New child on the scene.....

[Davie]

Hi all
After finding my lot on the 1841 census.
Found, what looks like a child aged 9 months, no name give, but it looks like N C
Not Christened?
Any help on this
Davie

[Jack]

Hi Davie,
The Census Link at the top of the TS page gives the enumerator's instructions on names.
"NC" isn't mentioned - only "NK" for "Not Known".
--
I know many children were christened well after they were born, but you'd think that after 9mos,
a name had been decided on! and used in everyday talk with the wean.
Maybe the family held the belief that the name couldn't/shouldn't be written down till after the christening?
But that's only a guess.
Jack
ps, could the age have been 9 days, and not 9 mos?

[Davie]

Thanks for that Jack.
I think the child was possiby illegitimate.
A 10 year old "Nephew",appears on the 1851 census with the family.
He is actually the son of Catherine.
I have found several "Nephews" on my own family searches.
Was wondering how common this practise was, of stating children born out of wedlock would be "Nephew" or "Niece"
Davie

[Jack]

Hi Davie,
The column that the child's age is in will denote whether it was a boy or girl in 1841.
The LH for males, and the RH for the superior sex...
I wouldn't know how common it was re nephew/nieces appearing as such when they weren't,
but i suppose it did happen - maybe some families just felt a wee bit embarrassed about an illegitimate child.
Jack