GCR/family history?

[30mog]

It is widely reported that what became the Great Central Railway main line through Nottingham Victoria was completed in 1899.

According to the 1881 census my ancestors lived in a Nottingham street that was acquired for demolition to make way for the aforementioned railway line. By the 1901 census they have moved to a nearby street that remains today. However, they are ‘absent’ from the 1891 census. So, if the line were completed by 1899 is it likely land and property acquisitions for the GCR would’ve been made by 1891? If so, might the upheaval a family affected as such explain how, intentionally or not, they ‘dodged’ the census?

Incidentally, my grandfather connected with the above lived from 1885-1963. That’s 78 years - isn’t that longer than the line lived?

 

[Thebaz]

It could be a reason, but it could just as equally not be. Beware that census-dodging as you put it, was very common back in Victoria Britain whether deliberate or not. As someone who has spent many years tracing my ancestors I have lost count of people who don't appear on a census, usually for reasons you or I will never know.

 

[Flying Phil]

The (to be) GCR didn't get the parliamentary bill through until 1892/3 so I doubt that any land purchases were made before then.
Quite a lot of additional research re the GC extension has been done recently as part of the HLF Museum project -(sadly then cancelled but "plan B exists!).