Daily AncestorAt home
At home was a common census entry for children, and some adults, who had no occupation and were not in school.
The 1870 and 1880 instructions said that children doing chores or errands were not to be given an occupation, and that at home or attending school would be the right entry in most cases.
You will also see at home for adult unmarried daughters or sons living with parents. It does not tell you whether they helped on the farm or in the house.
As seen in a recordRelationship and occupation columns of the 1880 census
Lizzie, 15, dau., At home
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "At home." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/occupations/at-home. Last checked 2026-10-01.