Genealogy Chat

Hi there I have a chap and his mother on a census with their place of birth saying British Subject for both? Could some kind person explain this for me as i have not come across it before. many thanks Nicky.x

I believe that it means that they were born out of the country but the parents were British subjects so they are also. Margaret

Thank you for that, this is on 2 of the 3 census returns i have them on the other it says born Bedminster, Bristol. Nicky.x

Any ideas on how i could find out where they are from? thanks again Nicky.x

I really don't know what to suggest. Any time I've come across that they've had the country of birth as well as British Subject. Would there be a chance that there's a christening on Familysearch in the country of birth? Was the father a soldier or sailor? Margaret

Hi Nicky My ggg grandfather Ambrose de Grussa was Natz B Subject where I found his 1881 census. He was from Switzerland. It should be for Naturalisation. Steven from Australia.

Nicky Possibly a very wide shot - but have you actually seen the images? I am just thinking - not much difference between 'BRISTOL' and 'BRITISH' - especially if they put 'Bris' short for Bristol! As I said - just a thought. My ancestors were born on MARS according to the census transcription lol, but the image clearly said Mancr - short for Manchester. OC

Good point, OC! That could very well be the explanation! Margaret

If your chap was naturalised the documents will be at the National Archives Kew.. Margaret

Thank you all for your replies if anyone would like to check it for me, 1861 census R.G. 9/1704 Bedminster Bristol Francis Milsom age 30 Nicky.x

1861 Francis Milsom Age: 30 Estimated birth year: abt 1831 Relation: Son Mother's name: Jane Gender: Male Where born: British Subject Civil parish: Bedminster Ecclesiastical parish: St Luke County/Island: Somerset Country: England Street address: Occupation: Condition as to marriage: View image Registration district: Bedminster Sub-registration district: Bedminster ED, institution, or vessel: 10 Neighbors: View others on page Household schedule number: 64 Household Members: Name Age Francis Milsom 30 Jane Milsom 54 So........ Born 'British Subject' .....And this is clearly stated on the image! Resident at Bedminster Somerset. 'Mum' is also listed as a British Subject Chris

I did find the one before with a father, (1851) but no mention of any of the family members being Brisish Subjects on there, place of birth Bedminster Bristol. Do you think maybe this could have been some kind of error? thanks Nicky.x

Nicky I still wonder if it was some kind of enumerator's copying error: British Subject Bristol Somerset I wonder if he jotted down 'BS' for birth place, and someone ELSE copied the form into the books and assumed that BS stood for British Subject? The only other explanation I can offer, is when she was asked by the enumerator where she was born she snapped 'Never you mind, I am a British Subject and that's all you need to know' (or maybe not...) OC

Thanks OC LOL I have nothing else that leads me to believe they were born outside the country so i think you could be right. Nicky.x