The UK census provides plenty of information and sometimes some really vague interpretations to names. Exploring some of the branches can be pretty interesting and a recent one where the names were basically up for interpretation wasn’t from just one census, but nearly all of them between 1851 and 1911. I made sure I had the right people especially when the head of the household didn’t change.
A good example is Archelaus Odavies Durrant born in 1848 Bures, Suffolk, England born to William George Durrant and Charlotte. I will add several other family too as the spellings are interesting too. I always make sure I have the correct person and there are times when people return to old occupations. I wont add too much detail, but was an interesting search and basically from the Sudbury, Suffolk area throughout the entire period. I found the correct names through Births Deaths and Marriage records. Cant say I didnt enjoy the search and I would hate to be doing this in the days before the internet.
I am looking at someone who isnt in the main branch of my family tree, but someone who is off to the side when I was looking at someone in New Zealand and a step back I am in the UK. Archelaus had married Mary Anne Downey in 1875, who was my 3rd great grand aunt. Mary Anne's brother Harry Downey had immigrated to New Zealand.
1851
Archelles Durrant age 4
Eiija age 11 months male
Isarah age 8
1861
Erkles Durrant age 13 (Its Archelaus)
Eliza C Durrant age 11 Female (Was Elija 11 months)
Isiah G age 17
Frances S (Actually Selina Frances)
1871
Hercules (Archelaus) The clue that has helped is occupation of White Smith
Eliza
Isaiah Durrant
1881
Accelaus V. Durrant Occupation Carriage Viceman (coach)
Mary Ann Spouse
Percy T Durrant son (The name is actually Percy Ellison Durrant)
Wm E Clarke boarder
It does help that the household has the same boarder between 1881 and 1911
1891
Archelaua O Durrant
Mary A
Percy V E Durrant son
William Clark boarder / Brother in law
I wont add all the household
1901
Archalaous O Durrant Carriage Builder coach age 55
Olive M Durrant Grand daughter age 4
1911
Archalam Durrant though reading the actual census the writing is bad, but you can tell it is actually Archelaus age 66
May Durrant grand daughter age 14
Sources
The UK census between 1851 and 1911
