NOT FINDING SOMEONE IN UK CENSUS RECORDS -IRISH SENSE OF HUMOUR AND OTHER PUZZLES

The latest newsletter of the  Genealogical Society of the Northern Territory (GSNT), as  usual , contains  items of interest . One  asks if you have  ever wondered why you cannot find someone in the census records when you know they should  be there.  You spend a lot of time trying different ways to spell their name and cast  your searching net  wider, to  no avail.  One of the GSNT research team found  the following  entry in the Manchester Census for the Municipal Ward of St James

13,15 & 17 Lombard St

Patrick Farrell Lodger, aged 70, Drayman born Ireland

Alexander McInns Lodger aged 24, Hairdresser Scotland
Dan Ireland Lodger aged 92, General Labourer Ireland

James Williamson Lodger aged 23, Barber Hair, Ireland
Michael Pistol Lodger aged 24, General Labourer Ireland

John Gun Lodger aged 28, Blacksmith Ireland

Thomas Canon Lodger aged 74, Joiner Ireland
 

 Just a few entries down , same address
 

Thomas Cassell Lodger aged 28, Cotton Dryer Lancs Manchester

NK Lodger 32 Occupation NK Where Born NK  - there were 6 entries all with the same information, the penny must have dropped because written beside these entries is the word “about”... now what that means is a mystery.