Idiot/Imbecile - What's the difference?

[pjbuk007]

I have ggrandmother marked as imbecile on 1891 census when she was 60+.  Before that she was just listed as wife and in 1901 I think I have her in an asylum.

I think in this case it might refer to dementia/Alzheimers.

[behindthefrogs]

Just my experience on the 1901 census - but my paternal great grandfather appeared to be classified Imbecile/Feeble-minded.

Quite a shock because in later years he sold insurance and became president of the local golf club.

When I later subscribed to Ancestry and was then able to scroll through the pages, the enumerator has repeatedly marked everyone born outside the county in the same way!!

Pels 

 

I think you are confusing the marks made by someone counting the number of people born outside the county for statistical purposes with marks made by the original enumerator.  These sorts of marks occur on all census returns and are a continuous source of problems for genealogists.

David

[stanmapstone]

Just my experience on the 1901 census - but my paternal great grandfather appeared to be classified Imbecile/Feeble-minded.

Quite a shock because in later years he sold insurance and became president of the local golf club.

When I later subscribed to Ancestry and was then able to scroll through the pages, the enumerator has repeatedly marked everyone born outside the county in the same way!!

Pels 

 

I think you are confusing the marks made by someone counting the number of people born outside the county for statistical purposes with marks made by the original enumerator.  These sorts of marks occur on all census returns and are a continuous source of problems for genealogists.

David

Could we have the census reference so we can see the pages?
Stan