Info On Early Census Records

[Sellergarth]

Any help regarding how certain information was recorded on the 1841 - 1911 census records would be greatly appreciated. The census is a record of the people in a property when the enumerator called. So is it safe to assume that unless a person is described as `a visitor` then they are a resident at that property? If say a married son and his wife were visiting his parents when the enumerator called how would they be referred to, would they be described as `son and daughter in law` to the Head of the Household, even though they do not live in the property, or would they be referred to as `visitors`? Thanks in advance.

[maggiebee]

Think the son would be referred to as that ie "son". His wife would probably be linked to him as "spouse". Not overly confident with this answer.

[jno]

anyone who doesn't live there permanently is called a visitor, in my researches; but you can never be quite sure: sometimes it's just down to the whim of the enumerator. (In 1911 the forms were filled out by the parties themselves.) For instance, sometimes "son-in-law" turns out to mean "stepson".

In 1841 they didn't ask about relationships at all.

[Flonska]

Have a looks at this link;

http://www.sog.org.uk/learn/help-getting-started-with-genealogy/guide-four

The suggestion is that people noted as "visitors" in a census may actually be members of the extended family but this may not necessarily be so in all cases. Accuracy of the data was also a problem due to a number of factors - as explained in the piece. I experienced a number of problems in identifying family members and relationships when researching my own family tree. There was often a conflict between source documents such as parish register, BMD register and Census. Sometimes some intuition (guesswork) was called for.

I hope this is helpful.

[CrapAtCryptics]

It should be remembered that the earlier census were very incomplete and hard to transcribe.

[twix123]

Regarding your scenario, from my researches, either answer may have been given, whether a 'visitor' or 'son & daughter in law'. Probably due to the lack of education, the response given would have resulted from how the question was interpreted by the person asked the question, and any subsequent elucidation by the enumerator.

[Sellergarth]

Many thanks to all who took the time to answer my question, it`s appreciated.

[Flonska]

Glad to have helped - and thank you for the BA!