Wales Census: Difference between revisions

The British government has taken censuses every ten years since 1801, except for 1941. The first census to list every person by name was taken in 1841. Earlier censuses contain only statistical information, but some parishes did compile lists of names while gathering information for the census, a few of which survive. See the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:  

A list of existing pre-1841 census records and other census records is found in both of the following books:  

*Chapman, Colin R. Pre-1841 ''Censuses & Population Listings in the British Isles''. 4th ed. Dursley, England: Lochin Publishing, 1994. (FHL 942 X27cc 1994.)

*Gibson, Jeremy, and Mervyn Medlycott. ''Local Census Listings 1522–1930: Holdings in the British Isles''. Birmingham, England: Federation of Family History Societies (Publications) Ltd., 1992. (FHL 942 X23gj.).

Census records less than 100 years old are confidential and cannot be searched by individuals. However, the 1901 census can be searched for you. To obtain an application and information about the cost for this search, write to:  

The search will be done only if you provide the name and address (at the time the census was taken) of the individual you are seeking. You must also get written consent of the person on the record or of a direct descendant. The individual’s age and birthplace will be the only information provided.  

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=== Understanding the Census  ===

The census office organized the census by '''civil registration districts''', which were subdivided into '''enumeration districts'''. The only exception is the 1841, census which was arranged by '''hundreds''' (hundreds are administrative subdivisions of land). On the census films, each enumeration district includes a title page with the district number and a description of the area covered by the district. These registration districts crossed both county and national boundaries! For example the town of '''Llangollen''', in the county of '''Denbighshire''', was part of the '''Corwen''' registration district, even though Corwen was in the county of '''Merionethshire'''. Similarly, the town of '''Chirk''', in '''Denbighshire''', was in the '''Oswestry''' registration district, even though Oswestry was in the county of '''Shropshire''' in England.  

* Glamorgan Family History Society. ''Register of cottage leases, Dowlais Iron Company, 1818–1877.'' [Glamorgan, Wales]: Glamorgan Family History Society, [1996?]. (FHL book 942.97/D2 R2g.)  

The microfilm and microfiche numbers may also be found in the Family History Library Catalog in the Place Search under:  

Population tables (see the "[[Wales Civil Registration- Vital Records|Civil Registration]]" section of this outline) and other aids may help you pinpoint a location on the microfilm or solve unusual difficulties you may have in finding a locality on the census.  

'''Surname Indexes.''' Before you search the actual census, look for a surname index. There are many surname indexes for Welsh censuses. Most of these indexes have been produced by family history societies in Wales, and many are available at the Family History Library. The indexes vary in format and information. Some list surnames only, while others give complete transcriptions.  

Surname indexes produced in Wales give the Public Record Office reference, which usually includes a piece or bundle number. To convert the bundle number in the surname index to a Family History Library call number, use:  

The Family History Library Catalog lists surname indexes under:  

You can also check the Census Surname Index Register (not cataloged typescript) at the Family History Library. This register is not available at Family History Centers.  

To find surname indexes which may not be available at the Family History Library, look in:  

'''1881 Census.''' There is a complete transcription and index on microfiche for the 1881 census returns of England, Wales, Scotland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, and the Royal Navy. The index is also available on compact disc, with a partial transcription.  

The index and transcription were produced through a joint effort of the Federation of Family History Societies and the Genealogical Society of Utah.  

The microfiche version is available for use at the Family History Library, Family History Centers, and other record repositories (see the "[[Wales Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]" section of this outline). The microfiche can be searched either nationwide or by county.  

To locate the microfiche numbers for the 1881 census indexes, look in the Family History Library Catalog under:  

'''Street Indexes.''' If you know the address at which an ancestor may have lived, a street index can help you quickly find your ancestor in the census. Street indexes are available for major cities in Wales.  

If the above register does not list the town or district you need for a particular year, look for a street index in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:  

===External Links===

*[http://www.llgc.org.uk/ National Library of Wales]  

==Sources==