Has Anyone Every Come Across This Symbol on the 1891 Census?

[Suziewoozy22]

Hi,

Has anyone ever seen this square with four dots symbol on a census return before? This is for Turk's Row in Chelsea, and is a common lodging house. The way the inhabitants are listed is strange too, but not sure if that has anything to do with it.

Many thanks

[AlgarvePete]

I think it's to point out that head and wife are entered in wrong order.

[Andy J2022]

It's an asterisk * so the previous explanation by AlgarvePete makes complete sense.

[Suziewoozy22]

Thanks guys, I didn't read it as an asterix, but a square and 4 dots which I know is symbol for certain things (vinegar!) but if it is an asterix it makes perfect sense as you say.

[KGarrad]

It's not an asterix, it's a Reference Mark (※, Unicode 203B), generally used preceding an additional comment or supplemental information.

[Andy J2022]

Thanks, KG. Here's Wikipedia's take on the subject:
"The [reference mark] symbol was used historically to call attention to an important sentence or idea, such as a prologue or footnote. As an indicator of a note, the mark serves the exact same purpose as the asterisk in English."

[tellx]

Do the marks signify the second house within schedule number 158 ?

[KGarrad]

Do the marks signify the second house within schedule number 158 ?

That's indicated by a single slash (/) between households, and a double slash (//) between dwellings.

[tellx]

Do the marks signify the second house within schedule number 158 ?

That's indicated by a single slash (/) between households, and a double slash (//) between dwellings.

I can't see any separation between the two houses on that schedule number. In most (maybe all) of the 1881 census pages I have, anywhere there is a single slash to denote a new household there is a new schedule number.