The guide to researching your family history.
A series to lead you through the process of discovering your family’s story in simple steps, with some tips and tricks to help you through, round or over brick walls.
Part 3 – Census (Click here for Part 2)
The first UK census was taken in 1801, but the first which contained the names of individual people was that of 1841. The censuses which are currently available to family historians are those taken every ten years for 1841-1911.
The amount of information recorded in the censuses varied. In 1841 it was limited to name, age (within a 5-year band), occupation and whether born in the county of residence. Family relationships were not included. In the censuses of 1851-1901 family relationships were specified, as were “exact” ages and places of birth.
The 1911 census also included the number of years a couple had been married and how many children they had had. It is worth noting that the information in the census returns is what was told to the enumerator or written on the form and so is prone to errors, whether accidental or deliberate.
Websites for accessing the census records:
• www.Ancestry.co.uk – ££ – Free access available at Consett Library
• www.FindMyPast.co.uk – ££
• www.TheGenealogist.co.uk – ££
• www.FreeCen.org.uk – Free – Check the coverage of an area of interest as not complete
• www.FamilySearch.org – Free
Next month: The 1939 Register
