Hmm - Don't think this woman can add up

[Margaret in Burton]

1911 census. I was looking for a Harriet Burton. Finally found her as Mrs H Burton. She has signed as Harriet.

Her husband is not present, he wasn't in 1901 either although I have found the marriage in 1894

It states that she has been married 19 years and had 5 children, that is crossed out to read 4. It then says that 3 are still living and 2 are dead. On that census she has 9 children.

She has been married 17 years so is obviously covering for the fact the eldest was born out of wedlock and was on the 1901 census in her maiden name.

Obviously didn't understand the question.

Husband must have been around at some point to have all of those children

Here it is

[Merry]

Is that two different handwritings?

Maybe she had some children with her husband (four or five) and the rest are the milkman's? Hence husband left!

[Merry]

What has her landlord done with his wife in 1901? All looks a bit dodgy to me!! lol

[Margaret in Burton]

Originally Posted by Merry

Is that two different handwritings?

Maybe she had some children with her husband (four or five) and the rest are the milkman's? Hence husband left!

Could be. Maybe they vary a little.

Originally Posted by Merry

What has her landlord done with his wife in 1901? All looks a bit dodgy to me!! lol

I thought that.

[Margaret in Burton]

This is her signature.

The H for Harriet is the same as in Harry

[Olde Crone]

I agree, it looks like two different handwritings. The first looks quite childish writing.

I wonder if one of her children started to fill it in, then she realised she might have to answer their embarrassing questions about the sums, lol, and finished it herself?

OC

[Margaret in Burton]

Pure guesswork but I may have found her husband in 1911.

There is a Harry Burton (John Henry?) lodging with Andrew Moore and family in Bosworth Street, Measham, Leicestershire.
Measham is very close to Ashby de la Zouch.
I also found one of Harriets relatives yesterday in Bosworth Street, Measham.

Harry is 56, an engineer/ wheelright and was born in Manchester. He is also married.

RG14PN19056 RG78PN1140 RD404 SD1 ED4 SN184

[kiterunner]

The numbers of children are only for children "of the marriage", so I would guess that means the younger children weren't her husband's and therefore not included in the totals.

[Margaret in Burton]

Originally Posted by kiterunner

The numbers of children are only for children "of the marriage", so I would guess that means the younger children weren't her husband's and therefore not included in the totals.

Yes that had crossed my mind Kate

[samesizedfeet]

Unless........... she actually had 54 and the enumerator assumed she'd got it wrong and crossed out the 5