UK Census
The Census in the UK
A census was taken every 10 years from 1810 but, the census taken between 1810 and 1831 are of little use to genealogists and nursing historians since they recorded only the numbers in each household. From 1841 the census is of use.
The census was taken from midnight on Sunday/Monday as follows:
- 1841 Census - 6 & 7th June
- 1851 Census - 30 & 31st March
- 1861 Census - 7 & 8th April
- 1871 Census - 2 & 3rd April
- 1881 Census - 3 & 4th April
- 1891 Census - 5 & 6th April
- 1901 Census - 31st March & 1st April
- 1911 Census - 2nd & 3rd April
Details recorded in the 1841 Census:
- Address (vague)
- Names
- Age: (a) 15 and under exact age, (b) over 15 recorded to the lowest 5 years e.g. someone age 56, 57, 58 or 59 would be recorded as 55.
- Occupation of each individual
- Whether born in this country - recorded as Yes/Y or country of birth
Details recorded in the 1851 - 1901 Census:
- Road, street, number or name of house
- Whether the house is inhabited or not
- Name and surname of each person
- Relationship to head of house
- Married/Unmarried
- Age last birthday
- Profession
- Whether employed or not
- Place of birth
- Whether blind/insane/feeble minded
Details recorded in the 1911 Census:
- Forename & Surname
- Age
- Sex
- Occupation
- Address
- Town/county of birth
- Relation to head of household
- Marital status
- Medical disabilities
- Employment status
- Nationality
- Duration of current marriage
- Number of children born within that marriage
- Number of living children
- Number of any children who have died
The Census Page
The front of each census enumeration book contains a standard section explaining how to complete the records. More useful is the page describing the streets and places recorded in that book, as they often provide clues to the route the enumerator took, often helping you locate a property. Large streets may fill several books which may not be contiguous, and the routes often detour up side streets and alleys. The books also contain a chart which the enumerator filled in with the figures he totalled at the bottom of each enumeration page. These statistics are the ones which could be easily collated for early release to government.
Every page holds the details of up to 25 individuals divided over a number of full or partial households. Entries do not always include full addresses, so knowing a specific address doesn't always help. The page header contains information about the general location and includes area information on the district, ward or township, the enumerator filled out whatever information was appropriate.
