User:NaisbittRL/Sandbox

displayed text

Select one of the following options for step by step instructions on using the record to find birth information in this time period.

1. Civil Registration

Search Indexes: 

Free Indexes	Indexes on subscription websites
www.freebmd.org.uk	www.ancestry.com
www.northwalesbmd.org.uk	www.findmypast.co.uk

Order the birth certifcates online:

www.gro.gov.uk

For further information see Wales Civil Registration.

2. Church records

Indexes

Free Transcripts

www.familysearch.org

Church record images

Family History Library

For further informaiton see Wales Church Records.

3. Chapel records

Free websites	Subscription websites
www.familysearch.org	www.thegenealogist.co.uk
	www.bmdregisters.org.uk

For further information see Wales Non-conformist Records.

4. Census records

Free Transcripts	Index and Images on subscripton websites
1841
1851
1861
1871
1881
1891
1901
1911

For further information see Wales Census Records.

5. Probate records

Index to Probate Records

www.ancestry.com

Record the date of probate and the name of the probate court

Find the image to the will if probated in:

Principal Probate Registry

District Probate Registries

For further information see Principal Probate Registry.

United States    US Migration Routes    U.S. Migration Canals    Erie_Canal 

The Erie Canal was used as a river to reach rural upstate New York, United States Genealogy and Lake Erie. Eventually the Great Lakes were also connected to the Ohio River and Mississippi River systems by other canals. As canals developed in America settlers were attracted to nearby communities because the canals provided access to markets. They could sell their products at distant markets, and buy products made far away. If an ancestor settled near a canal, you may be able to trace back to a place of origin on a connecting waterway.

Section linking

The construction of the Erie Canal began in 1817. As more Irish laborers arrived the pace of construction picked up and overcame significant barriers. For example, during summer construction in a marsh, 1,000 workers died of swamp fever, so survivors were moved to another part of the canal until winter when it was safer to work in the frozen marsh. Sections of the canal opened as follows:

• 1819 Rome to Utica
• 1820 Utica to Syracuse
• 1823 Brockport to Albany (Champlain Canal connecting the Hudson River to Lake Champlain was completed at the same time)
• 1824 Lockport locks
• 1825 Onondago Ridge finishing the entire canal.

The Erie Canal contributed to the wealth and importance of New York City, Buffalo, and New York State. It increased trade throughout the nation by opening eastern and overseas markets to Midwestern farm products and enabling migration to the West. New ethnic Irish communities formed in towns along the canal, as Irish immigrants were a large portion of labor force involved in its construction.

The University of Rochester and the Family History Library Catalog have more information about the history of the Erie Canal.

Settlers and Records

Because so many immigrants traveled on the canal, many genealogists would like to find copies of canal passenger lists. Unfortunately, apart from the years 1827-1829, canal boat operators were not required to record or report passenger names to the New York State government. Those 1827-1829 passenger lists survive today in the New York State Archives.

Prior to the building of the Erie Canal the settlers in upstate New York were often from New England, especially Vermont. Once the Canal was finished, setters along the canal and farther west into Ohio would have reached the Erie Canal from New York City, or from along the Hudson River in New York, or from Vermont via the Champlain Canal. Most of the men who labored to build the Erie Canal were from Ireland and many of them settled near it.

Sources

SOLDIERS
Locate:	Birth	Marriage	Death	Spouse	Child	Service
OFFICERS
Locate:	Birth	Marriage	Death	Spouse	Child	Service

Officers' birth info	Time period	Location
WO 25
WO 42	1755-1908	Family History Library(indexed; use online index to browse images below)Free Online (no index; must do free checkout to view images)
WO 76

TIME PERIOD	WAR OFFICE RECORD	OFFICERS / SOLDIERS	CONTENTS (Link to TNA website)	AVAILABILITY	WARS
1590s	WO 54	Officers		The National Archives
1600s
1600s/10s	India Office
1640-1660					Civil War
1650-1969	WO 93:		Index to trials of officers, death sentences, papers relating to courts martial, etc.	The National Archives	Civil War
1666-1960	WO 92
1660-1837	WO 25: series 1-88	Officers
1660-1684	WO 25: series 1	Officers
1668-1993	WO 71: JAG Courts Martial Proceedings and Board of General Officers' Minutes		Minutes containing entries of warrants, letters, depostitions, etc.
1666-1829	WO 89:		Contains full proceedings of Courts Martials	The National Archives
1660-1837	WO 94: Tower of London Constable Records		Contains custody of State prisoners, pay and discipline of staff, etc.	The National Archives
1676-1855	WO 54: series 197-247
1686-1703	WO 24: series 884-892	Officers
1684-1847	WO 30: Miscellaneous Papers		Conditions of service, letters of attorney, reports on many different subjects, etc.
1685-1850s	London Gazette
1692-1866	WO 54: series 672-755
1692-1796	WO 71
1690-1887	WO 94: series 37-47
1698-1825	Tennison Groves
1700s-1750s
1702-1823	WO 64	Officers	Army Officers lists	Family History Library
1702-1789	WO 23: series 114-123:	Officers
1704-1922	WO 118: series 1-44	Officers & Soldiers	Registers of In- and Out- pensioners of the Royal Hosptial Kilmainham	Family History Library	Spanish Succession
1704-1708	WO 4: series 513-520		Comissions		Spanish Succession
1708-1878	WO 10	Soldiers	Artillery Muster Books and Pay Lists		Spanish Succession
1712-1856	WO 25: series 2979-3019	Officers	Half Pay and Retired Pay
1713-1829	WO 24: series 660-747; 804-833	Officers	Half Pay
1714-1749	WO 109		Paymaster General entry books including: accounts, estimates and warrants for payment, deductions from pensioners pay, etc.
1715-1790	WO 71: series 34-64		General Courts Martial
1715-1857	WO 120: series 1-70	Officers & Soldiers	Registers of Pensioners of the Royal Hospital Chelsea; arranged by regiments.
1715-1913	WO 116: Royal Hospital Chelsea disability and Royal Artillery Out-Pensions, Admission Books	Officers & Soldiers	Contains brief description, place of birth,etc.	Free Online
1716-1830	"E" 182
1720-1739	WO 109
1720-1899	WO 164	Officers & Soldiers
1720-1982	WO 284	Officers	Orders of the military garrison in Gibraltar: arrival and departure of officers, units, details of guards, discipline, promotions, etc.
1722-1858	WO 94: series 12-20		Tower of London- Constable's Office: Letters and Orders
1732	WO 12	Soldiers
1732-1740	WO 109
1735-1811	WO 25: series 3020-3045	Officers	Payment of Pensions to widows of Full Pay officer
1737-1921	PMG 4	Officers
1740-1859	WO 54: series 317-336		Discharges, transfers, and casualties
1741	WO 12
1744-1858	WO 4: series 591-654		Deserters		King George's War / Jacobite Rebellion
1764-1785	WO 4: piece 1023	Officers	Widows		King George's War
1746-1926	WO 28	Soldiers			King George's War
1755-1858	WO 54: series 260-309		Artillery Description Books
1751-1911	WO 94: series 24-33		Tower of London- Constable's Office: Pay Book
1754-1808	WO 25: series 209-220	Officers	Sucession books
1754-1902	WO 65: Officers' Army Lists	Officers	Lists Officers of each regiment with dates of commissions, etc.	Family History Library Free Online
1755	WO 24: series 884-892
1755-1769	WO 25: series 3046-3058	Officers	Payments of pension to the widows of Half Pay Officers
1755-1816	WO 25: series 3995	Officers	Register of annual bounty paid to deceased officers' widows
1755-1908	WO 42: Officers' Birth Certificates, Wills and Personal Papers;	Officers	Births, baptisms, marriages, deaths, some wills, admons, personal papers, etc.	Family History Library(indexed; use online index to browse images below) Free Online (no index; must do free checkout to view images)
1756-1789	WO 71: series 65-98		JAG: Courts martial proceedings: Marcing Regiments		Seven Years War (French & Indian War)
1756-1833	WO 54: series 310-316		Description Books: Sappers, Miners, Artificers, Labourers, etc.; Register of Officers and widows,		Seven Years War(French & Indian War)
1756-1878	WO 25: series 266-688		Description and Succession Books	Family History Library	Seven Years War (French & Indian War)
1756-1772; 1797-1861	PMG 14	Officers			Seven Years War(French & Indian War)
1756-1906	WO 69: series 74-80: Royal Artillery Records of Service;			Family History Library	Seven Years War(French & Indian War)
1757-1899	"C" Series Canada	Officers & Soldiers		Familiy History Library	Seven Years War (French & Indian War)
1758-1855	"E" 51				Seven Years War(French & Indian War)
1759-1760	WO 89				Seven Years War (French & Indian War)
1759-1820	WO 5: series 91-121		Militia orders		Seven Years War (French & Indian War)
1759-1863	WO 118:series 1-44: Army & Militia registers of out-pensioners;		May include death dates	Family History Library	Seven Years War(French & Indian War)
1759-1859	WO 4: series 757-829		Secretary-at-War Out-letters; Militia		Seven Years War (French & Indian War)
1754-1866	WO 17:	Officers& Soldiers			Seven Years War (French & Indian War)
1759-1925	WO 68: Militia Depot Description Books;	Officers & Soldiers	Registers of marriages, births, & baptisms, returns of Officers, etc.	Family History Library	Seven Years War(French & Indian War)
1759-1935	WO 25: series 3896-3922	Soldiers		Family History Library	Seven Years War (French & Indian War)
1760s-1790s
1760-1878	WO 12: Muster Books: Cavalry & Infantry	Soldiers	May contain birthplace, trade, enlistment, marriage roll enumerating wives and children, Soldiers movements, discharge, death, etc	The National Archives	Seven Years War (French & Indian War)
1760-1878	WO 25: series 2990-3004	Officers	Half Pay and Retired Pay		Seven Years War (French & Indian War)
1760-1880	WO 97: series 2172-6354	Soldiers		Family History Library	Seven Years War (French & Indian War)
1760-1882	WO 97: series 1-2171			Family History Library	Seven Years War (French & Indian War)
1760-1924	Regimental Registers	Officers & Soldiers	Contains births, marriages, & deaths	The National Archives (Indexes online)	Seven Years War (French & Indian War)
1764-1915	WO 76: Records of Officers Services	Officers	May in include name of spouse, marriage date, names of children, birthdates of children, birthplace of Officer, etc.	Family History Library Free Online (must know regiment)
1768-1908	WO 67	Soldiers		Family History Library
1770-1808	WO 18: series 1-147		Vouchers for Agents' disbursements, Artillery
1771-1824	'WO 54': piece 948		Alphabetical list of Barrack Sergeants	The National Archives
1773-1807	WO 25: series 221-232		Succession Books
1773-1812	WO 25: piece 3124		Widows' pensions and bounty	The National Archives
1773-1812	WO 24: series 771-803		Papers containing Establishments: Compassionate List
1773-1876	WO 69: series 1-905: Royal Artillery Description Books	Soldiers	Contains description books, place of birth, registers of marriages and baptisms, deceased soldiers, discharge or death, etc.	Family History Library series 1-177 Only
1775-1810	WO 4: series 273-282		Secretary-at-War, Out Letters (America)		American Revolution
1775-1822	WO 35: series 7-15		General Administration fo the Army in Ireland (Commission Books, In-letters, Military fees, etc.)
1777-1892	WO 32	Soldiers			American Revolution
1845-1912	WO 32: series 8903-8920		Births and baptismal certificates of militia officers; extracted from destroyed papers; birth, baptismal, marriage and death certificates extracted from old papers 1777-1888.		American Revolution
1702-1865	WO 23: series 124-132		Royal Hospital Chelsea: Admisison Books, Registers, and Papers; In Pensioners Muster Rolls		American Revolution
'1778'-1878	WO 13				American Revolution
1776-1960	WO 90: series 1-9		JAG: General courts martial registers, abroad		American Revolution
1702-1823	WO 64: series 1-13	Officers	Army Lists		American Revolution
1787-1813	WO 121: series 1-136	Officers& Soldiers	Royal Hospital Chelsea discharge of pensionsers. Includes reason for discharge, place of birth, etc.		American Revolution
1782-1833	WO 121: series 137-222	Soldiers	Royal Hospital Chelsea discharge of pensionsers. Certificates of service, etc.		American Revolution
1782-1840	HO 50: series 57-363		Internal Defence (Militia and Volunteers)	Family History Library	American Revolution
1782-1854	WO 25: series 703-743		Staff Returns: Foreign Stations		American Revolution
1783-1810	WO 25: series 1121-1131		Service returns; NCOs and men not actually known to be dead or disqualified for military service...		American Revolution
1809-1828	WO 24: series 744-762	Officers	Returns of Officers' Services		American Revolution
1783-1822	WO 118: series 39-44				American Revolution
1783-1822	WO 119: series 1-69	Officers & Soldiers			American Revolution
1784-1806	WO 4: series 23-1030
1785-1878	WO 12	Soldiers		The National Archives
1786-1846	WO 54: series 1935-935
1790-1939	WO 149		Royal Military Academy Woolwich: Registers of Cadets	The National Archives
1790s-1800s	WO 76: series 1-13	Officers	Record of Officers Services	Family History Library
1793-1817	WO 25: piece 3393		Index to Casualty Returns	The National Archives
1793-1870	WO 25: series 426-561		Description and Succession Books
1793-1870	WO 31: series 426-561		Office of the Commander-in-Chief: memoranda and papers
1793-1912	WO 100: series 1-397	Officers & Soldiers	Queen's South Africa
1793-1927	PMG 13		Militia, Yeomanry, and Volunteers: Allowances
1794-1802	WO 64: series 1-13
1795-1796	E 69: series 14-15
1796-1880	Chaplains' Returns		Contains births, marriages, & deaths	The National Archives (indexed online)
1796-1935	WO 25: piece 3913	Officers	Records of Service: Royal Engineers (includes...marriages, births of children...,next of kin, etc.
1797-1817	WO 25: series 1196-1358
1798-1816	WO 13
1798-1816	WO 23: series 124-132
1798-1883	WO 61: series 1-18
1799-1882	WO 25: piece 3239	Officers
1800s-1810s
1793-1817	WO 25: piece 3994	Officers	Succession of Artillery Captains	The National Archives
1801-1815	WO 23: piece 133		Royal Hospital Chelsea: Out Pensioners: Admission Books
1812-1821	WO 25: series 689-702		Staff Pay Books
1803-1860	WO 4: series 521-590	Officers			Napoleonic Wars
1803-1873	WO 69: series 644-646				Napoleonic Wars
1803-1914	WO 103: series 1-30	Officers			Napoleonic Wars
1803-1923	WO 143: series 17-27				Napoleonic Wars
1805-1843	WO 25: series 233-258		Chaplains: Certificates of services, payments,		Napoleonic Wars
1704-1858	WO 4: series 513-520		Secretary-at-War Out-letters, Commissions		Napoleonic Wars
1805-1895	WO 23: series 162-180				Napoleonic Wars
1794-1816	WO 23: piece 134		Royal Hospital Chelsea: List of pensioners		Napoleonic Wars
1806	WO 25: series 81-1120				Napoleonic Wars
1806-1817	WO 30: piece 111				Napoleonic Wars
1806-1836	WO 103: series 20-33				Napoleonic Wars
1806-1837	WO 25: piece 252	Officers			Napoleonic Wars
1806-1838	WO 120: series 23-30				Napoleonic Wars
1806-1891	WO 91: series 1-50				Napoleonic Wars
1806-1904	WO 93: series 1-68				Napoleonic Wars
1806-1915	WO 96: series 1-1522	Soldiers	Militia Attestation Papers: arranged under regiments	Findmypast.co.uk	Napoleonic Wars
1806-1946	WO 151: series 1-20	Officers			Napoleonic Wars
1808-1811	WO 156: series 9-10				Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1808-1816	WO 13: Muster Books Militia nad Volunteers		May contain dates of service, enrolling and discharge, desertion, rate of pay, etc.		Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1808-1834	WO 47: series 2760-2851	Soldiers			Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1808-1920	PMG 11: Widows' Pensions	Officers	Drouly annuities paid from the Drouly Officers' Widows Fund	The National Archives	Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1809-1810	WO 19: series 744-748				Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1809-1810	WO 25: series 744-748	Officers			Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1809-1818	WO 9				Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular Wars
1809-1857	WO 42/43	Officers			Napoleonic Wars
1809-1868	WO 61: series 19-60				Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1809-1870	WO 61: piece 134				Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1809-1872	WO 25: series 1359-2410				Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1810-1880	WO 23: piece 82	Officers			Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1810-1897	WO 23: series 83-87	Officers			Napoleonic Wars & Peninsular War
1811; 1814; 1813-1826	WO 24				Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1811-1818; 1831-1856	WO 25: series 259-265				Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1811-1847	WO 54: series 511-671				Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1811-1852	WO 25: series 2906-2960				Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1811-1858	WO 25: series 3005-3019				Napoleonic War and Peninsular War
1812-1829	WO 89: series 1-5				Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1812-1835	WO 61: series 61-93	Officers			Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1812-1855	WO 4: series 469-493	Officers			Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1812-1858	WO 4: series 711-716				Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1812-1858	WO 4: series 990-1008				Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1813-1920	PMG 3: series 1-118	Officers			Napoleonic Wars and Peninsular War
1814-1834	WO 61: piece 96				Napoleonic Wars
1814-1875	WO 23: piece 173				Napoleonic Wars
1814-1876	WO 23: series 17-23				Napoleonic Wars
1814-1920	PMG 9	Officers			Napoleonic Wars
1815	WO 30: piece 111				Napoleonic Wars
1815-1817	WO 4: piece 376	Officers			Napoleonic Wars
1815-1874	WO 23: series 79-81				Napoleonic Wars
1815-1892	WO 23: series 88-92	Officers			Napoleonic Wars
1815-1894	WO 104: series 1-13				Napoleonic Wars
1815-1894	WO 23: series 93-104				Napoleonic Wars
1815-1894	WO 23: piece 113	Officers			Napoleonic Wars
1816	WO 122: series 1-14
1816-1844	WO 54: series 337-493	Soldiers
1816-1858	WO 4: series 881-967
1816-1878	WO 11: series 1-432
1817-1833	WO 94: series 34-35
1817-1843	WO 25: piece 256	Officers
1817-1875	WO 23: series 141-145
1817-1877	WO 69: series 551-582
1819-1822	WO 119: piece 70
1819-1824	WO 24: series 763-766	Officers
1820s-1860s
1820-1852	WO 54: series 756-926
1820-1875	WO 23: piece 25
1820-1892	WO 23: piece 113
1821-1829	WO 23: piece 24
1821-1829	WO 23: piece 173
1821-1873	WO 69: series 583-597
1822-1855	PMG 6: series 1-22	Officers
1822-1855	WO 54: series 540-572	Soldiers
1823-1913	WO 117: series 1-76; Royal Hospital Chelsea Length of Service, Admission books	Officers / Soldiers	Contains place of birth, regiment, years of service, rate of pension, etc.	Free Online
1824-1917	WO 23: piece 160
1827-1855	WO 25: piece 3118	Officers
1827-1855	PMG 10: PMG 5/7	Officers
1828	WO 19: series 749-779
1828	WO 25: series 749-779	Officers
1828-1845	E 75: series 1-18
1829	WO 25: series 780-806	Officers
1829-1831	WO 19: series 806-807
1829-1971	WO 86: series 1-109
1830-1844	WO 23: series 1-16	Soldiers
1830-1963	WO 138
1831-1839	WO 9: series 13-14; 44-47
1831-1902	WO 102: series 1-16;Long Service and Good Conduct Awards	Officers / Soldiers		Free Online
1833-1913	WO 116: series 1-252
1833-1913	WO 116: series 125-185	Soldiers
1834	WO 23: series 141; 143-145
1834	WO 23: piece 135
1834-1855	PMG 5: series 1-11	Officers
1836-1875	PMG 12	Officers
1837-1872	WO 23: series 136-140
1837-1879	WO 23: 146-152
1837-1921	PMG 18
1838-1896	WO 131: series 1-44
1839-1896	WO 131	Soldiers			First Afghan War
1840-1842	WO 273: series 1-2				First Afghan War
1840-1855	PMG 5				First Afghan War
1841; 1844	WO 30: piece 113				First Afghan War
1842-1883	WO 22: series 1-300	Officers			First Afghan War
1843-1874	PMG 7/8	Officers
1844-1857	WO 4: series 968-980
1844-1878	PMG 8
1846-1923	WO 101: series 1-7				First Sikh War
1847	WO 19: series 808-823
1847	WO 25: series 808-823	Officers
1847-1872	WO 143: series 49-52
1848-1883	WO 69: series 63-73				Second Sikh War
1854-1856	WO 14: series 1-130				Crimean War
1854-1856	WO 15: series 1-102				Crimean War
1855-1864	WO 28: series 1-346				Crimean War
1855-1909	WO 146: series 1-155	Soldiers			Crimean War
1856-1946	WO 98: series 1-2			Online at the National Archives	Crimean War
1857-1920	PMG 57	Officers			Indian Mutiny
1858-1876	WO 23: series 66-78				Indian Mutiny
1858-1876	WO 23: piece 79	Officers			Indian Mutiny
1858-1880	WO 23: piece 75	Officers			Indian Mutiny
1858-1894	WO 23: seires 26-65				Indian Mutiny
1858-1933	WO 23: seris 162-180				Indian Mutiny
1859-1868	WO 67	Soldiers	Gives description of soldier	Family History Library	Indian Mutiny
1859-1884	WO 156: series 9-10				Indian Mutiny
1859-1946	WO 73: series 1-96				Indian Mutiny
1860-1912	WO 70: series 801-839				Indian Mutiny
1861	HO 45: piece 7077
1861-1908	WO 74: series 1-194
1864-1865	WO 23: series 114-123
1865-1875	WO 87: piece 1
1865-1947	WO 156: series 1-2
1868-1870	WO 23: piece 173
1868-1872	WO 25: piece 824/1	Officers
1870s-1940s
1870-1882	PMG 10
1871-1887	WO 121: series 223-257
1872-1894	WO 23: series 66-82	Officers
1873-1928	PMG 65	Officers
1874-1883	HO 45: piece 39832
1874-1890	WO 74: series 184-189
1878-1898	WO 16: series 1-3049				Second Afghan War
1878-1945	WO 88: series 1-7				Second Afghan War
1879-1900	WO 66: series 1-86				Second Afghan War & Zulu War
1880-1903	WO 23: series 153-159				Second Afghan War
1883-1928	WO 145: series 153-159				Egypt and Sudan
1888-1903	HO 45: piece B4402
1889-1904	HO 45: piece B5960A
1889-1920	WO 94: series 21-23
1891-1894	WO 23: piece 69	Officers
1897-1917	WO 23: piece 174
1899-1902	WO 126: series 1-167				Second Boer War
1899-1902	WO 127: series 1-23				Second Boer War
1899-1902	WO 128: series 1-165	Soldiers			Second Boer War
1899-1902	WO 129: series 1-12				Second Boer War
1899-1904	WO 108: series 89-91; 93-95; 129; 144; 212-221; 224	Officers / Soldiers			Second Boer War
1899-1905	HO 45: piece B30615				Second Boer War
1900-1902	WO 129: series 1-12				Second Boer War
1902-1904	WO 148: series 1-48				Second Boer War

England Genealogy England Census  England Census: Further Information and Description England Census

Finding Census Records Online

Census records give name and birth information for families and show them living together at a specific place and time. 

FREE (Indexes)
www.familysearch.org	1841	1851	1861		1881	1891	1901	1911
SUBSCRIPTION SITES $ (Indexes & Images)
Note: Your local FamilySearch Centermay have access to the following websites:
www.ancestry.com	1841	1851	1861	1871	1881	1891	1901	1911 Images only
www.findmypast.co.uk	1841	1851	1861	1871	1881	1891	1901	1911
www.origins.net	1841		1861	1871
www.thegenealogist.co.uk	1841	1851	1861	1871	1881	1891	1901	1911 (beta)

Indexes

Many repositories, including the Family History Library, hold a number of indexes to the census records. They may be:
• Original Census records from 1841-1891
• Surname Indexes
• Street Indexes
• Some remnants of 1801-1831 censuses that include names

Online

Several websites have now published online many of the census indexes and records from 1841-1901.  There is only one site that provides access to the 1911 census on the internet at the present time. The sites are as follows:

www.familysearch.org - 1881 census free
www.ancestry.co.uk
www.origins.net
www.findmypast.co.uk
www.genuki.org.uk – links to indexes
www.thegenealogist.co.uk

For the 1911 census: www.findmypast.co.uk

Accessing England and Wales Census indexes and records online 

Online Tutorial

• England Beginning Research Series Lesson 2: Census Records

FamilySearch Historical Record Collections

Online collections containing these records are located in FamilySearch.org.

Wiki articles describing these collections are found at:

• England and Wales 1841 Census, - FamilySearch Historical Records
• England and Wales Census, 1851 - FamilySearch Historical Records
• England and Wales Census, 1861 - FamilySearch Historical Records
• England and Wales Census, 1881 - FamilySearch Historical Records
• England and Wales Census, 1891 - FamilySearch Historical Records
• England and Wales 1901 Census - FamilySearch Historical Records
• England and Wales 1911 Census - FamilySearch Historical Records

Tips When Searching Census Records

Census records are more easily available than ever before. Caution should be used when searching them for family members. Never assume what isn’t there or “leap” generations in linking individuals.

Important Searching Points 

A number of items need to be considered while searching census records for family members:

1. Names may be misspelled – both Christian and surnames could have variant spellings.
2. Ages and birthplaces may not be accurate – consider who was reporting the information.
3. Relationships may not be expressed in terms understood today – regionally “in law” and “step” are   terms that have different meanings.
4. Jurisdictions changed – as population grew and shifted, jurisdictions changed.
5. People may not be where they are expected – a disaster or plague may have forced a family to move.
6. Pages may be unreadable – use “zoom” and other enhancements on digital copiers.
   

Census details changed little from year to year.  See a detailed listing of the changes made to the census over the years starting in 1841. At the GENUKI website you will find an excellent explanation of the census records and availability. (Examples of Census - 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871) NOTE: Many of the websites have not yet updated their pages to include the 1911 census.
 

Background

Historical populations
Census	Pop.	%±
1801	8,305,362	—
1811	9,553,021	15.0%
1821	11,281,883	18.1%
1831	12,992,485	15.2%
1841	15,002,443	15.5%
1851	16,921,888	12.8%
1861	18,779,811	11.0%
1871	21,495,131	14.5%
1881	24,613,926	14.5%
1891	27,231,074	10.6%
1901	30,514,967	12.1%
1911	33,649,571	10.3%
1921	35,230,225	4.7%
1931	37,359,045	6.0%
Source: 1931 Census

A census is a statistical count of the population of a country taken for the purpose of accurate government representation, tax collection and military purposes. The first complete census in England was conducted in 1086 under William the Conqueror who was the first Norman King of England. As the new king, he wanted an accounting of land owners who held lands belonging to the crown along with the number of owned livestock. A detailed history of this survey is available online from History Magazine which was published in October/Nover 2001.

In England, the government census have taken place ever ten years since 1801, however, these earlier censuses were taken strickly for statistical purposes by the Overseers of the Poor and the clergy.

The first census listing people by name was taken in 1841 with the census traditionally being taken every ten years since then except for 1941 (due to WW II) along with the fact that the 1931 census was destroyed during WW II. Census records are generally released 100 years after they are taken. Because of this situation with 1931 and 1941 census records there will be a thirthy year gap.  These records are one of the best ways to locate ancestors at a given place and time.

Although the 1841 census is of great value, it had some limitations. It was originally produced on blue paper and inscribed with pencil. Many of the original images on film were very poor but the digital quality has improved them. In the 1841 census, relationships were not given, the age of individuals older than 15 years was rounded down, and specific birthplaces were not provided. The 1851 census and subsequent censuses provide more detailed information, making it easier to find family members.

The percentages shown in the chart to the right are the percentage of increase in population since the previous census year.

Further information: Further Information and Description and England Census

Understanding the Census

Brompton5.jpg

Instructions to the census taker were to list only those persons who spent the night in each household when the census was taken. Those traveling, staying at boarding schools, or working away from home were listed where they spent the night. For example, night watchmen are often listed under their employer’s business address rather than with their families. Guy Etchells has assembled a collection of the official instructions given to enumerators for each census.

Be aware of the date of each census for family members as that will help in determining the birth year for family members as it is reported. The date that each census was taken is as follows:

1841 – June 6               1881 – April 3 
1851 – March 30          1891 – April 5
1861 – April 7              1901 – March 31
1871 – April 2              1911 – April 2

The following information can be found in the censuses:

1841

• Name of each member of the household
• Sex/gender
• Age (for adults 15 and up, the age was rounded down to the lower multiple of 5)
• Address
• Occupation
• Whether or not the individual was born in the county in which they were living on June 6, 1841. (If it is ‘yes’ , it is noted with “Y” and for ‘no’ it is noted with “N”.)
• A column indicating if born out of the country, i.e. “S” for Scotland; “I” for Ireland

Only individuals in the home on the census night were listed on the forms with the exception of individuals working through the evening and returning home in the morning. If a family member was visiting they would be listed in that person's home. Note: Individuals who were staying in other locations were listed by the owner of the establishment and this included those who were living in tents.

There are missing sections which have been lost. A detailed listing can be found on findmypast.com.

This census was conducted by the Registrar General and has the identifying marks of "HO" which stands for 'Home Office'. The returns were sorted and copied into enumerator's books in the format seen today in the digitized online records.

1851 to 1901

• Name of each member of the household
• Sex/gender
• Age – hopefully exact
• Relationship to the head of the household
• Condition – marital status
• Occupation
• Parish and county of birth (except foreign births, which usually gave country only)
• The 1851 and 1861 censuses list whether a person was "blind, deaf, or idiot."
• The 1871 and 1881 censuses list whether a person was considered an "imbecile, idiot, or lunatic."
• The 1891 census added the number of rooms (if less than 5) that the family occupied. It also listed whether the person was an employer or an employee.
  

• 1851: An additional census was taken of places of worship, this was a voluntary census and most places of Worship participated. This guide from The National Archives provides a better understand of the Ecclesiastical Census of 1851. Further information on this census is provided by F. Coakley.

A detailed listing of the changes made to the census over the years starting in 1841 can be found on the G

ENUKI website in the Census section. (Examples of Census - 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871) NOTE: Some of the websites have not yet updated their pages to include the 1911 census. Findmypast.com also provides a comprehensive overview which is also very helpful.

The census can also provide a good approximation of date and place of deaths and marriages. Census records are used in combination with church records and civil registration records in locating ancestors.

1911 

• Name of each member of the household
• Relationship to the head of the household
  
• Age at last birthday
• Sex/gender
• Particulars as to Marriage including:
  • Marital condition
  • Completed years the present marriage has lasted
  • Total (number of) children born alive 
  • Children (number of) still living
  • Children (number of) who have died
• Profession or Occupation 
  • Industry or service of work
  • Whether an employer, worker, or working on own account
  • Whether working at home
• Parish and county of birth of everyone in the household
• Nationality of every person born in a foreign country
• Lists wether a person was "totally deaf, deaf and dumb, totally blind, lunatic, imbecile, or feeble-mined"
• The 1911 Census was the first census where original forms were kept. Handwriting is that of ancestor.

Pre-1841 Census

The 1831 census was collated by the census office and the resulting Parish Register Abstracts form an important part of the published census material, because from it alone, the clergymen's manusript returns have survived. The records are held at The National Archives of the UK under 'Clergymen's returns of 1831' (HO71/1-HO71/124.)  Detailed information on pre-1841 census records can be found in:

• Chapman, Colin R., Pre-1841 Censuses and Population Listings in the British Isles.  Dursley, Gloucestershire, England : Lochin Publishing, 1998 (5th ed). (Family History Library book 942 X27cc, 1998) 

Pre-1841 censuses generally contain only numbers of individuals in a household, but some do contain individual names of the head-of-household.

Further information: England Census: Further Information and Description

A worksheet can be used to record information found in census records.