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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. In England, the first government census was taken in 1801. | }}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. | ||
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 censu, 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 of population since the previous census year.<br>{{further|England Census: Further Information and Description{{!}}Further Information and Description|Lost or Missing England Census Records}} | |||
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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. | ||
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: | |||
1841 – June 7 1851 – March 31<br>1861 – April 8 1871 – April 3<br>1881 – April 4 1891 – April 6<br>1901 – April 1 1911 – April 2 | |||
The following information can be found in the censuses: | |||
The following information can be found in the censuses: | |||
=== 1841 === | === 1841 === | ||
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*Whether or not the individual was born in the county in which they were living on June 6, 1841. (If it is ‘yes’ , it is noted with “Y” and for ‘no’ it is noted with “N”.) | *Whether or not the individual was born in the county in which they were living on June 6, 1841. (If it is ‘yes’ , it is noted with “Y” and for ‘no’ it is noted with “N”.) | ||
*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 | ||
*[[ | *[[England and Wales 1841 Census Population Schedule, (FamilySearch Historical Records)|England and Wales 1841 Census Population Schedule, (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||
=== | === 1851 and later === | ||
*Name of each member of the household | *Name of each member of the household | ||
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*Condition – marital status | *Condition – marital status | ||
*Occupation | *Occupation | ||
*Parish and county of birth (except foreign births, which usually gave country only) | *Parish and county of birth (except foreign births, which usually gave country only) | ||
*The 1851 and 1861 censuses list whether a person was "blind, deaf, or idiot." | *The 1851 and 1861 censuses list whether a person was "blind, deaf, or idiot." | ||
*The 1871 and 1881 censuses list whether a person was considered an "imbecile, idiot, or lunatic." | *The 1871 and 1881 censuses list whether a person was considered an "imbecile, idiot, or lunatic." | ||
*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. | *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. | ||
*[[England and Wales 1861 Census Population Schedules, (FamilySearch Historical Records)|England and Wales 1861 Census Population Schedules, (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | *[[England and Wales 1861 Census Population Schedules, (FamilySearch Historical Records)|England and Wales 1861 Census Population Schedules, (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||
*[[ | *[[England and Wales 1851 Census Population Schedules|England and Wales 1851 Census Population Schedules]] | ||
See a detailed listing of the changes made to the census over the years starting in 1841. At the GENUKI website ([http://www.genuki.org.uk/ www.genuki.org.uk]) there is an excellent explanation of the census records and availability. (Examples of Census - 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871) NOTE: Many of the websites have not yet updated their pages to include the 1911 census. | See a detailed listing of the changes made to the census over the years starting in 1841. At the GENUKI website ([http://www.genuki.org.uk/ www.genuki.org.uk]) there is an excellent explanation of the census records and availability. (Examples of Census - 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871) NOTE: Many of the websites have not yet updated their pages to include the 1911 census. | ||
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=== 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: | 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] | ||
For the 1911 census: [http://www.findmypast.co.uk www.findmypast.co.uk] | |||
== Finding and Using Census Records == | |||
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 POINTS ==== | |||
=== | |||
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: | ||
#Names may be misspelled – both Christian and surnames could have variant spellings. | |||
#Ages and birthplaces may not be accurate – consider who was reporting the information. | |||
#Relationships may not be expressed in terms understood today – regionally “in law” and “step” are terms that have different meanings. | |||
#Jurisdictions changed – as population grew and shifted, jurisdictions changed. | |||
#People may not be where they are expected – a disaster or plague may have forced a family to move. | |||
#Pages may be unreadable – use “zoom” and other enhancements on digital copiers.<br> | |||
[[Image:Brompton5.jpg|thumb|right|259x327px]] | [[Image:Brompton5.jpg|thumb|right|259x327px]] | ||
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{{further|England Census: Further Information and Description}} | {{further|England Census: Further Information and Description}} | ||
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 === | ||