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'''[[England|England]] | '''[[England|England]] | [[England Civil Registration|Civil Registration]] | [[England Church Records|Church Records]] | [[England Census Records and Indexes Online|Census Online Indexes]]''' | ||
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
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|1931|37359045 | |1931|37359045 | ||
|footnote=Source: [http://www.histpop.org/ohpr/servlet/PageBrowser?path=Browse/Census%20(by%20date)/1931/England&active=yes&mno=313&tocstate=expandnew&tocseq=700&display=sections&display=tables&display=pagetitles&pageseq=first-nonblank 1931 Census] | |footnote=Source: [http://www.histpop.org/ohpr/servlet/PageBrowser?path=Browse/Census%20(by%20date)/1931/England&active=yes&mno=313&tocstate=expandnew&tocseq=700&display=sections&display=tables&display=pagetitles&pageseq=first-nonblank 1931 Census] | ||
}} | }} | ||
<br> | 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. In England, the first government census was taken in 1801. <br> | ||
The first census listing people by name was taken in 1841 with the census traditionally being taken every ten years since then except for 1941 (due to WW II). The 1931 census was destroyed during WW II. Census records are generally released 100 years after they are taken. These records are one of the best ways to locate ancestors at a given place and time. | The first census listing people by name was taken in 1841 with the census traditionally being taken every ten years since then except for 1941 (due to WW II). The 1931 census was destroyed during WW II. Census records are generally released 100 years after they are taken. These records are one of the best ways to locate ancestors at a given place and time. | ||
Although the 1841 census is of great value, it had some limitations. It was originally produced on blue paper and inscribed with pencil. Many of the original images on film were very poor but the digital quality has improved them. In the 1841 | Although the 1841 census is of great value, it had some limitations. It was originally produced on blue paper and inscribed with pencil. Many of the original images on film were very poor but the digital quality has improved them. In the 1841 census, relationships were not given, the age of individuals older than 15 years was rounded down, and specific birthplaces were not provided. The 1851 census and subsequent censuses provide more detailed information, making it easier to find family members. | ||
The percentages shown in the chart to the right are the percentage of increase in population since the previous census year.<br>{{further|England Census: Further Information and Description{{!}}Further Information and Description|Lost or Missing England Census Records}} | The percentages shown in the chart to the right are the percentage of increase in population since the previous census year.<br>{{further|England Census: Further Information and Description{{!}}Further Information and Description|Lost or Missing England Census Records}} | ||
== 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. | 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. | ||
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The following information can be found in the censuses: | The following information can be found in the censuses: | ||
=== 1841 === | ==== 1841 ==== | ||
*Name of each member of the household | *Name of each member of the household | ||
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*[[England and Wales 1841 Census Population Schedule, (FamilySearch Historical Records)|England and Wales 1841 Census Population Schedule, (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | *[[England and Wales 1841 Census Population Schedule, (FamilySearch Historical Records)|England and Wales 1841 Census Population Schedule, (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||
=== 1851 and later === | ==== 1851 and later ==== | ||
*Name of each member of the household | *Name of each member of the household | ||
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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> | ||
=== 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 == | ||
Many repositories, including the Family History Library, hold a number of indexes to the census records. They may be:<br>• Original Census records from 1841-1891<br>• Surname Indexes<br>• Street Indexes<br>• Some remnants of 1801-1831 censuses that include names | Many repositories, including the Family History Library, hold a number of indexes to the census records. They may be:<br>• Original Census records from 1841-1891<br>• Surname Indexes<br>• Street Indexes<br>• Some remnants of 1801-1831 censuses that include names | ||
=== Online === | ==== Online ==== | ||
Several websites have now published online many of the census indexes and records from 1841-1901. There is only one site that provides access to the 1911 census on the internet at the present time. The sites are as follows:<br>[http://www.familysearch.org www.familysearch.org] - 1881 census free<br>[http://www.genuki.org.uk www.genuki.org.uk] – links to indexes<br>[http://www.ancestry.co.uk www.ancestry.co.uk] <br>[http://www.findmypast.co.uk www.findmypast.co.uk] <br>[http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk www.thegenealogist.co.uk] | Several websites have now published online many of the census indexes and records from 1841-1901. There is only one site that provides access to the 1911 census on the internet at the present time. The sites are as follows:<br>[http://www.familysearch.org www.familysearch.org] - 1881 census free<br>[http://www.genuki.org.uk www.genuki.org.uk] – links to indexes<br>[http://www.ancestry.co.uk www.ancestry.co.uk] <br>[http://www.findmypast.co.uk www.findmypast.co.uk] <br>[http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk www.thegenealogist.co.uk] | ||
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Census records are more easily available than ever before. Caution should be used when searching them for family members. Never assume what isn’t there or “leap” generations in linking individuals. | Census records are more easily available than ever before. Caution should be used when searching them for family members. Never assume what isn’t there or “leap” generations in linking individuals. | ||
==== | ==== Important Searching Point<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1303929120453_618" /><span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1303929120468_889" />s ==== | ||
A number of items need to be considered while searching census records for family members: | A number of items need to be considered while searching census records for family members: | ||
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Census details changed little from year to year. See 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 the [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 - [[1841 British Census Example|1841]], 1851, [[1861 British Census Example|1861]], 1871) NOTE: Many of the websites have not yet updated their pages to include the 1911 census. | Census details changed little from year to year. See 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 the [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 - [[1841 British Census Example|1841]], 1851, [[1861 British Census Example|1861]], 1871) NOTE: Many of the websites have not yet updated their pages to include the 1911 census. | ||
=== 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 [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/default.asp?source=ddmenu_search3&j=1 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: | 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 [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/default.asp?source=ddmenu_search3&j=1 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: | ||