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England, How to Use Census Records Guide Introduction A census is a count and description of the population. The censuses of England and Wales are especially helpful for family history research because they list the majority of the population and are readily available. Censuses of genealogical value have been taken every ten years since 1841, with the exception of 1941. For more information about the census see Background. What You Are Looking for The information you will find varies from record to record. These records may include: • Name. • Age. • Marital status. • Address. • Birthplace. • Relationship to the head of the household. • Occupation. Steps These 8 steps will help you search the census. Step 1. Decide which years your ancestor may appear in census records. Based on your ancestor's approximate birth, marriage, and death dates, decide which years to search. The following censuses are available: • 1841 • 1851 • 1861 • 1871 • 1881 • 1891 England, How to Use Census Records Research Guidance Version of Data: 08/08/01 2 Step 2. Identify the town or parish where your ancestor lived. You need to know the name of the place where your ancestor lived to find him or her in the census. If you do not know where your ancestor lived, see How to Find the Name of the Place Your Ancestor Lived. Step 3. Decide where you will search the census. You may find copies of census records at the following locations: • Family History Centers • Family History Library • Family Records Centre, London • County Record Offices • Archives and Libraries • Family History Societies Step 4. Look for a census index for the place where your ancestor lived. Indexes can save you research time. There may be a census surname index for the place where your ancestor lived. See Census Surname Indexes. If you know the name of a street, look for a street index. Street indexes are especially helpful for searches in larger cities. See Census Street Indexes. If no census indexes are available for the place, go to step 5. Step 5. Find the census record. Use the catalog of the repository you chose in step 3 to find the census microfilm or microfiche numbers for the place where your ancestor lived. See Where to Find It. Step 6. Search the census record. If you have an index reference, including a piece or bundle number and a folio number, search the microfilm or microfiche copy of the census until you find the part of the census that matches the index reference. Find the household that includes your ancestor. If you did not use an index, search the census record name by name. The census is not arranged alphabetically. For suggestions of things to keep in mind when searching the census records, see Tip 1. If you did not find your ancestor in the census, see Tip 2. Step 7. Copy the information from the census and note the source. Copy the information from the census onto the family group sheets and pedigree chart for your ancestor. Make a photocopy if possible. You may also print out a blank census form to make an exact transcript. England, How to Use Census Records Research Guidance Version of Data: 08/08/01 3 Document your source. Be sure to record where the information came from on your forms, your photocopies, and on your research log. To learn how to keep good notes, see Note Taking &amp; Keeping for Genealogists. Step 8. Analyze the information found on the census. Compare any information you found on the census with knowledge you already have about your ancestor. Does it: • Conflict with what you know? If the information conflicts, use other sources to verify. • Support what you know? • Add to what you know? Then ask yourself: • Did the source have the information I wanted? • Is this information accurate? • Does this information suggest other sources to search? Background Description The English and Welsh government has taken censuses every ten years since 1801, except 1941. The first genealogically useful national census was taken in 1841. Earlier censuses contain only statistical information. Some parishes, however, compiled lists of names, a few of which survive. For more information about pre 1841 census lists see Local Census Listings 1522-1930 Holdings In The British Isles by Jeremy Gibson and Mervyn Medlycott or Pre-1841 Censuses &amp; Population Listings In The British Isles by Colin R. Chapman. These booklets can be purchased through the Federation Family History Societies. The 1841 census is arranged by: • Hundred. • Parish. • Town, chapelry, hamlet, village, etc. • Household. The 1851 through 1891 censuses are arranged by: • Census district. • Enumeration district. • Parish. • Town, chapelry, hamlet, village, etc. • Street. • Household. The 1851 through 1891 censuses may give the following information: • Name. • Relationship to the head of household. • Marital condition. • Age. • Gender. England, How to Use Census Records Research Guidance Version of Data: 08/08/01 4 • Occupation. • Place of birth. The 1841 census may give the following information: • Name. • Age (rounded down to the nearest multiple of 5 for all persons aged 15 and older). • Gender. • Occupation. • Indication of birthplace by county or country (specific birthplace not given). Tips Tip 1. What should I keep in mind when searching census records? • Accept ages with caution. • Given names may not be the same as the name recorded in church or civil records. • Information may be incorrect. • Names may be spelled as they sounded to the enumerator and not as you expect. • Place names may be misspelled. • Parts of the censuses are faint and sometimes unreadable. • Search in surrounding towns or parishes for individuals missing from a family. Tip 2. What if I did not find my ancestor in the census? • Your ancestor may have been living, visiting, or working in another place. Search other areas, and be sure to search for indexes to those areas first. See step 4. • The name may be spelled differently than expected. Watch for spelling variations. • Your ancestor may have emigrated. • A female ancestor may have married or remarried. • Your ancestor may have died before the census was taken. Look for other family members. Where to Find It Family History Centers Family History Centers can borrow microfilms and microfiche of the census from the Family History Library for a small fee. To find the microfilm or microfiche numbers for each census year, look in the Family History Library Catalog. Go to What to Do Next, select the catalog, select a county, and look for census records for the parish where your ancestor lived. You may request photocopies of the census from the Family History Library for a small fee. You must provide the microfilm or microfiche number, and the piece, folio, and page numbers obtained from an index. You will need to fill out a Request for Photocopies-Census Records, Books, Microfilm or Microfiche form, which is available from the Family History Centers and Family History Library. Send the form and the fee to the Family History Library. England, How to Use Census Records Research Guidance Version of Data: 08/08/01 5 Family History Centers are located throughout the United States and other areas of the world. For the address of the Family History Center nearest you, see Family History Centers. Family History Library The Family History Library has microfilm and microfiche copies of the census. There is no fee for using the microfilms and microfiche in person. To find the microfilm or microfiche numbers for each census year, look in the Family History Library Catalog. Go to What to Do Next, select the catalog, select a county, and look for census records for the parish where your ancestor lived. Family Records Centre, London, England Census records and indexes for 1841 through 1891 can be searched at: The Family Records Centre 1 Myddleton Street London EC1R 1UW England Copies of the original enumerator's returns for the censuses of 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, and 1891 for England, Wales, Channel Islands, and The lsle of Man are at the Family Records Centre. These records may be searched there. A Public Record Office Readers' Guide No. 17 has been produced entitled Never Been Here Before? a genealogists' guide to the Family Records Centre, by Jane Cox and Stella Colwell. At the Family Records Centre instructional leaflets are available describing how to use the census records for various census years. Note that these leaflets refer very specifically to resources found in the Family Records Centre. Therefore, you should print out the leaflets for use when you visit the centre. Office for National Statistics Census records less than one hundred years old are confidential and cannot be searched by individuals. However, the 1901 census can be searched for you. To obtain an application and the cost for this search, write to: Office for National Statistics Census Legislation, Room 4303 Segensworth Road, Titchfield Fareham Hampshire PO15 5RR England The search will be done only if you provide the name and address (at the time the census was taken) of the individual you are seeking. You must also get the written consent of the person on the record or of a direct descendant. The individual's age and birthplace will be the only information provided. England, How to Use Census Records Research Guidance Version of Data: 08/08/01 6 Local repositories in England The original census records have been microfilmed, and many local repositories in England and Wales have copies of the records for their areas. A list of the local repositories and their holdings can be found in the publication Census Returns 1841 - 1891 in Microform: A Directory to Local Holdings in Great Britain; Channel Islands; Isle of Man, by Jeremy Gibson and Elizabeth Hampson. If it is not available at a library near you, it may be purchased from the Federation of Family History Societies. Addresses of local repositories can be accessed through Archon (Archives on Line). To search for County Record Offices, click on Archon. Use one of the two following methods to search: • If you know the exact name of the County Record Office, click on Repository Search. Put in the name of the record office, and press Search. The record office information and address should appear. • If you want to browse through the list of repositories, click on Repository List. Select the country in which the repository is found. A screen with an alphabetical list of repositories will appear. You can shortcut the search by clicking on the alphabet bar at the top of the screen. This will let you jump to the part of the index that you need. Archives and Libraries Archives and libraries elsewhere in the world may also have microform copies of census records in their collections. Check with an archive or library near you (see Ready, 'Net, Go.) Family History Societies Every county in England and Wales has at least one family history society which promotes family history research for its area. Many societies maintain libraries, and some societies have microform copies of census records for their area in their library collections. You may find lists of family history societies and their addresses on the Internet. Go to the member societies list of the Federation of Family History Societies to find a society of interest to you. Contact the society about their library holdings.

Family History Library • 35 North West Temple Street • Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3400 USA England and Wales, How to Use Census Street Indexes Guide Introduction A street index can help you quickly find your ancestor in the census. Street indexes are available for most large towns and cities in England and Wales for the 1841 to 1891 census years. For more information about street indexes, see Background. What You Are Looking For A census street index listing the street where your ancestor lived. Steps These 8 steps will help you find a particular street in a census street index. Step 1. Find the name of the street where your ancestor lived. To use a census street index, you must know the address where your ancestor lived close to the time of a census. You may find street addresses in the following sources: • Family records or traditions. • Civil registration certificates of birth, marriage, or death. • Directories of counties, towns, or cities. • Census records of other years. • Parish church records. • Military records. • Tax records. • Voters lists. If you cannot find a street address for your ancestor, return to England and Wales, How To Use Census Records, step 5. Step 2. Decide where you will be using street indexes. Most street indexes are created by the Public Record Office of England. They are available at: • The Family Records Centre. • The Family History Library. • Family History Centers. • Other archives and libraries. England and Wales, How to Use Census Street Indexes Research Guidance Versionof Data: 08/10/01 2 Based on availability and convenience, decide where you will be using street indexes. Step 3. Find out if there is a census street index for the town where your ancestor lived. The Register of Towns Indexed By Streets will help you find if a street index exists. Look at the list of towns indexed by street for the census year you want to search: • 1841 • 1851 • 1861 • 1871 • 1881 (Use the1881 census index on microfiche or CD). • 1891 Look for the town where your ancestor lived. If you find the town listed as being indexed, note on your research log the name and number of the registration district under which it is indexed. If you are searching at a Family History Center or The Family History Library, also note the volume and microfiche numbers of the street index book for the district. If no street index exists for the town where your ancestor lived, return to England and Wales, How To Use Census Records, step 5. Step 4. Find the census street index. The process for finding the census street index will vary depending on where you are doing your search. Ask the repository's staff for help if you need assistance. Step 5. Search the index for the street where your ancestor lived. The street index books are arranged by registration district name and number, then alphabetically by street name. Look in the book for the district that includes the town you want, and then look for the street where your ancestor lived. If you cannot find the street listed in the index, see Tips. Step 6. Copy the information from the index, and note the source. If you find the street listed, copy onto your research log the reference that is given for the street. The reference includes: • A Public Record Office class number and piece or bundle number, such as HO107/1735 or RG10/245. • A folio number. To document your source, note on your research log the place where you found the index and any record office or library call number for the index. England and Wales, How to Use Census Street Indexes Research Guidance Versionof Data: 08/10/01 3 Step 7. Find the call number for the census. At the Family Records Centre in London: The piece or bundle number obtained from the street index is also the microfilm or microfiche number of the census that will include the street where your ancestor lived. At the Family History Library: In the street index book, turn to the first page of the registration district. You will find a list of microfilm or microfiche numbers and the piece or bundle numbers they correspond to. Match the piece or bundle number for the street to the microfilm or microfiche number for the census. Copy the census number onto your research log. At a Family History Center: Using the microfiche version of the street index, follow the same procedure as for the library. At other archives and libraries: The process for finding the census call number will vary depending on where you are doing your search. Ask the repository's staff for help if you need assistance. Step 8. Search the census. For instructions on searching the census, return to England and Wales, How To Use Census Records, step 6. Background Description The majority of the census street indexes have been created by the Public Record Office. The indexes beginning in 1841 are few in number, but as the census years increase, the number of indexed towns increases. By 1891, most of the larger localities have street indexes. From year to year the streets in a town may have changed; some streets may have ceased to exist, while others were newly created. You cannot rely on streets remaining the same from one census year to another. Census street indexes are arranged alphabetically by street name and give a reference to where the street appears in the census. Depending on the census year, a reference may include: • Public Record Office class number. • Piece or bundle number. • Enumeration district number. • Book number. • Folio number. • Page number. England and Wales, How to Use Census Street Indexes Research Guidance Versionof Data: 08/10/01 4 Tips Tip 1. What if I can't find the street in the street index? Consider the following: • If you are looking for the same address where your ancestor lived in another census year, the street may not have existed at the time of the census you are now searching, or it may have been known by another name. Check to see if there are any city guides that discuss street names, changes, creation, etc. • If you have an address from a directory, it might be a business address rather than a residential address. Check the directory again, or another directory, to see if there could be an additional address listed. • If you are searching a large city, such as London, that is divided into many districts, you could easily to be in the wrong section of the index. Check indexes for surrounding districts. • If your ancestor lived on a small street and you know the larger streets it was adjacent to, look in the index for the adjacent streets. If you still cannot find the street in an index, it may be necessary to search the census street by street and name by name. Return to England and Wales, How To Use Census Records, step 6. Where to Find It Family History Centers Census street indexes for England and Wales may be available on microfiche at Family History Centers. The microfiche numbers are listed in the Family History Library Catalog: • 1841 • 1851 • 1861 • 1871 • 1881 (Use the1881 census index on microfiche or CD). • 1891 If a Family History Center does not have the census street indexes on microfiche, it can obtain the indexes from the Family History Library. A small fee is charged for having microfiche sent to a center. Family History Library The Family History Library has census street indexes for many of the towns and cities of England and Wales for each census year, 1841 to 1891. These are available in book form and on microfiche. There is no fee for using the indexes in person. You may request a photocopy of a page from a census street index from the library for a small fee. You will need to fill out a Request for Photocopies form, which you can obtain at all Family History Centers and from the library. Complete the form using the fiche number you found in your search of the catalog. Send the completed form and fee to the Family History Library. For information about contacting or visiting the library, see Library Services and Resources. England and Wales, How to Use Census Street Indexes Research Guidance Versionof Data: 08/10/01 5 Family Records Centre You may use census street indexes and also search the census at the Family Records Centre in London at: Family Records Centre 1 Myddelton Street London EC1R 1UW For more information about using the census and indexes, see the Public Record Office information leaflets on Census. If you are planning to visit the Family Records Centre, you may print out the instructions and take them with you. Other archives and libraries Census street indexes may be available at county record offices in England and Wales and at other archives and libraries throughout the world. You should contact one near you to learn what is available. Addresses for many English and Welsh repositories can be obtained on the Internet at ARCHON. If you know the name of a repository, choose Repository Lists and search by name. If you do not know the name of the repository but you do know what city or county it is located in, choose Repository Search and search by city or county name.

Family History Library • 35 North West Temple Street • Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3400 USA England and Wales, How to Use Census Surname Indexes Guide Introduction Before you search the actual census, look for a surname index. Surname indexes will save you time when searching the census. Many indexes have been produced by family history societies and private individuals. The indexes vary in format, and information given. Some list only surnames while others give complete transcriptions of the census record. However, all indexes will provide a reference that will take you to the exact spot in the census where a family of your surname is shown. For more information about census surname indexes, see Background. What You Are Looking For Your ancestor's name and a reference to the original census record in a census surname index. Steps These 6 steps will help you find and use a census surname index. Step 1. Identify the town or parish where your ancestor lived. You need to know the name of the place where your ancestor lived to find him or her in census indexes. If you do not know where your ancestor lived, see How to Find the Name of the Place Your Ancestor Lived. Step 2. Identify what surname indexes are available for the place where your ancestor lived. The complete 1881 census for England and Wales is indexed by surname, birthplace, and census place. If your ancestor lived in England or Wales in 1881, search the 1881 census index first. There are national, regional, and county indexes on microfiche and compact disc. For availability, see Where to Find It. Lists of other available census surname indexes, and the areas they cover, can be found: • On the Internet. • At the Family History Library. • Privately held. England and Wales, How to Use Census Surname Indexes Research Guidance Version of Data: 08/10/01 2 If no census indexes are available for the place where your ancestor was born, return to How to Use Census Records and go to Step 5. Step 3. Obtain a copy of an index. To obtain a copy of an index, you may go to a repository that has census surname indexes, or you may access an index by correspondence or via the Internet. You may also purchase published indexes from the societies or individuals who created them. See Where to Find It. If you go to a repository that has indexes available, use the repository's catalog to find a copy of the index for the place where your ancestor lived. If you are writing or e-mailing for an index search, request computer print outs or photocopies of pages for your surname of interest and an explanation of the information given. Step 4. Search the census surname index. Read the introduction to the index to know how it is arranged and what information is given. Note the exact portion of the census an index covers. Most indexes for larger cities cover only a part of the city. The portion of the census is identified by a number, referred to as a bundle or piece number. Sample bundle or piece numbers are: • HO107/1731 • RG10/2414 The index will also give the number of the folio or page in the census where a surname appears. Look in the index for your surname of interest and note the bundle or piece number, the folio or page number, and any other details given. If you did not find your surname of interest in the index, see Tips. Step 5. Copy the information, and note the source. Copy the information in the census surname index onto your research log. Also note where you obtained the index and the archive and library call number for the index. Step 6. Search the census. Now that you have found your surname of interest in an index, you should search the census. To do so, return to How to Use Census Records and go to Step 5. Background Description Family History Societies and private individuals have been indexing the census records of England and Wales. An index may cover part of a parish, a whole parish, a town, a subdistrict, or a district. Some indexes list only a surname, in which case you must look up every entry to find your ancestor's family. Other indexes give enough details that you can tell from the index whether your ancestor's family will be found in the census. All indexes provide a reference that will take you to the exact spot in the census where a family of your surname is shown. You can then obtain a copy of the original census entry. England and Wales, How to Use Census Surname Indexes Research Guidance Version of Data: 08/10/01 3 Census records are arranged by: • Civil registration district. • Subdistrict. • Enumeration district. • Parish. • Household. The British government has assigned identifying numbers, called bundle or piece numbers, to each district (or subdistrict in the case of large districts). In addition, the pages of the census are numbered. There are both folio numbers and page numbers. Folio numbers run consecutively through the whole of a bundle or piece, while page numbers begin again with each new enumeration district. Most census surname indexes give the bundle or piece number and folio number for each surname listed. Some indexes also give page numbers. A surname index the 1881 British Census, listing over 30 million names, has been produced on microfiche. There is a national index covering England, Wales, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, and Scotland. There are also separate indexes for each county and the Royal Navy. The indexes are a cooperative product of the Federation of Family History Societies, the Scottish Association of Family History Societies, the British Genealogical Record Users Committee, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, the Public Record Office in London, the General Register Office in Scotland, and the Genealogical Society of Utah. The information given includes each person's name, age, gender, relationship to the head of house, marital status, census place, occupation, county and parish where born, and references needed to find the original census record. Instructions for using this index are given in the Family History Library publication entitled 1881 British Census Indexes. A version of the 1881 index is now available for purchase on 25 CDs for use on home computers. Prior to the production of the 1881 census surname index, a prototype was produced for three counties in the 1851 census: Norfolk, Devonshire, and Warwickshire. These indexes were first produced on microfiche but are now available for purchase as one index on a single CD. Tips What if I did not find my ancestor in the index? • Your ancestor may have been living, visiting, or working in another place. Search the indexes for surrounding areas. • The name may be spelled differently than expected. Look for spelling variations. • Your ancestor may have emigrated. • A female ancestor may have married or remarried. • The person may have died before the census was taken. If you believe your ancestor was in a particular census area, search the census even if your ancestor is not in the index. The index might be in error. England and Wales, How to Use Census Surname Indexes Research Guidance Version of Data: 08/10/01 4 Where to Find It On the Internet Family history societies have been formed in every county in England and Wales. These societies are indexing records of genealogical interest, including censuses. Many societies list on the Internet the indexes they have created and have made available for purchase. You may access the lists through Family History Society Catalogs On-line. Select a society and look for its list of publications. Indexes may also be listed at the GENFair website. Some societies may also offer searches in their indexes for a fee. You may access most societies' websites through the Federation of Family History Societies website. You may also have someone search a census surname index for you through the England Lookup Exchange. Select a county of choice. Family History Centers Some published census surname indexes are available in microform but most are not. Family History Centers can borrow microfilms and microfiche from the Family History Library for a small fee. To find the microfilm or microfiche numbers for those indexes available in microform, look in the Family History Library Catalog. Go to What to Do Next, select the catalog, select a county, and look for census surname indexes for the parish where your ancestor lived. Since some indexes cover a broad area, you should look for indexes on both the county and parish levels. If an index is not available in microform, you may request photocopies of pages from an index from the Family History Library for a small fee. You will need to fill out a Request for Photocopies- Census Records, Books, Microfilm or Microfiche form, which is available from the Family History Centers and Family History Library. You must provide the library call number of the index and your surname of interest. Send the form and the fee to the Family History Library. Family History Centers are located throughout the United States and other areas of the world. For the address of the Family History Center nearest you, see Family History Centers. Family History Library The Family History Library collects census surname indexes for England and Wales. Most are available in printed form, and some are available in microform. There is no fee for using the library's collection in person. Census surname indexes are listed in the Family History Library Catalog. Go to What to Do Next, select the catalog, select a county in England or Wales, and look for census surname indexes for the place where your ancestor lived. Some indexes will also be found in the catalog on the parish level. Surname and street indexes are also listed in Jeremy Gibson, ed. Marriage, Census and Other Indexes for Family Historians, 3rd ed. (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1989; Family History Library book Ref 942 D22m). This can be purchased through the Federation of Family History Societies. England and Wales, How to Use Census Surname Indexes Research Guidance Version of Data: 08/10/01 5 Family Records Centre, London Census records and their surname indexes for 1841 through 1891 can be searched at: The Family Records Centre 1 Myddleton Street London EC1 England You will need to know the town or parish where your ancestor lived. At the Centre, determine if there is a census surname index for the town or parish that you want. Local repositories in England and Wales Census surname indexes can be found at many of the county record offices and other local repositories in England and Wales. Addresses can be found at the Archon (Archives On-line) website. Use one of the two following methods to search: • If you know the exact name of the county record office or local repository, click on "Repository Search." Put in the name of the record office, and press "Search." The record office information and address should appear. • If you want to browse through the list of repositories, click on "Repository List." Select the country in which the repository is found. A screen with an alphabetical list of repositories will appear. You can shortcut the search by clicking on the alphabet bar at the top of the screen. This will let you jump to the part of the index that you need. When contacting or visiting a particular repository, you will need to determine if the local archive has all of the census surname indexes for all localities or just for the local area. Archives and Libraries Archives and libraries elsewhere in the world may also have microform copies of census records in their collections. Check with an archive or library near you (see Ready, 'Net, Go.) Privately held indexes Lists of indexes held privately are found in the following sources: • Phillimore's Atlas and Index of Parish Registers, available at the Family History Library, larger Family History Centers, and other record repositories. • Jeremy Gibson's Marriage and Census Indexes for Family Historians, also available at the Family History Library and other record repositories. The individuals and societies who compiled and hold the indexes may search them for you for a fee.

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