Census - enumerated twice???

[Clare Fowler]

Hi there,

I am looking at 2 slightly baffling 1881 census records just now.  Baffling as I am sure the same person appears on both of them - therefore has been double counted!  Is this possible?

The person in question is one Archibald LOGAN who was born in 1835, so will be approximately 45 at the time of the census.  I know the name of his parents and his wife and children.  I also know from his will and the valuation rolls from 1894/1895 that he owned a house at Mill Row, New Monkland Parish at the same time as leasing Cameron Farm which is close by.

So, to the censuses which I have viewed on both SP and Ancestry...

At Cameron Farmhouse (651/02 002/00 004 and 005), Archibald is shown as a Farmer of 100 acres, along with his mother Elizabeth and 2 sisters.

But, he is also shown at the house at Mill Row (651/02 005/00 008) with his wife Mary and their 4 children - all details are again correct.  He is shown again as a farmer of 100 acres.

So... is it possible he made it from the farm to  the second house before the enumerator?  Or could whoever gave the information to the enumerator have been incorrect when he/she said he was there (when in fact he was at the other house)?

I guess I am just trying to make sure that I am not going mad and he does actually appear on the census twice 

Thanks,
Clare

[bikermickau]

It is possible he appeared twice, given what you have stated I can see why.


Mick

[sancti]

His mother may have thought he was working in the fields and told the enumerator this

[apanderson]

Hi Clare,

Don't worry - you're not going mad!!

I've come across 'double' entries on a couple of occasions. One in particular was in Stirling one day, then across the river in Kincardine on Forth the next.  I must admit I was scratching my head there .....!

When you think about it - the census was taken over 2 days, so easy enough to pop along the road to be enumerated twice.

Anne

[Clare Fowler]

Thanks Mick, Sancti and Anne.

You have convinced me that I am not going mad - which is always a good thing! 

Cheers,
Clare