Hi David Bruce ,

I am not totally sure , but I think you have mixed two lines of Bruce . Have another look at my posting on Nov 9 at 4.25 am (IOM time) .
I take it that John Lewin Bruce b abt 1880 is your Grandfather . He is not on the IGI , but on the 1881 census aged 1 .
On the IGI there are two Johns Christened ( not born ) in 1802/3 in Malew :

To John Bruce (b 1774 Alford)and Margaret Wilson :

John , Christened 14/10/1802 Malew

To William John Bruce(b 1776 Alford) and Margaret XXXXXXX

John , Christened November 1803 Malew
William , Christened 6/11/1803 Malew
(could be twins)
WJB and MX had another son Robert born about 1821 ( Aged 60 on 1881 census ) who names his brother William (Deceased ) and leaves his estate to Williams children including your Ggrandfather . (Refer wills Brian Lawsons site )

John and Margaret Wilson had two children after John (Ch 14/10/1802) that are not on IGI ( In Scotland , England or the IOM )

Robert and William . Robert is the eldest as he is named in John Bruce's (b1774) will dated 1838 to get the property . ( Manx law)
also named is William and James . Daughter Margaret ( ch 1806) is not named in the will , and John , earlier James (b 1813) and Ann (b1808) had already died . You can read John's will on Brians site .

Because of early deaths and same name births it does get a bit confusing , but there were two different Williams in 1841 , so it can't be the same family .

I think your line is :

John Lewin Bruce b abt 1880 Lonan , IOM
John Bruce b abt 1845 Bride , IOM
William Buce Ch 1803 Malew , IOM
William John Bruce Ch 30/6/1776 Alford , SCO
John Bruce Ch 25/3/1753 Alford , Sco
James OR Alexander Bruce b circa 1725

You can reach me direct at davsue@yahoo.com.au

Cheers
David Dwyer