Using the Census Records

The census will detail people who were living or visiting a property on the night of the census when the recorder turned up at the address.

Lots of information is contained within the census records that will be extremely useful to you in forming a more detailed picture of your family.

The head of the household was recorded and then everyone else is listed after them and it is noted how they are related to the head. So you will see that they may have a wife or they may be widowed. You will be able to see the children that were living with them at that time and you may also see visitors, extended family, and if they were wealthy enough - servants.

From the census you will also see the occupation that they gave at the time and also their given age as well as a place of birth. You will come to learn that as you go through the census searching back that this information can vary greatly and so you must not rely upon it to be all too accurate!