Your Favourite Census Mistranscriptions!

[panda40]

My Chapman relations listed on the 1911 census as SMITH it was only by looking for their house keeper that I found the family. Should have gone to spec savers 
Regards panda

[janglaschu]

In the 1891 census I have a Wilfrid Fletcher, son, transcribed by the census enumerator as Winifred, daughter!

[Redroger]

Sydney Harold Luffman shown as Sydney Harrold SUFFOMA on the 1911 census. Found by entering his first name plus details of date and place of birth. Otherwise would have been completely hopeless.
I believe many of these transcription errors are due to the transcription being carried out by people who do not use the Latin alphabet in their first language, and to the transcriptions being let to the lowest competitive tender; which I believe is always risky.

[annber]

One of my ancestors was transcribed as Freak instead of Fredk, the abbreviation of Frederick!

[Redroger]

I have known the word Feek as a surname; I believe it is East Anglian.According to the site "Surnames of England and Wales" in the 2002 census their were 153 people unfortunate enough to be named Freak!!

[suey]

Any one looking on the 1911 Census (on one of the well known sites) for Constance Louisa Chapman, born in Switzerland, will struggle to find her unless of course they recognise her as Rogestrace Louice CHAAFENG born in Hortyeland.

Simon

If there was a prize for finding the worst mis-transcription I think you just won it Simon 
It's a wonder we can find anyone..

[chinakay]

Second that

[Duodecem]

I can offer the following from 1851: William Pes Bern, Hanrh Bern, Elilia Bern, Bobart Bern   , Charlot Bern-  who are, of course members of the Osborne family-William, Harriet, Eliza, Robert and Charlotte!
Luckily they were at the same address as 1841 and 1861.

[Redroger]

Mine moved about (and still do!!) which makes it harder. I think we can agree the next transcriptions MUST be made by native English speakers to ensure we get the best product possible. Remember there will be no more censuses available from 2022 until 2052 due mainly to WW2 and the resultant loss of records. So the transcription of the 1921 census MUST be done to the highest possible standards.