Where were you?
Written by Nikki-ann on Monday, 17 December , 2007 at 9:14 pm
Miriam at AnceStories has started a meme called “Where Were You During the Censuses?”, so I thought I’d join in.
So far, I have appeared in 3 censuses - 1981, 1991 and 2001 - and I hope to be in a few more! I was in the same village but in a different house for each of the censuses. In fact, I can see the roof tops of the other 2 houses from my window - one to the left and the other to the right. I haven’t a clue what details were put down for me in the censuses (apart from the obvious details) and I’m not likely to find out due to the 100 year rule.
Randy from Genea-Musings has added another challenge to the meme - “Who is your ancestor that appears the most often in Census records?”
I believe my ancestor who appears the most often in Census records is my Great Grandfather Alfred.
Alfred first appears in the 1851 England census aged 2, living in Ash Magna, Shropshire with his parents Francis (a Mole-Catcher) & Margaret, and brothers George, John, Thomas and William.
He next appears in the 1861 England census aged 12. Alfred is still living in Ash with his mother (an Agricultural Labourer’s widnow) and 2 of his older brothers - Francis (an Agricultural Labourer) & John (a Farm Servant). Alfred is also a Farm Servant.
In the 1871 England census Alfred is living in the parish of Adderley in Shropshire. Alfred is now a 22 year old Agricultural Labourer and married to Martha. They have a 3 month old daughter, Margaret. They live next door to a family which has not 1, not 2, but 3 Ellens!
Alfred appears in the 1881 England census twice! Firstly, he is shown age 33 with his wife and 3 children (Mary, Thomas and Henry), living in Wigland, Cheshire. Still an Agricultural Labourer. Alfred is also shown as a visitor in his brother’s household in Audlem, along with daughter Margaret. Alfred’s brother Thomas is shown as a farmer of 12 acres and is married to Mary.
In the 1891 England census Alfred is aged 44 and still living in Wigland. Alfred and Martha now have 4 children living in the household - Martha, Frank, Maud and May. Alfred is now listed as a General Labourer.
In the 1901 England census Alfred is still living in Wigland, but how has a new wife - Mary. 4 children are living in the household - May, Mabel (both from Alfred’s first marriage), Sarah (listed as a daughter, but is actually a step-daughter) and John. Alfred is again listed as an Agricultural Labourer. Alfred’s son Henry (now aged 23) lives next door with his wife, 2 daughters and his mother-in-law.
Censuses after 1901 are protected under the 100 years rule. However, I believe Alfred and family would have still been living in Wigland for the 1911 census and most probably for the 1921 census too, but by 1931 Alfred was living in Montgomeryshire, Wales. He didn’t make it for the 1941 census, but then there was no 1941 census due to the war.
I am eagerly awaiting the 1911 census (as are many UK family historians!).
Category: Family History, Memes
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Comment by Karen
Made Wednesday, 19 of December , 2007 at 8:09 pm
Wow - I never thought of looking in the census! There is a relative from England who we lost track of. My aunts traveled to England a while ago and they couldn’t find a headstone or record of him in the cemeteries in the area he was last known.
Could you email me the link??
Thanks!
What you found is so great!! 
Comment by snip
Made Friday, 21 of December , 2007 at 8:02 pm
hey!
I heard about this product today and I instantly thought of you!
Not sure if you’ve heard about it, you may have already gotten something similar and wrote about it and it’s old news to you lol
Anyways, here is a link to a website that offeres a nice looking product that I think you should look at.
http://www.dnaancestryproject.com/
Comment by rashbre
Made Saturday, 22 of December , 2007 at 11:20 am
Thanks for the greetings! …~Lets see….
“Llawen Nadolig , Dedwydd Grai Blwyddyn!”
(I hope I have not accidentally said anything untoward - I tried one of the E->W translators and amusingly it added a lot of extra somewhat facetious text - luckily I realized all was not quite right!)
Have a great one.
