Hi Frank The way the census was taken here was very different to the USA Here in the UK the enumerator left a form (a schedule) with the household a few days before the appointed census day The schedule was filled in by the head of household or whowever he got to do it for him/her The enumerator then collected after the census day and transcribed those household schedules onto the pages we see online today, the schedules were then destroyed So it was not a matter of telling the enumerator on the spur of the moment, it would have to be a premeditated decision, but frankly I very much doubt there were many cute enough to even think of manipulating ages The old age pension came in here in 1908 but there were many exclusions, as I very much doubt people would have been aware of its coming much in advance its unlikely they would have had the nowse to juggle ages in the previous census It is far more likely it was due to ignorance (they didn't know how old they were or could not be bothered to ask) or vanity (entering a younger or older age to suit circumstances) or a mistake in transcription by the enumerator Finding different ages in the various census is nothing unusual, most entered something fairly close but some were out by a fair margin Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) > Hello Listers, > While searching through sequential census I've noticed, among other things, some significant > discrepancies in persons ages between the ten year census periods. I suppose for some people > there was less importance attached to remembering precise dates in those earlier years, and may > they have only thought about it when the census man called. I understand it was once thought > that some family Heads intentionally advanced their age so as to qualify earlier for the newly > introduced pension. It sounds like a cute plan but I would doubt that the authorities , even in > the mid 19th century, would let that pass unquestioned. One of my families in fact showed that > either the census taker, or the family Heads , had added ten more years to their previously > established age. There are probably a good many theories (and stories) about census errors, > discrepancies, and I would be most interested to read comments from Listers on this subject. I > hope I’m not re-introducing an already much discussed subject. > Thank you. > Frank, MANITOBA