Every census tells a story

[jc26red]

Nick!!! poor woman was 75, surely a genuine dressmaker by then 

There were genuine dressmakers too! you have to look at the whole household to see if they were genuine or not.

Besides, it was very likely her husband that bought in the disease as he was also in a poor state of health. 

[Rishile]

Does anyone know what the partial relief would have been for three people?  Would it be a liveable income?  I am guessing it wouldn't.

I am assuming it is 'partial' as it was spelt 'parshial' on the census.

Rishile

[CambsBurgess]

They probably meant relief money given to them from the parish I'm guessing.

[Alexander.]

Does anyone know what the partial relief would have been for three people?  Would it be a liveable income?  I am guessing it wouldn't.

I am assuming it is 'partial' as it was spelt 'parshial' on the census.

I would think they meant to write 'receives parochial relief' as I have seen that phrase on the censuses several times before. Basically, it was relief from the parish for paupers who still lived in their homes, rather than going to the workhouse. But I doubt it was enough to live comfortably on.

[bykerlads]

The talk of gelding or castrating animals has reminded me of 2 things:
- I remember being told by my father that pennine sheep farmers in the early 20thC always tried to retain at least 2 front teeth ( in the days when most folk lost all theirs to decay and desease) in order to be able to "casterate" lambs!!
- when I first started teaching in rural Leicestershire in the early 1970's, the teacher in charge of Rural Studies used to make the first lesson of the year a visit to the local farm at the time when animals were being gelded- " you just look there lads, that's what happens to the bad boys"!!