Your Favourite Census Mistranscriptions!

[pinefamily]

From memory (dangerous) it was the 1901 that was done by prisoners, the 1911 outsourced to India. Problems with both, the prisoners weren't too co-operative and many of the India transcribers had English as second language.

That is the way I remember it too, Roger.
Virtually all Indians learn Hindi and English at school, as well as learning their own dialects at home. Of course, that doesn't mean they are fluent enough to be able to cope with English handwriting, and British place names!

[Redroger]

exactly that's  the main problem

[barmaid1971]

From memory (dangerous) it was the 1901 that was done by prisoners, the 1911 outsourced to India. Problems with both, the prisoners weren't too co-operative and many of the India transcribers had English as second language.

I can't blame them.  Having spent the best part of Saturday looking at late 17th/early 18th century BTs, I am of the view that a lot of the authors had english as a second language then!!!!!!

My best ones are:  Shuelby for THurlby, Chelsworth for Halesworth and Blaut for Plant...........

[sugarbakers]

4 yr old Alexander Smeathers lived with his parents and younger brother in High Street, Wellingborough, in 1841.

The wonderful Anc**y transcription shows him as ...

Mercedes Jameater

[jaybelnz]

 

[pinefamily]

4 yr old Alexander Smeathers lived with his parents and younger brother in High Street, Wellingborough, in 1841.

The wonderful Anc**y transcription shows him as ...

Mercedes Jameater

Sounds like a character from the Harry Potter series.

[Redroger]

From memory (dangerous) it was the 1901 that was done by prisoners, the 1911 outsourced to India. Problems with both, the prisoners weren't too co-operative and many of the India transcribers had English as second language.

I can't blame them.  Having spent the best part of Saturday looking at late 17th/early 18th century BTs, I am of the view that a lot of the authors had english as a second language then!!!!!!

Remember that there was no standardised spelling before the late 18th century (Dr. Johnson), so the recorder whoever they were could only write down what they heard. Remember that in his own will Shakespeare spelled his own name three different ways!

My best ones are:  Shuelby for THurlby, Chelsworth for Halesworth and Blaut for Plant...........

[Beeonthebay]

Not census but birth records.

I've just come across some parish register entries on FindMyPast where the child is transcribed as i.e.  Mary BASEBORN mother Elizabeth, no surname. 

[Beeonthebay]

And just came across Helsby, CHINA instead of Helsby, Cheshire on the 1901.