Sarah Kirtland b.1826

[Nifty1]

How can I find more about her situation.
According to 1841 census she was 15 and appears to have been on her own at St Thomas St. Oxford  in charge of William Kirtland, 5. John Dorill (sp.), 15 is also in the household

[Neale1961]

The five year old William appears to die in October 1841.
In January 1844, Sarah marries a chimney weep named Richard Stevens in Wolvercote. Her occupation is a shoebinder, and her father John Kirtland is a boatman.
She is in the 1851 census as Sarah Stevens ( born 1822). She is a seamstress.
In Nov 1856 Sarah marries Alfred Lawes, an engraver. Sarah is a widow, and Alfred a widower.

[Nifty1]

Thanks for that Neale.

 it has helped me tremendously in what looks as if it may be a long process of elimination.

It seems odd to me that such a young girl appears as head of household.
 Could anybody suggest as to why this may be?

[Annette7]

On 1841 census ages were rounded down so someone shown as 15 could be born anywhere between 1822 and 1826.   If she was b.1822 on 1851 census this would fit, so in 1841 was around age 19.

Annette

[Nifty1]

Is it possible to identify any of the buildings that Shara lived in wile she was in Oxford area ?