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From: "J T Pearson Outdoor Training" <>
Subject: RE: [ENG-SOM] ADMIN - June Theme - most amusing, strange, or outrageous census entry
Date: Sat, 4 Jun 2005 10:48:16 +1200
In-Reply-To: <429DEE7F.5090304@mindspring.com>


A collection for you all taken from one enumeration district for 1851,
Brixworth in Northamptonshire where the poor law guardians had a reputation
for being somewhat stingy. The instructions given to the census collectors
by the head honcho seem to have required a level of detail you might not
expect...

Brixworth, Northamptonshire

Ward "the head of this household and his wife slept at Northampton"
(leaving his one year old son alone with the servant!)

Garley "father and mother both in London"

Family of Robert ROSEBROOK, Surgeon with 8 children and a number of
servants.

In the occupation column written sideways starting next to one of the sons
and continuing alongside the children's names...

"he receiving instruction at home from there parents and one another the
only instruction I can afford to give being oppressed by the poor law and
the general depression caused by the mismanagement of Government in taking
away protection from native industry" (sic)

Ann BURGESS husband left h m 43 pauper lacemaker Brixworth

And a few doors down...

Ann BURGESS husband left h m 37 pauper lacemaker Harpole

(where WERE those Burgess men?)

From the 1851 for Wold Northamptonshire (same film as above)

Boyce PALMER 45 head Warmington late a farmer just leaving

And written sideways in children's occupation space....

"late a farmer just leaving the farm held by his forefathers near two
centuries and now with his family driven to emigrate from the effects of the
one sided free trade"

Axe to grind anyone?

In the parish of Scaldwell...

"NB the Rev W W H(arris) and all the family are absent on account of the
health of Mrs H(arris) but the house (lent) visiting is let to a Gent'n
whose establishment is just equal to Mr H(arris could be Humes) so that they
are neither of them (untendered???)"

And, for a change, from the 1861 for Chelsea Middlesex RG9- 30-33
From the front page of one of the schedules...

(picture of a pointing hand) "Note the (measuring?) book is made out in such
a careless manner that it is no help at all in checking the houses in this
Enumeration Book. Which is also made out so (?) as regards the numbering
and names of streets in such a way as to make it impossible to attempt any
certain check (transcribers note, I can vouch for the accuracy of that
statement!) I am forced to build the numbers guide given there as correct on
faith of the Enumerators Certificate"

Do I win?
Regards
Jane

-----Original Message-----
From: [mailto:]
Sent: Thursday, 2 June 2005 5:21 a.m.
To:
Subject: [ENG-SOM] ADMIN - June Theme - most amusing, strange, or outrageous
census entry

Dear Listers,


The revised, unused (!!!) theme for June is "the most amusing, strange,
or outrageous census entry (mistakes or otherwise)." I think we all
have something to contribute to this one. :-)


Have fun! I look forward to reading your messages! :-)


Best wishes,
Lynne
List Admin.


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