Genealogy Chat

Is it possible for someone to be entered twice in the census? I'm looking for Harriet H/Alderson (sometimes the H is missed) born around 1835 in Shoreditch London. In the 61 census she is with her husband David Kimberley. Also another Harriet living with her father James Alderson but there is an M after her name indicating she is married. Also with them is a sister Eliza who is also married. The father James is a shoemaker by trade but on both Harriets and Elizas marriage certs he is a cabinet maker. I don't know if I have found two separate families with the same names or if the two daughters were visiting their father and Harriet has been entered once by him and again by Harriets husband David Kimberley. Any views would be welcome thankyou.
Carole x

Is this the census?



1861 England Census

Name:Harrel Alderson

Age:24

Estimated Birth Year:abt 1837

Relation:Daughter

Father's Name:James Alderson

Gender:Female

Where born:Shoreditch, Middlesex, England

Civil Parish:Shoreditch St Leonard
County/Island:Middlesex

Registration District:Shoreditch
Sub-registration District:St Leonard
ED, institution, or vessel:10


Household Schedule Number:124
Piece:233
Folio:53
Page Number:24

Household Members:

James Alderson 47
Harrel Alderson 24
James Alderson 22
Eliza Alderson 20
Mary Anne Alderson 15





1861 England Census

Name:H Kimberley

Age:25

Estimated Birth Year:abt 1836

Relation:Wife

Spouse's Name:D Kimberley

Gender:Female

Where born:Shoreditch, Middlesex, England

Civil Parish:Shoreditch St Leonard

Ecclesiastical parish:St Leonard

County/Island:Middlesex

Registration District:Shoreditch

Sub-registration District:Holywell

ED, institution, or vessel:4

Household Schedule Number:298
Piece:231
Folio:115
Page Number:50

Household Members:

D Kimberley 25
H Kimberley 25
E Kimberley 2
H Kimberley 1



Looking at the 1851 census, there appears to be two Harriet's with the same nam and birth place

Gins has probably worked out what has happened - 2 people with the same name.

As it happens, one of mine is entered twice - once on her parent's household, and once where she was employed as a Housemaid. Both were in the same area.

Yes, it is possible for a person to be entered twice - by mistake.

One of mine is entered with her siblings in her parents' household, and also as a visitor in her grandparents' household. Presumably she was spending the night of the census with her grandparents, but her parents entered her anyway, with the rest of their children.

Yes that is the two Harriets in the 61 census. The one with her father James is living on Turk Street. The marriage certs for both Harriet and Eliza mention Turk St for either the bride or the groom that's why it's so confusing as the other one is with David Kimberley who she married so maybe she was entered twice. I found two Harriets in 51 like Gin says so maybe there were two but can only find the one marriage. Also why would the father James be a shoemaker in the census but a cabinet maker on both marriage certs?
Thanks Carole x

I have at least two instances of relatives recorded twice in the same census year.....................

I found where a person is listed twice and they are actually on the same image.

A young child is listed with the parents but also as a visitor in the next household.

It is unlikely - to say the very least - that a cabinet maker would describe himself as a shoe maker.............or vice versa.

People took pride in their trades...................

I think you certainly have TWO Harriet Alderson's

1851 Census

Name: Harriot Alderson
[Harriet Alderson]
Age: 13
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1838
Relation: Daughter
Father's Name: James Alderson
Gender: F (Female)
Where born: Shoreditch, Middlesex, England

Civil Parish: Bethnal Green
Ecclesiastical parish: St Philip
County/Island: Middlesex
Country: England

Registration District: Bethnal Green
Sub-registration District: Hackney Road

James Alderson 35 b.ca 1816, Shoreditch, Middlesex, Shoe Maker
Harriot Alderson 13 Servant of all work
James Alderson 12 b.ca 1839, Bethnal Green, Middlesex, Scholar
Eliza Alderson 8 b.ca 1843, Bethnal Green, Scholar
Mary Ann Alderson 6 b.ca 1845, Bethnal Green

Address:- 15 Meat Street


same Harriet in 1841 ..............

1841 Census

Name: Harriet Alderson
Age: 5
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1836
Gender: Female
Where born: Middlesex, England

Civil Parish: Bethnal Green
Hundred: Ossulstone (Tower Division)
County/Island: Middlesex
Country: England

Registration District: Bethnal Green
Sub-registration District: Town

James Alderson 25 b.ca 1816, Middlesex, ?Shoe (very faint writing)
Ann Alderson 35 b.ca 1806, Middlesex
Harriet Alderson 5
James Alderson 3 b.ca 1838, Middlesex
Eliza Alderson 6 Mo b.ca 1840, Middlesex


and then also with James, Shoe Maker, in 1861




sylvia