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Genealogy
Original poster

Why can't I find my GM on 1921 census? Any ideas?

29 replies

Cakepig · 07/01/2022 11:47

My GM was born 1910.

1911 census- Parents plus 5 children (Inc GM as a baby)
1922 electoral register, I see only the parents at the address, same for the subsequent years.
1939 register- my GM has married my GF and her mother lives with them.

All around the same area, tried different name variations, don't appear to have travelled overseas (though I may need to delve further when I'm on the laptop). Any other ideas to explore? Struggling to see where she was between 1911 and 1921, I can't see her parents either, though her elder siblings appear to have married and moved on.

OP posts:
Solasum · 07/01/2022 11:49

Could they have moved somewhere temporarily during the war?

Seeline · 07/01/2022 11:53

Strange she and her parents are missing from the 1921 census. How old would your GM have been then?

I suppose they could be living as a family and their surname recorded completely incorrectly? Where both her parents still alive?

Original poster
Cakepig · 07/01/2022 12:00

She would have been 10 nearly 11. Both parents alive. I've tried all variations of names, just the surname.

Yes they could have moved elsewhere, still struggling to find anything. I must be missing something!

OP posts:
Loonmanding · 07/01/2022 12:07

Have you tried wildcard characters.?

LIZS · 07/01/2022 12:08

It might be a transcription error or they may have moved short term.

Loonmanding · 07/01/2022 12:12

Have you taken the place out

SausagePourHomme · 07/01/2022 12:14

Have you searched on the address where you think they are?

Seeline · 07/01/2022 12:14

When you say they must have moved elsewhere - do you mean to a different country, or are you giving a location as one of the search fields?

Don't forget, the Census records people in the location they are in on the day of the Census, so if they were visiting family etc they could be recorded anywhere in the country.

WeatherwaxOn · 07/01/2022 12:17

I have the same issue with an entire family in 1911. Children born 1898 onwards.
The family are on the 1891, 1901 and 1921 census. Checked all known addresses, checked addresses for where children were born 1909 and 1912...complete blank. Wildcard searches don't find them.
Where the hell are they? Grandparents of the children (parents of the father) are on 1911 census. Checked all other know relatives too.

Original poster
Cakepig · 07/01/2022 12:40

I'm not sure if I'm dedicated or addicted I must force myself to break for a bit, I love it!

I will try address search next. I've removed the area/location, searched worldwide, tried the wildcard (thanks for that tip!). Nothing. There's links to Ireland, nothing there. Hmm!

OP posts:
Usernamenotallowed · 07/01/2022 13:11

Depending on how common the first name is it might be worth just searching with that and year of birth? I managed to find someone that way. Just took longer to check through all the entries.

Original poster
Cakepig · 07/01/2022 14:38

I found her!!! With her family. So pleased.

After trying all combos, I searched the first names including a * and birth date only, no surname. Complete error in the transcription from the scrolly handwriting....I can see how the read it wrong but my, I was imaging all sorts and turns out to be the most simple explanation. Thank you so much all!

OP posts:
Mia85 · 07/01/2022 15:25

I couldn't find mine due to transcription errors either. Is there any way of submitting corrections? The one's I have found have been very odd transcription errors e.g. Pancy instead of Nancy. They are all completely normal names so even if the writing is a bit tricky they should have been fairly obvious.

Original poster
Cakepig · 07/01/2022 17:39

Yes mine were really odd...Richelle instead of Philip? As well as the odd surname Confused
I purchased the image of the 1921 census on Find My Past. On the image there is a hazard type triangle icon to click and report...I used that to notify of the names, not sure if that's correct. I'd imagine the transcript would be better to report on but haven't purchased that.

OP posts:
Mia85 · 07/01/2022 18:01

I wonder whether it has partly been transcribed using some kind of computer programme because there didn't seem to be the sense check you'd expect from a person doing it.

AutumnAlmanack · 07/01/2022 18:10

My family has a very, very unusual French name. I went to look up my family and found absolutely nothing. Eventually, by submitting other information apart from surname, I found them! Transcribed totally incorrectly! I have submitted an error report so hope they put it right or nobody else will be able to find them.

WeatherwaxOn · 07/01/2022 23:29

Still searching mine on 1911. Nothing coming up for first name + year of birth for grandmother. I've searched for her first name + sister's name/ + father/ + mother all no surname and so far nothing. Wondering how badly transcribed it must be as I have only sifted through the records for the area I know they lived in.

TheHuntingoftheSnark · 07/01/2022 23:56

One of my relatives was a child in hospital and listed there rather than with her parents.

peridito · 08/01/2022 09:17

Yes ,lots of errors .The transcription for my grandmother gave her maiden name though image shows married name (quite different)clearly .

Article I just read points out that as census was in June ,many families were away from normal residence and on holiday .

UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 08/01/2022 18:36

No advice sadly but I am also finding a lot of my ancestors are "missing". Tried keeping the searches wide but no joy...seems like there are serious transcription issues with this one (usually Ancestry is the worst for these!)

ShowOfHands · 08/01/2022 18:42

Transcription errors are really common. My great grandad John/Jhon/Jon/J[blank] agrees with me from his barstool in the Horse and Troom.

I had lots of missing family members in one census. They were in the workhouse Sad

eejervis · 08/01/2022 19:51

I've been trying to find my gt grandmother on the 1901 and 1911 censuses for about 5 years now! I have tried countless ways. She wasn't brought up by her parents but don't know who did. Was delighted to see her in 1921!

NatashaBedwouldbenice · 09/01/2022 13:22

People are reporting a lot of transcription errors and some are suggesting that the transcribing was outsourced to countries where English is not a first language.

I can't help but think there was a great opportunity missed for volunteers to transcribe areas they are familiar with.

Snuggledupforwinter · 14/01/2022 19:50

I've looked up all my GPs and greatGPs and also DHs. I looked at the actual census pages and found them quite easily but 1 in 3 pages had misspelt names (or names not exactly matching birthcerts/baptismal names) and inaccurate ages so our ancestors (who all left school at 14) made some errors rather than any transcriber!

My aunts parents were having a work affair in 1921 (she was later divorced by her first husband and remarried) and so the reason we think they're both entirely missing from the census was an illicit night of passion!