Appearing on the Same Census Twice

[Simma]

Hi, I wonder if anyone has ever come a across a situation with the same person appearing on the same census twice but in two different places?

I think my great great great grandfather Joseph Appleyard might appear on the 1861 census twice.

In one entry he is living with his family at Rectory Street, Castleford aged 51, and yet in another entry is he listed as being the only person onboard a vessel called the 'Ann' and aged 53.

I should add that Joseph was a waterman/mariner and his wife is called 'Ann'.

Is it possible these two are one and the same?

[sillgen]

I have exactly the same situation.  At home with wife and family and on board ship.    I am sure it happened often.  Even today we tend to put down those who live at the address even if they happen to be off elsewhere.
Andrea

[Marmaduke 123]

I have two examples of this on the 1851 census. One family included all their married children on their return, although they were not living with them and are recorded separately under their own addresses. I expect they just misunderstood what the enumerator was asking for.

In the other case I am not sure what is going on. A daughter who had left home and set up house with her half first cousin is included, with a baby who does not appear on any records at all, either before or after. There is no trace of the cousins marriage either, so I guess it was a case of family secrets! The daughter and her partner are recorded OK at their own address.

Anne

[suttontrust]

It's quite common to find someone listed twice.  The enumerator was supposed to list only those actually in the household on census night, but families would often give the name of someone who was normally resident there but happened to be elsewhere on the night.  It happened with men who were away working, and children who were staying with grandma etc.  It's confusing, but can sometimes give you useful clues.

[CarolBurns]

In 1891 I found that husband's Great Uncle Hugh was down as living at home with his parents but then when I found Hugh's Uncle William Wallace, he was living with him as well.
In 1901  he was at home as well as at Uncle Williams as was his sister Elizabeth.

Carol