When reading a government census record from any year, you should always keep in mind the number of chances for errors to creep in. 1. The household sheets were filled out by one person who might or might not know the correct information. Often the only person in the family who could read/write was a child. If no one in the household could read/write then the sheet would be filled out by someone outside the household. The handwriting was usually poor. 2. The Enumerator took the sheets and transferred the information to his book. While he was better educated and usually has better handwriting (practice makes perfect), he copies what he sees or (as we do) what he can decipher. 3. We, or a transcriber, look at the image and try to decipher what was written. Poor ink quality can often make this process very frustrating. Prior to our modern age, people were seldom concerned with their age. No one ever asked them "How old are you?" or "When were you born?". It had no relevance in their lives. In Scotland, the important information was "Where were you born?" as that allowed parishes to know where to send the bill for your poor relief if needed. -- Jo-Ann Croft