Learn how to use the UK census to find your ancestors in England

UK Census returns for England and Wales are subject to a 100-year non- disclosure rule. Copies of census returns are available for public inspection for the years 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901 only. Not all UK census returns have survived, there are some original census enumerators books missing or damaged beyond repair and have not been microfilmed.

The householder was to complete their individual household schedules recording who was in their household during the period Sunday night to Monday morning. On the morning after the UK census night, the census enumerators collected the household schedules. If these were not completed properly, the UK census enumerator was supposed to ask for extra details at the doorstep, although there is considerable evidence that this was not done uniformly.

If the householder was unable to fill in the UK census schedule, perhaps because he or she was illiterate, the UK census enumerator was to fill it in for them. In 1871, the majority of some Welsh-speaking parishes in Anglesey were filled in by the enumerators.

These individual household schedules were then transcribed into the UK census enumerators' books, together with statistical information, and it is from these books that copies of the census returns can be obtained.

A considerable number of people were not in normal households on the UK census night and special arrangements had to be made for their enumeration. These people included the inmates of institutions, the crews of vessels afloat, the army, itinerants and travellers, and night workers. Click on this link to learn about these special returns: UK Census - Special Enumeration returns

1841 Sunday 6 June

The householder was to complete their individual household schedules recording who was in their household during the period Sunday night to Monday morning. On the morning after census night, the census enumerators collected the household schedules

What is on the 1841 Census record?Column 1 Place, i.e. addressColumn 2 Houses; separate columns for uninhabited or being built and inhabitedColumn 3 NamesColumn 4 Age; separate columns for males and femalesColumn 5 Profession, trade, employment or of independant meansColumn 6 Where born; whether born in same county (Y or N), whether born in Scotland (S), Ireland (I), or foreign parts (F)The 1841 census is the first useful genealogical census for England & Wales.

You will see that no relationships are given - except occasionally in column 5 where you may see Farmer's Wife or similar. All ages 15 and above should have been rounded down to the nearest 5 year multiple, i.e. ages shown as 15 may be 15-19, ages shown as 20 may be 20-24, etc. Another point to remember for ages is that people often said that they "were in their 60th year" meaning that they had passed their 59th birthday. If a person gave information meaning they were in their 60th year, they will be shown as being 60, whereas strictly keeping to the rules, they should be recorded as 55.

1851 Sunday 30 March

The householder was to complete their individual household schedules recording who was in their household during the period Sunday night to Monday morning. On the morning after census night, the census enumerators collected the household schedulesWhat is on the 1851 Census record?

Column 1 No. of schedule, numbered from 1 consecutively per bookColumn 2 Name of street, place or road, and name or number of houseColumn 3 Name and surnameColumn 4 Relationship to head of houseColumn 5 Condition; marital statusColumn 6 Age; separate columns for males and femalesColumn 7 Rank, profession or occupationColumn 8 Where born; county/placeColumn 9 Whether blind, deaf-and-dumb

1861 Sunday 7 April

The householder was to complete their individual household schedules recording who was in their household during the period Sunday night to Monday morning. On the morning after census night, the census enumerators collected the household schedulesWhat is on the 1861 Census record?

Column 1 No. of schedule, numbered from 1 consecutively per bookColumn 2 Name of street, place or road, and name or number of houseColumn 3 Houses; separate columns for inhabited and uninhabited or being built (entered as 'U' or 'B')Column 4 Name and surnameColumn 5 Relationship to head of familyColumn 6 Condition; marital statusColumn 7 Age; separate columns for males and femalesColumn 8 Rank, profession or occupationColumn 9 Where born; county/placeColumn 10 Whether blind, deaf-and-dumb

1871 Sunday 2 April

The householder was to complete their individual household schedules recording who was in their household during the period Sunday night to Monday morning. On the morning after census night, the census enumerators collected the household schedules.What is on the 1871 Census record?

Column 1 No. of schedule, numbered from 1 consecutively per bookColumn 2 Name of street, place or road, and name or number of houseColumn 3 Houses; separate columns for inhabited and uninhabited or being builtColumn 4 Name and surnameColumn 5 Relationship to head of familyColumn 6 Condition; marital statusColumn 7 Age; separate columns for males and femalesColumn 8 Rank, profession or occupationColumn 9 Where born; county/placeColumn 10 Whether 1 - Deaf & dumb, 2 - Blind, 3 - Imbecile or idiot, 4 - Lunatic

1881 Sunday 3 April

The householder was to complete their individual household schedules recording who was in their household during the period Sunday night to Monday morning. On the morning after census night, the census enumerators collected the household schedules.What is on the 1881 Census record?Column 1 No. of schedule, numbered from 1 consecutively per bookColumn 2 Name of street, place or road, and name or number of houseColumn 3 Houses; separate columns for inhabited and uninhabited or being built (entered as 'U' or 'B')Column 4 Name and surnameColumn 5 Relationship to head of familyColumn 6 Condition; marital statusColumn 7 Age last birthday; separate columns for males and femalesColumn 8 Rank, profession or occupationColumn 9 Where born; county/placeColumn 10 Whether 1 - Deaf & dumb, 2 - Blind, 3 - Imbecile or idiot, 4 - Lunatic

1891 Sunday 5 April

The householder was to complete their individual household schedules recording who was in their household during the period Sunday night to Monday morning. On the morning after census night, the census enumerators collected the household schedules.What is on the 1891 Census record?

Column 1 No. of schedule, numbered from 1 consecutively per bookColumn 2 Name of street, place or road, and name or number of houseColumn 3 Houses; separate columns for inhabited and uninhabited or being built (entered as 'U' or 'B')Column 4 Number of rooms occupied if less than fiveColumn 5 Name and surnameColumn 6 Relationship to head of familyColumn 7 Condition; marital statusColumn 8 Age last birthday; separate columns for males and femalesColumn 9 Rank, profession or occupationColumn 10 Employer; 'X' insertedColumn 11 Employed; 'X' insertedColumn 12 Neither employer nor employed; 'X' insertedColumn 13 Where born; county/placeColumn 14 Whether 1 - Deaf & dumb, 2 - Blind, 3 - Lunatic, Imbecile or Idiot

In Wales and Monmouthshire only, the household schedules and enumeration books had an extra column for 'Language Spoken' which required either 'English', 'Welsh' or 'Both' to be entered.

This is what you can find in the UK Census. Now, get busy and find your ancestors! Return to Home Page from UK Census