Hi,

The spelling of names and age can differ from one census to the next, even the place of birth.

I checked out Thomas Costello in the 1881 census and from that information I found him in the 1871 census. Surname is spelt differently and place of birth is shown as Middlesex. Children John and Sarah are named and their ages fit with the information shown in 1881 census.

COSTELO, Thomas Head M 47 1824 Middlesex

COSTELO, Sarah Wife F 45 1826 Kent

COSTELO, George Son M 18 1853 Kent

COSTELO, Elizabeth Daughter F 12 1859 Kent

COSTELO, Charles Son M 10 1861 Kent

COSTELO, John Son M 3 1868 Kent

COSTELO, Sarah Daughter F 0 1871 Kent

Waggon Row, Maidstone, Kent.
RG number: RG10 Piece: 943 Folio: 97 Page: 33
Thomas occupation shown as Hawker.

On the 1891 census he is living with his son William, who is shown as the head of the household. Surname is spelt Costelo. Source Class: RG12; Piece: 689; Folio 78; Page 9; GSU roll: 6095799.

He appears in the 1901 census with his surname spelt Costello, living with his son John this time. Source Class: RG13; Piece: 767; Folio: 93; Page: 32.

I haven't looked at the earlier census. If you can't find the census I mentioned above, let me know and I'll help you.

Good Luck
Shellyb

Thank you Shelly b

Thomas was my great great grandfather. do you think Waggon Row was the place they put Hawkers or people from the same culture? It is all so interesting.

I don?t know if this ties up or not, but in the 1861 census I found at address:
Bonnys Yard, Maidstone, Kent.

Thomas COSTELO, Age 35. Born 1826 at Chelsea,Middlesex. Head working as Bricklayer Labourer, with his wife Mary aged 34 Born 1827 at East Malling Kent and children, all given surname as COSTELO:
Thomas aged 17 ? unmarried general labourer born 1844 at Maidstone, Kent.
William aged 11: a scholar born 1855 at Maidstone.
George aged 8: scholar born 1853 at Maidstone.
Henry aged 6: scholar born 1855 at Maidstone.
Elizabeth aged 2: born 1859 at Maidstone.
There is also a unmarried boarder aged 64: William Truepenny, a general labourer born 1797 at Loose, Kent.

Looks as if maybe Mary died and Thomas re-married.

Hope it proves useful.

Thanks for all your help

I think where I have gone wrong is the spelling of the name Costelo. I always put in 2 lls in the name as that's how I thought it ewas spelt. Yes, Sarah Thomas' second wife was Mary's sister. Mary did die.

It has filled a few gaps.

Kind regards

Nicolapank

As education was not so good then, spelling was fairly erratic.
Also due to the differing dates the census?s were taken, ages can appear misleading.

I am glad I found the correct one for 1861.

Hopefully you can find Thomas at 1851 and 41, good luck.

No, Thomas doesn't appear on any earlier census using either spelling for costelo. I cannot find out who his parents were either though I think they came from Ireland. All a mystery!