Genealogy Chat

I have a young girl of 12 visiting one of my families described as sister-in-law. She has a different surname to the head of the family and she doesn't share the wifes maiden name. Im trying to work out how she is related. Does sister-in-law mean she is the wifes sister? Carole xx

In older censuses such descriptions are often a bit lax. I've a similar example where the relationship is actually sister-in-law to a sister-in-law (John Smith marries Mary Jones, Mary Jones's brother Peter Jones marries Anne Williams, Anne Williams has a younger sister Elizabeth Williams. So John and Mary Smith also have Elizabeth Williams visiting, called a sister-in-law, but she does not even have the same (maiden) surname as Mary). However this does probably indicate a relation, so it may be worth following up.

it may be a daughter of a second marraige (the head of the house you have found being a son of the first) - just another possibilty Jess *overlapped

Stephen I thought it may be something like that! I've found her family living close by and from my deductions she seems to be a granddaughter,unles her mother had kids well into her fifties! Carole

For future ref, also dau/son-in-law often used to describe step-children!! Sarah

Could she not be the wife's sister although she doesn't share the maiden name as she might be married? best wishes, Carol

she could be the head or the wife's half sister

have just re-read your question !!!obviously not married at the age of 12!!! what a do-nut am I? I shall now and go and give someone else some really useless information!!!! It could be that I have my five year old jabbering in my ear about the 1860's?!!...i'm going...