1841 Census Question

[GagaGram]

In the 1841 census, are the ages  stated for  an individual, their actual age or are they rounded up ?
My gr.gr.gr. grandfather is listed as 50 yrs. and gr.gr.gr. grandmother as 60 yrs. I'm trying to determine an approx. year of birth.
In 1851, are the ages actual?

Thanks for any help.
Nancy

[karenlee]

Hi Nancy

The ages provided on the 1841 Census on the whole were rounded up ----usually.  Sometimes you get lucky and find someone who actually recorded the exact ages, and sometimes you get unlucky and find someone who rounded the ages down -- heaven knows why.  By 1851 the ages are as close to actual as possible - providing of course that the truth was told.

Cheers
Karenlee

[Darcy]

Sorry Karenlee - the ages were rounded down 

The enumerators were instructed to round the ages of those over 15 years down to the nearest five.

This didn't always happen but in your case, Nancy, the ages are even  - so your 3rd great grandparents could be up to 4 years older than shown on the census.

Regards
Darcy

[karenlee]

That's right Darcy. destroy any cred I had in one fell swoop. (joke)  Thanks for picking up on my mistake there, that's what comes of trying to think straight when both kids are off school sick with the 'flu and me just recovering from pneumonia.  And people think that winter is Australia is so benign.

Cheers
Karenlee

[GagaGram]

Hi Karenlee and Darcy,
Thank you,both, for enlightening me and hopefully others.

Karenlee, hope you and your kids have a speedy recovery! Please keep the flu bug 'down under'!
Thanks,again for the help. Best wishes to all.
Nancy

[karenlee]

Thanks Nancy.  I think that you are pretty safe from me, I have no plans, nor finances for that matter, to leave the country anytime soon unfortunately.  So my germs and those of my children will remain here in Australia.

Cheers
Karenlee

[Darcy]

Hi Karenlee,

Wish I had a dollar for every mistake I've made.

I know what it like to have Pneumonia Hope you and the children are all well soon.

Regards
Darcy