Census of England and Wales

Since 1801, a census has been taken in England and Wales every 10 years. It is a head count of everyone in the country on a given night, regardless of where they may be on that night. This ensured everyone was counted only once and nobody was counted twice. The census collects information about the population as a whole rather than detailed information about individuals.

Conducting a Census

1841-1901

During a census, every household in the country received a form, known as a schedule, which was delivered by an enumerator. The head of the household then completed it by recording the details of everyone who slept in the house on census night. The enumerator would then collect the schedule a few days later and copy the information from each one into enumeration books. Once each book was complete, the schedules were destroyed, and although some have survived, they are rare. It is the pages from the enumeration books that can be consulted online or on microfilm.

In every census year an enumerator delivered a form to each household in the country for them to complete. The heads of household were instructed to give details of everyone who slept in that dwelling on census night, which was always a Sunday. The forms completed by each household, known as schedules, were collected a few days later by the enumerator. From 1841 to 1901 the information from the schedules was then copied into enumeration books. Once the enumeration books had been completed, most household schedules were destroyed, although there are some rare survivals. It is the enumeration books that we consult today online or on microfilm.

From 1851, information from institutions such as workhouses, barracks and hospitals was compiled in special enumeration books.

1911 onwards

In 1911, the household schedules were kept for the first time so there was no need for enumeration books to be compiled. Instead, enumerators produced summary books which listed every address and the name of the head of the household. These summary books included descriptions of the buildings, for example private house, house and shop and hotel; and listed unoccupied houses, factories and churches.

Household schedules were also retained in 1921, but ‘Plans of Division’ replaced the enumerators’ summary books. The plans describe the contents and boundaries of each enumeration district.

Census Dates

The National Registration Act of 1939 established a National Register at the beginning of the second world war. It commenced on 29^th September 1939 and involved issuing everyone with an identity cards. There was no census in 1941 due to the war and the 1931 census returns were destroyed in a fire in 1942 which was apparently unrelated to enemy action. On 24th April 1966 a mini-census was taken using a 10% sample.

Information Collected

Notes

Age

• 1841 – the age of anyone over 15 was rounded down to the nearest five years
• 1851 to 1911 – age is that of the person at the last birthday
• 1921 – age includes months as well as years

1911 Census

The 1911 census also collected the following information:

• For married women:
  • the number of years of their present marriage
  • the number of children born of that marriage
  • the number of children still living
  • the number of children that had died
• Further employment details:
  • whether employed by a government, municipal or other public body
  • the industry in which the person was employed the name of the employing body was only collected from people working in public service
• Further details of birth:
  • The parish and county of birth for anyone born in the UK (including all of Ireland)
  • If born elsewhere in the British Empire, the colony or dependency, and the state or province
  • If born outside England and Wales, whether the person was a resident or visitor in the country
• The nationality of anyone born overseas whether British by parentage, British by naturalisation (including year of naturalisation) or, if a foreign national, of which country
• If infirm, the age at which the person had become afflicted

1921 Census

the 1921 census also collected the following information:

• Further details of Birth:
  • The country and state or province was collected for all those born outside the United Kingdom rather than for those born in the British Empire (state or province) as was collected previously
  • The year of naturalisation was not collected for Naturalised British subjects
• Orphanhood (for children under 15 only):
  • both parents were alive
  • the father was dead
  • the mother was dead
  • both parents were dead
• Living children details (married men, widowers and widows only):
  • the number of their living children and step-children under 16
  • the age of their living children and step-children under 16

Census Returns

The census returns in England and Wales are subject to the 100 year closure rule and are not made publicly assessable until this time has lapsed.

Some content of the census data relating to family members is available here.

More information can be found on the GENUKI website and the National Archives website.