Help with relationship - 1871 census

[PrueM]

I have the following family in Fordyce, Banffshire, in 1871, and am wondering what the relationship would be between Elizabeth, the head, her obvious children William and Margaret, and the two younger people George (aged 20) and ?James? (aged 7) - surely George is too young to be Elizabeth's son - could he be either William or Margaret's son?  If so, then why is his relationship "son" and the youngest child "grandchild"?

Elizabeth is the mother of my husband's ancestor James STRATHDEE - James had moved to England sometime in the early 1850s.

Does anyone have any ideas?  Would love some opinions! 

Thank you
Prue

1871 - Hillhouse (?) Arnbath, Fordyce, Banffshire
STRATHDEE
Elizabeth  Head  Wid  84  Crofter of 13 (?) Acres  Banffshire, Mortlock
William  Son  Wid  54  Agr Labourer  Banffshire, Boharm
Margaret  Daur Unm  52  Servant Domestic  Banffshire, Fordyce
George  Son  Unm  20  Slater (apprentice)  Banffshire, Portsoy
James (?) Grandchild  Unm  7  Scholar  Banffshire, Portsoy

[dkmcad]

Hi Prue, an idea from the IGI

There is a George Strathdee born 8th December, 1851, Free Church, Portsoy, Banff, to William Strathdee and Mary Joiner.

I see William is given as a Wid on the census.  Could the George be his son??

William Strathdee and Mary Ann Joiner married 07 June, 1851 Fordyce, Banff. 

Also, there is a James Smith Strathdee, born 05 March, 1865, Keith. Banff to Alexander Strathdee and Jane Wilson. 

Could Alexander be another son of Elizabeth?

Alexander Strathdee and Jane Wilson married
31 October 1863, Keith, Banff.

As I say, Prue, only ideas

[Boongie Pam]

I agree with dkmcd, I have a family that got a bit mixed up like this.

Like there are 2 "Heads" and 2 different generations being called "son" to one named head but really relating to 2 people.

As dkmcd says, George would be William's son.   As William is the oldest male in the house he may be thought to be the head by a confused enumerator even though mum is there?  The grandchild could also refer to William or another child of Elizabeth.

P

[PrueM]

Thank you both for your thoughts, I think you must be right, and that both George and James are the children of William, who in turn is the son of Elizabeth - and that we had one slightly confused enumerator   

Many thanks again
Prue

[dkmcad]

Hi Prue, 

Hope you get this sorted out one day.  Perhaps getting William's death certificate will confirm his wife and parents' names.  You can start from there and confirm his children.

Not sure if James is really William's son.  He could be the child of one of Elizabeth's daughters or other sons???

Anyway, good luck with this problem.  Please let us know what happens.

Dorothy