Australia Census: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 10:56, 5 March 2010

National censuses have been taken by the Australian government since 1911. However, to protect individual privacy, all national censuses were destroyed after statistical information was collected. Because of this policy, census usage in Australian research may vary greatly with census usage in other countries.

Typically a census is a count and description of the population. Where available, census records can provide an ancestor’s name, age, occupation, marital status prior to the marriage, birthplace, and family member relationships. Census returns can also provide clues that lead to other records. A census may list selected people or the whole population. The percentage of people listed depends on the purpose of the census and on how careful the enumerator was.

Australian states have also taken censuses—mostly from the eighteenth century on. However, many of the censuses do not survive because they were taken primarily for population studies and taxation. See the listing below for dates of the initial censuses in each state:

New South Wales 1788

The 1841 State census is indexed by surname at:

State Records NSW - Online search:Index to 1841 Census

Northern Territory 1861
Queensland 1861
South Australia 1841
Tasmania 1803
Victoria 1836
Western Australia 1829

The first country-wide census was taken in 1881. For a list of existing census returns look under "Census" for each state in the following book:

Vine Hall, Nick. Tracing your family history in Australia: a guide to sources. Second Edition. Albert Park, Victoria, Australia: North Vine Hall, 1994. (Family History Library Call No. 994 D23v.)

Existing censuses have been published or microfilmed and are available at the Family History Library. Look in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:

AUSTRALIA, [STATE] - CENSUS

AUSTRALIA, [STATE], [TOWN] - CENSUS

The following is a register of the census records available in the Family History Library:

Index to the Australian Census Records in the British Collection of the Family History Library. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA: Family History Library, 1991, 1985. (Family History Library Call No. 994 X22c 1991.)

Census Substitutes[edit | edit source]

In Australian research, other records can be used in place of census records. They are referred to as "census substitutes," and they list individuals who lived in specific places. It is rare, however, to find an entire family listed. Usually these records list only the head of household’s name, date and place of residence, occupation, age, value of property, and sometimes ship of arrival.

Records that can be used as census substitutes are:

Population Musters—See below.
Electoral roles—See the "Voting Registers" section of this outline.
Directories and almanacs—See the "Directories" section of this outline.
Emigration and immigration records—See the "Emigration and Immigration" section of this outline.
Depasturing licenses—See the "Land and Property" section of this outline.
Rate and valuation books—See the "Taxation" section of this outline.
Lists of convicts—See the "Convict Records" section of this outline.

Census substitutes can be found in most major archives and libraries in Australia. For a listing of these archives and libraries and their addresses, see the "Archives and Libraries" section of this outline.

Population Musters. Because convicts were transported into Australia, the government found it necessary to survey the population at least annually. These surveys, known as musters, began in 1788. Information contained in the records might include an individual’s residence, status (convict, free, military), sex, name, ship of arrival, trial date, trial place, sentence, and remarks. Some early musters list children, wives, and servants. For a list of surviving musters, look under the topic of "Census" for each state in the following book:

Vine Hall, Nick. Tracing your family history in Australia: a guide to sources. Second Edition. Albert Park, Victoria, Australia: North Vine Hall, 1994. (Family History Library Call No. 994 D23v.)

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-{{CountrySidebar
+[[Australia]]
-|Country=Australia
-|Name=Australia
-|Type=Topic
-|Topic Type=Records
-|Records=Census
-|Rating=Standardized
-}}{{breadcrumb
-| link1=[[Australia Genealogy|Australia]]
-| link2=
-| link3=
-| link4=
-| link5=[[Australia Census|Census]]
-}}
-==Online Census Records==
-===New South Wales===
-*'''1811-1825''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8813/ New South Wales, Census and Population Books, 1811-1825] at Ancestry, index, browse, and images ($).
-*'''1828''' {{RecordSearch|2177300|Australia, New South Wales, 1828 Census}} at FamilySearch - [[Australia, New South Wales, 1828 Census - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
-*'''1828''' [https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/archives/magazine/1828-census 1828 Census inscribed on the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register] at New South Wales Archives, images.
-*'''1828''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1224 1828 New South Wales, Australia Census (Australian Copy)] at Ancestry, index, browse, and images ($).
-*'''1828''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1186 1828 New South Wales, Australia Census (TNA Copy)] at Ancestry, index, browse, and images ($).
-*'''1828''' [http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/new-south-wales-1828-census-householders-returns New South Wales, 1828 Census Householders' Returns], at Findmypast, index & images ($).
-*'''1841''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1214 1841 New South Wales, Australia, Census] at Ancestry, index, browse, and images ($).
-*'''1841''' {{RecordSearch|2317857|Australia, New South Wales, Census (fragment), 1841}} at FamilySearch - [[Australia, New South Wales, Census (fragment), 1841 - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
-*'''1843-1869''' {{FSC|609424|item|disp=Correspondence, etc., 1843-1869}} - at FamilySearch, images. Includes 1851 censuses of 3 aboriginal tribes.
-*'''1891''' {{RecordSearch|2317858|Australia, New South Wales, Census, 1891}} at FamilySearch - [[Australia, New South Wales, 1891 Census - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and image
-*'''1891''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1733 1891 New South Wales, Australia Census] at Ancestry, index, browse, and images ($).
-*'''1901''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1738 1901 New South Wales, Australia Census] at Ancestry, index, browse, and images ($).
-===South Australia===
+National censuses have been taken by the Australian government since 1911. However, to protect individual privacy, all national censuses were destroyed after statistical information was collected. Because of this policy, census usage in Australian research may vary greatly with census usage in other countries.
-*'''1836-1841''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/south-australia-census South Australia Census] at Findmypast - index ($), incomplete
+Typically a census is a count and description of the population. Where available, census records can provide an ancestor’s name, age, occupation, marital status prior to the marriage, birthplace, and family member relationships. Census returns can also provide clues that lead to other records. A census may list selected people or the whole population. The percentage of people listed depends on the purpose of the census and on how careful the enumerator was.
-*'''1841''' [http://www.jaunay.com/census.php 1841 Census for South Australia family history research], index.
-===Northern Territory===
+Australian states have also taken censuses—mostly from the eighteenth century on. However, many of the censuses do not survive because they were taken primarily for population studies and taxation. See the listing below for dates of the initial censuses in each state:
-*'''1881-1921''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/northern-territory-census Northern Territory Census] at Findmypast ($); index
-*'''1881, 1891, 1901''' -- {{FSC|233255|item|disp=Northern Territory of Australia censuses, 1881, 1891, 1901}} at FamilySearch, images.
-===Victoria===
+* New South Wales 1788
-*'''1836''' {{FSC|208942|item|disp=Abstract of the returns of population at Port Phillip in the New South Wales census of 1836}} at FamilySearch, images. Lists by name the householders of Port Phillip District, now the state of Victoria, Australia.
-*'''1838''' {{FSC|208945|item|disp=Census of Port Phillip, 1838}} at FamilySearch, images. Lists by name the householders of Port Phillip District, now the state of Victoria, Australia.
-===Western Australia===
-*'''1832''' {{FSC|105155|item|disp=A colony detailed : the first census of Western Australia, 1832}} at FamilySearch, images.
-*'''1837''' {{FSC|617495|item|disp=1837 census of Western Australia}} at FamilySearch, images. Arranged alpphabetically.
-*'''1837''' {{FSC|433578|item|disp=Census 1837, extracted from volume 58 of inward correspondence of the Colonial Secretary's Office of Western Australia by staff of the Battye Library}} at FamilySearch, images.
-*'''1837''' {{FSC|246089|item|disp=Census returns Western Australia, 1837}} at FamilySearch, images of original document.
-==Substitute Records==
+The 1841 State census is indexed by surname at:
-===Electoral Rolls/Voting Registers===
+* [http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/indexes/searchform.aspx?id=18 State Records NSW - Online search:Index to 1841 Census]
-*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/new-south-wales-electoral-rolls New South Wales Electoral Rolls] at Findmypast, index & images ($).
-*'''1842-1864''': [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1310 New South Wales, Australia Historical Electoral Rolls] at Ancestry - index & images ($)
-*'''1903-1980''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1207 Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980] at Ancestry, index, browse, and images ($).
-===Directories===
+* Northern Territory 1861
-*{{FSC|256925|item|disp=The Australasian federal directory of commerce, trades & professions}} at FamilySearch, images.
+* Queensland 1861
-*'''1831''' [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-998Q-WNGF?mode=g&cat=257962 Australian almanack, for the year of our Lord 1831] at FamilySearch, images.
+* South Australia 1841
-*'''1835''' [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/849622-redirection Australian almanack and general directory, for the year of our Lord 1835], e-book.
+* Tasmania 1803
-*'''1869''' {{FSC|287774|item|disp=Indian and colonial mercantile directory for 1869}} at FamilySearch, images.
+* Victoria 1836
-*'''1873''' [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/198492-redirection Australian handbook & almanac & shipper & importers directory], e-book.
+* Western Australia 1829
-*'''1888''' {{FSC|256925|item|disp=The Australasian federal directory of commerce, trades & professions}} at FamilySearch, images.
-*'''1893''' [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/398194-redirection The Australian handbook (incorporating New Zealand, Fiji, and New Guinea) shippers and importers' directory & business guide for 1893], e-book
-===Population Musters===
+The first country-wide census was taken in 1881. For a list of existing census returns look under "Census" for each state in the following book:
-*'''1800-1802''' {{FSC|708314|item|disp=Muster and lists, New South Wales and Norfolk Island, 1800-1802}} at FamilySearch, images.
-*'''1806-1849''' -  [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1185 New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters] at Ancestry - index & images ($)
-*'''1806''' -  {{FSC|80433|item|disp=Muster of all females in the colony, August 1806}}, at FamilySearch, images.
-*'''1811, 1814, 1819''' {{FSC|78362|item|disp=Population musters, 1811, 1814, 1819}} at FamilySearch, images.
-*'''1825-1840''' -  [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2377 New South Wales, Australia, Wives & Children of Irish Convicts] at Ancestry - index only ($)
-==Finding Records==
+* Vine Hall, Nick. ''Tracing your family history in Australia: a guide to sources.'' Second Edition. Albert Park, Victoria, Australia: North Vine Hall, 1994. (Family History Library Call No. [http://webview/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=1043448&disp=Tracing+your+family+history+in+Australia&columns=*,180,0 994 D23v].)
-For an excellent analysis of extant records and where they can be found in Australia archives and libraries, see [https://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/earlycensus/findpeople '''State Library of Victoria: Early Australian census records'''].
-==History==
+Existing censuses have been published or microfilmed and are available at the Family History Library. Look in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:
-The first country-wide census was taken in 1881. National censuses have been regularly taken by the Australian government since 1911. However, to protect individual privacy, all national censuses were destroyed after statistical information was collected. Earlier, in 1882, a fire destroyed the New South Wales census records for 1846, 1851, 1856, 1861, 1871 and 1881, including the household forms from 1861, 1871 and 1881. Therefore, '''census usage in Australian research is different from census research in other countries.'''
-<br>
-There are surviving local state censuses that do exist however. See the online list above to access the local state censuses. No records of individuals exist for censuses after these dates:
+AUSTRALIA, [STATE] - CENSUS
-*Victoria: 1853
-*New South Wales: 1901
-*Northern Territory: 1921
-*Queensland: 1841
-*South Australia: 1841
-*Tasmania: 1857
-*Western Australia: 1837
-==Contents==
+AUSTRALIA, [STATE], [TOWN] - CENSUS
-Typically a census is a count and description of the population. Where available, census records can provide an ancestor’s name, age, occupation and/or employer, whether free or bond, religion, ship and date of arrival, marital status, birthplace, and family member relationships. Census returns can also provide clues that lead to other records. A census may list selected people or the whole population. The percentage of people listed depends on the purpose of the census and on how careful the enumerator was.
-== Census Substitutes  ==
-In Australian research, other records can be used in place of census records. They are referred to as "census substitutes," and they list individuals who lived in specific places. It is rare, however, to find an entire family listed. Usually these records list only the head of household’s name, date and place of residence, occupation, age, value of property, and sometimes ship of arrival.
-Records that can be used as census substitutes are:
+The following is a register of the census records available in the Family History Library:
-*Population Musters
-::Because convicts were transported into Australia, the government found it necessary to survey the population at least annually. These surveys, known as musters, began in 1788. Information contained in the records might include an individual’s residence, status (convict, free, military), sex, name, ship of arrival, trial date, trial place, sentence, and remarks. Some early musters list children, wives, and servants.
-*Electoral rolls—See [[Australia Voting Records]].
-*Directories and almanacs—See [[Australia Directories]].
-*Emigration and immigration records—See [[Australia Emigration and Immigration]].
-*Depasturing licenses—See [[Australia Land and Property]].
-*Rate and valuation books—See [[Australia Taxation]].
-*Lists of convicts—See [[Australia Convict Records]].
+* ''Index to the Australian Census Records in the British Collection of the Family History Library''. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA: Family History Library, 1991, 1985. (Family History Library Call No. [http://webview/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=442225&disp=Index+to+the+Australian+census+records+i&columns=*,180,0 994 X22c] 1991.)
-{{Template:Pros-AU}}
+=== Census Substitutes ===
-{{Place|Australia}}
-[[Category:Australia]] [[Category:Victoria, Australia]]
+In Australian research, other records can be used in place of census records. They are referred to as "census substitutes," and they list individuals who lived in specific places. It is rare, however, to find an entire family listed. Usually these records list only the head of household’s name, date and place of residence, occupation, age, value of property, and sometimes ship of arrival.
-[[Category:Census records by country|Australia]]
+Records that can be used as census substitutes are:
+* Population Musters—See below.
+* Electoral roles—See the "[[Australia Voting Registers|Voting Registers]]" section of this outline.
+* Directories and almanacs—See the "[[Australia Directories|Directories]]" section of this outline.
+* Emigration and immigration records—See the "[[Australia Emigration and Immigration|Emigration and Immigration]]" section of this outline.
+* Depasturing licenses—See the "[[Australia Land and Property|Land and Property]]" section of this outline.
+* Rate and valuation books—See the "[[Australia Taxation|Taxation]]" section of this outline.
+* Lists of convicts—See the "[[Australia Convict Records|Convict Records]]" section of this outline.
+Census substitutes can be found in most major archives and libraries in Australia. For a listing of these archives and libraries and their addresses, see the "[[Australia Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]" section of this outline.
+'''Population Musters'''. Because convicts were transported into Australia, the government found it necessary to survey the population at least annually. These surveys, known as musters, began in 1788. Information contained in the records might include an individual’s residence, status (convict, free, military), sex, name, ship of arrival, trial date, trial place, sentence, and remarks. Some early musters list children, wives, and servants. For a list of surviving musters, look under the topic of "Census" for each state in the following book:
+* Vine Hall, Nick. ''Tracing your family history in Australia: a guide to sources''. Second Edition. Albert Park, Victoria, Australia: North Vine Hall, 1994. (Family History Library Call No. [http://webview/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=1043448&disp=Tracing+your+family+history+in+Australia&columns=*,180,0 994 D23v].)
+[[Category:Australia]]