1851 Census abbreviations .....

Thrall · Post by **Thrall** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 1:58 am

A simple question here: Was the abbreviation "W" for condition used in the 1851 census? I have a case of "Mar" in 1851 possibly changing to "W" in 1861 with a name change at the same time. To elaborate, same three sons but a "new" mother as head of household ten years later. (No father visible.)

Hoping this is understandable,

Thrall

Post by **AndrewP** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 2:04 am

Hi Thrall,

In the dozen or so 1851 census pages that I have downloaded to my PC, widow is written as "Widow", and not abbreviated to "W". It may be that some enumerators abbreviated it to "W" as there was no guidance in their notes in 1851. There was by 1861.

http://www.talkingscot.com/censuses/census-1851.htm
http://www.talkingscot.com/censuses/census-1861.htm

All the best,

AndrewP

Thrall · Post by **Thrall** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 3:48 am

Thanks Andrew, so you reckon the option existed. I did not find a single "W" or "Widow" on my printed pages, and wondered whether the possibilities, though unlikely, were only "Mar" or "U".
Now to start thinking again.................

If everyone had been as precise on the West coast as on the East coast, things would be so much easier - but then, what´s the fun in that? My Fifers are no problem at all.
Has anyone else noticed this regional variation?

Guid hunting,

Thrall

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 8:29 am

I'm certain that it would represent Widow, or obviously Widower for a man.

Is 1861 you'll notice that W. is recommended for Widow, and Widr for Widower.

David

Thrall · Post by **Thrall** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 1:14 pm

Thank you both, Andrew and David; I had noticed the instructions for 1861, but not found them for '51. My problem was really whether a widow could have only been given the option of being "M" or "U", but obviously this is not the case.
I will have to wait for the ´71 census on Ancestry with all its spelling comedy, but better search facilities than SP to solve this one I think, as the three sons are so readily identifiable despite common names, as they were born in Boston, US.

Best wishes from sunny Reykjavík.........................

Thrall