In jail or just visiting??

[GenesA]

My ancestor John Stringfellow was residing in Newark-on-Trent when the 1851 census was taken. He was living at the jail there but I can't work out whether he was a prisoner or visiting someone at the jailer's house.

I've searched the newspapers and also the criminal registers but I can't find any record of John actually serving a prison sentence. If he was, he must have been released soon after the census was taken as he was married at Sutton-in-Ashfield in July that same year. 

[JJen]

In the relation column it does describe John Stringfellow as 'prisoner in Newark jail'. Therefore I doubt he was a visitor.

JJ

[JJen]

Could this be your John Stringfellow rather than the one in jail?

John Wrightman   28
Ann Wrightman   29
John Stringfellow   lodger 21 Rail Lab. b.Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
John Johnson   23
HO107 Piece 2135 Folio 409 Page 10

JJ

[GenesA]

Thanks, JJen. I'm not sure how I missed that 

And now I'm not sure about him as it really is anyone's guess? With no way of narrowing it down it could be either of the two.

[JJen]

What is also of concern is that both these men on the 1851 have the same occupation. 

JJ

[GenesA]

I can only find the one John Stringfellow in Sutton in Ashfield in 1841 (definitely mine)  Very odd

[DavidG02]

Could be as simple as the Head of the House saying '' dont forget to put John on the form , he still lives here even though he is in the nick''

And of course the head count at the gaol also counting the prisoners correctly

[goldie61]

I can only find the one John Stringfellow in Sutton in Ashfield in 1841 (definitely mine)  Very odd

It's not unheard of for the same person to be down on a Census in 2 different places.
There have been posts about this here on Rootschat before.

One of mine that springs to mind is a chap who is down as being at his house in Lincolnshire, but also visiting  his wife's family in London! Definitely the same chap - distinctive name and occupation.

Several different reasons why this may happen - as David says in his post.

[Treetotal]

I also have come across a double entry where a child is listed with her parents at one address but also appears with her Grandparents at a different address.
Carol