Occupation Opinion - 1861 Census - Dundee, Scotland

[ianhughscott]

I am trying to confirm a family on the 1861 census in Dundee. There are a couple of anomalies but perhaps some explanation can be offered.

One of the family members that fits is 13 years old. His occupation appears to be an Apprentice (Ap.) something or other.

Later in his life, if it is the same person, his occupation would always be listed as a "Wood Turner."

My biases say that the magnified text in the image is "Turner" for Apprentice Turner - but I'm seeking other opinions as well as to what the text reads.

Thanks so much!

[BumbleB]

Looks like "Turner" to me.

[ianhughscott]

Thanks Bumblebee!

The strange thing about this family is that the "head" is listed as the wife/mother and her husband does not appear - but I know he passed away 4 years AFTER the census.

Her place of birth matches, and there are several children that match - but also a couple of additions that I cannot find birth registrations for, that match the parent's names.

This person that is 13 matches though. If it is the correct family, he is my great-great grandfather

But I have seen what "jumping to conclusions" can also lead to. Big mistakes

[BumbleB]

As has been said many times - the census return is a snapshot of who was in residence at a particular time.  Perhaps father/husband was working away from home at the time, or there is also the possibility that he was "missed off" the return.  Keep your options open 

[ianhughscott]

Absolutely! I've discovered this previously - my grandfather was not at his normal residence, but was found on the census, at his uncle's residence in Belfast in one census

The big issue with this census is the additional 2 children that I can't find a birth registration for along with the father not being on it. Hence, trying to cover all the bases including the apprentice occupation of the 13 year old.

Thanks so much for your thoughts and encouragement!

[BumbleB]

The children you can't find registrations for - are they younger than the 13 year old?  I don't know anything about Scottish records, but could they be "adopted" although I see that official adoption wasn't introduced in Scotland until 1930, and birth registrations in 1855, so plenty of loopholes.

[ianhughscott]

Thanks for the interesting suggestion! Never even considered adoption - however, having some ideas of their family circumstances, I think adoption is a low possibility. But I absolutely will keep that in mind if I find nothing else!

[Ruskie]

Though I think it does look like "Turner", it might be useful to see other examples of these letters elsewhere on the page/census, eg another capital T.

It looks like 'sp' rather than 'ap', though 'ap' makes sense in this context.

[Treetotal]

I see Turner too.
Carol