Tidewaiters wife

[helly]

Hi
Does anyone have any idea where a tidewaiter might have been recorded in the 1851 census if he was at work in the London docks on the census night?

In the 1851 census my 3x gt grandmother Johanna Carroll  is recorded as a Tidewaiters wife (customs) (HO107 1552) and as Head of the household but I can't find her husband John Carroll (born Ireland 1820) anywhere ?

Unlike being in the Navy he would not be registered on board a boat so I'm not sure where to look.

Interestingly Judith Gallagher (sponsor of one of their children's baptism) is also recorded as 'Wife of a Tide Waiter (customs)'  - where was her hubby too ?? (HO 107 1553)

Have looked at all the leads I found on the other tidewaiters thread but I'm now stuck !

Any thoughts please,

Helly

[Christopher]

Hello Helly,

I wonder if the forms were completed by one of the children in the household rather than an adult. Maybe the adults were illiterate and the children could read and write. In Johanna's case I wonder if John was still living ... why was she shown as Head of the household? Wife may have been entered by mistake. www.censusuk.co.uk/history.htm

Christopher

[andycand]

Hi Helly
Perhaps he was onboard a ship. My understanding is that Tide Waiters boarded ships arriving in port to ensure they docked where they were supposed to and didn't sneak cargo off somewhere . Presumably there are census records of sailors in ports or in the river waiting to dock.

He's definately somewhere as he is in the 1861 census, still an Officer of Customs

Andy

[Christopher]

That rules out my theory about him being dead but doesn't explain why his wife was shown as Head of the household. I can't see a Tidewaiter being tied to his wife's apron strings

[andycand]

Hi

but doesn't explain why his wife was shown as Head of the household. I can't see a Tidewaiter being tied to his wife's apron strings

I suppose it depends upon his work pattern. It may well have been several days on and off which would mean that his wife was head whilst he was away.

Andy

[Christopher]

An excellent idea, Andy.

It makes a lot of sense.

Christopher