The census is a survey taken by the government every 10 years to collect information on the population of the United Kingdom. From 1801 to 1831 the censuses were simply head counts with no personal information on individuals recorded (except in exceptional cases). But from 1841 personal information on individuals was recorded.

Since 1841 more information has been collected during the census as you will see below. However it is also useful to appreciate that slightly different information iscollected in the censuses for England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

Personal information that was collected in the census of 1841:-

• First, or Christian, name
• Surname
• Age*
• Gender
• Occupation
• Place of birth**
• If disabled, nature of disability

*For those under 15, ages were given exactly (if known): for people over 15, ages were rounded down to the nearest five years. For example, someone of 64 would appear as 60, another of 29 as 25.

**Some information relating to the place of birth was also given, but was restricted to whether or not a person was born in the county of residence (Y for Yes, N for No), and, if not, whether in Scotland (S), Ireland (I), or foreign parts(F).

Personal information that was collected in the census of 1851:-

• First, or Christian, name
• Surname
• Relationship to the head of the household
• Age
• Gender
• Occupation
• Marital status
• Place of birth
• If disabled, nature of disability

Personal information that was collected in the census of 1861:-

• First, or Christian, name
• Surname
• Relationship to the head of the household
• Age
• Gender
• Occupation
• Marital status
• Place of birth
• If disabled, nature of disability

In Scotland the number of rooms with 1 or more windows this was also collected

Personal information that was collected in the census of 1871:-

• First, or Christian, name
• Surname
• Relationship to the head of the household
• Age
• Gender
• Occupation
• Marital status
• Place of birth
• If disabled, nature of disability

In Scotland the number of rooms with 1 or more windows this was also collected

Personal information that was collected in the census of 1881:-

• First, or Christian, name
• Surname
• Relationship to the head of the household
• Age
• Gender
• Occupation
• Marital status
• Place of birth
• If disabled, nature of disability

In Scotland the number of rooms with 1 or more windows this was also collected

Personal information that was collected in the census of 1891:-

• First, or Christian, name
• Surname
• Relationship to the head of the household
• Age
• Gender
• Occupation
• Marital status
• Place of birth
• If disabled, nature of disability

In Scotland the number of rooms with 1 or more windows and whether Gaelic or Gaelic and English speaker was also collected.

In Wales, whether language spoken is Welsh, English or both

Personal information that was collected in the census of 1901:-

• First, or Christian, name
• Surname
• Relationship to the head of the household
• Age
• Gender
• Occupation
• Marital status
• Place of birth
• If disabled, nature of disability

In Scotland the number of rooms with 1 or more windows and whether Gaelic or Gaelic and English speaker was also collected.

In Wales, whether language spoken is Welsh, English or both

In Ireland households were also asked religious denomination, literacy level and the ability to speak or write Irish