Often when genealogists analyze records they look at information from the viewpoint of the person who provided it or from the viewpoint of someone trying to analyze that information for perceived reliability.
But there is another perspective: that of the record creator or the clerk.
Maybe they could not understand your ancestor. Maybe they did not care if the information was correct or not. Maybe they were trying to be as precise and particular as they could be. Maybe they were writing as neatly as they could. Maybe they had a stack of forms to complete, organize, etc. by the end of the day. Maybe they only got the job because of who they knew and not their ability.
Or maybe your ancestor did not want to provide information. Maybe your ancestor was argumentative with the records clerk. Maybe the records clerk or census taker got tired of your ancestor’s attitude and just put some words in some boxes.
The skill level and ability of record clerks, census takers, etc. can run the gamut–from those who were conscientious and able to do their job well to those who were not and could not. Even those who were capable and able occasionally had to deal with members of the public who occasionally “could be a challenge.”
Sometimes those challenges included your ancestor.
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