Genealogy Chat

Does it occasionally happen that 2 entries for someone were made on a Census?

I've been following a Francis (Male) Staddon, born abt 1840\1841 Williton, Somerset throughout the Censuses and all seemed ok except for 1871. I knew he settled in Alverstoke, Hampshire.

There are two entries for Francis Staddon on the 1871 Census in different locations. I think they may be the same person but not sure as so far unable to find a birth - not in FreeBMD yet or Complete BMD and I've searched between 1837 & 1842.

One is listed as Male at South Barracks, Deal in Kent born abt 1840 Wilton, Somerset.
The other listed at Alverstoke, Hampshire as Head with his wife and child at home. He was born abt 1841 Williton, Somerset .

I know ours served in the Royal Marines so am wondering if this is a duplicate? Is there any other way I can check remotely?

Will be back later.

Could they be cousins? I know my lot named their children the same.

My Dad was nearly on the 1991 twice - one at home & one at hospital!

Wouldn't I have found two Francis Staddon's listed in the Censuses throughout if they were cousins though, even if they were born at the same time, in the same area?

I wondered if his wife could have just provided his details in his absence? I noticed on the Census that other husbands were listed at home as Privates etc in the Royal Marines so hard to be sure.

Was the Census was carried out more or less at the same time of day everywhere?

Thanks for the interesting info ฿µdğîé

I hadn't realised occupants were left forms to complete in those days for the reason stated - that not all could read and write. I assumed that enumerators had visited and mis-spelled or mis-heard names and places.

Unless I find some info otherwise, I think it's fairly safe for me to assume that Francis Staddon abt 1840\41 of Williton (not Wilton or Wellington as transcribed!) is in fact one and the same person.

Marion

The return for the South Barracks would have been filled out by a clerk probably using the pay office register and if your Francis was 'on leave' at the time he could easily have been enumerated twice.

what would happen if no one in the household could write?

i've had several certificates signed with X's

My grandfather is also listed twice - once at home with his parents and once on a ship - but the sheet for the ship has "Not on Board" at the top.

I've found a couple of people listed twice. Very confusing at first ...

Jill

Thanks all for your further comments.

A pity, Dave the Tyke, that the Clerk hadn't listed the relevant ones as "on leave" a bit like Potty's "Not on Board" ship listing :)

Blimey Jim, what a nighmare!

I now have several Thomas Staddons to unscramble!

Marion