Orphaned by the Census Bureau

Judy Mitchell shared with me an unusual notation she noticed in the 1860 census of Greene County, Tennessee.

Evidently the rest of little Diantha Lowry's family was misplaced, leaving her an "orphan" and prompting some census bureaucrat to comment, "What in the Hell."

I find Judy's first attempt to explain the comment appealing, even if incorrect.

I saw this page was enumerated by a Lowry (not a kin) and the first person, a one year old, was also a Lowry. Then I read the notation and at first thought... Mr. Lowry must have found an unknown grandchild... or, maybe it was "surprise, you're a father!"