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Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

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Useful tips? 3

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Mystified

Mystified Report 4 Mar 2004 16:41

Census info. CENSUSES have taken place every 10 years since 1801. However, the earliest ones from 1801 to 1831 were for statistical reasons only and in the vast majority of cases no names were recorded, therefore they are of little value to family historians. However, in a very few places the enumerator was particularly conscientious and recorded names as well (usually only heads of households but very occasionally all members of the household) and some of these rare returns of 1801-1831 have survived in Record Offices. Their whereabouts are detailed in a booklet "Local Census Listings 1522-1930 by Jeremy Gibson and Mervyn Medlycott, published by the Federation of Family History Societies and available via the Federation's online bookshop, www.familyhistorybooks.co.uk The earliest census to give names (apart from the rare exceptions mentioned above) was that of 1841. This is also the one of least use to us, since the relationship of each member to the head of the household is not given and in most areas the ages of adults over 15 were rounded down to the nearest lower multiple of 5. This often confuses newbies, since a person aged 34 could be shown as 30 and this will not add up when compared against given ages on birth/marriage certificates or in subsequent censuses. Also in 1841, the place of birth is not given, the only reference being a question whether the person was born in the county of present residence or not, the only answer being "Yes" or "No" (not a lot of help!).

}((((*> Jeanette The Haddock <*)))){

}((((*> Jeanette The Haddock <*)))){ Report 4 Mar 2004 22:35

Good information John. I'm sure this will be useful to all the newbies on here. Jeanette

Sandi

Sandi Report 4 Mar 2004 22:47

Not just the newbies

}((((*> Jeanette The Haddock <*)))){

}((((*> Jeanette The Haddock <*)))){ Report 4 Mar 2004 23:17

True Sandi. Ok for newbies and brain dead members like myself! Jeanette

Chris

Chris Report 5 Mar 2004 19:35

Good stuff John, keep them coming! Christine

Irene

Irene Report 7 Mar 2004 01:01

Any references we can find out about our rellies is useful, most FHS are now finding early census, even church's had some for their own use. These are now coming to light and they are transcribing them and putting them into booklet form mostly by districts. Most useful. The one I have just got for the area I am looking at has information like, head of house and first names no ages, head of house and then the ages of the others no first names. But as always never for the parish you are looking for. Oh well maybe one day. Irene