Two households in Coundon, County Durham

Explore the census entries for two households living in Coundon in County Durham in 1851. Compare their places of birth, their relations to the head of household and occupations by selecting the different features. Discover how to interpret this information and what the data can reveal.

	Thomas head married 46   joiner Durham, Cockfield Elizabeth wife married 48   Durham, Chapel in Weardale Thomas son unmarr 24   coalminer Durham, Chapel in Weardale John son unmarr 21   coalminer Durham, Cockfield Elizabeth dau unmarr 19   at home Durham, Cockfield Esther dau unmarr 17   at home Durham, Ramshaw Matthew son 14   work in coalmine Durham, Ramshaw Charles son 12   screen boy Durham, Coxhoe Joseph son 9   at home Durham, Coxhoe Mary Ann dau 6   at home Durham, Coxhoe Hannah son 4   at home Durham, Chilton Moses son 1   Durham, New Coundon
	Name and marital status The census reveals the Garthwaites as a 'nuclear' family, not an 'extended' family - it is a family of father, mother and children, rather than one where other relatives are living in same household. However, it's very different from the usual contemporary nuclear family because it comprises parents and ten children.
	Looking closer Large numbers of children being born to one couple was quite a common phenomenon in the 19th century, but high levels of infant mortality (especially babies and children dying before the age of one) meant that it was comparatively rare for a family to include so many living children. In the Garthwaites' case, the two eldest sons and the eldest daughter might soon be married, and so would probably be leaving the household. The census is recording the family it at its peak or maximum size.