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England Census: Difference between revisions
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A census is a statistical count of the population of a country taken for the purpose of accurate government representation, tax collection and military purposes. The first complete census in England was conducted in 1086 under William the Conqueror who was the first Norman King of England. As the new king, he wanted an accounting of land owners who held lands belonging to the crown along with the number of owned livestock. A detailed history of this survey is available online from [http://www.history-magazine.com/domesday.html ''History Magazine''] which was published in October/Nover 2001. | A census is a statistical count of the population of a country taken for the purpose of accurate government representation, tax collection and military purposes. The first complete census in England was conducted in 1086 under William the Conqueror who was the first Norman King of England. As the new king, he wanted an accounting of land owners who held lands belonging to the crown along with the number of owned livestock. A detailed history of this survey is available online from [http://www.history-magazine.com/domesday.html ''History Magazine''] which was published in October/Nover 2001. | ||
In England, the government census have taken place ever ten years since 1801, however, these earlier censuses were taken strickly for statistical purposes by the Overseers of the Poor and the clergy. | In England, the government census have taken place ever ten years since 1801, however, these earlier censuses were taken strickly for statistical purposes by the Overseers of the Poor and the clergy. | ||
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== Understanding the Census == | == Understanding the Census == | ||
Instructions to the census taker were to list only those persons who spent the night in each household when the census was taken. Those traveling, staying at boarding schools, or working away from home were listed where they spent the night. For example, night watchmen are often listed under their employer’s business address rather than with their families. Guy Etchells has assembled a collection of [http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~framland/census/directions.htm the official instructions given to enumerators for each census]. | Instructions to the census taker were to list only those persons who spent the night in each household when the census was taken. Those traveling, staying at boarding schools, or working away from home were listed where they spent the night. For example, night watchmen are often listed under their employer’s business address rather than with their families. Guy Etchells has assembled a collection of [http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~framland/census/directions.htm the official instructions given to enumerators for each census]. | ||
Be aware of the date of each census for family members as that will help in determining the birth year for family members as it is reported. The date that each census was taken is as follows: | Be aware of the date of each census for family members as that will help in determining the birth year for family members as it is reported. The date that each census was taken is as follows: | ||
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*A column indicating if born out of the country, i.e. “S” for Scotland; “I” for Ireland | *A column indicating if born out of the country, i.e. “S” for Scotland; “I” for Ireland | ||
==== 1851 to 1901 ==== | |||
Only individuals in the home on the census night were listed on the forms with the exception of individuals working through the evening and returning home in the morning. If a family member was visiting they would be listed in that person's home. Note: Individuals who were staying in other locations were listed by the owner of the establishment and this included those who were living in tents. | |||
There are missing sections which have been lost. A detailed listing can be found on [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/helpadvice/knowledge-base/census/index.jsp#issues findmypast.com]. | |||
This census was conducted by the Registrar General and has the identifying marks of "HO" which stands for 'Home Office'. The returns were sorted and copied into enumerator's books in the format seen today in the digitized online records. | |||
==== 1851* to 1901 ==== | |||
*Name of each member of the household | *Name of each member of the household | ||
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*The 1891 census added the number of rooms (if less than 5) that the family occupied. It also listed whether the person was an employer or an employee.<br> | *The 1891 census added the number of rooms (if less than 5) that the family occupied. It also listed whether the person was an employer or an employee.<br> | ||
*1851: An additional census was taken of places of worship, this was a voluntary census and most places of Worship participated. This guide from The National Archives provides a better understand of the Ecclesiastical Census of 1851. [http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/methdism/rc1851/index.htm Further information on this census is provided by F. Coakley]. | |||
A detailed listing of the changes made to the census over the years starting in 1841 can be found on the GENUKI website in the [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/Census.html Census section]. (Examples of Census - 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871) NOTE: Some of the websites have not yet updated their pages to include the 1911 census. [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/helpadvice/knowledge-base/census/index.jsp#issues Findmypast.com ]also provides a comprehensive overview which is also very helpful. | |||
The census can also provide a good approximation of date and place of deaths and marriages. Census records are used in combination with church records and civil registration records in locating ancestors.<br> | The census can also provide a good approximation of date and place of deaths and marriages. Census records are used in combination with church records and civil registration records in locating ancestors.<br> | ||
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==== Pre-1841 Census ==== | ==== Pre-1841 Census ==== | ||
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 at The National Archives of the UK under 'Clergymen's returns of 1831' (HO71/1-HO71/124.) Detailed information on pre-1841 census records can be found in: <br>Chapman, Colin R., Pre-1841 Censuses and Population Listings in the British Isles. Dursley, Gloucestershire, England : Lochin Publishing, 1998 (5th ed). (Family History Library book ) <br>Pre-1841 censuses generally contain only numbers of individuals in a household, but some do contain individual names of the head-of-household. | 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 at The National Archives of the UK under 'Clergymen's returns of 1831' (HO71/1-HO71/124.) Detailed information on pre-1841 census records can be found in: <br>Chapman, Colin R., Pre-1841 Censuses and Population Listings in the British Isles. Dursley, Gloucestershire, England : Lochin Publishing, 1998 (5th ed). (Family History Library book ) <br>Pre-1841 censuses generally contain only numbers of individuals in a household, but some do contain individual names of the head-of-household. | ||
== Finding and Using Census Indexes == | == Finding and Using Census Indexes == | ||