1841 Census 'born in county N then I'

[plasticwindow]

 On 'Scotland's People' I have found the census for my husband's ancestors the Macdonald family - George and his mother (Charlotte née Mayfield) and siblings - living at Back Street, Fraserburgh. They were all born 'out of county' so I understand the N means this but in the following column there is the code I or 1 - it is just a slash so could be the number or the letter. I can't find a translation does anyone know what it means? The column head says 'whether foreign born or born in England or Ireland' so I would like to know what the code means. Thanks

[maryd]

Could it be 'Ireland'...have seen similar on Cumberland census for 1841.
maryd

[fifer1947]

If this is 1841 it could also be Inverness - some of the census enumerators got it wrong too. 

[Gadget]

Hi

I've just had a look at the page(s) and I have an alternative explanation ~

I think that they are very neat tally marks for those not born county.  If you notice that all six members of  the Macdonald family have this in the last column and at the bottom of the column is the total = 6 . On the next page there are two households with four not born county and all of them have the mark in the last column and 4 is entered at the bottom. All others on the two pages are born county.

This pattern continues throughout the book.


Gadget

[fifer1947]

Now that is a logical explanation! 

[plasticwindow]

It certainly is and makes most sense, the Inverness idea appeals as I think some of them were born there but the mother I know for a fact was born in Guernsey so the idea that the slashes are tally marks works. Thank you all!