Genealogy Chat

i have someone on a census that is down as a nurse child to a woman in her 50s. in modern terms to have a nanny or child nurse means money, is it possible in the 1850s that this child could be from a poor home or at least the child of a widow? this may sound a bit strange but i have a mother and child missing on the 51 c. i have them in 61 together with the sister. the sister is 3 yrs older than the child i refer to. she is in a work house in plymouth on the 51 c. i have a possible sighting of the mother as a visitor to an unknown family. and then this sighting of the missing daughter although name not quite right. i get the feeling that they are well and truely skint which is why im asking is it possible for poor to use a nanny. hope that makes sense! louise

sorry if that wasnt clear! in 1844 emma discombe was born, in 1847 elizabeth was born both to parents james and ann. james died in 49. in the 51 c emma is in the workhouse with a few other discombes, not sure how they are related but much older. elizabeth and ann arent to be seen. i did however see an ann visiting at a friends and she fits the profile. still couldnt see elizabeth but there is an eliza duscombe right area and age that could be her. she is down as nurse child. i previously asked the question what is a nurse child and was informed that it meant either a nanny or nusre to the child. so assuming that this is her, im trying to understand why she would be there. if her sister is in the work house then i suspect they are lacking in money. in 61 they are all together with stepdad aswell. have i got it wrong what a nurse child is? lou

ozbird you star thats what i wanted to know and its the right answer!!!!! lou