Genealogy Chat

I have name, DOB where born and have found James Matthews on 1901 and 1891 am trying to search on 1881 with info but search gives me every James Matthews in Country - have tried to refine but not getting anywhere - any tips plse??

Now Ive re-read that I dont really understand - you must have entered his year of birth that you have on the other census and presumably his county of birth which would have narrowed it down quite a bit anyway. Who is the guy and what are your 1891 details for him please. Who is he living with on the census results you know are him? Use one of the family who will be with him in the other census - preferably the one with the most unusual first name.

thanks Heather, James Matthews now I've looked at ages again there is a difference! on 1901 census it shows age 50 born Margareting Essex, but on the 1891 it shows 42, and born Ingatestone, so I guess maths wasn't his strong point! Definitely same man as has same wife and kids born on relevant census that I know to be correct, also Margaretting small village next to Ingatesone so very nearly same town. His wife seemed to manage to age from 35 to 45 though! Her name was Louise Just can't find him on 1881 thanks for trying to sort me out! Fairly new to this Gill

It looks like he's down as James Mathews (different spelling) on ancestry 1881 (born 1849, Margaretting).

You sometimes find the spelling is slightly different or completely the wrong name altogether. If you can it is always worth searching for the wife or a child who may have been around in the previous census (say a child born in this case around 1880 would be worth looking for). Have you found a likely year of marriage,just to save looking for the whole family before the wedding occurred? Glen

You do know there is also a refinement of results through choosing star qualities? At the top of the results page? I usually start off on 3 stars and work downwards.

THANKS everyone - should have said I put this thread on whilst at work so apolgies if you thought I was ignoring over night! Should have thought of the spelling possibility, cos I often used to have to shout 2 Ts to people when they misspelt my maiden name - re the stars, have tried that must admit does knock out a lot of the wronguns - not sure of wedding date but I still live in that area, only 4 miles from me so plan a trip to churchyard over weekend and will then follow up on parish records - off to Ancestry now! thanks again Gill

this them? James MATHEWS Head M Male 32 Margaretting, Essex, England Ag. Lab. Louisa MATHEWS Wife M Female 28 Ingatestone, Essex, England William MATHEWS Son Male 8 Margaretting, Essex, England Scholar Ernest MATHEWS Son Male 4 Margaretting, Essex, England Annie MATHEWS Daur. Female 1 Margaretting, Essex, England Source Information: Dwelling Maldon Rd. Census Place Margaretting, Essex, England Family History Library Film 1341424 Public Records Office Reference RG11 Piece / Folio 1761 / 79 Page Number 4

Hi - Louise yes that's them - I also found them - am doing this between calls at work! so sorry again for delay in reply - seems we've been spelling our name wrong ! definitely a 1 T in this although the surviving sons all use 2 x T's in later surveys funny that - and a previous census shows it as Mathewes! A Real learning curve this one! thanks for all help Gill