Genealogy Chat

Hi, I am unable to locate my g grandfather (Benjamin Bowles b1855 in Kirby, Essex ) on the 1871 and 1891 census returns.
I have found him on the 1881 and 1901 census, onboard fishing vessels in Grimsby and Scotland.
I have searched, using every different spelling variation that I can think of but drawn a blank each time.
If he had been offshore at the time of the census returns, would there be any records for him?
He may have been in the London area around 1871 but by 1891 he was married and his wife and family were living in Grimsby.
Any help or advise will be much appreciated. Many thanks.

If he was at sea, his whereabouts would not have been recorded

From looking at the original census returns for vessels, it would appear that the forms were handed to the ship's master to fill in on the actual census day, whether they were at sea or in harbour. This would probably have been for ships that made short voyages or fishing boats. If you find a relative on a ship in the census, look at the image and then click on vessels at the top of the screen, making a note of the name of the boat, then scroll down until you find the vessel and click on the description, this brings up an image that tells you more about the boat and where it was on the census night.

Sorry to contradict you Freewheel, but looking at the Enumeration District description for boats I have seen, for example "fishing off Dogger Bank" for a boats location on census night. The returns for boats are one Enumeration district per boat and appear to have been made out by the master. I have seen one where each crew members date of birth was entered (presumably to help the captain work out their ages) - very useful if it was one of your relatives!

Have just looked at the Enumeration District description for Benjamin in 1881 and his ship "Angler"'s positon was "Fishing Grounds Dogger Bank North Sea. The tonnage and other information about her is also given. As he was the master,Margaret will be able to see his handwriting.

It looks as if recording sailors/fishermen at sea was a rather hit-and-miss affair. I found the following via Google:

http://www.glamro.gov.uk/adobe/Census1.pdf

The enumeration of the merchant marine in the nineteenth century was not taken on one day but spread over a period of time. This period varied from census to census and not all merchant vessels were treated the same. The complex instructions often confused the officers responsible for the completion of the returns and other returns were lost.

So that could explain why you can't find your g-g'dfather.

Thank you all for your replies.
Interesting that it may be a hit and miss affair, but pleased to see that Benjamin kept his 'ship in order" regarding the 1881 census returns! Have just noticed his signature on the returns which is a bonus. I will keep on searching, he may be there somewhere! Many thanks Margaret.