Genealogy Chat

Does anyone know what this actually means on the census please? A whole family is described as having this - are they deaf and dumb??? Thank you for any ideas? Luv Lorr x x x

No idea. I have only found people listed as deaf and/or dumb. Possibly enumerator's way of saying they don't speak English, or have a speech impediment of some kind. nell

Cor, thats a new one - seems a bit too subtle and pc for back then - they normally call a spade a ********* shovel. Be interesting to know the answer. .

I would have thought if their language infirmity was caused by deafness, it would have stated they were deaf............ All I can think of would be if they had a cleft palate which makes clear speech difficult. Whilst I know this can sometimes be hereditary (I know a father and son with it), I would doubt everyone in a family might suffer? How many in the family?? Merry

have you tried looking for the same people on another census? Merry

There are a whole bunch of them - my Dad was deaf and it if his descendants.................his sisters and brother were all deaf too?? I wonder? Thanks for your ideas Luv Lorr x x x

As someone pointed out a while back, kids were so much more likely to catch illnesses then which would develop into deafness or other disabilities when today its usually merely a matter of a tablet or innoculation preventing that outcome. But a 'language infirmity' is so specific isnt it.

Here it is so you can see? SARAH JANE Female Event(s): Birth: Christening: 29 JAN 1860 Fovant, Wiltshire, England Death: Burial: Parents: Father: JAMES STACY Family Mother: ELIZA 1901 Census - Salisbury St Martin Alfred Dear Relation to Head of Family Condition as to Marriage Age Last Birthday Sex Head M 49 M Profession or Occupation Employment Status Where Born Gardener Domestic Worker Wilts Salisbury Language Infirmity Sarah Dear Relation to Head of Family Condition as to Marriage Age Last Birthday Sex Wife M 39 F Profession or Occupation Employment Status Where Born Undefined Wilts Fouant Language Infirmity Gertrude Dear Relation to Head of Family Condition as to Marriage Age Last Birthday Sex Daughter S 10 F Profession or Occupation Employment Status Where Born Undefined Wilts Bishopton Language Infirmity Frank Dear Relation to Head of Family Condition as to Marriage Age Last Birthday Sex Son S 7 M Profession or Occupation Employment Status Where Born Undefined Wilts Salisbury Language Infirmity Elsie Dear Relation to Head of Family Condition as to Marriage Age Last Birthday Sex Daughter S 4 F Profession or Occupation Employment Status Where Born Undefined Wilts Salisbury Language Infirmity Florie Dean Relation to Head of Family Condition as to Marriage Age Last Birthday Sex Daughter S 3 F Profession or Occupation Employment Status Where Born Undefined Wilts Salisbury Language Infirmity Stanley Dean Relation to Head of Family Condition as to Marriage Age Last Birthday Sex Son S 1 M Profession or Occupation Employment Status Where Born Undefined Wilts Salisbury Language Infirmity

Stop me if you think this is daft? It couldn't be a place could it? Salisbury language infirmity???? No probably not?? Just a thought Luv Lorr x x x

Yes I'd overlooked that - as though it might well be a physical affliction - like a cleft palate?? Luv Lorr x x x

Where did you get this information from? I have just viewed the 1901 image on ancestry and nowhere does it say Language Infirmity for any of them. The end box for disabilities is left blank in every case. If you want to see the images for yourself (it goes over two pages), pm me your email addy and I'll send them to you. Liz

It's a mystery alright.......nothing in that end column?????? Merry

Thank you Liz - looks like I'm on a wild goose chase..... You're very kind for looking!!! AND I'm dumb!!!! Thanks Luv Lorr x x x

I've just had a look at the image. A block of people above have a mark in the disability column. I'd guess it's a reckoning mark of some kind, but could be a ''1''. At the head of the column it says that (1) would denote Deaf & Dumb. Do you think the transcriber has just got trigger-happy and marked everyone on the page as (1)? Christine

Just adding to the thread as I have some Dears in Salisbury. Need to check up when I get home if there is a connection.

Looking at the transcription Lorr has provided above, it would appear that whoever transcribed the image has included the heading of every single column for each individual, the last column being 'Language/ Infirmity'. Liz

Thank you all for your time and effort - and thanks Liz for the census forms..... You are all stars! Luv Lorr x x x

Yes, Liz, I think your explanation is better. I did vaguely notice that, but charged on with looking at the image anyway! Christine

I've just e-mailed a thank you to Liz and said to her that it's been ages since I added to Genes - been a member since March 2004. I've been on a bit of a personal mission - on-going I'd forgotten just how kind you all are! Thanks again Luv Lorr x x x

What a kind thing to say Lorraine. People are happy to help members like you. So what is your next query? LOL