How Census Returns were compiled

A Census has been taken every ten years since 1801 with the exception of 1941. the 1841 census was the first to list the names of every individual.

There are missing pages in all censuses but 1861 has suffered most with entire pieces missing. In the Sussex Square census for 1871 there are no records for Nos.10 to 41 for instance.

Each registrars sub-district was divided into a number of enumeration districts, each of which was the responsibility of the enumerator. The enumerator delivered a a form known as a schedule to each household a few days before census night, and collected the completed schedules the day after. The schedules were then copied into the census enumerators' books. It is these books which have survived for 1841 to 1911.

If the occupants were away or did not return their form there will be no record for that house or dwelling.

Census records can easily be accessed online.