Complete Guide To Family History Research
CENSUS RETURNS
What are they?
The census began in 1801 and has been taken every 10 years since, apart from during WW2. The purpose is to provide statistical information to the government to aid planning. Few of the first four survive and they were little more than head counts. The first of general use to family historians is therefore the 1841 census. Census information is closed for 100 years so the latest currently available is 1901.
The 1911 census is eagerly awaited by family historians. From 2009 there will be a phased release of information starting with major conurbations. The full census will be available at the beginning of 1912. For the first time, it will be the householder's schedule (rather than the enumerator's notes) which will be available, so that you will usually be viewing your ancestors' actual handwriting when looking at entries.
The exact dates of the different censuses can be found at British Genealogy.
An individual census page is referenced by a number for the particular census year, the census piece (a collection of individual enumerators' books for the district) and the folio number (the two sides of a particular sheet), for example, RG13/5279/29.
What information might they give?
From 1851 to 1901 the census returns are very similar and give names, gender, marital status, occupation and place of birth. The relationship to the head of household is stated. Terms may have a slightly different meaning from today, for example, a stepson or stepdaughter may be recorded as a son or daughter-in-law. Address information varies, in towns and cities there will be street names but not always numbers. Villages may have neither numbers nor street names.
The 1841 census gives more limited information, names, ages, gender, occupation and whether born in or outside the county. Ages over 14 are usually rounded down to the nearest 5 years, so a person recorded as age 35 could in fact be 39. The relationship to the head of household is not stated. The end of the household is marked by two strokes after the last name. Occupations may be abbreviated, for example 'fwk' for framework knitter, 'ms' and 'fs' for male servant and female servant and 'ag lab' for agricultural labourer.
Where can I find them?
Census records are widely available but can be expensive to access. They can be found on CD and on free and pay sites.
Free sources include freeCEN at www.freecen.rootsweb.com and partial transcriptions made by family history societies. Don't forget the partial transcriptions of the 1841 censuses for Hampshire, Yorkshire, London, Suffolk, Devon, Isle Of Man, Shropshire and Norfolk available on Ancestry Aid at www.ancestryaid.co.uk./search/index.php. Many reference libraries, record offices and family history societies provide free access to www.ancestry.co.uk, which is the only site at present providing access to all the censuses between 1841 and 1901. Access to the 1881 census is free at www.familysearch.org and www.familyhistoryonline.
Other pay sites include www.findmypast.com and www.thegenealogist.co.uk. Findmypast allows an address search. Different sites have transcribed censuses separately so may give slightly different information, particularly for the 1841 census.
Uses and limitations
Census material is invaluable to family historians and together with BMD information is likely to provide the framework for your family tree. However, not every census return survives. Some, particularly in 1841, are difficult or impossible to read. Information may be inaccurate. Not everyone knew or wished to divulge their age and place of birth. Spelling of surnames was not necessarily standardised. Sometimes the census enumerator completed the return for the householder and may not have heard and recorded unfamiliar names and places correctly.
Census registration districts and county boundaries do not always coincide. The quality of the transcription of census material is very variable. Mistakes have been made (at times bizarre!), making it difficult to track down a particular family.
Don't forget to ask for information, advice or look-ups on the Ancestry Aid 'Request Help' or 'Lookup Requests' forums.
Written By Ancestry Aid Member: Gillian