Hanley family from Newcastle West, Limerick - conflicting census data
Hello,
A question re conflicting census data – on the 1901 census Michael Hanley (36) shows Ellen Hanley (35) as his wife with children John (5), Patrick (8), James (4) and Thomas (1) then Ellen’s sister Mary Donegan (50). Note that the summary page has the wrong age for Ellen Hanley on the 1901 census when compared with the actual Household Return (Form A) – 25 on the summary should be 35.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Limerick/Newcastle/Gortboy/1510696/
On the 1911 census, Michael Hanley (46) has crossed out “Wife” and substituted “Daughter-in-law” for Ellen Hanley (46). Beside Ellen’s name it shows she had six children with four surviving. Joseph (24) is not with this family on the 1901 census but can be found with his grandfather nearby in Gortboy, then John (16 agrees with 1901), Thomas (11 agrees with 1901) then sister-in-law Mary Donnogon (52) who was 50 on the 1901 census so a big age discrepancy and also a different spelling of her surname – odd if Michael filled out both census forms.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Limerick/Newcastle_Urban/Gortboy/639551/
I understand that these census forms were filled out by the head-of-household or whoever in the family could write. In both censuses, Michael states that he can read and write. Their ages from the 1901 census to the 1911 census are about right other than for Ellen’s sister Mary who is 50 and 52 on respective censuses. I am also aware that some ages were “adjusted” for the 1911 census to fit in with the pension age which came in in 1908 but this was not relevant for this family.
My question is, why would a husband show himself as a “Widower” and his wife as his “Daughter-in-law”? The handwriting for the corrections could be the same hand or might it be the enumerator, if so, why?
A second question re missing census data – Joseph Hanley (mentioned above) aged 14 can be found on the 1901 census on Roots Ireland in the household of Joseph Hanley aged 60, in Maiden Street, Newcastle West which according to Google maps is in Gortboy. The relationship is shown as “Nephew” but Michael Hanley’s father was named Joseph so it could be Joseph (the younger’s) grandfather as Michael Hanley’s brother Joseph died in 1883. Why would this data be available on Roots Ireland and not on the National Archives census website? I’f like to look at the Household Return for more information.
Thanks, Alan Denham
Australia