1831 Census

[california dreamin]

Hi
I wonder if someone could answer a query for me - I am revisiting some research.  I am looking back at the 1831 Census.  This only lists Head of household/number of families in each house hold/#males/#females/religion.

For one of the names I am looking at, it has dashed lines through the columns.  So no information recorded- as if he did not live there. I know the man was not dead (he died in 1869) and appears in the G.V. Same townland (valuation taken in 1859). 

If it was the GV I would consider it was land only.

Any ideas?
Thanks
CD

[aghadowey]

Perhaps no one was in when the census was taken.

[california dreamin]

Hi aghadowey,

Mmmm, not sure about that one.  On the census in England and Wales they would put 'house unoccupied' or 'empty' or words to that effect.  I was hoping there might be a 'key' somewhere.  Certainly I have seen these dashed lines on other entries on the 1831.

Did they have a bit of paper to fill out? Or did the enumerator just go door to door asking the questions. I am quite certain my lot could not read or write (English or Irish)

CD

[aghadowey]

The 1831 Census was not really a census such as later ones but the householder didnot fill in the details personally. It was more a religious survey and the existing Co. Londonderry returns were, as far as I can remember, copies. I've never see any entries where numbers were not put in for a household. What parish(es) are you looking at?

http://www.billmacafee.com/1831census.htm

[california dreamin]

Hi,

Here is one of the people I am looking at Daniel Donnelly.  Funnily enough, I have another Donnelly in another townland with the same 'dashed' lines.

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/c19/007246636/007246636_00564.pdf

[Sinann]

Add up the columns,
For example Males.
Total is 198 if Daniel was there it would be 199. (Double check my adding ).
So I would think he is the owner of the house but isn't there.

[california dreamin]

Hi Sinann

Many thanks for that observation.  It makes perfect sense.

So I wonder where the devil Daniel (and family) were and in an adjoining townland, I have a similar scenario with someone who could be his son/brother/nephew.