The UK census is a detailed head count of everyone on given day in one of the four nations that make up the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. A census has been taken in England and Wales every ten years since 1801, with the exception of 1941 (see below)[1]. Censuses in the other two UK nations have been held separately and less data is available, either because these censuses were not taken with the same regularity or because the census returns have been lost[2].
The formal aim of any census is to provide information about the population as a whole, not to obtain detailed information about individuals. But in practice, census data collection is most efficiently achieved by listing everyone by name, wherever they happened to be on a single night to make sure everybody is counted once, and nobody twice.
A separate Wiki article explains in more detail how censuses work and value of census data. Briefly, in every census year a form is delivered to each household in the country. The "head" of each household is expected to give details of everyone who slept in that dwelling on one specific night--the "census night". The forms are subsequently collected and the data collated. The aggregated information is used by the government and other organisations to plan for the future, for example, to allocate resources to schools, hospitals, and other public services. It is also used to develop broad policies on issues such as housing, employment, and social care. While, as explained, family history research is not the primary purpose, the data contained in successive publicly available UK censuses provides a unique and valuable resource for anyone seeking information of the lives of their British ancestors.
Value of UK census records for family history research
Census data can be a valuable resource for family history research on UK ancestors. It can help you to:
- Assemble the core information of your UK ancestors: The census can help you to identify your ancestors by providing their name, age, family relationships and physical location. You may also be able to find many other details, depending on what additional questions were asked in the specific census you're researching.
- Trace movements: The census can help you to follow where families lived at different times. This can be useful if you are trying to determine where your ancestors originally came from and how they moved around.
- Enrich your understanding of your UK ancestors as real people: The census can provide you with a wealth of information about your ancestors' lives--their occupations, education, health, housing conditions, religious beliefs etc. This detail enables you to better understand the challenges and opportunities that they faced, and how they lived their lives, especially if considered in the broader political, economic and social context of the period.
UK census records by nation
England & Wales census records
Census collection for England & Wales began in 1801, but it is only in 1841 that the census listed the names of every individual and every household. This means the 1841 census is the first that's genuinely useful for most family historians. Even this census contains less information than later ones.
The most recent England & Wales census publicly available for general research dates from 1921. Unfortunately the 1931 census returns were destroyed in a 1942 fire. Further, the scheduled 1941 census did not take place due to the Second World War. This means that the next England/Wales census data to be made available for family history research will be the 1951 census. But that will not happen until 2052. For privacy reasons, the Office for National Statistics, which holds more recent census data, does not make it available to the public for 100 years after the date the census was conducted[1].
1939 Register
Luckily for family historians, an alternative to the "missing" 1931 and 1941 census has become available. In September 1939, at the outbreak of the Second World War, the UK government compiled a "Register" of all English and Welsh citizens to enable the accurate issue of ration books and ID cards as well as provide up to date information on the labour force and military conscription. The Register data, released 2015, includes similar information to the regular census and covers around 41 million individuals[3].
Scottish and Northern Ireland census records
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Scottish census records from 1841 to 1921 are accessible. To search the census individual returns for 1841-1871 you need to have an idea of where the person lived at the time the census was taken as the records are arranged by address. However, from 1881-1921 there is an index of names as well. Some location information in the 1921 census is inaccurate as the census that year was taken during summer meaning many more people were on holidays, not at their normal residence[4].
All-Ireland census records
With few exceptions, only the All-Ireland census records of 1901 and 1911 are available and useful for family history research. Very little remains of the 1821, 1831, 1841 and 1851 Ireland census recordsCite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag.
Data in the publicly available Scotland census records is broadly similar to the above but sometimes includes additional details, for each person in the household, such as:
- Whether orphaned (for those under 15)
- Details of employment, including name of employer
- Whether entitled to National Insurance benefits
How to access UK census records
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England & Wales census records from 1841 and the 1939 Register returns are available for review online through MyHeritage and several other subscription services. An index to these records can also be searched online through the National Archive website and detailed records can be researched on site at The National Archives repository in Kew, England and at various public libraries throughout the UK.
Scottish census returns from 1841 are accessible online through MyHeritage (only to the 1911 census) and the ScotlandsPeople website. The returns have been indexed and can be searched by personal name. Some limited returns from pre-1841 Scottish censuses is also available -the National Records of Scotland website provides access details.
Records from the 1901 and 1911 All-Ireland censuses (which includes the counties which now form Northern Ireland) are accessible online through MyHeritage and the National Archives of Ireland.
Explore more about UK census records
- U.K. & Ireland Census collection catalog at MyHeritage, which includes
- England & Wales census, 1841 to 1911
- UK Register. 1939
- Scotland census, 1841 to 1901
- All-Ireland census, 1901 to 1911
- England, Norfolk Register of Electors, 1844-1952
- Census Data – Discover census collections, a webinar by Mike Mansfield at the MyHeritage Knowledge Base
- Using Census, Immigration, Newspaper, and Yearbook Records at MyHeritage to Explore the Lives of Your Ancestors, a webinar by Lisa Alzo at the MyHeritage Knowledge Base
- Making Sense of the English Census at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
- Exploring the new 1921 UK Census at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
- Foundations of Irish Genealogy 3: The Major Records II, Censuses at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
- Foundations of Irish Genealogy 7: Census Substitutes at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
- The National Archives of the United Kingdom
- Census returns at ScotlandsPeople
- Northern Ireland Direct Government Services
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Census records. The National Archives
- ↑ History of the census. Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. (n.d.)
- ↑ World War II: 'Wartime Domesday' book showing life in 1939 to be made publicly available online. The Independent
- ↑ News article: 1921 census records released. ScotlandsPeople