Why?

[Kit]

I have just found my 4g aunt and her husband on the 1861 census. They are living separately and both say they are widow/ers.

On the 1871 census they are living together again and have family living with them.

I can understand not living together if they have work and financial issues, but why say the other is dead?

[kiterunner]

Maybe they were separated then got back together again?

[Val in Oz]

I had a couple like that Kit, and like Kiterunner says - mine did get back together again.

But, like you, I couldn't understand why they said the other person was dead...most confusing!

[Kit]

Kate I get separating but was it a taboo thing? Otherwise why say the other was dead?

[Margaret in Burton]

Are you sure it's a W for widowed and not an M for married?

I thought my great grandparents had said the same in 1901 but on closer inspection it was an M not a W.

[Kit]

Margaret it isn't a M or W but the words, so that didn't work either. I did like that until I double checked.

[kiterunner]

My 2xg-grandmother put herself down as widow on the 1891 census although her husband was living a few doors down from her. Yes, I would think it was much more acceptable to say you were widowed than to say you were separated.

[Kit]

ok thanks Kate.

It would also suggest that they were separated rather than living apart due to him finding work away from home, as that would be acceptable.