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England Census: Difference between revisions
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<span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span" />[[England|'''England''']]''' ''' | [[England Civil Registration|'''Civil Registration''']] | [[England Church Records|'''Church Records''']] | | <span style="font-weight: bold;" class="Apple-style-span" />[[England|'''England''']]''' ''' | [[England Civil Registration|'''Civil Registration''']] | [[England Church Records|'''Church Records''']] | | ||
= <span style="font-weight: bold | = <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold">England Census</span> = | ||
Census, a count and description of the population, is the foundation of nineteenth century research. The first census available is 1841 and it was taken every ten years thereafter. The 1911 census is the most recent one to be released to the public. Census contains information such as: | Census, a count and description of the population, is the foundation of nineteenth century research. In effort to determine the extent of its population for the purposes of taxation and representation, the English government took its first statistical census enumeration in 1801. The 1831 census was collated by the census office and the resulting Parish Register Abstracts form an important part of the published census material, because from it alone the clergymen's manusript returns have survived. The records are held in the Pulic Record Office at Kew under Clergymen's returns of 1831 (HO71/1-HO71/124. The first census available is 1841 and it was taken every ten years thereafter. The 1911 census is the most recent one to be released to the public. The 1931 Census was destroyed by fire during WW2. No census was taken in 1941 due to WW2. Census contains information such as: | ||
*Family relationships | *Family relationships | ||
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*Occupation | *Occupation | ||
It can also provide a good approximation to date and place of deaths and marriages. Census records are used in combination with [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/England_Church_Records church records] and [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/England_Civil_Registration civil registration] records in locating your ancestors. <br> | It can also provide a good approximation to date and place of deaths and marriages. Census records are used in combination with [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/England_Church_Records church records] and [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/England_Civil_Registration civil registration] records in locating your ancestors. <br> | ||
There are several different websites that provide access to indexed images of the censuss. Every census is indexed and can be searched online by name, age, birthplace, or locality. The indexes can be problematic in that names can be spelled in various ways and indexers fail to interpret the spellings correctly. If you cannot find a person it means you need to vary your search parameters. The information in an index may be incorrect or incomplete. If you believe your ancestor was in a particular census area, search the census even if your ancestor is not in the index.<br> | There are several different websites that provide access to indexed images of the censuss. Every census is indexed and can be searched online by name, age, birthplace, or locality. The indexes can be problematic in that names can be spelled in various ways and indexers fail to interpret the spellings correctly. If you cannot find a person it means you need to vary your search parameters. The information in an index may be incorrect or incomplete. If you believe your ancestor was in a particular census area, search the census even if your ancestor is not in the index.<br> | ||
== Census Online<br> | == Census Online<br> == | ||
Every census is indexed online and can be searched by name, age, birthplace, or locality. The commercial companies also have images available for download. The indexes can be problematic in that names can be spelled in various ways and indexers fail to interpret the spellings correctly. If you cannot find a person it means you need to vary your search parameters. The information in an index may be incorrect or incomplete. If you believe your ancestor was in a particular census area, search the census even if your ancestor is not in the index.<br> | Every census is indexed online and can be searched by name, age, birthplace, or locality. The commercial companies also have images available for download. The indexes can be problematic in that names can be spelled in various ways and indexers fail to interpret the spellings correctly. If you cannot find a person it means you need to vary your search parameters. The information in an index may be incorrect or incomplete. If you believe your ancestor was in a particular census area, search the census even if your ancestor is not in the index.<br> | ||
<u>A collection of British census records that can be found at subscription websites:</u> | <u>A collection of British census records that can be found at subscription websites:</u> | ||
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*[http://www.findmypast.co.uk www.findmypast.co.uk] (1841, 1861, 1871, 1891 are indexed with images. Searching by address is possible. 1881 is an index only, without images. 1851 and 1901 are near completion. This is a pay-per-view website. It is available for free use at the Family History Library.) | *[http://www.findmypast.co.uk www.findmypast.co.uk] (1841, 1861, 1871, 1891 are indexed with images. Searching by address is possible. 1881 is an index only, without images. 1851 and 1901 are near completion. This is a pay-per-view website. It is available for free use at the Family History Library.) | ||
*[http://www.ancestry.co.uk/ www.ancestry.co.uk] (All censuses for England and Wales between 1841 and 1901. No search by address is possible. Requires either a subscription to www.ancestry.co.uk or an international www.ancestry.com subscription. The library edition of the international subscription to www.ancestry.com is available for free use at the Family History Library, regional family history centers in the western part of the U.S., and at the London England Hyde Park Family History Centre.) [[England, Using Ancestry.com and Ancestry.co.uk for English Research|Follow this link for more information on searching English censuses on Ancestry]].<br> | *[http://www.ancestry.co.uk/ www.ancestry.co.uk] (All censuses for England and Wales between 1841 and 1901. No search by address is possible. Requires either a subscription to www.ancestry.co.uk or an international www.ancestry.com subscription. The library edition of the international subscription to www.ancestry.com is available for free use at the Family History Library, regional family history centers in the western part of the U.S., and at the London England Hyde Park Family History Centre.) [[England, Using Ancestry.com and Ancestry.co.uk for English Research|Follow this link for more information on searching English censuses on Ancestry]].<br> | ||
* [http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/ <span style="text-decoration: underline | * [http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/ <span style="text-decoration: underline">The Genealogist</span>] (All censuses for England and Wales between 1841 and 1901. Search by address or keyword or for a specific county only is possible. Requires a subscription. '''Volunteers''' may transcribe census records in exchange for search credits.)<br> | ||
*[http://www.origins.net/BOWelcome.aspx Britishorigins] (Censuses for England and Wales for 1841, 1861, and 1871.)<br> | *[http://www.origins.net/BOWelcome.aspx Britishorigins] (Censuses for England and Wales for 1841, 1861, and 1871.)<br> | ||
*The [http://www.1901censusonline.com/main.asp?wci=welcome 1901 census online site] (contains a free searchable index. Not only does this site contain the 1901 census, but it contains the 1841 - 1891 censuses as well. There is a fee to view transcriptions and images.)<br> | *The [http://www.1901censusonline.com/main.asp?wci=welcome 1901 census online site] (contains a free searchable index. Not only does this site contain the 1901 census, but it contains the 1841 - 1891 censuses as well. There is a fee to view transcriptions and images.)<br> | ||
*The [http://www.1911census.co.uk/ 1911 census online site] (contains a free searchable index. There are still five more counties to be added in the north of England. There is a fee to view transcriptions and images.)<br> | *The [http://www.1911census.co.uk/ 1911 census online site] (contains a free searchable index. There are still five more counties to be added in the north of England. There is a fee to view transcriptions and images.)<br> | ||
<u>A </u><u>collection of British census records can be found at various nonprofit websites: </u>'''<u>(Volunteer driven websites)</u>''' | <u>A </u><u>collection of British census records can be found at various nonprofit websites: </u>'''<u>(Volunteer driven websites)</u>''' | ||
*'''Volunteers''' have been indexing the 1841 to 1891 census for many years at [http://www.freecen.org.uk/cgi/search.pl FreeCen]. Check to see if [http://www.freecen.org.uk/statistics.html your county and or parish] has been indexed. If it has then this site will be of value to you. '''Volunteers''' are always needed to keep the site growing. Complete transcription of households are on this website<br> | *'''Volunteers''' have been indexing the 1841 to 1891 census for many years at [http://www.freecen.org.uk/cgi/search.pl FreeCen]. Check to see if [http://www.freecen.org.uk/statistics.html your county and or parish] has been indexed. If it has then this site will be of value to you. '''Volunteers''' are always needed to keep the site growing. Complete transcription of households are on this website<br> | ||
*The 1841 and 1861 England and Wales census indexes can be [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=0 searched for free] at the familysearch pilot site: This is a '''volunteer''' driven website. This website only indexes individuals and their birthplaces and does not list places of residence.<br> | *The 1841 and 1861 England and Wales census indexes can be [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=0 searched for free] at the familysearch pilot site: This is a '''volunteer''' driven website. This website only indexes individuals and their birthplaces and does not list places of residence.<br> | ||
*A transcription and index to the 1881 census of England, Wales, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, and the Royal Navy is [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=ce online] at familysearch.org. A compact disc version of the 1881 British Census and National Index is available for [http://www.ldscatalog.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10151&storeId=10151&categoryId=13704&langId=-1&cg1=13701&cg2=&cg3=&cg4=&cg5= purchase]. An [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/Rg/frameset_rg.asp?Dest=G1&Aid=&Gid=&Lid=&Sid=&Did=&Juris1=&Event=&Year=&Gloss=&Sub=&Tab=&Entry=&Guide=1881_British_Census_Indexes.ASP explanation] of the census index and microfiche version is online. <br><span style="font-family: 'arial','sans-serif' | *A transcription and index to the 1881 census of England, Wales, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, and the Royal Navy is [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=ce online] at familysearch.org. A compact disc version of the 1881 British Census and National Index is available for [http://www.ldscatalog.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10151&storeId=10151&categoryId=13704&langId=-1&cg1=13701&cg2=&cg3=&cg4=&cg5= purchase]. An [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/Rg/frameset_rg.asp?Dest=G1&Aid=&Gid=&Lid=&Sid=&Did=&Juris1=&Event=&Year=&Gloss=&Sub=&Tab=&Entry=&Guide=1881_British_Census_Indexes.ASP explanation] of the census index and microfiche version is online. <br><span style="font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'">The Family History Library has an [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/education/frameset_education.asp?PAGE=education_research_series_online.asp%3FActiveTab=2 online tutorial] for the English census available at www.familysearch.org. </span><span style="font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial" /><br> | ||
*The 1851 census for the counties of Devon, Norfolk, and Warwick is transcribed and indexed. This index is available on microfiche and for [http://www.ldscatalog.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?c purchase] on compact disc.<br> | *The 1851 census for the counties of Devon, Norfolk, and Warwick is transcribed and indexed. This index is available on microfiche and for [http://www.ldscatalog.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?c purchase] on compact disc.<br> | ||
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Here are some tips for searching in online indexes. | Here are some tips for searching in online indexes. | ||
Searching online census indexes using [http://genealogy.about.com/cs/searchtips/a/ancestry_2.htm wildcards] [http://www.1911census.co.uk/content/default.aspx?r=33&132 wildcards] [http://www.britishorigins.com/help/popup-helpbo-sdnq.htm wildcards] is essential for success. Not every website may utilize the exact same wildcards. You may have to experiment with it.<br> | Searching online census indexes using [http://genealogy.about.com/cs/searchtips/a/ancestry_2.htm wildcards] [http://www.1911census.co.uk/content/default.aspx?r=33&132 wildcards] [http://www.britishorigins.com/help/popup-helpbo-sdnq.htm wildcards] is essential for success. Not every website may utilize the exact same wildcards. You may have to experiment with it.<br> | ||
When searching census records, consider the following: | When searching census records, consider the following: | ||
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'''1851 and later: ''' These censuses list the names, ages, occupations, relationships to the head of the household, and parish and county of birth (except foreign births, which may give country only) of each member of the household. | '''1851 and later: ''' These censuses list the names, ages, occupations, relationships to the head of the household, and parish and county of birth (except foreign births, which may give country only) of each member of the household. | ||
The census details have changed little from year to year. There is a [http://homepage.ntlworld.com/hitch/gendocs/census.html detailed listing] of the changes made to the census over the years starting in 1841. At [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/Census.html GENUKI] website you will find an excellent explanation of the census records and availability. (Examples of Census - [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/1841_British_Census_Example 1841], 1851, [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/1861_British_Census_Example 1861], 1871) NOTE: Many of the websites have not yet updated their pages to include the 1911 census.<br> | The census details have changed little from year to year. There is a [http://homepage.ntlworld.com/hitch/gendocs/census.html detailed listing] of the changes made to the census over the years starting in 1841. At [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/Census.html GENUKI] website you will find an excellent explanation of the census records and availability. (Examples of Census - [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/1841_British_Census_Example 1841], 1851, [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/1861_British_Census_Example 1861], 1871) NOTE: Many of the websites have not yet updated their pages to include the 1911 census.<br> | ||
=== Registration Districts === | === Registration Districts === | ||
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The census office organized the censuses by civil registration districts, which were subdivided into enumeration districts. The only exception is the 1841 census which was arranged by ''hundreds'' (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. | The census office organized the censuses by civil registration districts, which were subdivided into enumeration districts. The only exception is the 1841 census which was arranged by ''hundreds'' (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. | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
== Census Records at the Family History Library == | == Census Records at the Family History Library == | ||
The Family History Library has online subscriptions to various websites that give access to indexes (and sometimes images) of the census records for 1841 through 1911, and provides that access free-of-charge to library patrons. It also has microfilm copies of the census for 1841 through 1891. The film numbers are listed in the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library Catalog] by using the Place Search for the name of the parish and the topic of Census. They are also listed in the following library source:<br> | The Family History Library has online subscriptions to various websites that give access to indexes (and sometimes images) of the census records for 1841 through 1911, and provides that access free-of-charge to library patrons. It also has microfilm copies of the census for 1841 through 1891. The film numbers are listed in the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library Catalog] by using the Place Search for the name of the parish and the topic of Census. They are also listed in the following library source:<br> | ||
*''Index of Place-names Showing the Library Microfilm Numbers for the 1841–1891 Census of England, Wales, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands''. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA: Family History Library, 1999. (FHL book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=828455&disp=Index+of+place-names+showing+the+libra%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 X2pi, 1999]; also on microfiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=828455&disp=Index+of+place-names+showing+the+libra++ 6024509].) <br> | *''Index of Place-names Showing the Library Microfilm Numbers for the 1841–1891 Census of England, Wales, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands''. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA: Family History Library, 1999. (FHL book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=828455&disp=Index+of+place-names+showing+the+libra%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 X2pi, 1999]; also on microfiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=828455&disp=Index+of+place-names+showing+the+libra++ 6024509].) <br> | ||
An extension of the library are the Family History Centers located around the world. Anyone can borrow microfilm copies of census through the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp family history centers]. Some large centers may also have subscriptions to websites that provide online access to the census.<br> | An extension of the library are the Family History Centers located around the world. Anyone can borrow microfilm copies of census through the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp family history centers]. Some large centers may also have subscriptions to websites that provide online access to the census.<br> | ||
=== Census Indexes in the pre-Internet age === | === Census Indexes in the pre-Internet age === | ||
The library has a excellent collection of printed census indexes that have been created by [http://www.genuki.org.uk/Societies/England.html family history societies] in England. In the British Reference area of the library is a "Census Surname Index" register that lists all of the printed surname indexes the library has for each county. This register is not available in family history centers, but the printed indexes are also listed in the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library Catalog] under the county or parish as the Place and under the name of the publishing society as the Author. ''<br>'' | The library has a excellent collection of printed census indexes that have been created by [http://www.genuki.org.uk/Societies/England.html family history societies] in England. In the British Reference area of the library is a "Census Surname Index" register that lists all of the printed surname indexes the library has for each county. This register is not available in family history centers, but the printed indexes are also listed in the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library Catalog] under the county or parish as the Place and under the name of the publishing society as the Author. ''<br>'' | ||
For printed surname indexes that are not at the Family History Library, look in: | For printed surname indexes that are not at the Family History Library, look in: | ||
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=== How to Search the Family History Library Catalog for Census === | === How to Search the Family History Library Catalog for Census === | ||
To find microfilm numbers listed in the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library Catalog], for the census of a town of interest to you, use the Place Search for the parish and click on the link for the topic of Census. If Census is not listed among the topics for that parish, it is probably part of a city. Search using the city name. You should look in a [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/Gazetteers.html gazetteer] to determine the parish where your town is located. <br> | To find microfilm numbers listed in the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library Catalog], for the census of a town of interest to you, use the Place Search for the parish and click on the link for the topic of Census. If Census is not listed among the topics for that parish, it is probably part of a city. Search using the city name. You should look in a [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/Gazetteers.html gazetteer] to determine the parish where your town is located. <br> | ||
== Census Records at Repositories in England == | == Census Records at Repositories in England == | ||
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There are microfilm copies of census records at a various archives. The Family History Library edition of the international subscription to www.ancestry.com is available for free use at the [http://www.londonfhc.org/ '''London England Hyde Park Family History Centre''']. | There are microfilm copies of census records at a various archives. The Family History Library edition of the international subscription to www.ancestry.com is available for free use at the [http://www.londonfhc.org/ '''London England Hyde Park Family History Centre''']. | ||
A collection of the census records are also at the [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/rdleaflet.asp?sLeafletID=326&j=1 National Archives of England.] | A collection of the census records are also at the [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/rdleaflet.asp?sLeafletID=326&j=1 National Archives of England.] | ||
[[Category:England|Category Page for England]] | [[Category:England|Category Page for England]] | ||