Cyprus Census
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Census Records[edit | edit source]
Research use: These records may link families together and greatly supplement the research process. Helpful for establishing family relationships and generation linkages.
Record type: Nominative population enumeration. Ottoman Population Registers and Ottoman Detailed Cadastral Surveys fulfill a similar function for the period of Ottoman rule.
Ottoman time period: 1832/33,
British time period: 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911, 1921, 1931, 1946
Republic of Cyprus period: 1960, 1973 (partial census for certain areas), 1976, 1982, 1992, 2001, 2011, 2021. Note that all censuses following 1974 contain population information of the Republic of Cyprus controlled part of the country.
Contents: Censuses are in family groups; they list names of family members, ages, relationships, etc.
Location: Office of the Ministry of the Interior, Nikosia.
Population coverage: 90% or better.[1]
Ottoman Population Registers [Turkish - Nüfus Defter][edit | edit source]
Research use: Records provide information identifying males and their families. They can be very useful for linking generations.
Record type: A census-like register of households. The Ottoman Empire began a system of periodic registration of the population in 1829-1831 primarily for tax collection purposes. These generally counted the number of households or even of persons, but apparently recorded only property owner names and property specifics. The Ottomans conducted an empire wide survey in 1860. It is not clear whether this and subsequent surveys included names of individuals. Ottoman census laws of 1875 began a system of regular population registers of males, heads of households, etc., which likely included names and specific descriptive information. Cyprus passed to British control in 1878 before the Ottomans enacted additional laws regarding population surveys. Further evaluation is needed to determine whether Cyprus has records as are found in other lands of the Ottoman Empire. Population registration was somewhat like a system of civil registration, with population registers to update the census by adding new information about births, marriages, and deaths. Permanent registers were compiled in an initial census survey; thereafter vital information was added as births, marriages, and deaths occurred. Initial census surveys were conducted throughout the empire in 1876-1878, and again in 1882-1885, after Cyprus was no longer governed by the Ottoman Empire. Supplemental registration of births, marriages, divorces, and deaths were sometimes added to the census/population register itself or sometimes compiled in separate registers after that date.
Time period: 1831 to 1878.
Contents: If records of Cyprus are similar to other areas of the Ottoman empire they would include counts of males and possibly names and other details from 1831 to 1860 (especially likely for Muslims). After 1860, and particularly after 1875, they would provide extensive information of specific genealogical value for all inhabitants including the name, birth year, birth date of those moving in from elsewhere, height, complexion, eye color, date of death or departure if moved, and other dates with regard to military service. It is assumed the military information is missing from the registers for non-Muslims. Certain registers apparently include widows who were heads of households. The census-like records included number of households for each village, unmarried mature males, brief physical descriptions and estimates of the value of crop yields and income from livestock. Also listed were contributions to the military forces. Children’s names were added as births occurred. The names of the deceased persons are crossed out with a death date noted.
Location: Muslim materials are at the Cyprus Turkish National Archive and Research Center, Girne (Kyrenia) in Northern Cyprus. Non-Muslim materials are likely at the Cyprus Research Center in Nikosia. Some may be in the Ottoman Archives at the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Türkiye.
Population coverage: 30 to 50%.[1]
The 1832/33 Ottoman Property Survey of Cyprus This survey has been the subject of a research project that retrieved the original documentation, translated into Greek and English and digitalized for general public use; for more information, see Economy, environment, and landscape in the Cypriot longue durée project. The survey contains records of property owners in Cyprus at the time for taxation purposes and provides valuable information on population, households, settlements and the economy of Cyprus. Of genealogical interest is the listing of people names and the grouping into households by settlement. Only male names are recorded, females are typically recorded per their relation to a male household member. Both Muslims and non-Muslims are included.
British Population Censuses[edit | edit source]
Note: Credit to Cystat maintainted wiki page found here (in Greek)
The 1881 Census of Cyprus This is the first census organized by the British authorities just 3 years after taking control of the island of Cyprus. It was published/submitted in 1884. The census contains information on settlements, number of buildings and number of male and female inhabitants. A copy of the original survey can be found here This publication contains no person names or relations and is therefore of little to no use for genealogical research purposes.
The 1891 Census of Cyprus The second census organized by the British authorities after taking control of the island of Cyprus. It was published/submitted in 1893. The census contains substantially more information compared to the 1881 census. The contents include data on settlements, number of buildings, number of male and female inhabitants, age, civil condition, religious affiliation, birthplace, disability and mother tongue. A copy of a section of the original survey can be found here This publication contains no person names or relations and is therefore of little to no use for genealogical research purposes.
The 1901 Census of Cyprus The third census organized by the British authorities after taking control of the island of Cyprus. The census follows the same organization and has the same content as the 1891 census. A copy of a section of the original survey can be found here This publication contains no person names or relations and is therefore of little to no use for genealogical research purposes.
The 1911 Census of Cyprus The fourth census organized by the British authorities after taking control of the island of Cyprus. The census follows the same organization and has the same content as the 1891 census. A copy of a section of the original survey can be found here This publication contains no person names or relations and is therefore of little to no use for genealogical research purposes.
The 1921 Census of Cyprus The fifth census organized by the British authorities after taking control of the island of Cyprus. The census follows the same organization and has the same content as the 1891 census. A copy of a section of the original survey can be found here This publication contains no person names or relations and is therefore of little to no use for genealogical research purposes.
The 1921 Census of Cyprus The sixth census organized by the British authorities after taking control of the island of Cyprus. The census follows the same organization and has the same content as the 1891 census. A copy of a section of the original survey can be found here This publication contains no person names or relations and is therefore of little to no use for genealogical research purposes.
The 1931 Census of Cyprus The seventh census organized by the British authorities after taking control of the island of Cyprus. The census follows the same organization and has the same content as the 1891 census. A copy of a section of the original survey can be found here This publication contains no person names or relations and is therefore of little to no use for genealogical research purposes.
The 1946 Census of Cyprus The eighth and final census organized by the British authorities after taking control of the island of Cyprus. This census was delayed because of World War II by 5 years. The census follows the same organization and has the same content as the 1891 census with the exception of more granularity on religious affiliation. A copy of a section of the original survey can be found here This publication contains no person names or relations and is therefore of little to no use for genealogical research purposes.