BEYOND SEAS.
Could anyone tell me what the phrase means on the 1871 Census which reads as follows:- ISLE OF MAN PEEL 1871
13 Patrick St/Anne Dempster / Head /Mar/ 46 / wife of Alexander Dempster/Roper/who is beyond seas.

Does this mean he was overseas when the census was compiled, or that he is miss ing at sea as there was no mention of him after and she died a widow(as stated on the 1881 census) in 1886.