Genealogy Chat

Please see below.

I have a William Smith who I have found on the 1841, 1851 and 1861 censuses, but who I couldn't find on the 1871 census. Could one of you great detectives have a look for me to check I haven't missed him. He was born in abt. 1835 in Belchamp Otten, Essex, where he still lived in 1841 and 1851. In 1861 he is a plate layer on the railways and is in lodgings in Northfleet, Kent with his brother Samuel. Thanks in advance, Sharon

if he's a plate layer on the railways he could easily have moved around. How are you going to know he didn't die?? If you know he wasn't dead, I'll have a look......but...... Merry

Trouble would be if he's indexed like this bloke (or maybe this is him????) - no first name, occupation labourer and living in a lodging house: Smith abt 1836 Essex, England Lodger Lewisham London Merry

Is this him in 1881? Name Relation Marital Status Gender Age Birthplace Occupation Disability William SMITH Head M Male 46 Belchamp St Pauls, Essex, England Lab (General) Caroline SMITH Wife M Female 36 Gt Yeldham, Essex, England George SMITH Son Male 15 Little Yeldham, Essex, England Ag Lab William SMITH Son Male 8 Tilbury, Essex, England Scholar Frederick SMITH Son Male 5 Gt Yeldham, Essex, England Scholar Alfred SMITH Son Male 3 Gt Yeldham, Essex, England Ann M. SMITH Daur Female 1 Gt Yeldham, Essex, England Elly

Well I don't know that he wasn't dead by the 1871 census, but finding a death for a Smith in unknown location is going to be quite difficult, as I am sure you would agree. This is a last check before I embark on that unenviable task! Sharon

Merry, Yes that's a really useful piece of census recording you have found, and who knows, it could be him! Hi Elly, Hmmm....it could be him, but Belchamp Otten and Belchamp St Paul are separate villages. If it had just said Belchamp I would be more hopeful. Thank you both so much for looking. Sharon

Forgot to ask if he was single when you last saw him?? This bloke is single and a labourer: William Smith abt 1833 Essex, England Lodger Godalming Surrey The one without a first name I posted earlier, had unknown marital status! Merry PS - I do feel sorry for you as I have a direct line Smith I am struggling with too!

Hi Merry, Yes he was single in 1861 and the person you have found is another possible contender! Thank you.

1871 Census has William Smith born 1835 at Belchamp St Paul * Ag Lab with wife Caroline a 27 and son George a 5. He is living in Belchamp Rd, Tilbury. *Transcript says Middlesex but image is clearly Essex. Same guy as found in 1881?? Keith

Hi Keith, I would say it is the same guy as in the 1881 census. But I still don't know if it is the right guy or not. <sigh> He could have at least been decent enough to have had an unusual first name! Thanks, Sharon