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Census Lookups General Lookups => Census and Resource Discussion => Topic started by: tabily on Sunday 28 June 09 05:38 BST (UK)

Title: What does "fs" mean in the1841 census?
Post by: tabily on Sunday 28 June 09 05:38 BST (UK)
I am sure there is a really obvious answer to this ???, but my (spinster)  gggggrandmother (aged 20) has fs (i think they are the initials) in the Profession, trade, of independant means column.  It seems to be against the women..
having a brain freeze.. please help! :-\
Cheers ;D
Tabily
Title: Re: What does "fs" mean in the1841 census?
Post by: bikermickau on Sunday 28 June 09 05:40 BST (UK)
I believe it's Female Servant
Title: Re: What does "fs" mean in the1841 census?
Post by: karenlee on Sunday 28 June 09 05:41 BST (UK)

Hi

Most probably stands for Female Servant.

Cheers
Karenlee
Title: Re: What does "fs" mean in the1841 census?
Post by: tabily on Sunday 28 June 09 05:43 BST (UK)
Excellent..thanks very much!!!  ;D Knew it would be obvious!!!
Title: Re: What does "fs" mean in the1841 census?
Post by: jksdelver on Sunday 28 June 09 06:31 BST (UK)
Family servant to me
Title: Re: What does "fs" mean in the1841 census?
Post by: karenlee on Sunday 28 June 09 06:38 BST (UK)

Many years ago I asked a similar question and was told that on the 1841 it was...

F S = Female Servant

M S = Male Servant

Hadn't thought of it as Family Servant before... :D

Cheers
Karenlee
Title: Re: What does "fs" mean in the1841 census?
Post by: jksdelver on Sunday 28 June 09 06:40 BST (UK)
You could be correct K
Title: Re: What does "fs" mean in the1841 census?
Post by: stanmapstone on Sunday 28 June 09 09:41 BST (UK)
These are the official abbreviations used in the censuses


Ag. Lab. 1841-81 Agricultural labourer
Ap. 1841-61 Apprentice
Army 1841 Members of HM land forces of whatever rank
Cl. 1841-61 Clerk
FS. 1841 Female servant
H.P. 1841 Members of HM armed forces on half-pay
Ind. 1841 Independent - people living on their own means
J. 1841 Journeyman
M. 1841 Manufacturer
m. 1841 Maker - as in 'Shoe m.'
MS 1841 Male servant
Navy 1841 Members of HM naval forces, including marines,
of whatever rank
P. 1841 Pensioners in HM armed forces
Rail Lab. 1851 Railway labourer
Serv. 1861 Servant
Sh. 1841 Shopman


Stan
Title: Re: What does "fs" mean in the1841 census?
Post by: anouksmom on Tuesday 26 April 16 11:36 BST (UK)
I just found a Scottish census record from 1851 that shows FS as "farm servant."
Title: Re: What does "fs" mean in the1841 census?
Post by: Rosinish on Tuesday 26 April 16 11:52 BST (UK)
Quote from: anouksmom on Tuesday 26 April 16 11:36 BST (UK)
I just found a Scottish census record from 1851 that shows FS as "farm servant."

Likewise. I have seen it often.

Annie
Title: Re: What does "fs" mean in the1841 census?
Post by: stanmapstone on Tuesday 26 April 16 11:59 BST (UK)
Welcome to RootsChat
FS = Female Servant was the official abbreviation for the 1841 census only, it did not apply to later censuses

Stan
Title: Re: What does "fs" mean in the1841 census?
Post by: stanmapstone on Tuesday 26 April 16 12:13 BST (UK)
The instructions to the Enumerator for 1851 were that male and female farm servants who sleep in the house will be entered in the Household Schedule, and their particular employments as waggoner, dairy maid, &c., inserted in the column headed "Occupation."

Stan
Title: Re: What does "fs" mean in the1841 census?
Post by: Indiana.59 on Monday 23 October 17 13:41 BST (UK)
Glad you got it sorted the FS - any chance you could put your profile picture in the restoration section - it looks like it could do with a good bash . . . : )
Title: Re: What does "fs" mean in the1841 census?
Post by: teilujnitram on Friday 09 February 18 11:27 GMT (UK)
Yes, I think fs  would be farm servant for many people depending on where they are living.  :-\