1841 census.

[12tootsi34]

I have a problem. My ancestor a John West, aged about 40, lives in Little Surrey Street Southwark with his wife and family. In the 1841 census his wife Sarah and some of his children are listed but not him. From other records he is a waiter at taverns but I cannot find him at all. I have gone through 175 country entries for that time but none are him. Where has he gone? any suggestions.

[Milliepede]

Do you mean he was aged about 40 in 1841?

Which children are missing in 1841 in case he is with any of them.

[Milliepede]

There is a John West age 40 on his own in St Pancras grocers shop?

[Ruskie]

Is John with Sarah in the 1851 census?

[Rosinish]

My ancestor a John West, aged about 40, lives in Little Surrey Street Southwark with his wife and family.

Can you tell us when this was please & add any other names/dates/places(where born)/occupations relevant to the family to help research?

Annie

[dcbnwh]

1851:- Great Union Street, Saint George Southwark

John West, Head - 50 b 1801 - Waiter - Middlesex
Sarah West, Wife - 44 b 1807 - Middlesex
Louis West, Son - 24 b 1827 - London, Middlesex
Sarah West, Daughter - 20 b 1831 - Christchurch, Surrey
Rosina West, Daughter - 13 b 1838 - Christchurch, Surrey
Ernest West, Son - 10 b 1841 - Christchurch, Surrey

David

[12tootsi34]

In the 1851 census John west is given as living at 38 Gt Union Street with his family of Louis (male), Sarah, Rosina and Ernest. His age is given as 50, a waiter, born in Middlesex. In the 1841 census only Sarah, Rosina, Sarah and Ernest are given living in Little Surrey Street. Louis is living away with his uncle being trained/apprentice carver/guilder. John was married in St Georges Bloomsbury in 1824. Records exist for baptisms of most of his children. I have investigated all John Wests in the 1841 census but none are him. In the 1861 census Sarah (widow) is given as living with Rosina near St Georges circus. As in those days there being no divorce if husband left the wife would call herself a widow, so he may have left rather than died. Question is where is John in 1841? I have been addressing this problem for 15 years now.

[Ruskie]

Thanks David and 12toots .... so John is definitely still alive in 1841. 

There is a John West age 40 on his own in St Pancras grocers shop?

It could be worth checking this John to see if he is around in 1851 or checking directories to see who is the shopkeeper, in case John is "shop sitting".

Do all of his children's births/baptisms say he is a waiter (if/where occupations are included)?

[Milliepede]

What about this one living Southall Hayes Middlesex

Head of house is an innkeeper

Several names including John West 40 think it says horse keeper

Could be his link to taverns if this is he