The British Census 1801-1901
History
The first Census in England, Wales, Scotland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man was taken on the 10th March 1801. Subsequently the Census was taken every ten years, except 1941. The records for 1931 were destroyed during the subsequent War. The first four Census are of statistical interest only on a whole, although some notes survive which are of interest to the family historian in some areas.
As today the enumerator would deliver the form to the household, which they would later collect, check and enter into their printed book of forms. The literate members of the community could help the illiterate. There is clearly the possibility of errors to be made.
1841
For the first time the householder would have to supply the name of the place, the full names of everyone in the house, their age and sex (correct up to 15yrs, but after reduced to nearest 5yrs), their profession, trade, employment or state if of independent means and if born in the County, Scotland, Ireland or Foreign parts. The enumerator also entered the information for end of household and/or end of building.
1851- 1901
The householder would have to supply more information from here on, which is of great benefit to the family historian. These entries contain the number in the schedule, name of the street, place or road name, name or number of the house, name or surname of person resident in the house on midnight of that date, relationship to head of family, (servants, lodgers, visitors also), marital condition, exact age, sex, rank or profession or occupation, where born with exact place of birth and if blind, deaf or dumb, and later if an idiot or lunatic. The last set of information requires accurate copying by the Census enumerators, be aware that my grandfather is in the 1901 Census as being Deaf and his children are quite sure that he was not. The entry should have been for the person above him probably as there were lots of crossings out and corrections.
The latest Census that can be consulted
Census records are released every 100 years, so the latest records available are those of the 1901 Census. The 1911 Census will probably be available in 2012.
The dates for the Census are 6th June 1841, 30 March 1851,7th April 1861, 2nd April 1871, 3rd April 1881, 5th April 1891 and 31st March 1901
Where can Census Records be found?
Records for the Census for England and Wales can be consulted at the The National Archives on microform and on their computers. The office is open six days a week. Remember, the Census is divided into Census Enumeration Districts which are a useful finding aid to the researcher. It is worth checking neighbouring parishes, workhouses, prisons, hospitals, barracks, asylums, ships and prison hulks. Census records are usually available in large libraries in the area and some years may be available at the County Record Offices. A 1881 Census Index is widely available (see below) and some family history societies have compiled other indexes. Write to them for more publications information - there is a list in the Genealogical Services Directory also known as the Local History Handbook.
Many Census records can be accessed through the websites of various commercial companies. Though these can be also seen at the Family Records Centre for free. With the development of the companies who are producing Census records on CD there are now many choices that the researcher can make as to how they research on the Census. A good page to start at would be http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/familyhistory/census/default.htm Check the Family History Magazines for the names of the various companies who are producing Census on CD and DVD.
Census on-line companies include:
findmypast.com http://www.findmypast.com/home.jsp
Ancestry http://www.ancestry.co.uk
1901 Census at GenesReunited www.GenesReunited.co.uk and http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/census/default.htm
The 1881 Census Index for England
The Federation of Family History Societies and the Mormons have produced the 1881 Census Index on microfiche, CD Rom and online. The information was copied from the original 1881 Census Data by volunteers. This was then checked before inputting. Although it is a boon to Family Historians and well worth study there are errors in the data so anything that is found on the indexes needs checking with the originals.
The Data Fields of the Index do not allow for large amounts of information, for example the occupation field, so the originals need checking for this reason also. Also absent from the indexes is the disability information which is part of the original Census Data.
The 1881 Census index is also available on CD ROM from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in England at 0870 0102051. This is recommended for any serious student of families in the 19th Century. There is more information in the data fields which is a boon for any family historian. The margin of error is usually regarded as being quite small. You can always seek out copies of the originals to check. The 1881 Census Index is also on the Mormon website http://familysearch.org.
There are four parts to the 1881 Census Index - on fiche
1. People Index - People in alphabetical order by surname, given name, and age. With all other details including relationship to head of household.
2. Birthplace Index - People in alphabetical order by surname and birthplace. For example all the Smiths born at Morley, West Yorkshire will be together etc., Not all Enumerators information is in the index.
3. Census place Index - People in alphabetical order by surname and census place. For example all the Smiths living at Morley, West Yorkshire will be together etc., Not all Enumerators information is in the index.
4. Enumerators List - Places and people in the order in which they appear on the Census. I would advise that this is accessed using the Public Record Office references from the other indexes. The advantage of this list is that you can get the names of all who lived in the household and not just members of the same named family.
For information on this service please follow the link in the paragraph heading.
Comment on the digitalised Census on the Web (1901)
The service for 1901 was launched in January 2002 and was an absolute disaster of the first order. Provision had been made for over one million users to use the service - and sixty million users were trying to log on. The Service was taken down for a while. Further digitisation of other Censuses is in the process of being carried out, but this would not have the same presure of use.
Later in the year the access was restored. I think most family historians will find it of great use, though the development of the digitised Census on CD Roms has probably attracted many family historians to the benefits of having downloadable digital images. The widespread availability of 'cheapish' ways to digitise film and microform will be an interesting development in making available family history resources. Advertisements in Family History Magazines or stalls at Family History Fairs will supply you with the names of companies who supply these.
Census - Other parts of the British Isles:
Scotland
Records are available at the General Register Office, New Register House, Edinburgh, EH1 2YT. Also try the Scotlands People website at: http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk.
Ireland
The Census records for 1821 to 1891 were on the whole destroyed. 1901 and 1911 are available. For more information contact the PRO, Four Courts, Dublin, Ireland or the PRO, 66 Balmoral Ave, Belfast, BT9 6NY., for Northern Ireland.
Bibliography
Higgs E. (1996), A clearer sense of the Census, the Victorian censuses and historical research, Public Record Office Handbooks, No 28, London, HMSO.
This page is compiled by Timothy J. Owston of York, England, April 2008.
Please contact me with any comments or information. Please don't contact me to do research.
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owston.tj@virgin.net
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