1841 Census - Alexander and Marion Bruce In the 1841 Census Alexander Bruce (aged 30, shoemaker) was living in Kilmarnock with Marrion Bruce (35), Marrion Bruce (6), William Mathieson (13, closer apprentice) and Mary Mathieson (10). Alexander Bruce appears to have come from Ireland. A 'closer' makes the upper part of a shoe . The 1819 map by John Wood shows the occupants of many properties but maybe those living in Back St were not of sufficient status to get a mention. In the 1841 Census there were 703 individuals living in Back St. The modern satellite image shows the railway viaduct cutting through part of Back St. The viaduct was built between 1843 and 1850. Alexander Bruce must have died between 1841 and 1851. Possibly as a result of her husband’s death, the building of the viaduct, or the birth of an illegitimate grandson, Marion and her family had moved to Galston by the time of the 1851 Census. Galston is approximately 5 miles east of Kilmarnock.