1881 CENSUS .....

Post by **Jean Jeanie** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 7:58 pm

I have a James Fowler b. 1850 in Midmar Aberdeenshire. He married Margaret Young b. 1856 in Glenmuick Aberdeenshire. They were married in 1878. I have found him in the 1891, aged 42,census living in North St. Fowler buildings, Ballater. Also found in the 1901,aged 52, census living at Sweetbriar, Torphins.

I can't find him in the 1881 census. I have found his parents in 1881 living at Glenmuick, lots of brothers and a sister. However he was married to Margaret at this time so would expect him not to be with the parents.

Any ideas?

Jean Jeanie

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 8:38 pm

Hello Jean Jeanie,

There's this James - also at Glenmuick.
--
1881 Census Place: Glenmuick Tullich & Glengairn, Aberdeen, Scotland
Dwelling: House
Source: FHL Film 0203457 GRO Ref Volume 201 EnumDist 4 Page 12
James (Junr.) FOWLER M 29 M Midmar, Aberdeen, Scotland Rel: Head Occ: Carter
Maggie FOWLER M 25 F Glenmuick, Aberdeen, Scotland Rel: Wife
Helen Agnes FOWLER 1 F Glenmuick, Aberdeen, Scotland Rel: Daur
Walter FOWLER U 21 M Midmar, Aberdeen, Scotland Rel: Brother Occ: Carter
--
Jack

Post by **Jean Jeanie** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 9:03 pm

Jack

Thank you so much. I presumed(and I now know that you shouldn't)that his age would be 31/32 in the 1881 census. But he lied!

This also explains why Walter wasn't living with his parents in 1881. He was with his brother.

thanks again

Jean

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 9:07 pm

Jean Jeanie wrote:Jack

Thank you so much. I presumed(and I now know that you shouldn't)that his age would be 31/32 in the 1881 census. But he lied!

This also explains why Walter wasn't living with his parents in 1881. He was with his brother.

thanks again

Jean

But when you maybe didn't have a statutory birth certificate, how could you check how old you were ??........

Davie

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 10:27 pm

Hi Jean,

As Davie says - maybe nothing on paper to say when you were born, so a couple of years either way is very common on censuses.

Sometimes you can narrow things down by searching for younger family members you know are still living. Children's ages are usually more correct - adults, as you've seen, aren't always just right. If you knew of wee Helen b abt 1880 you could have looked for her; but she might have been recorded as Ellen. A very open mind on both forename and surname spellings is often essential at times.

Or look for the least "common" names in a family. Eg, there will be many John Smiths, but if you know he has a son Ebenezer try that name first. But often it's the case that there are no shortcuts, and perseverance is the only way forward.

Jack

Post by **Jean Jeanie** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 12:32 am

Thank you all very much. As a Newbie to this, all your comments are very much appreciated. This will help me for future searches. I tended to believe any info I found on BMD's and on the censuses(spelling?) to be accurate and it is now very obvious that whilst a lot of the info is correct, a lot of it is not!

Jean