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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: caranicks on Saturday 07 March 09 15:04 GMT (UK)
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Hello everybody.
I welcome your decipherings on this extract from a census.
It's in the 'Rank, Profession or Occupation' column from an 1861 census.
The lady in question has herself down as head of household, and married, but her husband is not at the address, so maybe this explains his whereabouts.... if only I could read it!!
Many thanks in advance.
Sarah
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Sarah,
Welcome to Rootschat :)
Sometimes it is easier if one can see the entry in the context of the whole page - please could you give the full reference so that we can do this?
Jennifer
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Welcome to RootsChat Sarah :)
I'm hoping the rest of the page will help because what I see doesn't seem to make sense ... :P
** wife or widow. Husband Sailor ***
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Sometimes it is easier if one can see the entry in the context of the whole page - please could you give the full reference so that we can do this?
I found it - for anyone else looking its RG 9/ 1705/ Folio 41/ Page 29
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I'm hoping the rest of the page will help
It doesn't ;D
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Sigh - I agree :P
I'm wondering if the first scribble could be 'Fy' for formerly
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There is an X next to the M in the marital staus column.
Could it be
"Pr. Wife's Widow. Husband Sailor/ Un......"
Jen
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Could the last word (after sailor) be 'missing'?
That would explain why she might be wife or widow ??? ???
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I like Missing - sounds likely! :D
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Is wife or widow, husb. sailor is missing ??? ???
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That's what I wondered - is the "Pr" bit an abbreviated "Probably"?
I can't make it say Missing in my eyes but it does seem to end with "ing" so you could well be right.
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Is it Missing spelled Miffing as in old style "s"?
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I can't make it say Missing in my eyes but it does seem to end with "ing" so you could well be right.
I can see a long 's' then an 's' in the middle of the word.
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I can see a long 's' then an 's' in the middle of the word.
So can I - all the 'ss' on the page are the same :)
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Yes, I just found Drefs Maker further down! ;D
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Over to Sarah for comments, then :D
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Thank you all for your fast and most helpful responses.
Before posting the question I could only make out
"... widow. Husb. S(or T)ailor/.... "
After your suggestions I believe it says:
".. wife is(or) widow. Husb. Sailor Missing"
The enumerator did his w's in a strange way, and his double s's in the old fashioned way(well it was 1861!)
They lived in Bristol, so a sailor would be a perfectly feasible occupation.
Funny thing is, when I do a search for their son William John Ford on the 1871 census, there is a man of the right age and birthplace, living with his father William - who is a seaman. Maybe he came back from the sea OK after all....
This lady Ann, and her husband the sailor were my gt-gt-gt-grandparents, so I'd love to know his name - but it'll probably be one of those things I'll never be able to trace. Still, I've got a few marriage leads from freebmd to follow up, so I'll keep investigating! :)
It's good to know there's people here to help if I get stuck again.
Thanks once again,
Sarah Knight