Genealogy Chat

On a census I have a family of 6 with 2 visitors. The Head and wife are marked as such, & Mar (married) but the next 2 - both males have their names but under the relation to head of family it states 'U' with nothing marked under 'Condition' section. The remaining names as just that - names - with nothing that states daughter or son and nothing under the 'Condition' section either. Yet on the rest of the census for other families it states either head / wife/ son etc and whether married or unmarried? Any ideas what this means? Its not helping in tracing the family through the years? Hope this makes sence!!! Does the U mean Uncle? On an earlier census one of them is down as son and the remaining 2 are daughters? Any ideas? On another census all the names are in the right order and ages match except the father -His age & occupation match, but his name is the same as one of his sons - do you think there could be a mistake? eg: Joe Bloggs head Mar etc mary Do wife mar etc Tom Do U John Bloggs U Sue Do Joan Do Mary Payne Visitor Mar Jim Payne Visitor Sorry to sound so stupid - Regards Lou

Which census is it?

hi Smiley Sammy, the census is the 1851 Ho 107/2033 Folio 293 Page 83 name of Thomas Baker b 1797 I'm looking for a Joseph Baker with the rest of that family as written on the census, but this is the only one that matches. Sorry Bloggs was a sudo name Thanks Lou

'U' suggests to me 'Unmarried', but it's in the wrong column. I take it that you've been looking at the census image itself, and not just a transcript? If the two mystery males are older than the husband and wife, then I guess that it must mean 'Uncle'. But be careful if they're younger: it's still possible to be someone's uncle if you're younger than them!

I think this is the same family in both census. so query on head's first name. 1851 census View Record Joseph Baker abt 1822 Dudley, Worcestershire, England Son Dudley Staffordshire View Record Phoebe Baker abt 1842 Dudley, Worcestershire, England Dudley Staffordshire View Record Sarah Baker abt 1802 Oldbury, Worcestershire, England Wife Dudley Staffordshire View Record Sarah Baker abt 1841 Dudley, Worcestershire, England Dudley Staffordshire View Record Thomas Baker abt 1797 Dudley, Worcestershire, England Head Dudley Staffordshire View Record Thomas Baker abt 1826 Dudley, Worcestershire, England Uncle Dudley Staffordshire zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz 1861 census View Record Benjamin Baker abt 1831 Dudley, Worcestershire, England Son Dudley Worcestershire View Record Joseph Baker abt 1797 Dudley, Worcestershire, England Head Dudley Worcestershire View Record Phebe Elizth Baker abt 1842 Dudley, Worcestershire, England Daughter Dudley Worcestershire View Record Sarah Baker abt 1803 Oldbury, Worcestershire, England Wife Dudley Worcestershire View Record Sarah Baker abt 1841 Dudley, Worcestershire, England Daughter Dudley Worcestershire View Record Thomas Baker abt 1826 Dudley, Worcestershire, England Son Dudley Worcestershire

Hi Jim, Yes that's them on both census, I think its the same family too, and am thinking that the emunerator must have made a mistake with the father's christian name, I take it that's what your thinking too! Regards Lou

U usually means unknown

I think that the enumerator on the 1851 census has just put the 'U' for unmarried in the wrong column, and I would assume (although I know I shouldn't) that the four people under head and wife are two sons and two daughters. If they have been transcribed as uncle then I think this is just a mistake. Kath. x

Hi All, thanks so much for your comments, it appears your all thinking along the same lines as myself, that it's a mistake on the enumerators part, & it''s so reassuring to read your comments, thanks again for all your help and support. Good Hunting to you all, Regards Lou