Was he a prisoner

[seamoon24]

I am researching a branch of my tree with the family name Betteridge who lived in the Church Gresley or Swadlincote area of Derbyshire. William Betteridge b abt 1833 is recorded living with his father Thomas and his mother Mary nee Whitaker on the 1841 census. In the 1851 census he is recorded living in Orgill's Yard Measham with the Pickering family. The relationship to the head is "inmate" yet I can find nothing to suggest that the place was some kind of institution. Is there another explanation for using this term

[ShaunJ]

It's the archaic use of "inmate" to mean someone living under the same roof.

[shanreagh]

It's the archaic use of "inmate" to mean someone living under the same roof.

Maybe like a boarder (or 'private boarder' living in a town where his family does not live) noting that he is 18 and a tailor as is the son of the Pickering family.

[seamoon24]

Thanks everybody - I agree with the 'innocent' explanations as there is no evidence that the place was any kind of institution.

[Ayashi]

I read this thread as it was happening and its interesting that suddenly I have an 'inmate'!

It's a death certificate for a 40 year old woman. The informant is John BELL, inmate, of the same street. The family had a son called John, but he would have been 12 years old when his mother died. I'm assuming that even if he'd been older it would have been unusual to refer to himself as an inmate instead of son? More likely that this man was father or brother to her husband lodging with the family?

[seamoon24]

Thanks Ayashi - It may be more common than we thought. It just seems such an odd way to describe yourself. I would have thought lodger was more accurate.