1851 to 1901 Census Returns of England and Wales

The 1851 to 1901 Census Returns give much more information about a household’s occupants than the 1841 Census, so are much more useful when researching your family history. 

The 1841 Census only listed the household occupants, not stating their relationship to the head of the house, and did not give details of their birthplaces, only listing whether or not they were born in the county the census took place in. 

This page will examine each census, describing the information that can be uncovered.

An individual’s relationship to the head of the household is listed as is their status – Mar for married, Unm for unmarried and Wid for Widow or Widower.  

If the head of the household was married and the wife’s relative was living in the family home, sometimes the householder could misunderstand and make it seem the wife’s relative was related to him, which can be confusing. 

For example, without conducting further research, it is difficult to determine whether a person stated as being a niece or nephew of the head of the household was his niece or his wife’s.

Ages Recorded in the 1851 to 1901 Census Returns

Ages in the 1851 to 1901 Census Returns are given more accurately than in 1841 as the ages of adults are no longer rounded down to the nearest 5 years.  Some ages can still be inaccurate however, because a lot depended on the householder being truthful about their real age, or remembering how old they actually were.  

I have known people to have aged only 5 years between Censuses even though there were 10 years between them!!

How Occupations Were Recorded in the Census

Occupations are recorded in more detail as the census now lists the occupation of all household members, listing as scholar those still at school.  

From 1891, the census also stated whether the individual was an employer, employee or neither, if they were of working age.  In 1901, a column was added to state whether the person was working from home.

Birth Place Stated in Detail in 1851 to 1901 Census Returns

An individual’s birthplace is now stated rather than just whether or not they had been born in the county which is much more helpful, but this information could still be incorrect so further research is always needed.  

If an individual was born and baptised in a different place to the one where they had been brought up they may have thought that was their birthplace and recorded it on the return.  

If an occupant was born outside England or Wales, in earlier censuses it simply stated the country of origin, giving no further information.  Much more information was recorded in later decades.

Any Impediment Your Ancestor Had Was Recorded in Census

In 1851 and 1861 a column listed whether the individual was blind or deaf-and-dumb.  From 1871 to 1891 whether the individual was either an ‘imbecile or idiot’ or a ‘lunatic’ was added.  In 1901, ‘idiot’ was replaced by feeble-minded.  

1851 to 1901 Census Returns Headings

Where to find the 1851 to 1901 Returns

Most Record Offices hold the 1851 to 1901 Returns for their local area.  These can also be viewed at the National Archives.

The National Library of Wales holds the 1851 to 1901 Returns on microfiche for all of Wales.

You are also able to access free census records on-line at freecen.  Volunteers transcribe the information, the indexes being partially complete, but further information is being added constantly.

You can search the 1851-1901 Census Returns online at Ancestry and FindmyPast.