Genealogy Chat

My g grandfather appears on the 1881 census with a couple where he is listed as 'nephew'. Would this mean that he was the nephew of the head of the household (the hubby) or would this also apply if he were the nephew of the wife. As my g grandfather was illegitimate, this could be a clue as to who his father was (presuming they were telling the truth on the census of course). Could it also indicate another relationship? Thanks Carole

My own g grandfather was also listed as nephew. He was there for the 1871 census as a 10 yr old, and on the 1881 census as a 20 yr old. I searched for a marriage for the couple, and found that the wife's maiden name was the same as his (Myers). His parents and other siblings were next door. You might try scouting the nearby households via Mormon site...next household function on census result page. I've sent off for the couples' marriage cert. in the hope of more clues! Hope this helps. Sue (NZ)

Thanks Sue Think the marriage certificate is the best option. Looking up the nearby families wouldn't help I don't think mainly because the name (Hoyle) is extremely common in the area and I have no other info for the moment except the name of his mother. Carole

It could be either nephew of husband or wife. If the surname does not ring any bells yet, he could be son of the head's married sister, the wife's married sister etc.. However I'm not convinced that relationships were always recorded in the way we think of them today. I have - a will where the deceased names a nephew as an executor but I can't find a nephew with that name, but can find him as a cousin (not 1st cousin). a child listed as niece but I'm convinced she is granddaughter a child listed as nephew but has the same surname as head's mother's maiden name, which would make him a cousin.

On the 1891 census the 'nephew' in my tree is not the nephew to either the husband or wife. I eventually unearthed that he was, in the strictest sense, the nephew of the wife's sister's husband. I think that's the right way to put it and he was illegitamate - no father's name on birth or marriage certificate. His mother was a widow at the time of his birth and had been for a couple of years. He was later 'adopted' by the people he was living with in 1891.

On the 1891 census the 'nephew' in my tree is not the nephew to either the husband or wife. I eventually unearthed that he was, in the strictest sense, the nephew of the wife's sister's husband. I think that's the right way to put it and he was illegitamate - no father's name on birth or marriage certificate. His mother was a widow at the time of his birth and had been for a couple of years. He was later 'adopted' by the people he was living with in 1891.

Hi all I am beginning to realise that people generally filled in whatever they wanted others to think about them on the census (eg, changing relationships, surnames, ages etc). They covered up loads of embarassing issues with no thought to those of us who would be using the data in the future. Doesn't it make it more interesting!! And ever so slightly frustrating. Lynne

Hi Carole I had an earlier census where the person stated as nephew was actually the cousin of the householder, their mothers were sisters. Heather

Thanks to all for helpful replies. I just have to suppose g granddad was related to his 'uncle' and 'aunt' in some way. Wendy, like yours, mine is nephew on the 1881, adopted son on the 1891, no father on marriage cert - haven't got the birth cert yet - but I don't suppose there will be one as he was illegitimate too.