This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: DocGraves Surnames: Classification: census Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.ireland.arm.general/9317.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: A boarder is a person who pays money or exchanges labor for food and lodging. In the census, they counted all individuals who lived under a roof, not concerning themselves, especially, with family connections, so boarders are shown as residing at the same address. During the depression, in the US, my grandfather, who was moderately well-to-do, by the standards of that era, would often take in short-term boarders in exchange for handyman work. As a result, the census shows many non-Purcells at his address. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.