England and Wales Census, 1891 - FamilySearch Historical Records

 England  Wales

What is in This Collection?
The 1891 census taken on the night of 5 April 1891 gave the total population as 33,015,701.

Census schedules consist of large sheets with preprinted rows and columns. The schedules are arranged by county and then divided by civil parish, while some are further subdivided into smaller enumeration districts, each district being an area that could be enumerated in a day. Enumerators went door to door collecting the data in census books. Censuses taken between 1851 and 1931 were conducted on a single day, sometime between March 31 and April 8. The census takers listed only those who spent the night in each household, so individuals who were traveling or at school were listed where they spent the night. Almost all the residents of England are included in the census. Noncitizens were also included.

Census records are a good source to use as you search for your relatives. Use census records to help you find the age of your ancestor, as well as birthplace, occupation, and address. The records can also help you define relationships between individuals.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The 1891 Census forms asks for the following information:
 * Name
 * Gender
 * Age
 * Marital status
 * Relationship to the Head of Household
 * Occupation
 * Birthplace
 * Physical limitations
 * Address
 * (The index shows an estimated year of birth based on the age given)

Collection Content
Sample of an indexed record:

How Do I Search the Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the person you are looking for
 * The location of residence

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Look at an image of the original record. The original may contain information that was not recorded in the index
 * You may have to read around marks made by the clerks who compiled the census data. These marks sometimes obscure the information
 * Use the information to find additional family members in other censuses
 * Use the ages listed to determine an approximate birth date and to find other records such as birth, marriage, christening, and death records
 * Birth places can tell you former residences and can help to establish a migration pattern for the family

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking for, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This can help you find possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, try searching records of a nearby locality
 * Check for other names. They might have been listed under a middle name, a nickname, or an abbreviation of their given name
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try searching based on how the name may have been pronounced
 * Individuals missing from a family may be listed elsewhere in the census

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in England. The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Wales.
 * England Guided Research
 * England Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Wales Guided Research
 * Wales Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.