Genealogy Chat

Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

Welcome to the Genes Reunited community boards!

  • The Genes Reunited community is made up of millions of people with similar interests. Discover your family history and make life long friends along the way.
  • You will find a close knit but welcoming group of keen genealogists all prepared to offer advice and help to new members.
  • And it's not all serious business. The boards are often a place to relax and be entertained by all kinds of subjects.
  • The Genes community will go out of their way to help you, so don’t be shy about asking for help.

Boards

Quick Search

Single word search

Tools

Findmypast DNA Banner

Icons

  • New posts
  • No new posts
  • Thread closed
  • Stickied, new posts
  • Stickied, no new posts

Can anyone explain?

Login to Add Reply Watch This
ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Caroline

Caroline Report 22 Mar 2006 21:01

I am really confused, I have just received a copy of the 1841 census from a very kind member that looked uo the info for me but it has added to my confusion. I have 3 brothers all with the same surname, and they are living with what looks like another family but they are listed as 'son in Law'. These boys are only 11, 9 and 5 so they can't be married to the 'head' of the families daughter. What might this mean? Am I missing something? Cannot find any reference to their parents. I am still quite a newbie to this and I think I may be lacking some basic knowledge.Please advise! Thanks Caroline

Jess Bow Bag

Jess Bow Bag Report 22 Mar 2006 21:03

it means something slightly different then legally our son ( son-in-terms of the law) maybe their mother remarried , or they are actually someone elses children they they have taken on. where is your particular example?

Heather

Heather Report 22 Mar 2006 21:04

Step son

Perranmaid

Perranmaid Report 22 Mar 2006 21:04

They were probably step children of head of house was the wife a widow??? when she married him.

Caroline

Caroline Report 22 Mar 2006 21:04

So possibly adoption then?

Chris in Sussex

Chris in Sussex Report 22 Mar 2006 21:05

Caroline Sons of the wife to the Head of the house. Wife had been previously married. Chris

Researching:
Avatar...My darling Dad. 1931-2019 'Take nothing on its looks, take everything on evidence. There is no better rule' Charles Dickens, Great Expectations. 'A brickwall is a problem that you haven't solved yet' Dave Annal http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/brick-walls-and-lost-ancestors/

Vicky

Vicky Report 22 Mar 2006 21:05

not a formal adoption - no such thing then. is this definitely 1841 - relationships weren't usually shown then

Christine

Christine Report 22 Mar 2006 21:05

I think it may mean 'stepson' - sure I read that somewhere.

Fred (“\(*-*)/”)

Fred (“\(*-*)/”) Report 22 Mar 2006 21:05

in-law could also mean step ie son in law = step son

Caroline

Caroline Report 22 Mar 2006 21:05

I see, makes sense now. Going to have to dig further then. Thank you all so much! Caroline

Heather

Heather Report 22 Mar 2006 21:06

A foster child would be called a nurse child (another one for your notes!). Status is always in relation to the head, so should be the children of the wifes previous marriage

Caroline

Caroline Report 22 Mar 2006 21:08

Jess the example is in the 1841 census, Samuel Blackwell living in Wolverhampton with the Westwoods. He was born in Belper Derbyshire

Cath

Cath Report 22 Mar 2006 21:09

Caroline how did you get son-in-law? The 1841 doesn't show relationships just names, ages, occupations and where born (in or out of county) Cath

Caroline

Caroline Report 22 Mar 2006 21:12

Cath, I was going on the info from the 1851 census that states them as 'son in Law' but on further examination the 'wifes' birth place is Belper so I think you all correct, she must have been married previously> I really have got a lot to learn in all this!

Cornish

Cornish Report 22 Mar 2006 21:38

I had the same problem with one of my relations. The census called them sons and daughters in law which had me perplexed I can tell you. I found out they were children from the wife's former marriage. Dont blame you for getting confused, I certainly was, lol. Now Ive just got to track down whether the husband died or whether they divorced... ah well... Good luck with your tree, Bex

Caroline

Caroline Report 22 Mar 2006 21:43

I think the problem is I have started this with absolutely no idea what I am doing. I literally trawl through pages of info most of which I don't know what I am looking at. I am really enjoying it but get very frustrated when I hit something like this. Still this is the only way to learn and of course everyone on here is so helpful. Given time though I may just get to grips with it!