England Census: Difference between revisions

= <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">England Census</span>  =

A census is a count and description of the population.&nbsp; The foundation of nineteenth century research relies on census records. It tells you where they are, where they were born, approximate year of birth, and what occupation they were engaged in. It puts families together in time and place. It leads you to the parish where they were born. It can 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. It could be considered as a tool or finding aid in that quest. The first census available is 1841 and every ten years thereafter. The 1911 census is the most recent one to be released to the public.<br>  

Various companies have indexed the census records. 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.&nbsp; 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>  

== Understanding the Census ==

The 1841 census was taken on&nbsp;6 June. The censuses taken between 1851 through 1931 were conducted between 31 March and 8 April. 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.  

You will find the following information in the censuses:  

'''1841:&nbsp;''' This census lists the members 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 older than 15 down to a multiple of 5. For example, a 59-year-old would be listed as 55.  

'''1851 and later:&nbsp;''' 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.&nbsp; (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)&nbsp; NOTE: Many of the websites have not yet updated&nbsp;their pages to include the 1911 census.<br>  

=== Registration Districts ===

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.

== Searching Census Records ==

To begin a search in census records, start with an index.&nbsp; Indexes for the 1841 through 1911 censuses are available online.&nbsp; 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>  

*Names may be misspelled. Try spelling variations. Even consider different first letters.<br>  

<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.&nbsp; It also has microfilm copies of the census for 1841 through 1891.&nbsp; The film numbers are listed in the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library Catalog] under parish names (Place Search) and the topic of Census.&nbsp; They are also listed in the following library source:<br>  

An extension of the library are the Family History Centers located around the world.&nbsp; Anyone can borrow microfilm copies of census through the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp Family History Centers].&nbsp; Some large centers may also have subscriptions to websites that provide online access to the census.<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.&nbsp;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>''  

=== How to Search the Family History Library Catalog for Census ===