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telling lies about age on census 1850s

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ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Steven

Steven Report 8 Sep 2010 18:21

Why would anyone tell lies about thier age on a census.

Shirley~I,m getting the hang of it

Shirley~I,m getting the hang of it Report 8 Sep 2010 18:27

Well people often couldn't read or write so had no counting skills either so would get confused as to how old they were and often where they were actually born

Researching:
Surname Fahse. Germany. Essex .South East London My avatar is one of our wedding photos of 1957

Shirley~I,m getting the hang of it

Shirley~I,m getting the hang of it Report 8 Sep 2010 18:29

Sometimes if there was a big age gap between the spouses the older one would knock a few years off

Researching:
Surname Fahse. Germany. Essex .South East London My avatar is one of our wedding photos of 1957

~~~Secret Red ^^ Squirrel~~~ **007 1/2**

~~~Secret Red ^^ Squirrel~~~ **007 1/2** Report 8 Sep 2010 18:30

maybe the person writing the info misheard?

Steven

Steven Report 8 Sep 2010 18:34

Hmmmm, thanks for that.
I was just wondering if it might have been to avoid some sort of penalty, tax, or may be to avoid going to war or something.

Phyll

Phyll Report 8 Sep 2010 19:11

As I understood, up to 20 they put down 15 - 20, after 20 up to 25 and so on or have I been led up the 'gum tree'.

Researching:
Newman, Pavey, Sinden from Sussex. Latham from Bucks & Herts

Steven

Steven Report 8 Sep 2010 19:17

Aha, now that explains a lot.
Thank you

Christine

Christine Report 11 Sep 2010 16:47

Thanks KG I heard that ages were often 5 yrs out but didn't know why.If I 'm checking anything I always give 2yrs leeway & have found it useful.Chris.

Steven

Steven Report 16 Sep 2010 20:52

hmmm.