Genealogy Chat

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I have found someone in the 1841 census and she is 15 years old. She is not listed with anyone. There are lots of people on the same page but there is no address. It just says Tower Hamlets, White Swan Yard, High Street, Whitechapel. Most of the other occupants have jobs, theres a butler, joiner, seaman, bricklayer, army and shoebinder amongst others and others I cant read. I cant understand what her job is. Would she be living on her own or is it something else. I cant think of anything. She didnt get married until 1850, and she was born in that area. Any ideas anyone. This is the census. 1841 England Census about Elizabeth Chapman Name: Elizabeth Chapman Age: 15 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1826 Gender: Female Civil Parish: St Mary Whitechapel Hundred: Ossulstone (Tower Division) County/Island: Middlesex Country: England Street address: Occupation: View Image Registration district: Whitechapel Sub-registration district: Whitechapel Church Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Elizabeth Chapman 15 Thanks

There is an obvious occupation, even at 15, but I hesitate to suggest it in case I cause offence!!!!

Ages on the 1841 are rounded down so she could be any age between 15 and 19. She is listed as a F.S (female servant) and it would suggest she is the Collins' family house servant. The line/dash probably denotes she is part of the household but not a family member...I have this for some of my servant ancestors. Chris

She is listed with occupation F.S....so a female servant in a lodging house perhaps? This Elizabeth was NOT born in that county. Gwyn

Looking again.... The Smith and Collins families are sharing a property as individual families so Elizabeth could be the Smith's servant. Chris

There is only 1 collins member though. This is what I thought, there are lots of crums though, they are listed as other. She was 15 as I have her in other census. She lived with what I suspect are her grandparents before this, they are both 50 yo but no parents. Why wouldnt the address have a number, they are all listed as the same.

Is this your Elizabeth? I thought you said she was born in that area....and this one isn't. Gwyn

I'm sure it is her. Everything matches and I have been through lots of records. Maybe I need a break, I must of missed something. Where would the county border be for this area.

Kazza, in 1841 houses didn't really need numbers. If they got mail which would be fairly infrequent the 'letter carrier' would ask around until they found the person. Ozi.

The rest of the Collins and Smith families are on the previous page. If you are on Ancestry you should see two pages side by side. Chris

How do you know she was born in Middlesex? Is that on later censuses? Ozi.

Ok so I got it now I think. She is possibly a servant to the Collins and Smith families I can see them now I was looking at the name list not the census list thats why I couldnt see them. Thats because I can never understand the writing. I think possibly I have the wrong 1 anyway and must of missed one as all my census and marriage all say Middlesex and I think this 1 is not. It took me hours and hours to whittle it down to her. I shall have to start again!! At least I know what that job is. Thanks for your time every1 and if nothing else I can eliminate her as a definate not. kaz