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Can someone please tell me if the USA do a census similar to ours in England.I am trying to trace a Martin Morrison who sailed from Liverpool on the Saxonia to Boston in 1908.Also his wife Nora who sailed on the same boat to Boston in 1909.Thank you.

Yes, the only difference is that the US census is for the years ending in 0 instead of 1 as in UK. US census goes up to 1940 online.

Thank you Margee.

I don't see Martin's 1908 voyage, but here's Nora for our reference.
When was she born? And where?:


UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960 about Nora Morrison
Name: Nora Morrison
Gender: Female
Departure Date: 21 Sep 1909
Port of Departure: Liverpool, England
Destination Port: Boston, USA
Ship Name: Saxonia
Search Ship Database: Search the 'Saxonia' in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database
Shipping line: Cunard Line
Official Number: 110648
Master: J T W Charles

Could this be Martin returning? What were his nationality, and age?
This one's Swedish, and a longshoreman:

UK, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960 about Martin Morrison
Name: Martin Morrison
Birth Date: abt 1880
Age: 29
Port of Departure: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Arrival Date: 22 Jul 1909
Port of Arrival: Liverpool, England and Queenstown, Ireland
Ports of Voyage: Boston
Ship Name: Saxonia
Search Ship Database: View the 'Saxonia' in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database
Shipping line: Cunard Steamship Company Ltd
Official Number: 110648


This one's a farm labourer, heading to Boston:

UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960 about Martin Morrison
Name: Martin Morrison
Gender: Male
Age: 35
Birth Date: abt 1877
Departure Date: 28 May 1912
Port of Departure: Liverpool, England
Destination Port: Boston, USA
Ship Name: Franconia
Search Ship Database: Search the 'Franconia' in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database
Shipping line: Cunard Line
Official Number: 131315
Master: Chas A Smith

Passenger Lists leaving UK 1890-1960 Transcription
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First name(s) MARTIN
Last name MORRISON
Gender Male
Age ADULT
Marital status S
Occupation LABR
Departure year 1908
Departure day 5
Departure month 10
Departure port LIVERPOOL
Destination port BOSTON
Destination BOSTON
Country United States
Destination country United States
Ship name SAXONIA
Ship official number 118648
Ship master's first name E H
Ship master's last name PENTECOST
Shipping line CUNARD
City LIVERPOOL
Ship destination port BOSTON
Ship destination country USA
Ship square feet 25241
Ship registered tonnage 9100
Number of passengers 796
Record set Passenger Lists leaving UK 1890-1960
Category Travel & migration
Record collection Passenger lists
Collections from Australasia, Great Britain, Ireland, United States

The only Nora or Martin Morrisons I can see in US censuses on Ancestry were born in US, Ireland, Norway, or Canada, and not knowing their ages doesn't help.

For Nora I have 1865 Ireland (nee Butler) and Martin 1874 Ireland.

I'm afraid I still don't see them in US (or any) censuses after 1909.

Thank you Argy just checked there marriage cert.according ti that Martin born in 1870 and Nora born 1874.Could I just ask you if the census shows any children?

That Nora Morrison who arrived in 1909 was with Richard Morrison. They seem to be siblings as both give name of their mother as Mrs. Morrison.

Thank you Margee I got their birthdates mixed up because of the 1901 Nora Butler is living in Manchester and that gives her birthdate as 1865.But on her marriage cert it says 1873 I know she is the same person because both addresses are the same.Do not think we can go any further.Thanks again for your help.

Are you sure they went to the US, Louise?

They don't seem to be in the UK in 1911, but if that 1909 travel record for Nora is the wrong one, and unless there are any more identifying details on the record for Martin which safc posted, there doesn't seem to be any clear evidence that they went there.

on both passenger list they both state they are single


Passenger Lists leaving UK 1890-1960 Transcription
Print individual transcription View image
First name(s) NORA
Last name MORRISON
Gender Female
Age ADULT
Marital status S
Occupation SHOP ASST
Departure year 1909
Departure day 21
Departure month 9
Departure port LIVERPOOL
Destination port BOSTON
Destination BOSTON
Country United States
Destination country United States
Ship name SAXONIA
Ship official number 110648
Ship master's first name J J W
Ship master's last name CHARLES
Shipping line CUNARD
City LIVERPOOL
Ship destination port BOSTON
Ship destination country USA
Ship square feet 31041
Ship registered tonnage 9100
Number of passengers 1218
Record set Passenger Lists leaving UK 1890-1960
Category Travel & migration
Record collection Passenger lists
Collections from Australasia, Great Britain, Ireland, United States

I mght have it all wrong then.I have got my Grandfathers marriage cert.dated 1925.Patrick Morrison aged 22 to Ivy Irene Rylance aged 21 his father listed as Martin Morrison-floor layer.I have been led to believe Martin may have come over from Ireland.I can not find any connection between a Martin and Patrick Morrison.The only marriage I could find for a Martin was to Nora (also my mothers name)Butler in 1902,all these events around Manchester.Then I found a Nora had travelled to USA but looks like I may be wrong.

If the Nora and Martin who married in Manchester are the right ones, and as Patrick and Ivy married in Manchester, do you know if Patrick was born in Manchester?

The only one I can see is this, which would make his age at marriage slightly out:

Births Dec 1904 (>99%)
Morrison Patrick Manchester 8d 265

But it may be some other Patrick.
I can't see any Patrick Morrison in 1911 with a parent named either Nora or Martin.

So either they somehow slipped through the UK census net, or the whole family had indeed left the country - but if so, Patrick at least obviously returned before 1925.

I sent for the 1904 also a 1907 birth certificates but GRO e-mailed me to say details did not match.Being adopted and not having much info to go on makes it very hard.