Genealogy Chat

Hi there, My eyes are glazing over and I can't make out an entry on the 1871 census on ancestry and wondered if some kind soul could see if they can make out the entry against this name please?

I am looking at Ruth Lowsley born 1805 in Blewbury, Berkshire and she is living at 7 Eldon Road, Reading. There is an entry for Humphrey Down aged 27 in the household and I am trying to make out what his relationship is to head of household and the notes made in the occupation section. The typed transcription before you go into the census image says 'companion', but I really don't think that's what it says. Many thanks. Nicky

Hi Nicky, I think that it says "locum tenens" which would tie in with his occupation of MD. Possibly Dr. Down was boarding with Ruth.

Cheers!

I don't actually think it gives a relationship to the head of household.

I think it says he is a Locum (?). It could be Doctor but I'm not sure. In the occupation column I think it gives his qualifications and letters before his name although I can't make them out, but it also says again he is a Locum (?something) for O. Lowsely Esq.

Sorry - I know this isn't much help.

I think his name is actually Humphrey Donovan, not Down.

Kath. x

Thanks to you both for that - it is helpful and yes, I agree Kathleen, I thought it read Donovan, not Down. Nicky

Occupation is something along the lines of M.D.A. (something), University of Ireland.L.M.M.- S. England, acting as locum tenens for O Lovely? Esq.

Nicky,

The census record looks like Humphrey Donovan.

M.D.A something something University of Ireland something something England acting as something Lowsley Esq.

Caroline

Looking closer, I think that the name is Donovan, not Down. He got his MD at a University in Ireland. I agree with Kathleen - he was acting as locum for O? Lowsley, Esq. So, he was only living with Ruth on a temporary basis. So, who was the Dr. Lowsley he was replacing????

Lynn

Yes, this all makes sense, thanks to all!! Going through some notes and seen that one of Ruth Lowsley's sons Oded was a surgeon, so if he was absent for some reason or another, Humphrey was standing in for him. Well, I will just have to find out where Oded was in 1871. Nicky

Well, Oded was obviously having a little holiday, as I have found him visiting his mother's family the Robinsons at Blewbury Farm in Berkshire in 1871 and hence the stand-in doctor! Thanks to all of you for your help. Nicky

Ruth is the first name given but it says mother (Mother to whom?)
The doctor's name, I believe, is Humphrey J. Donovan. His relationship os "locum tenens". (Doctor in residence, I believe)
Occupation says M.D.A. (something something) University Ireland. (Something something) England. Acting as (something something) for O. Lowsley Esq.