Has anyone ever come across this before? N,ECNS in the last column of a 1901 census

Matthew Lavelle Foster Child 5 b1896 Male N, E C N S
He was in one of the foster homes on Grimesthorpe Rd belonging to the Fir Vale Workhouse and several of the children had this in their details too. Mathew was sent out to Canada in 1906 but deported back in 1910 then sent to the training ship Southampton by 1911.
Thanks
Lyn

Noticed when these letters occurred child's place of birth was unknown. Could this have something to do with it?

Jenny

Could be. Certainly a bit of a puzzle. I'm sure someone called Angela will work it out. :slightly_smiling_face:

Hi Lyn

If you go back through the census pages for this enumeration district, someone not necessarily the enumerator as the writing seems to be in a different hand has been filling in the county where it is not shown.

My best guess would be County Not Shown. This doesn't account for the "E" in ECNS but this would be my best guess.
Angela

Could it be:
N, not born in county?
ECNS external county not specified?
Dave

Many thanks to you both - some things we are just not meant to know I guess.
Lyn

Could it be E for England?

Caroline