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A census is a count and description of the population. Census records are a valuable source of genealogical information for Scotland, giving names, ages, and places of birth. | A census is a count and description of the population. Census records are a valuable source of genealogical information for Scotland, giving names, ages, and places of birth. | ||
Various types of censuses have been taken by different British authorities for their own purposes. This section only discusses censuses intended to include the whole population. | Various types of censuses have been taken by different British authorities for their own purposes. This section only discusses censuses intended to include the whole population. | ||
=== Understanding the Census === | === Understanding the Census === | ||
The Scottish government has taken a census every ten years since 1801 except in 1941. The censuses from 1841 to 1891 are available for public use. | |||
=== Dates the census was taken === | Census takers were instructed to list only those persons who spent the night in the household when the census was taken. People who were traveling, at boarding schools, or working away from home are listed where they spent the night. For example, night watchmen are often listed at their employer’s business address rather than with their families. | ||
=== Dates the census was taken === | |||
{| class="plain" | {| class="plain" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1841 | | 1841 | ||
| 6 June 1841 | | 6 June 1841 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1851 | | 1851 | ||
| 30 March 1851 | | 30 March 1851 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1861 | | 1861 | ||
| 7 April 1861 | | 7 April 1861 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1871 | | 1871 | ||
| 2 April 1871 | | 2 April 1871 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1881 | | 1881 | ||
| 3 April 1881 | | 3 April 1881 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1891 | | 1891 | ||
| 5 April 1891 | | 5 April 1891 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1901 | | 1901 | ||
| 31 March 1901 | | 31 March 1901 | ||
|} | |} | ||
=== Census Content === | === Census Content === | ||
You will find the following information in censuses: | |||
You will find the following information in censuses: | |||
'''1801 to 1831.''' These censuses contain only statistical information. However, some parishes compiled lists of names when they gathered the information needed for the census. | '''1801 to 1831.''' These censuses contain only statistical information. However, some parishes compiled lists of names when they gathered the information needed for the census. | ||
'''1841.''' The 1841 census was taken on 7 June 1841. It lists each member of every household with their name, sex, address, occupation, and whether or not they were born in the county. | '''1841.''' The 1841 census was taken on 7 June 1841. It lists each member of every household with their name, sex, address, occupation, and whether or not they were born in the county. | ||
The census takers usually rounded the ages of those over fifteen down to a multiple of five years. For example, someone who was actually fifty-nine would be listed as fifty-five. | The census takers usually rounded the ages of those over fifteen down to a multiple of five years. For example, someone who was actually fifty-nine would be listed as fifty-five. | ||
'''1851 and Later.''' From 1851 to 1931, censuses were taken between 30 March and 7 April. These censuses list the names, ages, occupations, relationships to the head of the household, and parish and county of birth (except foreign births, which give country only) of each member of the household. | '''1851 and Later.''' From 1851 to 1931, censuses were taken between 30 March and 7 April. These censuses list the names, ages, occupations, relationships to the head of the household, and parish and county of birth (except foreign births, which give country only) of each member of the household. | ||
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You can also find census records at the: | You can also find census records at the: | ||
'''Registrar General'''<br>Search Unit<br>New Register House<br>Edinburgh, EH1 3YT<br>Scotland <br>Telephone: 0131 334 0380 <br>Internet: [http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/ http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/] | '''Registrar General'''<br>Search Unit<br>New Register House<br>Edinburgh, EH1 3YT<br>Scotland <br>Telephone: 0131 334 0380 <br>Internet: [http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/ http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/] | ||
=== Searching Census Records === | === Searching Census Records === | ||
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When searching any census records, remember: | When searching any census records, remember: | ||
*To search indexes first (see below). There could be surname or street indexes for the locality. | *To search indexes first (see below). There could be surname or street indexes for the locality. | ||
*Information in the census may be incorrect. | *Information in the census may be incorrect. | ||
*Accept the ages with caution. | *Accept the ages with caution. | ||
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*When you find your family in one census, search the earlier or later census records to find additional family members. | *When you find your family in one census, search the earlier or later census records to find additional family members. | ||
*Individuals missing from a family may be listed elsewhere in the census. | *Individuals missing from a family may be listed elsewhere in the census. | ||
*There could be more than one family in the same locality by the same name with very similar information. Check the census thoroughly. | *There could be more than one family in the same locality by the same name with very similar information. Check the census thoroughly. | ||
*A woman, especially a widow, might be listed under her maiden name. | *A woman, especially a widow, might be listed under her maiden name. | ||
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Census indexes are available online at these sites: | Census indexes are available online at these sites: | ||
==== ''Ancestry'' | ==== ''Ancestry'' ==== | ||
Available at [http://www.ancestry.co.uk/ http://www.ancestry.co.uk]. | |||
This site provides indexes to the 1841 through 1901 censuses, but no images of the documents. Many options are available to narrow search results including name, place, residence, birth year, birth place, occupation, and the names of relatives. | |||
As you search any database, you need to keep in mind that the more information you put into a search, the more you limit the search results, and you could end up missing the person you are actually looking for. So try your search with the least amount of needed information and then if you need, add more if the number of search results is too great. | As you search any database, you need to keep in mind that the more information you put into a search, the more you limit the search results, and you could end up missing the person you are actually looking for. So try your search with the least amount of needed information and then if you need, add more if the number of search results is too great. | ||
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==== ''Scotlands People'' ==== | ==== ''Scotlands People'' ==== | ||
[http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk]. This site has the 1841 through 1901 | Available at [http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk]. | ||
This site has both indexes and images of the 1841 through 1901 censuses available. This is a pay for view website. The minimum fee of 6 GBP (about $10 US) gives you access to the database for 90 days and gives you 30 page credits with which you may view search results and documents (1 credit per page of search results viewed and 5 credits per document viewed). As you use this site, any search result or document you pay to view is saved in your personal account and you never have to pay for that item again. | |||
Some information will be helpful to use this site such as: | Some information will be helpful to use this site such as: | ||