Genealogy Chat

Yes, everyone in the household should have been put on. Lots of my rellies were in service or were farm servants and were on the censuses, mostly in their early teens. My gg grandmother was on the 1851 census as a servant in an inn and she was only 8!!

Yes, everyone should be included on the census - my relatives were nearly all servants and I've found them all in the households where they worked. I had a great-great-aunt Eliza Broad who I have been unable to find on several censuses. I found her on 1881 as Eliza Wadd, listed as "Head of household - kitchenmaid" at an address in Wimpole Street, London. I don't know whether she filled in the form or whether the enumerator did, which is why her name is mispelt and she is given as the head. I don't know where the actual head of household was on census night. nell

Live in servants do appear on the censuses, but the heads of household seem often to know little and care less about their servants. I've found my great-granny Matilda Edwards in the 1881 census. Born in Bideford, the census gives her birthplace as Portsmouth. Why? That's where she was working at the time and her employer had probably never spoken to her in his life. I know it is her because her sister is working just round the corner. You will also find that servants tend to get their names misspelt and their ages rather approximate. Good luck! Brenda

did they have to be put on the census or did the head of the house not bother with them can anyone tell me please ??????