McLelland/Tait of Girvan and Maybole

[Pennines]

I stand corrected. I didn't know that women used their maiden names in Scotland after marriage, - except for it being shown as a maiden surname on the birth certs of their children or on death certs.

I have never come across such a case - but thank you for enlightening me.

[Maiden Stone]

There was also a custom in some parts of Ireland for widows to use their maiden names.

[Pennines]

Oh my goodness, I didn't know that either - despite having an Irish grandmother and an Irish husband!

[rewphoor]

Many thanks for all your tips. I'll answer some of the questions which have been posed, which may prompt further info.
MonicaL - Susan was shown as "W" in 1851, but no record of Robert's death. I can find no birth record for William Thomson. He doesn't appear in the 1861 census and there is no death record for him.
I think your details of the separate entries in 1861 for Mary and Susan are correct.

CarolW -Mary married Alexander in 1874 and the record shows Robert Tait, a weaver as her father and Susan McLelland as her mother. Only Susan shown in her death certificate, no mention of Robert.

MonicaL - See comment re her death certificate above. I have her death in 1893 in Gavieside reported by her husband Alexander.
Good call on 1871 census - this looks like them and their names are spelled as you have them, on the census! Mary had another child in 1872 recorded as born in Balloney, so that location would seem to tie in with the census.

Once again thank you for all your efforts

[MonicaL]

There is a Robert Tait on the 1841 census living with family in Dailly Ayrshire who is a weaver by trade. Can't think though how you could confirm anything for him 

Samuel Tait 55
Mary Tait 55
Robert Tait 25 Cotton Weaver
Samuel Tait 20
Margaret Tait 16
Esther Tait 14

Address: Killoup, Dailly

Monica