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Bear in mind that the innumerator is writing down what he hears. It is often worthwhile repeating the names in accents either of the place they are in or the place they come from. It can help with working out the different spellings.

This name is particularly difficult as there are several ways of spelling it anyway, as you have discovered.

Just found the family again in 1951 living in Northfleet under the name Dona

John Dona b 1796 Gloucestershire
Ann Dona b 1806 Ireland
Thomas Dona b 1831 East Wickham Kent
Ann Dona East Wickham Kent.

Another surname to the collection.

Thank you so much all of you, now found them in the 1941/1951 census albeit different surnames

:-S :-S :-S

Just looked up John Doan on the 1841 census , it states he was born in Ireland, no wonder this family seems a mess with their names because Ihave been looking for a John Downs ,stating he was born in Gloucestershire, so far their surnames have been Downs,Downes,Doon,Doone now Doan. Wonder which one is the true one

Get a copy of the marriage cert to find out what he gives as a father's name

Marriages Dec 1857 (>99%)
Down Thomas N Aylesford 2a 457
Mitchell Rachael N. Aylesford 2a 457

Just looked up John Doan on the 1841 census , it states he was born in Ireland, no wonder this family seems a mess with their names because Ihave been looking for a John Downs ,stating he was born in Gloucestershire, so far their surnames have been Downs,Downes,Doon,Doone now Doan. Wonder which one is the true one

Yes that is Thomas Downs who married Rachel Mitchell, Living in Northfleet Kent. It’s the different spells of the Downs names that is completely throwing me too. Just spotted the above post the surname Doan, a new one on me. Thankyou

If your Thomas married Rachel then trees on Ancestry say his father was John Done.

They also show a 1861 census for the couple living in Northfleet, Kent with Thomas giving that as his birthplace. But in 1871 he says he was born in Plumstead.

Added: Doan 1841, Plumstead, parents John & Ann.
1861 Doone Nirthfleet

Did he marry? When and where?

If he knew his father, the details will be on the cert……..unless he invented one for propriety

Is Thomas the son of Susannah? If so then aThomas and Susannah Williams married in Tower Hamlets.

Need someone’s help please, I am tying to find a Thomas Downs or similar sounding name who was born 1831 Plumstead Kent, I can’t find him or his parents on the 1841 or 1851 census records.