I am hoping that someone may be able to shed a little light on my mysterious ancestry.  My great grandfather was born in 1875 the son of the local laird or Laird's son (Maxwell).  His mother (name unknown) was a domestic servant in the household.  She was sent to London to give birth.  My great Grandfather, named John Andrew (thought to be his christian names) was put on a train in 1881 when he was 7 and returned to Kells, New Galloway where he was taken in by James Cowan and lived as part of his family in the High Street.  The Maxwells paid for his upkeep.  When this money ran out he was adopted by the headmistress of the local school, Jessie Craig. I have no details of his father or mother as there is no trace of a birth certificate for him.  There must be a record of him somewhere as financial arrangements must have been set up for his care. If anyone has any idea of where I can look for this information I would be most grateful. I do know that the local Maxwells were George Maxwell of Munches and his son Wellwood Maxwell.  However, there were quite a few in the surrounding districts, including the Maxwells of Monreith. Claire Reid (nee Andrew)