Co Antrim, Ireland - 1851 Census.

[dinny]

Census 1851 Co Antrim Ireland

If individuals were  absent in America from 31 March 1851 and were listed on the Irish Census of 1851, recorded as being absent in America at time of census – wouldn’t they be on the US cenus – even if they were just visiting?   Both unmarried – children of the family – adults aged 30-ish.  At that age, they may have immigrated. 

If they were in another country, why mention them in the census?   Can someone give a possible explanation, please. – thanks.  Regards – Dinny. 

[TheWhuttle]

Hi Dinny,

The mid-century census of the U.S.A. population was taken on 01-JUN-1850.
The next on 01-JUN-1860.
Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Census

So, if your folks were not present there until 1851 they would not be recorded in the 1850 census.
They would have had to remain there for 9 years until 1860 before they would have been picked up (for the first time) by that surveying technique.

----
The phrase "in America" is ambiguous, it may not mean the country known colloquially by that name.
[Formally it is the "United States of America".]

It might be the name of the continent, which includes many other countries.

A strong possibility might be Canada, which was promoted as a "more patriotic" destination for emigrants from the UK. Many went that (cheaper, more dangerous) route to work as indentured servants, subsequently heading South (to the warmth!) as soon as their engagement schedules were complete, to immigrate in to the U.S.A.

Hope that helps a bit.

[aghadowey]

Census 1851 Co Antrim Ireland

If individuals were  absent in America from 31 March 1851 and were listed on the Irish Census of 1851, recorded as being absent in America at time of census – wouldn’t they be on the US cenus – even if they were just visiting?   Both unmarried – children of the family – adults aged 30-ish.  At that age, they may have immigrated. 

If they were in another country, why mention them in the census?   Can someone give a possible explanation, please. – thanks.  Regards – Dinny. 

If you can post a link to the 1851 census information (or if from a pay site then at least a transcription) so we can see if for ourselves we might be able to help.

[dinny]

The Whuttle

Thank you for your assistance – The wording used was simply “America”.   Your explanation makes sense to me as I have a number of Irish relatives who definitely went to Canada,  whose descendants  are still there today.  Some of my Essex UK  relatives also went to Canada and to Newfoundland around the time of the industrial revolution. 

I guess your explanation would apply to South American countries that became host to many people from Scotland and Ireland whose descendants are recognizable today by their surnames.

Thanks again for your prompt reply. Regards – Dinny.   

[dinny]

To Aghadowey - Thanks.  Regards - Dinny.

[Elwyn Soutter]

Census 1851 Co Antrim Ireland


If they were in another country, why mention them in the census?   Can someone give a possible explanation, please. – thanks.  Regards – Dinny.

The 1841 and 1851 Irish censuses both asked about people normally resident there who were absent on census night, and about people who had died since the previous census (eg “Return of members of this family, servants, or visitors who have died while residing with this family since 6th June 1831.”) These requirements were dropped after 1851, but presumably the authorities thought the information might be useful in some way. Identifying population trends or something. Don’t really know.

[dinny]

Elwyn Souter

Thanks for your reply.  I will add this to info.already received.

Concerning the requirement to advise of those absent on census night - in the 1911 census my Irish great grandmother was absent on census night visiting a relative in the same county.  Her whereabouts were noted on the census form and her eldest daughter was designated Head for census purposes in the family household.

My g/grandfather and some sons had already immigrated.  The rest of the family were on the verge of leaving.  G/grandfather and those sons were not listed on the census form for 1911, no explanation of their whereabouts required.   Don't know what rules applied in 1911 but it seems if you were absent and residing somewhere else in Ireland on census night, this was noted.   Interesting.

Thanks again - regards - Dinny.