The term "son-in law"

[sparrett]

I have noticed on a few occasions on IGI 1881 census entries that the term Son-In Law is used in an odd way to apply to a boy living in the home of someone with a different surname from his own.  It is not possible that he is married to a daughter of the household as the ages are far too young and because the letter U  (unmarried)  often follows the name - eg. Albert Brown, U ,son-in -law age 14

Is this some old way of saying adopted person or what is it? Advice sought.  S.

[Berlin-Bob]

Hi sparrett,

See this topic: http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,49127.0.html

The term son-in-law was often used instead of stepson.

Bob

[fizzybubble]

I have had a few instances where son - in - law has been used to mean stepson. Perhaps the term stepson wasnt about then. One enumerator seemed to have got around this by writing "son of the wife".


Fizzy

[sparrett]

Hi ffzzybub and Bob,  Big help on sorting that one.  Thanks to you both .  That is no doubt what it means   Adopted son.  I wonder whether the "in-law" really meant there had been a legal process  like today's legal adoption.  Sue

[Willow 4873]

I did have one listed as an 'adapted son' though I think this was a misread when it was been transcribed lol

Willow x