Here are some interesting details that were discovered during the process of indexing the British 1881 Census:

* The wife, mother, and daughter of James Christmas were all named Mary Christmas.

* Frank Guest was listed as a visitor.

* Harriet Goodhand was listed as a domestic servant.

* The families of William Lovegrove, Henry Dearlove, and William Darling all lived on the same block in Oxfordshire.

* A woman named Rose married Robert Garden.

* Emma Boatwright married a seaman.

* Mr. Thorn lived in Rose Cottage.

* Robert Speed, a bus driver and post runner.

* Robert Robb, a detective officer.

* Phoebe Brain, a scholar.

* One woman's birthplace was listed as "in stage coach between Nottingham and Derby."

* John Pounder, a blacksmith.

* William Scales, a piano maker.

* Herman Hamberger, born in Greece.

* Curious occupations: dirt refiner, hoveller, moleskin saver, piano puncher, sparable cutter, spittle maker, tingle maker, and whim driver.

* Twin four-year-old's named Peter the Great and William the Conqueror.

* Brothers named Seaman and Landsman.

* The occupation of three daughters was entered as "They toil not, neither do they spin."

~ Found in the Ensign magazine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, March 1996, p. 58. ~

... the word "inmate" in old papers may refer to a person living in the home of another person, not necessarily an institution?

... "Freeman" is a designation once used to mean an unmarried man.

... "Domestic" once meant a housewife, not necessarily a servant.

... "Housekeeper" would mean a property owner, male or female.

... "Mrs." or "Mistress" with a woman's name usually meant she was a wealthy woman, and that was the proper way to address her.

... "Mr." or "Mister" was used only for a man of wealth, or one who was educated. A retired man might have been referred to as a gentleman.