deciphering 1851 census

[jillruss]

Hi,

I have printed off a copy of a page of the Buckinghamshire 1851 census from the familyhistoryonline website and , under the 'Relationship' heading, one of the entries is 'DL'. The girl in question is only 11 so it can't be 'daughter in law'. She has a different surname to the rest of the household but I don't think she's a domestic servant , partly because the family head is only a labourer ( and anyway I can't think that any of my ancestors would have been anywhere near grand enough to have a servant!!) and also because her occupation is 'scholar'.

perhaps I'm just being thick( wouldn't be the first time!) but I can't figure it out. Has anyone any ideas?

Thanks, Jill.

[krisesjoint]

Hi Jill....They tended to use the term Dau in Law or Son in Law to describe a step child...I would assume the woman was either previously married or had this girl out of wedlock.....Cheers Kris