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1861 Census- are ages rounded down?

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Hilary

Hilary Report 19 Apr 2010 12:46

Hi
I understand that ages on the 1841 census are rounded down to the nearest five years. Can anyone tell me whether ages recorded in 1861 were accurate? I am looking for a young child on that census.
Thanks
Hilary

Kathryn

Kathryn Report 19 Apr 2010 13:10

No, ages were not rounded down officially. But the inofrmation is only as good as the person giving it, and some people may have guessed. No doubt other errors may have cropped in on occassion, but as a rule, ages are accurate.

Kate x

Elizabeth2469049

Elizabeth2469049 Report 19 Apr 2010 13:45

Remember that the age given depends on the birthday date - the censuses were usually about April, so it is always best to allow a year or so either way for dob.

I wonder if They could possibly be persuaded to have the year of birth instead of the age in the 2011 census? probably too late, the forms are probably being printed already

Researching:
Dominy & Croom in Dorset, Rutherford & McElhatton in Northumberland. Dendy and Thorp

mgnv

mgnv Report 19 Apr 2010 17:16

PP - I think you're wrong there - only on 1841 was there any rounding. In 1841 kids' ages (15-) were not rounded, only adult (15+) ages were rounded, and then they were only rounded DOWN to a mult of 5.

Hilary

Hilary Report 19 Apr 2010 17:47

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far. Your advice is really helpful.
Cheers
Hilary