMurray, Head, Widow, 70, Dredging Machine Foreman.
Elizabeth McMurray, Daughter, U, 24, House Works.

John McMurray is my ggg grandfather. Presumably wee Alex is actually the son of his daughter Elizabeth. I tried to find likely surnames in the 1851 Census index and then discovered that he is indexed as Alexander McMurray so no help there.

All ideas appreciated.

Southpaw

Gallery url added by Marilyn

[Jack]

Hi Southpaw,
The 1851 census index CD has wee Alex indexed as SLACH, and i couldn't disagree unless meant to end in a "K".
Enumerator seems to have more than one way of writing a capital "S".
Compare the surname SWAN of Janet & Mary on lines 3 & 4.
Even the "S" he uses in Street isn't consistent.
Jack

[Isabel H]

Could it be Mack?

[WilmaM]

My initial thought was Mack [it's a Renfrewshire name], but a closer look at the M's on the page banished that thought

I did think it could be an Sl and ending with a K or H, but was leaning more to a name begining with W [see the chemical Works further down the page]
but I can't think of a name that would match.....

[Russell]

Hi Southpaw

Like Jack I think the initial letter is 'S'. Although the enumerator is inconsistent in the way he writes 's' looking at the bottom entry on the page the style used for 'Scholar' is exactly the same.
My best guess would be the surname Slack

Russell

[Southpaw]

Thanks all for your replies. My first inclination was Slach but, according to the free surname search on ScotlandsPeople, this name doesn't exist. There are quite a few Slacks but I haven't found any matches yet. I'll keep on searching.

Southpaw

[joette]

I have a few grandchildren residing with Grandparents during Census& possibily living with them anyway.
I searched for many using the surnames given with no luck.Many were illegitimate & known by the Father's surname although registered under Mother's.
Then you have the complication of one where he was registered under Mother's name.Then Census by reputed Father.Then marriage reputed Father.Death a completely different name in fact doubted it was him but turned out to be Step-father's. So good luck & a heavy shovel & pick.