Genealogy Chat

I suspect my great grandfather, James Butcher, has been entered on the 1881 census twice

1)
Name: James Butcher
Age: 20
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1861
Relation: Son
Mother's Name: Mary Ann Butcher
Gender: Male
Where born: Charlton, Kent, England

Civil parish: Woolwich
County/Island: London
Country: England

Street Address: 14 Chapel St
Education:

Employment status:

View image
Occupation: Porter N H C

Registration district: Woolwich
Sub-registration district: Woolwich Dockyard
ED, institution, or vessel: 7
Neighbors: View others on page

Household Members:
Name Age
Mary Ann Butcher 47
James Butcher 20

This one is definitely him, Mary Ann was his mother

2)
Name: James Butcher
Age: 21
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1860
Relation: Lodger
Gender: Male
Where born: Woolwich, Kent, England

Civil parish: Gravesend
County/Island: Kent
Country: England

Street Address: 50 Arthur St
Education:

Employment status:

View image
Occupation: Railway Porter

Registration district: Gravesend
Sub-registration district: Gravesend
ED, institution, or vessel: 16
Neighbors: View others on page
Piece: 874
Folio: 69
Page Number: 28
Household Members:
Name Age
William Stevens 31
Emily Stevens 30
Albert W. Stevens 4
Sadie F. Thatol Stevens 1
James Butcher 21

He worked on the railways for many years - so to the question,

What does N H C stand for ? if it's railway related then the chances are that it is him (and I've tried googling)

Thanks for looking

It looks very much like him. I suppose the only way to be sure is to look for the mystery James on another census!
Not entirely sure it says NHC.
Jan

Dear Jersey and Brummie

Hello

Hope you are okay.

If it is NHC, it could he was employed as a porter for National Home Counties railway.


Will take another look.

Take gentle care
Very best wishes
EOS
xx

Hi Jan and Elizabeth,

I'm not entirely sure it says NHC either but I can't suggest an alternative, unless it's WHC

Was there a National Home Counties Railway? I've tried googling it with no result, it sounds plausible though!

Dear Jersey

Hello


A thought, NHC could mean: "No handle control" for the Porter.

Specialised goods.


Could you contact the local history and archive centre for Gravesend and or Woolwich?

The archive staff would be familar with all the terms used and also what the jobs involved in the areas.


Take gentle care
Best wishes
EOS
xx

EOS, I assume National Home Counties Railway was just a guess, as is "No handle control", whatever that means!! Or have you heard of these terms?
Jan

Dear Jan

Yes, I have heard of these terms.

The latter especially is repeated when looking for anything to do with railway jobs and their roles.

That is why I suggested Jersey should contact the nearest archive centre for further help as Gravesend and Woolwich were well noted for the transport of goods, etc.


I haven't seen any other GR members offer advice, so that it is why I mentioned what I think.


EOS

NHC- Northumberland Central Railway

Thank you for your replies

It looks more like WHC to me. The first letter is very much the same as the first letter of the name William (the first name on the census page). I would imagine the W might stand for Woolwich but not sure what the HC is for.

Kath. x

in 1860 goods were sent all over the country using the railways, and a railway porter used to load and unload the trains