Census Confusion in 1881

1881 8 High Street Horbling

The 1881 Census was a confusing one for George Taylor’s family, as  can be seen by the transcript at  ancestry.com. So confused are they, that George’s daughter; Rose Emma is transcribed as being the daughter  of the next door neighbour (Anis Bank’s).

It reality, this family had far more Census ‘savvy’  than we often credit our ancestors of 130 years ago with.

George , a farmer, was married to the second of his four wife’s at that time, Susanna Palethorpe . Susanna in her final years was being cared for by family in Spalding.

The Plough Inn , Horbling

At the precise time of the Census was taken at number 8 High Street and by definition  the ‘head’ was absent. Those present listed in order. In this case ‘Step Daughter’; Carrie Palethorpe is the Susanna’s daughter from her previous marriage.

George , meanwhile was enjoying the hospitality of his niece and husband, 50 metres away at the Plough Inn in Horbling. 

Full size Images available here