Most of us use the 1841 census (where available) as the earliest official record of our ancestors apart from parish records, to show where they were living and with whom. However, the earliest one following the Census Act of 31st December 1800 took place today, 10th March in 1801.
In the latter years of the 18th century, food was in short supply: harvests had been bad and bread imports were being blocked owing to the war with France. Whilst Parliament was worried that there would not be enough food to go round, they didn’t know what the population actually was.
The first census was rather vague in asking what occupations people were in. Many worked as a family unit, rather than individuals, and so results were not quite accurate. From 1801 to 1831, the enumerator asked the questions but from 1841, the household was responsible for answering the questions, which caused one or three problems as a) many people did not know how old they were – it was not as important back then and b) many people could not read or write – again, it was not as important back then!. It was also the first census available in Welsh.
I must admit that I am lucky in that I do have the 1821 census records for one part of my family.
In the latter years of the 18th century, food was in short supply: harvests had been bad and bread imports were being blocked owing to the war with France. Whilst Parliament was worried that there would not be enough food to go round, they didn’t know what the population actually was.
The first census was rather vague in asking what occupations people were in. Many worked as a family unit, rather than individuals, and so results were not quite accurate. From 1801 to 1831, the enumerator asked the questions but from 1841, the household was responsible for answering the questions, which caused one or three problems as a) many people did not know how old they were – it was not as important back then and b) many people could not read or write – again, it was not as important back then!. It was also the first census available in Welsh.
I must admit that I am lucky in that I do have the 1821 census records for one part of my family.