So when there are variations for given name, surname, or both, what clues can we use to build the case that it is the same person? It may be that there is a different name but the same address. Or perhaps you come across a very unusual name for one person which acts as a marker for that family - I can share some shining examples of wonderfully helpful names.
One more typical link between records is the occupation. Albert, his father, and grandfather have their jobs listed on census records, as well birth, marriage and death registrations for themselves and their children, although it is information included on the original documents and not visible in the name indexes.
An individual's occupation may vary over time but here we have a metal working theme which spans four generations across seventy years: Fender Maker, Machinist, Tool Maker, Toolmaker Journeyman, Engineer, Steel Turner, Turner, Iron Turner, Engineers Turner - Steel Tubes Manufacture, Iron Turner - Shipyard.
The chart below shows a thirty year period starting with the 1871 census and depicts records about Albert and his family members. We see surname variants, first name swaps and vital events which match up to explain who appears and disappears between census years.
