Thread: 'Daur - in - Law' but age 4?

I have a female on the 1851 census who is living with a family with a different surname. She is listed as Daur-in-law to the H of H but she is only 4 years old. On the 1861 census she is living with a different family but again is listed as Daughter-in-law but is now only 14.



Does this denote some sort of foster care - has anyone else come across this?



Thanks

Hi Glojo21,



I expect that it is meant to be neice. I have come across this quite a bit in my tree and I think it may be that people just didn't know what each relationship meant.

If you post her name and the census information, someone may be able to either confirm this or find another answer.

She is Agnes Ellen Chapman born 1847 in Suffolk - on 1851 census on Ancestry it has been transcribed as age 10 but the original image looks like a 4 (if you look at the other 4s the enumerator has written) and fits with her DOB. I wondered about niece but the second family she is with the H of H is in his 60s which seemed a bit old? Thanks for your help with this. Jo

Hi Jo,



I am wondering if it is meant to be step-daughter. Do you know if her mother was Maria?

Hi Jo,



I think I have it sorted. Agnes was the illegitimate daughter of Maria Chapman.



Marriages Sep 1849



Chapman Maria Newmarket 14167

Waters William Newmarket 14167

Maria re-married



Marriages Jun 1854



STARLING Martin Newmarket 3b791

WATERS Maria Newmarket 3b791

The 1851 census so others can see.



Name:Agnes E Chapman

Age:10

Estimated birth year:abt 1841

Relationaughter-in-law

Spouse's name:William

Gender:Female

Where born:Mildenhall, Suffolk, England

Civil parish:Newmarket All Saints

Ecclesiastical parish:Ely

Town:Newmarket

County/Island:Cambridgeshire

Country:England

Street Address:



Occupation:



Condition as to marriage:



William Waters 60

Maria Waters 33

Agnes E Chapman 10

William Waters 6 Mo



Her age does look like 4 to me

The 1861



Name:Agnes Ellen Chapman

Age:14

Estimated birth year:abt 1847

Relationaughter-in-law

Gender:Female

Where born:Mildevhall, Suffolk, England

[Mildenhall, Suffolk, England]

Civil parish:Newmarket All Saints

Ecclesiastical parish:Ely

Town:Newmarket

County/Island:Cambridgeshire

Country:England

Street Address:



Occupation:



Martin Starling66

Maria Starling43

Agnes Ellen Chapman14

Hi Jo,



Possible deaths for William Waters



Deaths Dec 1851

Waters William

Newmarket 1457



Deaths Jun 1853

Waters William

Newmarket 3b337



Deaths Sep 1853

Waters William

Newmarket 3b273