Genealogy Chat

On the 1881 census for my great grandfather William Day, his place of birth is given as Brit Subj Birthpl followed by some letters which appear to be 'un' and then something completely undecipherable. i.e. Brit: Subjbirthplun? The undecipherable letter looks rather like a current upper case 'K'. The transcript says 'British Subject Birth Pl British' but we cannot interpret the letters quite like that. Can anyone give us a clue as to what this might mean. Thanks Peter

Hi Peter It could just be short for unknown, but give me the census details and I'll have a look for you if you like Mary

Looks like:- Brit Subj birth pl unk e.g British Subject, Birth place unkown unk is often short hand for unknown nk is often short hand for Not Known So despite being a british citizen he didn't know/ remember where he was born

For reference 1881 Name: William Day Age: 37 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1844 Relation: Head Spouse's name: Mary A. Gender: Male Where born: British Subject Birth Pl, British (England) Civil Parish: Tonbridge County/Island: Kent Country: England Street address: 42 Auckland Rd Condition as to marriage: Married Occupation: Under Gardener Registration district: Tunbridge Sub-registration district: Tunbridge Wells ED, institution, or vessel: 26b Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Ernest R. Day 1 Frederick C. Day 6 George J. Day 9 Mary A. Day 37 Mary A. E. Day 16 William Day 37 William H. Day 13

Think this is the family in 1891 Name: William Day Age: 53 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1838 Relation: Head Spouse's name: Mary A Gender: Male Where born: Cranbrook, Kent, England Civil Parish: Tunbridge Ecclesiastical parish: St Barnabas Town: Tunbridge Wells County/Island: Kent Country: England Registration district: Tunbridge Sub-registration district: Tunbridge Wells ED, institution, or vessel: 26 Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Ernest R Day 11 - scholar Frederick C Day 16 - general labourer George S Day 19 - general labourer Mary A Day 47 William Day 53 (could be 58 on image) greengrocer William H Day 23 - general labourer George Mummery 7 - Boarder, scholar William Mummery 9 - Boarder, scholar

Thanks, all, for your contributions - Yes, I think it must be 'unk' for unknown. This has given us more food for thought! Peter

It could be just a case of the eneumerator forgetting where they were born then just putting British Subject place unknown. Or just being difficult and not giving place of birth.