Census: Boarder

[Cupcake]

Two more questions for the group:

1. When a person is listed on the census (in this case 1891), as a "boarder" does that mean he/she lives with the family or only takes meals with the family?
2. My great grandmother is listed as "wife" but also listed as "Lodg." I assume this means lodger and by definition ~ a person who has separate accomodation to the householder. Which is confusing.

Any thoughts on these?

Bets

[MaryA]

My understanding is that as a boarder their rent also included meals. A lodger just had some space in the house, although depending on the accommodation it may not have been his own room, perhaps a shared room, or even a shared bed - just somewhere to lay his head.

[Cupcake]

What is interesting about "Lodg" is that it is the listing for my great grandmother in her own house. She is listed as "Wife" but also listed as "Lodg." I found another woman on the same page listed the same way. Perhaps it is the fault of the census taker or perhaps it means they were living there and did not have their own room, but shared a bed. It just so happens it was with their husband. How does that sound to you?

[MaryA]

No that doesn't sound right to me, can we take a look for ourselves, can you give us the details to check the census?

[Cupcake]

Home for lunch. My excel sheet doesn't transfer easily, but here are the details for the 1891 census where I found Harriet named as "Lodg" ttyl.

1891 England Census about Harriet Radley: Old Lane
Name DOB Place of Birth Relationship Occupation Civil Parish Ecclesiastical
John Radley 1852 (39) Garston, Lancashire Head Alkalai Laborer Ditton St. Michael’s
Harriet Radley Abt 1861 (30) Denbigh Wales
Maggie Radley 10 Ditton, Lancashire Daughter Scholar
Sarah 8 Ditton, Lancashire Daughter Scholar
Annie 6 Ditton, Lancashire Daughter Scholar
Edith 3 Ditton, Lancashire Daughter
John 10/12 (mo) Ditton, Lancashire Son
Joseph Radley 58 Ditton, Lancashire Boarder Blacksmith
Thomas Radley 26 Ditton, Lancashire Boarder Alkalai Laborer

[Bertieone]

Its in the occupation column, perhaps the enumerators code for housewife.

[Barbara B]

You just beat me to it, Bert. If you look at the original there are two other women with the same occupation so I think you're right, it relates to housework.
Barbara

[dickiesam]

That 'Lodg' note appears on several of the Ditton Census Summary Sheets in the same hand and appear to have been written in when the sheets were checked for errors and omissions by a 3rd party. The writing is not the same as that of the enumerator when he transferred the Household data to the Summary Sheet. 'Lodg' would not have been on the Household Return filled in by the head of household. One can only surmise at what the checker intended the notation to mean.

[Bertieone]

I haven't done a complete check through all the census returns, it appears that those ladies with 'lodg' in the occupation column next to their names, have a lodger or boarder in their household.

[dickiesam]

I haven't done a complete check through all the census returns, it appears that those ladies with 'lodg' in the occupation column next to their names, have a lodger or boarder in their household.

I wonder if there was some sort of local survey as to the number of households that had a lodger or boarder? Perhaps to find out if there was additional income going into the household?

[Cupcake]

I think the suggestion that the wife's occupation was to be in charge of any lodgers, seems reasonable. I also appreciate the lesson that you have to look closely at everything and in this case notice that the handwriting is different. Ultimately, I have to agree with DickieSam: One can only surmise at what the checker intended the notation to mean. Thanks to all who helped me through this one. Good night. Bets, across the pond where it is so bitterly cold that I'm glad to have a warm house with heat and electricity (see what thinking about your ancestors does!).