Tanya;

Was the term "domestic servant" listed in the RELATIONSHIP column, or the OCCUPATION column? This may seem like a dumb question, but when you're just getting started, it's possible to make this kind of mistake. If the person is a servant of the family, they are generally not related, but that's not ALWAYS the case. I've seen some in my family where a not-so-favorite relative was listed as servant, although she was definitely related to the head of the household.

Perhaps you can tell us which census record to which you refer, so we can take a look at it and give you our two cents?

All the best in your research, my dear.

- Lisa B. Lee, PLCGS
Oakland, CA