Census returns
Census returns were created as a way of recording population levels and
distribution, occupations and migration.
The first comprehensive census of the population of the UK was taken in
1801, and a census has been taken every 10 years since then, with the
exception of 1941.
The information on a census can include:
 Full names
 Age
 Marital status
 Relationship to the head of the household
 Gender
 Occupation
 Place of birth
 Medical disabilities
Census records are closed to the public for 100 years to encourage people to
record accurate information.
The census provides us with a snapshot of the population on a particular night
and is a unique document.
Comparing census records across time provides valuable evidence about the
development of a particular place and trends in migration, trades and
occupations and society.