Dear Chatters,
My 3 X great grandfather Robert Mann is listed in the 1841 census for North Shields Northumberland as a Seaman age 30 born in county. By the 1851 census still in North Shields he is recorded as a corporation boatman aged 40, place of birth is given as North Shields, Northumberland. In the 1861 census again still in North Shields he is now a grocer and "River policeman" aged 50, however his place of birth is given as "Suffolk".
\((AAAGGHHH) I am confident it is the same man in each census as ages tally as do the names and ages of his wife and children. I suspect that the differing birth locations may have been to avoid the poor laws, Robert feeling confident and settled enough by 1861 to record his actual birth place. I have a couple of questions if anyone can help;
1) Could my suspicion be right or are there other reasons I should look at for differing birth places?
2) Has anyone come across a Robert Mann in Suffolk pre 1841 who disappears?
3) As he is recorded as seaman in 1841 are their records I could find him in?
4) Any help at all to solve this problem appreciated?
Many thanks
