Are they the same?.....

[BobG]

To our mentors.

I have a death certificate that lists the informant’s relationship to the deceased as “nephew”. In addition, the 1851 census lists the relationship between these two particular persons as “head of household” and “nephew”. Additional research indicates that the informant was actually a grandnephew of the “head of household”/deceased. My question is, was it common in the 1800’s to make no “generational” distinction between a grandnephew and a nephew?

BobG

[DavidWW]

To our mentors.

I have a death certificate that lists the informant’s relationship to the deceased as “nephew”. In addition, the 1851 census lists the relationship between these two particular persons as “head of household” and “nephew”. Additional research indicates that the informant was actually a grandnephew of the “head of household”/deceased. My question is, was it common in the 1800’s to make no “generational” distinction between a grandnephew and a nephew?

BobG

Bob

Not so much not making a distinction, just that use of terms such as nephew and others such as step-son, son-in-law, was much looser than in today's world; in general people weren't that bothered !!

Davie

[BobG]

Davie,

I didn't think they would make such a distinction. They weren't keeping genealogical records were they?

Thanks for the input Davie.
BobG