Hi, Still trying to figure out an entry I came across in the 1881 census ; came across this one today - In Whitehaven a 53 year old widowed woman keeps a lodge. Next in the "household" is a 33 old married male "boarder". The next 2 appear to be husband and wife, John Carlton age 23 married "lodger" & Mary J. Carlton age 24 married "lodger". Next after Mary is Agnes Wilkinson "Mother in law", widowed and age 50. Then 2 more lodgers. Questions - 1. You don't suppose a 50 year old is mother in law to a 53 year old? I've always read relationship was to head of house ; but have seen enough returns to know quirks and eccentricities (of the enumerator) can creep in. 2. Is it just "change of pace" or is there a difference between "boarder" and "lodger". And please don't tell me I'm grasping at straws - I already know that. :>) David

David -- I would have figured the mother-in-law to have had that relationship to the head of household. I have seen a lot of 19th c. marriages with a discrepancy in ages between husband and wife where the mother-in-law could be the younger -- these are invariably situations where the husband is a generation older. One hates to rely on census data when it fits one's purpose and find enumerator errors when it doesn't, but this looks like a case to be suspicious. I guess that was no help. Strictly speaking a "boarder" takes meals outside his regular home. "Lodge" is sleeping quarters. Perhaps the head of household was only providing a bed and shelter and no meals for her lodgers. Perhaps it is enumerators choice of language. Tim ----- Original Message ----- From: <CDKnow@aol.com> To: <ENG-CUL-COPELAND-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 6:29 PM Subject: [CUL-COP] In Laws > Hi, > > Still trying to figure out an entry I came across in the 1881 census ; came > across this one today - > > In Whitehaven a 53 year old widowed woman keeps a lodge. Next in the > "household" is a 33 old married male "boarder". The next 2 appear to be > husband and wife, John Carlton age 23 married "lodger" & Mary J. Carlton age > 24 married "lodger". > > Next after Mary is Agnes Wilkinson "Mother in law", widowed and age 50. > > Then 2 more lodgers. > > Questions - > 1. You don't suppose a 50 year old is mother in law to a 53 year old? I've > always read relationship was to head of house ; but have seen enough returns > to know quirks and eccentricities (of the enumerator) can creep in. > > 2. Is it just "change of pace" or is there a difference between "boarder" and > "lodger". > > And please don't tell me I'm grasping at straws - I already know that. :>) > > David > > ______________________________

David, In your e-mail, you said "I've always read relationship was to head of house ; but have seen enough returns to know quirks and eccentricities (of the enumerator) can creep in." I agree. Also in the 1881 census, my great grandfather, John GOULDING, was identified as a boarder in the Workington home of William and Margaret MOFFAT (with William identified as the head). Later research revealed that Margaret Moffat was born Margaret Ann Goulding, John's sister! Roger ----- Original Message ----- From: <CDKnow@aol.com> To: <ENG-CUL-COPELAND-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 6:29 PM Subject: [CUL-COP] In Laws