Census returns are a great resource for finding out information about your ancestors. They record details about individuals, families, and households at a particular time in history. Census records officially began in 1841, and the same information has been taken every ten years since. There are some earlier records too, although the information they contain is often sparse.
Census returns provide valuable information about your family history, and help you to piece together information about their lives. Here’s what you can expect to find when you explore census returns.
Names – This includes your ancestors’ first names, middle names and surnames. It may also include any nicknames they may have had.
Ages – The age at which they were recorded in the census can be useful when trying to find out more about them. This is because it helps identify what year they were born in and therefore their birth year. For example, if an ancestor appears as being 20 years old in 1841 then we know they were born around 1821-1822 and that would help us narrow down their birth date.
Address – By searching through census records, you can often find detailed information about where your ancestors lived. If you are having trouble finding the address of a specific ancestor, you can also try searching for other relatives who may have lived at the same address. For example, if you know the name of your ancestor’s spouse or child, you can search for them in the census records. This may give you more information about where your ancestor lived and help you narrow down your search.
Occupation – Census returns often provide information about a person’s job. It includes the occupation of the head of the household, as well as other residents. It also shows whether younger children are at school, described as ‘scholars’.
How People are Related to Each Other – The relationship between people living together can sometimes be tricky to work out from just looking at a name, but census returns can often give clues about who is related to who.
There may be times when census returns do not give you the information you are looking for, as some people may not have been included in the census for various reasons. For example, if they were living abroad at the time of the census or if they were away from home on business or holiday, they would not be listed in their usual place of residence.
How to Access Census Records
There are a few different ways to search for census records. The first way is to go to your local library and ask for help from a librarian. Many libraries have subscription-based databases that you can use for free. Another way to search for census records is to go online and search for websites that offer access to census records. There are some websites that offer free, yet often limited, access to census records, but there are also some that offer full access for a fee.
Another record similar to a census is the 1939 Register. It provides a picture of civilian life in England and Wales, right at the beginning of the Second World War. The register was taken on 29 September 1939, and used to provide information to issue identity cards, rationing books and in the administration of military conscription. It is a fascinating and useful record that can help you find out more about your family history.
Census returns can be an extremely helpful tool for finding out more about your ancestors’ lives. By taking the time to search through these records, you can often find detailed information about where they lived and worked. With this information, you can piece together a more complete picture of your family history.
If you are looking for help with census returns, or would like to know more about genealogy services, I can help you find the missing information you are looking for. Feel free to get in touch!