The value of the Census to the family history researcher by Hywel Roberts, C.Stat. The published census records between 1841 and 1911 show that more information about individuals has become available in each census including: age household relationships marriage status occupation place of birth

Summary of England & Wales Census information YearHouseName Relation to Head of family Age Male/ female Marriage status OccupationBirthplaceNationalityInfirmity Language spoken 1841 In County or not Born Scot’d, Ireland or elsewhere 1851 County & Parish 1861 Inhabited/ uninhab’d No. of rooms occupied add’l columns + 2 Add’l Cols Employer, worker or Own Account & If working at home 1911 add’l information See Note 1See Note 2See Note 3

The 1911 Census was a major development: Note 1: Marriage status included information on: no. of years married; no. of children born and no. of children who have died. Note 2: Occupation section now included “Personal Occupation” and “Industry sector employed”. Industry codes had also been written on the return afterwards by official. Note 3: Birth place still included County and Parish for those born in the UK with additional options for those born in the British Empire, a foreign country or at sea and also those born outside England & Wales must note whether “Residents” or “Visitors”

1911 First household form

Age and Parish of Birth have been invaluable These establish the year of birth and the parish where birth and baptism records could be found. The Birth Certificate will give the names of the parents so searches can go further back. The 2011 Census did not have the County and Parish question, only the country of birth – England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Irish Republic or elsewhere. This is of little value to family history researchers. Imagine trying to find the birth of a John Jones born in Wales! The last Census to record the Parish of birth was 1951

National Registration Act, 5 September 1939 National Registration Day, 29 September 1939 Basic information: name, sex, date of birth, marital status, occupation, membership of armed forces. Information obtained led to the Identity Card Number, Ration Book records and by 1948 the NHS number. Records available through the NHS Information Centre Should it be decided not to continue with the full Census, could a short Census similar that in 1939 (with place of birth instead of armed forces) be considered, say, every 5 years to act as a check on the administrative data?

National Registration Day Return

NHS Card

National Registration Day Records

1841

1851

1861

1871

1881

1891

1901