Hello Geoff On the 1861 Census, my gt gt grandmother was listed as "Head" with two young children. The enumerator had very kindly written beside her name--"Supported by her husband who is employed on the Rail-India" ! I wondered if the enumerator had to give an explanation if a woman was the "Head" and with no husband mentioned. Regrettably my gt gt grandfather did not appear on any census, as in 1871, the enumerator wrote "absent husband" and by 1881 gt gt grandmother was described as a Widow, so he remains a mystery. Regards Pauline Sims