Missing Head of Household .....

wini · Post by **wini** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 10:22 am

In the 1841 Census I have found the wife and families of 2 Ancestors but both the men are missing. One is in Kilmuir and one in Durness.
They appear in the 1851 Census so are alive in 1841.
As they are both described at different times as Crofters and Fishermen does that indicate they may have been out fishing, if so where would they have been registered on Census night?
Maybe they were down the pub with their mates but it just seems strange that neither are at home

wini

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 10:46 am

Hi Wini

If they were fishermen and were out at sea on the night of the census they would not be recorded. Enumerators were instructed to record '
those who had slept in the dwelling' on the night. If they stuck strictly to this then anyone who was away from home that night would be recorded at the address they were at that night.
I have a relative visiting his mother at her lodgings that night. My fisherman ggggrandfather does not appear anywhere but he was away for weeks at a time at sea.
Instructions were different in later census entries.

Russell

wini · Post by **wini** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 4:57 am

Thanks Russell

Just another one for "THE TOO HARD" basket.

Someday I am "gunna" get around to these.

wini