Samways, Margaret and Family

Census of Ireland 1901

Household Return (Form A)

In 1901 a Margaret Samways(60), a farmer and widow was head of the household. She was living with her two son, Henry(25) and Martin (17) in the townland of Cregboy. All were all were born in County Galway and were Roman Catholic. Henry and Martin were both Agricultural Labourer’s and both were single. Margaret cannot read or write but spoke both Irish and English. Henry and Martin can read, write and spoke both Irish and English as well.

Enumerator’s abstract (Form N)

The Samways family are the only family living in the house, there were two males and one female and all are of the Roman Catholic faith.

House and Building Return (Form B1) & Out-Offices and Farm-Steadings Return (Form B2)

Margaret owns the land that she and her family live on. The house which was 3^rd class was a stone or brick cottage with a thatched roof it had only 1 front windows and it had 1 room occupied. On the farm there was only one building, a fowl house.

The 1901 Irish Census took place the night of Sunday, March 31^st. The returns were filled out by local constable John Reilly the enumerator, as Margaret could not write. Form A was signed by Margaret with an ‘X’ for her mark and witnessed as a truthful return by the Constable. The returns were collected on April 4^th.

Census of Ireland 1911

Household Return (Form A)

In 1911 Margaret is now 72 years. There are three new columns in the 1911 census, ‘Years Married’, ‘Children Born’ and ‘Children Living’. Margaret a widow, did not fill out these columns. It states ‘married’ on the questions and as she was widowed, it was not recorded. Since 1901, Henry no longer lives at the house. Martin(25) was a ‘Farmer’s Son’ and was ‘Single’. He most likely worked on the farm for his mother. Also since 1901 Margaret learned to read.

Enumerator’s abstract (Form N)

The Samways family were the only family living in the house, there was only one male and one female and all were of the Roman Catholic faith.

House and Building Return (Form B1) & Out-Offices and Farm-Steadings Return (Form B2)

The house was the existing stone, or brick thatched cottage with now two front windows. There was still only one out house but it was now a piggery.

The 1911 Irish Census took place the night of Sunday, April 2nd and the forms were filled out by Michael as noted by his signature. The return was witnessed and collected by local constable Thomas Fitzgerald on April 8th.