1851 Census

[Andrew C.]

For the life of me I can not find an ancestor on the 1851 census. I have him in 1841 and 1861 on but no trace in 1851. He would have been 15 in 1851 do you think that he may have been in the Army overseas or would he have been too young at 15?

[SarahND]

Hello Andrew,
If you'd like to give us the details, we can have a look as well. Otherwise, he could well have gone to sea, etc. What was his occupation in 1861?
All the best,
Sarah

[Andrew C.]

His name is William Chalmers born 1836, to Robert and Margaret. They are living in New Deer in 1841 and siblings are still in that area 1951 and beyond. I know his father died in 1848 however his mother was alive in 1851 and I can not find her either. William was an attendant at Aberdeen asylum before joining the constabulary I thought being in the army mAy have given him an opening into these lines of work. Not majorly important just trying to complete the picture. Thanks in advance.

[Russell]

Hi Andrew
As Sarah says a bit more detail might help trying to locate him.
It sounds as though he was a well built lad who could well have been working as an ag. lab. on a farm since he went into an occupation - asylum attendant - which required a fair bit of brawn then moved on to the constabulary. If it was anything like Glasgow the police were required to be over 5 foot 10 and suitably burly before they were even considered. Most of my psychiatric nursing colleagues fitted that bill and that was in the 1950's. They didn't think I would be much use since I was only 9 stone I managed to prove them wrong.

Russell

[SarahND]

Hi Andrew and Russell,
Could he be the farm labourer in Turriff in 1851? King Edward is not that far from Fyvie, where he says he was born in 1861.

1851
Barnyard of Delgaty, Turriff, Aberdeenshire
Alexander Ledingham, 52, Head, born Tarves, Aberdeen, Farmer of 260 Ac Employing 8 Labourers
…

Wm Chalmers, 18, Servant, born King Edward, Aberdeen, Farm Labourer

My best result so far...
Sarah

[Andrew C.]

Sarah unfortunately I do not think your suggestion is my William. If you look at the 1841 freecen there are two William Chalmers at King Edward one 10 and one 9 who is probably the William at Turrif in 1851 aged 18. My William is at Mill of Gight.

Piece: SCT1841/197 Place: Fyvie -Aberdeenshire Enumeration District: 12
Civil Parish: Fyvie Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: -
Folio: 12 Page: 8
Address: Mill Of Gight
________________________________________
Surname First name(s) Sex Age Occupation Where Born Remarks
CHALMERS Robt M 55 Farmer Aberdeenshire
CHALMERS Margt F 50 Aberdeenshire
CHALMERS James M 20 Aberdeenshire
CHALMERS Mary F 15 Aberdeenshire
CHALMERS Robt M 10 Aberdeenshire
CHALMERS William M 5 Aberdeenshire
CHALMERS Margt F 6m Aberdeenshire
CLARK Mary F 10 Female Servant Aberdeenshire

I am going to have a look for the mother Margaret who I believe was still alive until 1877.

Thanks

[nelmit]

Is this Margaret exactly where you would expect to find her in 1851 from FREECEN?

Piece: SCT1851/197 Place: Fyvie -Aberdeenshire Enumeration District: 12
Civil Parish: Fyvie Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: Millbrex
Folio: 185 Page: 13 Schedule: 38
Address: Mill Of Gight

Surname First name(s) Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Where Born Remarks
EDWARD Margt Head W F 50 Householder Aberdeenshire - New Deer

Next door is her son Alexander Chalmers.

Regards,
Annette

[SarahND]

Hi Annette,
Yes, I wondered too if Margaret's maiden surname was Edward or if she had remarried.

Sarah

[Andrew C.]

My that was quick thinking I wouldn't have thought of that. Yes her maiden name was Edwards. I thought I would have found William with her though.