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Yarrgh!! Yes they did - and they said ( yes you've guessed it ) Mayo. I bet they really told the enumerators a long tale about  the hard life over the water  and the beauty of the hometown, gave a full family tree and history and opened a bottle. Next day enumerator wakes up and writes...... Mayo.

I have a wonderful picture in my mind.

As a cautionary tale - I have spent some hours searching for " The Public Benefit Book Company " in Birmingham - my grandfather was manager there in 1916. I had an earnest mental image of him helping to bring learning and enlightenment to the working class of the midlands. Back to earth with a bump as I find "The Public Benefit Boot Company" which fits far better with my knowledge of my grandfathers past as a bankrupt bootmaker.

It pays to rein in the imagination.

But thank you , it is a good idea  and I will search surrrounding census mates more closely again. Things often come to light on a second or third look.
Cheers
V

Hi there, yes it could be , I know they couldn't read or write so the census enumerator would have had to guess - time machine please!

Creeve is fairly sound tho!
cheers

Sorry - I am looking in Ireland. Trying to go back from 1870ish.
The English census has my gt grandfther John Moran from 1871 onward and he gave his father as John Moran  deceased when he married in 1875.
ohn Moran junior was on his own in 1871, lodging and only a humble iliterate labourer. No clues I'm afraid.
V

Thanks anyway chums - that was my last slim thread.
My grandad was born in 1878 and his older sister Florence Annie in 1876. Grandad died 1950 and all his siblings evaporated around 1901 , so no-one to ask.
Just a crying shame the Irish censuses didn't survive.

Ta to all V