Where was my Grt Grandfather on census night, 1911?

[Richard Swaffield]

Hi,
I have been researching my family history for many years and have uncovered lots of interesting information. However, one question still remains un-answered. When the census of 1911 was taken, My grt grandfather, William Swaffield did not appear on the record with his wife and children at their home address. I can also not find him at any other address in the census records. In the record - below, Mabel is listed as his wife, rather than her being HO so that I believe suggests that he would normally have been there (and I know they weren't divorced). If he was out of the house, but not in any other place where he would have been enumerated, i.e in the pub - should he have been listed as the head? What if he was in a police cell, workhouse or other such place - could this be the reason? William was born in Bristol in c1857 but i can't find him anywhere. Any suggestions?

Name:   Mable Swaffield
Age in 1911:   43
Estimated birth year:   abt 1868
Relation to Head:   Wife
Gender:   Female
Birth Place:   Ross
Civil Parish:   Deptford St Paul
Search Photos:   Search for 'Deptford St Paul' in the UK City, Town and Village Photos collection
County/Island:   London
Country:   England
Street address:   34 Brocklehurst St, New Cross S E
Marital status:   Married
Estimated Marriage Year:   1886

[stanmapstone]

It does not matter where he was if he was in the country he should have been enumerated.

Stan

[rosie99]

What was his occupation

[Richard Swaffield]

He was either a cheesemonger's assistant or provisions merchant.

[bearkat]

There's a Walter Swaffield aged 52, living with the Charrington family in Wandsworth in 1911.  He's a provision assistant, born Bristol.

Can anyone find him in an earlier census??

[Richard Swaffield]

Thank you, but that's not him. I have been checking the voter registers and it looks like William was on the list for 1911, with an address of 10 Taybridge Road. This is not where his wife and children were living when the census was taken. in 1901, they were all at Marmion Road, just around the corner to Taybridge Road. In the 1911 census, I can't find any records for 10 Taybridge road, although all other numbers seem to have been enumerated. Very strange.

[stanmapstone]

10 and 12 Taybridge Road are shown as unhinhabited in the 1911 England Census Summary Books

Stan

[softly softly]

I would not rule out this Walter Swaffied in 1911. William did have a brother Walter James born 1856. A very comprehensive tree on Anc* ( lisa071573) has him going to Canada in 1879 and marrying in 1881 in Nova Scotia. It shows he had lots of children and very comprehensive whereabouts until his death in 1950. Whilst the details do not appear correct I do not believe this to be the same Walter.

John

[softly softly]

Just to add that Williams brother Walter was a Methodist minister from at least 1910 onwards in the US so how is he then single and a provisions assistant in 1911??

John

Edit: added Walter was a minister from at least 1881 onwards as per 1881 canada census. Made several trips to the uk but always listed as a minister and normally accompanied by his wife.