I have had people tell me some of the outrageous answers they gave on the census. Some saying they lived in a 2 room home with 9 children, or live in a 20 room home with 1 child, etc. and occupations that are clearly figments of their imagination. I let them know, as a family researcher, what I think of this. These people just don't think it's anyone's business what they have. Marg >From the Beautiful British Columbia Cariboo Region, Canada ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mary Benedict" <maryscribe@msn.com> To: <irl-dublin@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, August 26, 2012 11:51 AM Subject: Re: [IRL-DUBLIN] 1901 and 1911 Irish census question This might explain why some of my ancestors in the USA are in every census and others never show up in a census or don't show up until they marry. I found myself wondering if certain family members just never answered the door. > Date: Sun, 26 Aug 2012 19:43:36 +0100 > From: ovington1@sky.com > To: irl-dublin@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [IRL-DUBLIN] 1901 and 1911 Irish census question > > Hi again > > Whilst the Irish had their own added reasons for not wanting to comply > with the governments wishes its a widespread feeling across all Countries > > There was a deeply held mistrust of authority, its much the same today > > At a local level people did not want the neighbours to know, and higher > they were worried the government would use the data for some nefarious > means, so its little wonder we find so many discrepancies > > On the whole people gave the truth or somewhere near it, so our problem > is working out who told porkies and who didn't > > And yes the two finger salute is not dissimilar to a middle finger, we > have both :-) > > Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) >