Sample 1 1841 census

The page number—this
is printed in the original
book.
Sample 1
1841 census
Name of village of township. This is
village of Old Withington, in Cheshire.
The folio number—this is stamped onto the right
hand pages when the clerks started work on
counting and analysis. The 1841 is the only census
where right and left pages appear in a single
screen-shot.
The reference numbering for the entire
“piece” - the enumeration district.
Note adult ages are all divisible by 5; children were
to be enumerated by their current age.
Occupations can be scanty: many ag lab’s wives
had work. FS—Female servant; MS—male
servant.
The lines through occupations were done by the
clerks when recording information in analysis.
Be careful not to assume the oldest male & female
adults in a household are husband & wife, or
parents of the children! This census did *not*
include “relationship to head”.
1841 we only are told if they are born in
the county “Y” or not “N”
“do” = ditto; this is as good as
it gets for an address in some
districts! All these are just
“Old Withington”
This enumerator has bracketed
households together.
Double line indicates end of household entry. A
single line indicates end of a group or family
within that building.
This sheet is copyright NNWFHS & Jacqui Simkins 2007.
The original census image is copyright TNA.
The folio number: this is stamped on
the right hand side of each double
page spread. On a left hand sheet,
flip to the previous page to read
what it is.
The numbers are
entry numbers
NOT house
numbers.
Page
number is
preprinted .
Bromyard—not a busy or
crowded place so the other
descriptive boxes are not
relevant.
Sample 2
1851 census
A fairly typical sheet—difficult to read
with clerks’ marks obliterating the ages.
This is one of those where you have to
work through several pages to assess the
place, the type of area, and get accustomed
to the hand writing.
It is unlikely that all those marked in the
right hand column are blind or deaf/dumb.
Note that there is a line drawn across the
page to indicate end of household.
Faded pages with many “ marks for ditto
are a nightmare—using census images on
line can offer greater flexibility with
magnification, but some can be impossible
to read.
Note how the columns have changed since
1841, and how the detail has increased,
especially on “where born”.
The piece number: 1851
had same pre-fix as 1841.
This sheet is copyright NNWFHS & Jacqui Simkins 2007.
The original census image is copyright TNA.
Sample 3
1861 census
The enumerator has clearly struck out the headings: making sure we
know he is recording “Stockingford” a hamlet, within Nuneaton.
Referencing:
Page no; Folio; Piece
A good, clear image of a census page!
This one leaves us no doubt about the
disability of those enumerated—note
one blind person clearly identified.
Note the headings, and note all the
marks made by the checking/analysis
clerks—diagonal through each married
couple; upright counting the
occupations, and marking the one outof-county birth place..
Entry
number
forms part
of the
referencing
for each
household.
This
enumerator
has clearly
shown the
area or road
where each
house was.
No ditto
marks
used for
surnames.
This is
quite
unusual!
Relationships
and
conditions
clearly
written—this
page is a joy
to use!!
Note that women and
children are shown
with their
employment. Some
enumerators ignored
the employment of
children and women.
This sheet is copyright NNWFHS & Jacqui Simkins 2007.
The original census image is copyright TNA.
Note the absence of place descriptions in the heading: this is a page from a book used to enumerate a large establishment.
This is part of the enumeration for Windsor Castle “proper”. It was not until the census was indexed for the whole of
England that the whereabouts of George Limbird where known. We all complain about poor transcription and indexing—
but it is better than none at all. The descendants of George Limbird had NO idea that he, or his future wife, had been in
service to Queen Victoria and were delighted when the census allowed the story to be told.
Sample 4
1871 census
This census page is for a “large
establishment” so the description of
place and address is omitted.
Note all the clerks’ marks making some
ages difficult to read, and some of the
places of birth are almost obliterated.
This Royal household had staff from far
and wide: many Scots (remember Queen
Victoria was very keen on Scotland!) but
also foreign-born members of the
household.
Although the Royal Household, we still have the piece number, folio and page all included. If you want to look at the
full household you can use the reference number to locate it. There are several pages. It is interesting to look at the
spread of birth places for those in service in large households.
This sheet is copyright NNWFHS & Jacqui Simkins 2007.
The original census image is copyright TNA.
This census enumerator leaves no doubt about where we are: Oldbury, in the parish of St Peter, Mancetter in the Rural
Sanitary District of Atherstone. He adds “END” beside the folio number in addition to the beautifully written “End of the
Hamlet of Oldbury.” Meticulous copying and enumeration would seem to be displayed.
Sample 5
1881 census
Another clearly written and
legible page. Note the double
diagonal mark denoting end of
each household.
Again, the clerks have made
plenty of marks throughout the
“condition as to marriage”
column, the ages and those not
born in Warwickshire.
Oldbury was not a populous area,
but note the birthplaces.
This census piece has distinct
addresses for each property. Be
aware that addresses did change.
Geographical note:
“Ryton” - don’t automatically assume it is
“Ryton on Dunsmore”!! In this area and
period, and written as just Ryton, it is likely
to be the hamlet in Bulkington.
There is a good gazetteer available on CD
from Archive CD Books (Cassell’s 1898—
all six volumes). A gazetteer using today’s
places is far less helpful to your research.
This sheet is copyright NNWFHS & Jacqui Simkins 2007.
The original census image is copyright TNA.
The enumerator has failed to complete the headings through this enumeration area:
Administrative County of Warwickshire; Civil parish: Birmingham; Ecclesiastical parish of St Luke.
Full reference to view on line is: RG12, Piece1380, folio 60, page 5.
Sample 6
1891 census
Although this is a busy area of
Birmingham St Martin, the
enumerator has recorded the
information relatively clearly and
there is no mistaking the double slash
marks for end of each household.
The analysis clerks have left their
marks, which make some ages
difficult to read. Several households
have “boarders” - a useful addition to
the weekly income.
None of the households is has an
“employer”, and the majority of
adults have employment. However,
the range of occupations suggests this
area has many workers in metal
trades.
Note the number of rooms occupied
by each household, and the number of
households in the court, which was
perhaps at the rear of one property.
Very few “ditto” in the where born
column—these households have
come mostly from around the
midlands area though nearby you will
find families from further afield.
This sheet is copyright NNWFHS & Jacqui Simkins 2007.
The original census image is copyright TNA.
By 1901, the headings were more detailed. We have “County of Chester”, along with the all districts correctly completed. If you found
this sheet you would know where it was for without checking the reference number. This is for the hamlet of Onston.
Note the second family, headed by John Rigby. His wife Jane, 3 children, and then step-children bearing surnames of Eardley and
Challoner (enumerated as Challioner!). This census could be a nightmare if you didn’t know the family saga: Jane had been married three
times, with children by each marriage. Her origins are still to be unravelled—she is buried in Warwickshire. Incidentally, in 1881 Mary J
EARDLEY was enumerated as Jane CHALLONER, dau of Joseph CHALLONER—another reason to always double-check everything.
Sample 7
1901 census
Note the additional headings and
the marks (with comments) made
by the clerks. As with some
earlier samples, the ticks in the
right hand column appear to be
made by the clerks and not by the
enumerator.
This page has few wives with an
occupation but some do—such as
Emma Baxter. At least this
enumerator has not ignored all
working wives!
This sheet is copyright NNWFHS & Jacqui Simkins 2007.
The original census image is copyright TNA.
The actual householder’s sheet with signature
This example is for the widow of Alfred Lester SCRIVENER. He had died in Lancashire and she returned to live in Coventry. This
schedule was completed by her daughter who signed the sheet...so is “uncle” the relationship to the daughter who completed the
form, or to the head of the household? Don’t assume the instructions were fully adhered to!!
SAMPLE 8—
1911 Census
This sheet is
copyright
NNWFHS &
Jacqui Simkins
2014 The original
census image is
copyright TNA.
Married women were to be shown with their length of marriage, and number of children born, living and died. Not
all managed to get this correct of course—sometimes to our advantage! Some included deceased children on the
schedule, some got relationships wrong...and some had more children listed than declared: reader beware!
This sample gives information probably unavailable elsewhere...
Sample 9
1911 census
The example
here is
“interesting” and
part of my
“when I get a
round tuit”
project
investigating the
migration of
Cheshire farmers
to Warwickshire.
This sheet is copyright NNWFHS & Jacqui Simkins 2014
The original census image is copyright TNA.
Adopted
daughter—this is
pre-formal
adoption—born
and married as
OZIERBROOK.
1901 census she
is with her
natural mother—
a widow.
A gem of a find
if your family.
1881—An interesting piece for information
Whittington Barracks are near Lichfield RG11/2776
Sample
10
First Household:
Charles CREAGH was born
in Gibraltar—he could be son
of army man. CREAGH is
from Co. Clare—Irish roots!
Charles’ wife was born Calcutta—worth further investigation. She is shown as being
30 so, if “English” she is
unlikely to be mother to the
son who is 14...and he was
born in New Zealand when
his father was presumably
serving there during the
Maori Wars (1845-1872—
peaked in the 1860s).
They employ a locally born
domestic, and have a Zulu as
groom—so did Charles also
serve in southern Africa?
Second Household:
Charles SAMS was born
Kent, but his wife was born in
Quebec. Several battalions
were in Quebec at time of her
birth so she too could be of
“army roots”.
Next, Charles BRADLEY
was born in Madras, as was
his sister; his son in Malta and
daughter in Ireland—they
have served in Malta and Ireland before moving to Whittington all in 2 years or so.
This sheet is copyright NNWFHS & Jacqui Simkins 2014.
The original census image is copyright TNA.
Other pages for the barracks
show the movement of the
British Army around the
world!
It’s in the census, so it has to be right...doesn’t it?
NO!
Sample 11
fake census
1881: this page was indexed, copied
and available. It is a forged page in
the Paddington district census—yet
it found its way onto
Ancestry.co.uk’s on-line
censuses—perhaps on others, too.
How did it get into the census
book? Conjecture is that a blank
sheet was left in a book and
somebody filled it in—many years
later.
How do we know it is fake?
The handwriting in modern style—
looks like biro so badly faded; the
occupations are a touch bizarre
“International Playboy”. Some
birthplaces are towns, some are
countries—it is inconsistent.
Pakistan was not formed until 1947;
Nepal was a sovereign state.
Timbuktu was in, then, remote west
Africa! A little geography and
realism helps! But the real giveaway is if you look at the previous
page—any transcriber worth their
salt would have queried this page!
If it is still online, the reference
number is:
RG11, piece 20, folio 126, page 48.
This sheet is copyright NNWFHS & Jacqui Simkins 2007.
The original census image is copyright TNA.
On 16th July1843 at All Saints, Chilvers Coton, William LOVE
married Mary HARDY: recorded in the Parish Registers. They had
a daughter called True LOVE who was baptised, also at Chilvers
Coton, on 30 July 1848.
By 1851, William had died...
1851 Census of Union Workhouse, Foleshill, War. includes:
Mary Love, pauper, wid. [32] weaver, born Chilvers Coton, War.
**True Love, pauper [3] born Bedworth, War.
Mary then married Henry MESSENGER at St. Laurence, Foleshill
on 8th August 1853. In the census this is confirmed:
1861 Census of Bell Green, Foleshill, War.
Henry Messenger, head [46] coal miner, born War.
Mary Messenger, wife [43] born War.
Mirriam Messenger, dau. [17] ribbon weaver, born Sowe, War.
Thomas Messenger, son [15] coal miner, born Sowe, War.
Rebecca Messenger, dau. [5] scholar, born Foleshill, War.
Mary Messenger, dau. [1] scholar, born Foleshill, War.
**Trulove Messenger, dau. [13] born Bedworth, War.
William Messenger, son [9] born Bedworth, War.
Sarah Hardin, dau. in law [20] ribbon weaver, born Bedworth, War.
John Hardin, son [1] born Foleshill, War.
Rebecca Steane, dau. in law, un. [18] ribbon weaver, born Bedworth.
True LOVE is now Trulove MESSENGER.
True LOVE married in 1867 to John STEANE but by 1871 has
apparently become Jane….
1871 Census of Bell Green, Foleshill, War.
John Steane, head [23] coal miner, born Foleshill, War….. on Ancestry,
he is indexed as John STEAVE !!
**Jane Steane, wife [23] born Foleshill, War.
True Messenger Steane, dau. [3] born Foleshill, War.
Sample 12
Census trail
1881 she becomes True again…
1881 Census of Bell Green, Foleshill, War.
John Steane, head [34] coal miner, born Little Beaton, War.
**True Steane, wife [35] silk weaver, born Bedworth, War.
Mary Jane Steane, dau. [13] silk weaver, born Foleshill, War
Henry Steane, son [1] born Foleshill, War..... imbecile from birth.
You will notice True Messenger STEANE is now Mary Jane—
which is what she was recorded as at birth—but as STANE! Was
the 1871 census “enumerator error” and he transposed names of
mother & daughter?
1891 True’s back to Truelove !!!
1891 Census of Bell Green, Foleshill, War.
John Stain, head [47] coal dealer, born Foleshill, War.
**Truelove Stain, wife [46] laundress, born Foleshill, War.
1901 … just to complete the census collection:
1901 Census of Bell Green, Foleshill, War.
John Steane, head [51] coal dealer, own account, born Bedworth, War.
**True Steane, wife [52] born Bedworth, War.
Arthur Steane, son [19] hauling coal, born Bedworth, War…..
Just to add to the confusion, the only death found is 1906, Foleshill district. But
she is said to be 63 and is now True STANE!
I am indebted to Carole Eales for providing this collection of
census transcriptions showing the degree of name-change
that occurred with one individual over a period of 50 years.
This type of exercise, showing side-by-side the actual details
as recorded in each census, can help resolve mysteries created
in the census.
No wonder some of our forebears are
hard to find on the census indexes!
This sheet is © NNWFHS & Jacqui Simkins 2007.
Transcription of original census © Dr C Eales
The case of True LOVE