Mendicant in 1901 census

[heywood]

Hello everyone,

This is just a question to see if anyone has any knowledge or opinion really. 

1901 Irish census- I have a lady 70+ yrs who is on census with my grandparents as a 'Mendicant'.
Her surname is a family surname - the maiden name of my great grandmother or grandmother of the lady she is with. However her first name is my gt grandmother's name so it isn't her. She would have a married name anyway!
Presumably she is a relative, although the nearby village where that family originates from is full of folk of that surname!
I am just wondering if she was an elderly relative with no means of support and the enumerator has designated her as a mendicant, rather than herself - that she would not be earning a living as a beggar.
I wonder if anyone has come across this situation before?

Regards
Heywood

[hallmark]

Hard one to call but did she apply for Pension??

[Sinann]

Are you sure by the hand writing it was the enumerator that filled Mendicant it?
Does the enumerator give his occupation with his name, a local Constable for example would likely know her.
Have you looked in the petty sessions to see if she was ever arrested?

[taramcdsmall]

Hi Heywood

Do you want to post a link to the actual census to see if we can give specific help ?

Tara

[taramcdsmall]

I doubt mendicant would be written unless it was a fact.

I would imagine an enumerator would leave the space blank rather than coming to that presumption.

 Sad if true.

 Tara

[hallmark]

Seem common enough...  http://www.rootschat.com/links/01g95/ gives 52 Mendicants in the 65-75 age bracket alone

[heywood]

Thanks everyone.
Yes, hallmark, I looked up the numbers yesterday and wondered if it was a way of describing those relying on family and friends besides those who were, I suppose, beggars.
It is sad. She  is described as a 'visitor' and then mendicant as occupation.
It looks as though the census was completed and signed by the householder but it is good handwriting so I am not sure.
However, another relative is next door and that form is marked with x and witnessed by the constable.
I never thought about her being in court! I will check next time there is an offer. I have looked at indexes and there is only one with her name in 1881.
There are two possible deaths 1903 and 1905 so I will think about that.

Thanks again. As I said I was just wondering whether the term would be used loosely or specifically.

[hallmark]

So what's the difference between Beggar and Mendicant?? 62 Beggars on Census... 280 Tramps..

Quite possibly down to Enumerators and how they termed it??

[heywood]

When I first saw it, when the census was released, i didn't know what it meant.  I had to check.