Born "Overseas - Foreign" in 1841 census

[maddymoss]

Robert Munro was aged 40 in the 1841 Clackmannanshire census. He married Catherine Donaldson in 1817 so would appear to have been around 17 when he married. He is recorded as being a Sheriff’s Officer in the 1841 census. His children are still around for the 1851 census, though Robert has disappeared, perhaps died.

Two facts intrigue me;
1)Robert was recorded in the 1841 census as being born “Overseas – Foreign”.
2)He married so young.

Would a 17 year old in 1817 earn enough to keep a wife and family?
Could anyone clarify what “Overseas – Foreign” covered in the 1841 census?

Thanks.

[LesleyB]

Hi Maddy
See:
http://www.talkingscot.com/censuses/census-1841.htm
for the instructions given to the enumerators.

"If born in Scotland, state whether in County or Otherwise."

In the case of persons born in Scotland, write opposite to each name, "Yes" if born in the County, and "No" if not born in the County. British Subjects born in Colonies, East Indies, or out of the United Kingdom, to be inserted with "No" to their name.

"Whether Foreigner or whether born in England or Ireland."

Write in this column ""E." for born in England, "I". for born in Ireland and "F" for Foreigner. The latter mark is to be used for those who are subjects of some Foreign State.

Could be anywhere by the looks of things!

Best wishes
Lesley

[Tracey]

Robert Munro was aged 40 in the 1841 Clackmannanshire census

Dont forget the rounding up or down of ages inthe 1841 census

For persons between the ages of-- 15 and 20 write 15
20 and 25 write 20
25 and 30 write 25
30 and 35 write 30
35 and 40 write 35
40 and 45 write 40
45 and 50 write 45
50 and 55 write 50
55 and 60 write 55
60 and 65 write 60
65 and 70 write 65
70 and 75 write 70

So he could have been slightly oder than you thought.