Genealogy Chat

Info about the census, church registers, civil registration etc etc for newbies will be found in "Getting Started" section of this website. Go to the homepage and scroll down till you find Genealogy Resources - its listed there. nell

Hi Don't know how reliable this is - and I failed to note the url for the list of specific dates I found somewhere once before (classic research documentation failure there!) - but it seems about right from what I've picked up: http://www.*connexions.*dabsol.*co.*uk/uk-censusdates.*html It gives specific dates plus info about what data was collected each time - and how specific - and whether the records survive. (It also makes it clear that the site-person doesn't respond to questions especially look-ups!) Christine

What part of Staffordshire are you from? I've got a strong link in Tamworth.

Kelly, you don't sound an idiot at all. I was worried in the beginning and used to start off threads saying 'sorry if this is a daft question' then somebody really kind said it's only daft if you don't ask it! I'm still fairly new and have loads of questions to ask! But there are really nice people on here who will try and help you. Good luck with your searching! Mandy :)

Censuses started in 1801 but they are only useful from 1841 as the previous ones were headcounts only with no names.

thanks mandy i hope i dont sound like a complete idiot

can any one help me please

Kelly, I'm fairly new too but I wrote this down when someone mentioned it before. There was a census every 10 years starting in 1801 (10th March!). But someone else might know if there was anything before this. Also births, marriages and deaths started being registered in 1837, before that you have to look at parish records. Mandy :)

hi hope i dont sound to stupid but im fairly new to this and are tracing family in staffs do you know how far back the census records go in this area