Genealogy Chat

Theoretically it was adults who were meant to have their ages rounded down to the nearest 5. I have found several families whose age ends in either 5 or 0, so they have obviously been rounded down. But I've also found others whose age is spot on with baptism/birth records and later censuses, so they weren't altered. My husband's tree has a family with all the right names, addresses, occupations etc who have a TWENTY YEAR difference between 1841 and 1851. So don't rule anything out!!! nell

It always surprises me how far out ages can be on census - I was looking at a family last night - in 1841 born 1796 (fair enough, rounded down to a 5). In 1851 1794 ? In 1861 1798 and 1871 1800? Right family, luckily wife was diligent in supplying her Suffolk village name each time - but if a newbie saw that, you would be so confused.

Porky Pie I think as you say whoever filled in the form made a mistake. Because it too much of a coincidence that the names of the whole family are right and in the right descending order. Lisa The only census they are all on is this one. The parents must have died by the time next one came out. But as I said above I am going to take it that it is my family. Everything else fits. Thank you all again Ann

Can you find 'this' family on a different census, to see if it really is another family; and possible if they aren't listed it's your family with incorrect ages?

I would bear in mind, the info on the census is not always correct Have you checked the actual image? Could be mistranscribed, could be that the person giving the info did not no the ages of the kids, they may have written them down wrong or In the wrong column there are lots more reasons why the wrong info is found on any form/document. Roy

Thankyou all for the info. looks like I have the wrong family then although all the names fit even the order they are in. One is 5 years older than what I have and 2 are 3 years older and another 4 years older. Will have to investigate more. Thanks for your time Ann

On the 1841 census, the children up to 15 years old should be down as actual age adults are rounded down to the nearest 5 so someone 18 would be show as 15 on the census, that's what was supposed to happen? Roy

I am sure I have the right family but all four children have between 1 and 5 years more than what I have them down for. I know they rounded up the years but did they do it as much as 5 years. Ann