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Comments written on 1861 census

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Brenda

Brenda Report 25 Mar 2009 16:34

My husbands great great great grandmother Elizabeth Harvey is shown on the 1861 census as age 44 born abt 1817 in Hasland Derbyshire,she is listed as a wife with the comment "railway labourers wife but seperating( or seperated )from her husband" This seems an unusual comment to make and has a double meaning - they are no longer living as a couple or James her husband was always working away from home,he only appears on the 1841 census with Elizabeth and on the 1871 census Elizabeth is a widow. He did manage to visit home sometimes as he fathered 4 children!!! Has any one any views on this comment on the census.

Brenda

Paul Barton, Special Agent

Paul Barton, Special Agent Report 25 Mar 2009 16:39

It seems unambiguous to me, and don't forget, the information would have been offered by Elizabeth herself.

At a time when divorce was not an option, separation was as close as she could get to freedom.

Brenda

Brenda Report 25 Mar 2009 17:11

Hi Paul,
Ambiguous indeed, and James is a total enigma-no idea where he was born as he only appears on the 1841 census,and his marriage certificate only gives his fathers name - James!

Brenda

Liz 47

Liz 47 Report 25 Mar 2009 19:13

Do you think they separated and Elizabeth just said she was a widow - perhaps she was in a new relationship, have you found her on the l88l census?
Liz

Researching:
Dad and Aunty Dolly with Grandad WW1

Brenda

Brenda Report 25 Mar 2009 21:19

Hi Elizabeth,
We are quite confident she never had a new relationship. Two of her sons were primative methodist preachers,one William Edwin Harvey went on to be MP for NE Derbyshire and founder of the Derbyshire Miners Association. It was mentioned in books written about Edwins career that his father died when he was very young and he went down the mines at 10 years of age,and his mother Elizabeth baked bread to earn money for the family. We have been unable to trace James's death as we don't know where or when he died- as I said - an enigma

Brenda