The census returns from England are golden at times with the research help that the documents provide. Census returns began in 1841 but the information was more helpful beginning in 1851. It was then that the census information provided the place of origin for those enumerated. Now, considering our Thomas Hunt 1830 – 1907, one had some options? In 1851 he was from ‘Boxby’, Kent, in 1861 it was ‘Boxley’, Kent, 1871 it was ‘Ashford’, Kent, 1881 it was ‘Bonley’, Kent, 1891 it was ‘Pluckley’, Kent and in 1901 it was Boxley, Kent.
Clearly a clever researcher would investigate such details and once the dust settled, we see from the image that ‘Boxley’, Kent was the winner. The point in this example, is to as ofter as possible, find the earliest, most original document possible.
