Genealogy Chat

I know what you mean Jess, I spent hours one day looking up from 1901-1871 for someone - then I got a 'not sure if its them as my nan never mentioned a ...............' The place, name, dates, jobs all exact! Felt like Id wasted my time.

Point in case, Just above this reply is a request for a look up, the poster insistant that the spelling is correct: ...he is down as BIRTIE.... Jess Tracy, your reply is on my look up thread

I'm slowly transcribing the 1861 Scarborough census for freeCEN, and reading the handwriting can be a challenge (understatement!), especially if it's a name or place you're not familiar with. The enumerator (the chap who copied the census details on to folios) consistently writes ELISABETH - I would spell it with a Z. When you think that the enumerator was transcribing someone else's writing and then whoever is transcribing for say 1901 is transcribing his records, you can see how copying errors are introduced!

No, it certainly wouldnt have done to be too picky over spelling when looking for my John Holden - who turned up eventually as Ololu Ololoden. (Knew it was him from the others in the household, the image was perfectly clear, reckon the Transcriber was having a bit of a laugh at my expense. Marjorie

Only today I was looking at a census form in which a child was listed with age in the males column. It did say 'son' in the relationship column, but at first glance it looked like 'dau'. Similarly, only recently did I discover that a death cert in my possession didn't say March, but April. So you can see how easily Pott can become Rott etc. nell

My great grandfather is down as Visitor on the 1901 site but Son in law on ancestry. Well I spose he was under the same roof as his mother in law to be and his intended! (The image does say visitor)

I just had one today down as son -in-law, was a bit suspicious cos he was only 15!! Turned out to be lodger (No where near!!) Just goes to show you have to look at everything, even if it doesnt seem quite right Glynis

Maybe for 'Newbies'? I have been doing quite a lot of ancestry look ups recently and make discoveries that may not always fit your exact criteria. It needs to be understood that hand writing, especially when written with a good old fashioned fountain pen can often be difficult to read, and is thus interpreted by different People in different ways. The records may also be dependant on the writers hearing and ability to spell in the first place. An example, I am looking for say 'Frederick Smythe' what would you look under? FredErick/Fredrick/Fredricke/Fred/Freddie/Freddy Smith/Smithe/Smyth/Smythe............... Also: be prepared to give and take a little on ages: a child born in Dec 1900 will only be months old in the 1901 census, not 1. Help us to help you. Time taken to do searches for you is willingly given- I enjoy doing it- but my 'flabber ' does sometimes end up somewhat 'gasted' Jess x