CENSUS DATES – for England & Wales

Population census records were first taken in 1801, and have since been taken every ten years. The only exception was in 1941, when we were at war. Prior to this only Parish Records recorded the number of people, together with a crude description or classification of occupations.

The early census returns, from 1801 to 1831, show the number of people and houses – but no names. These do however, give the first reliable indication of the population. On the 1831 census, additional information begins to appear, with a breakdown of the numbers of men working in the main occupations of the day. These were put into classifications, which were determined by the local census enumerator, and so the results have to be treated with care. Some of the classifications were factories, farming, trade, and domestic service. These records are in printed form, and can be viewed at most local libraries, or archives.

From 1841, the census is handwritten. This can prove to be somewhat difficult to read as some were written in pencil, and often the handwriting was so appalling as to be almost unintelligible. The record of the census is one of the most useful sources for anyone starting to research family history. If you find your ancestors listed there you can discover a great deal of information about everyone in the household at that time.

The Essex Record Office at Chelmsford holds copies of the census returns for the whole county of Essex for the census years 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901.

1801 March 10th

1811 May 27th

1821 May 28th

1831 May 30th

1841 June 6th

1851 March 30th

1861 April 7th

1871 April 2nd

1881 April 3rd

1891 April 5th

1901 March 31st

1911 April 2nd

1801–1831 Census contained no genealogical information. Very few returns for this period survive.

1841 Census gives name, age (rounded up to the nearest 5 years for those over 18), occupation, and states whether born within the county of residence.

1851 Census & succeeding years also show the relationship to the head of the household and the parish and county of birth.

1891 census shows whether person is employed or unemployed.