Genealogy Chat

I am getting really confused with this census searching. I am researching the Whewells and can't understand why the whole family appear in the 1901 census, but no trace can be found of any of them in the 1881 census? Most of the family would have been born by then so why are none of them present?

Hi Lorraine Which area did they live in and what are their first names? This will help in searching for them Bren

Hi Lorraine, Perhaps they were abroad. Could someone have been in the army and taken the whole family with them? Don't forget to search all areas, i.e. English, Wales, Channel Isalnds when using online databases if you can't find them in a particular area.

Hi Lorraine, Perhaps they were abroad. Could someone have been in the army and taken the whole family with them? Don't forget to search all areas, i.e. English, Wales, Channel Isalnds when using online databases if you can't find them in a particular area.

They are probably on the 1881 with a different spelling of the surname. Post some names, approx birth years and places of birth and we'll all have a go at finding them.

Lorraine, Here they are: John WHEIRELL Head M Male 45 Preston, Lancashire, England Tin Plate Worker Nancy WHEIRELL Wife M Female 46 Dolphinham, Lancashire, England House Keeper Dorothy A. WHEIRELL Daur U Female 17 Preston, Lancashire, England Dressmaker John E. WHEIRELL Son Male 14 St Helens, Lancashire, England White Smith Harriet E. WHEIRELL Daur Female 12 Hereford, Hereford, England Scholar Mary J. WHEIRELL Daur Female 8 Hanley, Stafford, England Scholar Ada WHEIRELL Daur Female 6 Hanley, Stafford, England Scholar Charles J.T. WHEIRELL Son Male 3 Skipton, York, England Lucy A. WHEIRELL Daur Female 10 m Folkestone, Kent, England Francis James SMITH Lodger U Male 23 Huntingdon, Huntingdon, England Professor Of Music George SMITH Lodger U Male 21 Huntingdon, Huntingdon, England Assistant Ironmonger Edward BAKER Lodger U Male 24 Sandwich, Kent, England Cabinet Maker -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source Information: Dwelling Moraria Villa Census Place Folkestone, Kent, England Crista

Thank you so much Crista - that is indeed them with a totally different spelling. Anybody know why spellings can vary so much? Do you think maybe the family couldn't write - seems unlikely as Charles (then age 3) went on to become a Headmaster. I am pretty new to all this so appreciate any help given - am very grateful, thanks again.

Spelling errors are inevitable from time to time, Lorraine, it's just one of those things. Some names are more prone to errors than others. If the family were illiterate, then the enumerator would have to make their own mind up as far as spelling was concerned, as names were just sounds to some families. In your case, it may be that the transcriber got it wrong, not the enumerator.