One of the most invaluable genealogical resources available are the decennial Census Returns. The information within the returns varies in both content and clarity.

The first organised Census of modern times in Great Britiain was on the 10th March 1801. Subsequent Censuses were taken on 27th May 1811, 28th May 1821 and 30th May 1831. These early Censuses are not of much use to us as they were basically numeric lists. No personal names are included, although some areas did compile lists of householders. Survival rates of these earlier Census records are generally poor.

The first genealogically important Census was that taken in 1841.

Censuses were taken on the following dates:

The surviving returns for England, Scotland, Wales, The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands have all been microfilmed.

In most instances the 1851 Census has been at least Street Indexed if not Surname Indexed.

These Returns can be searched by Sovereign Ancestry and copies provided.