Not on census - ways of finding them?!

[Spangle]

Is there a trick to finding someone on a census when you know they were alive in that year yet they do not show up under their name?

Of course there is no guarantee that I'd find the person, I know, as there could be numerous reasons why she is not on the records, but can I use a formula to try strange spellings or do I have to just think of as many varients as I can and just try and try til I get lucky?

I have searched for Antoinette Kohler on the 1891 census without success, so I have tried variations like Koller, Rohler, and goodness knows what else - is there an easier, quicker way?

[Neil Wilson]

I have heard of someone using wildcards on the searches like K**r.
Not sure if you have to put in a * for each letter though

[suedent]

RG12/34 ED 27 Folio 110 Page 12 Sched 60

Indexed as Antonette Hohler

I used Ant* born Margate 1871 +/- 2 years

[Geoffers]

The census page could have been lost or damaged over time and so she is not indexed.

The index may be poor making it hard to locate her.

She may not be recorded by her full name - just surname, or surname and initial, or even just initials.

She may have had another forename by which she is record in 1891

She may have been one of the several Ann/Anne/Annie KOHLER, COLER, etc, etc

I always start with the simplest search to see what that brings back; if there are too many hits, I add in detail maybe an age +/- 10 years, if too many hits I'd add a county of birth, etc.

How old was she and where was she born? (was she born Margate about 1870 If so, try Antonette Hohler, there's an entry in Kensington where this person is a dressmaker)

[Spangle]

Thank you all - Geoff and Suedent, I didn't think of Holer! And now I know to use asterisks to widen my search too.

Much appreciate. (And yes, Ms Holer sounds like my lady - she was, I believe, a dressmaker).
Thanks!

[suedent]

Sarah E Clark Serv S 23 Stock keeper Surrey Fulham
Mary A Powell Serv S 27 Dress Maker Middlesex Stanwell
Antonette Hohler Serv S 21 Dress Maker Margate, Kent
Florence S Griffin Serv S 21 Showroom Assistant Surrey Camberwell
Elizabeth Adams Serv S 31 Cook Domestic Kent Sandwich
Emily Shepherd Serv S 17 Housemaid Somerset Shurton
Annie Hamman Serv S 19 Housemaid Domestic Kent Greenwich
Emily Boyce Serv S 33 Housekeeper Domestic Surrey Wandsworth
41 Emperor's Gate, Kensington, London
RG12/34 ED 27 Folio 110 Page 12 Sched 60

The "H" is definitely iffy, could well be a "K"

[tony vines]

Sue

I think that you should record that as some kind of full answer response record! I am in awe. It takes me that long to get my brain in gear!

cheers

[Spangle]

Sue

I think that you should record that as some kind of full answer response record! I am in awe. It takes me that long to get my brain in gear!

cheers

Me too - if my brain chooses to work at all! Thank you!