In the 1841 census, does it give his age? Or those of his family?
http://www.ScotlandsPeople.gov.uk
"Points to note about the 1841 Census:
Although the names of household members were recorded, the head of the household was not denoted and therefore relationship of household members to the head is absent.
Enumerators were instructed to round down the ages of persons 15 years and over to the nearest five years. Hence a given age of 28 would be recorded as 25, one of 63 as 60 and so on. If a person lied about their age, this, combined with the rounding down, could severely distort the actual age. You will find instances where enumerators did not adhere to this instruction on age and inserted the given age.
Birthplace details were less specific than in later years, recording only whether or not the person was born in the county where the census took place, or whether a person was English, Irish or Foreign."
You may already have the definition of Tide Waiter: a customs official. Boarded and inspected boats and ships to check for smuggled goods and to collect duty.
Not much help, I'm afraid but hopefully you have a little more that you can add.
Paddyscar
John Kelly (b 22 Sep 1897) eldest child of John Kelly & Christina Lipsett Kelly of Glasgow
