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Course image English: Census Records Including Wales
Basic English Records
EN-101: English: Census Records Including Wales
Course Summary:

Optional Print Course Material: English: Census Records Including Wales

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

This course examines of the history, structure, and genealogical research possibilities of the 1801 to 1921 censuses, as well as the 1939 National Register of England and Wales. Strategies for research, record locations, research problems, recording and documenting census research is discussed, as well as terminology and available databases.
 
A detailed look at each census (1841-1921) focused on the information collected, problems, missing pieces, and viewing availability. Indexes and websites are also discussed. Upon completion of this course, the student will be fully prepared to use English census records with confidence.

Historical: This course originated February 2001. Current version copyright is October 2024.
If you have older material, it needs to be replaced. Use the chat app to order your replacement materials.
Contact Hours: 21
Course Length: 8 weeks
Grading Scale: 70% Tests/30% Assignments

Course Content

MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION
Introduction to English Census Records
The Domesday Project
Census Numbering
Why use the census?
  • Census Information Collected
  • Why look at every available census?.
  • What the Schedule Columns Tell the Researcher
  • Household Unit
  • Institutions
  • Shipping Schedules
General Issues
  • Missing Pieces
  • Double Entries
  • Errors
  • Hard-to-Read Records
  • Transcription Problems
  • Enumerator’s Path - Why a portion of the road is not there!
  • Woes of an Enumerator
Terms and Abbreviations
  • Relationship Definitions
  • Relationship & Marital Status Abbreviations
  • Occupations
  • Other Abbreviations & Terms
Statistical and Location Information
Module 1 Course Assignments

MODULE 2
CENSUS YEARS
Early Censuses (1801-1831)

1841 Census

  • Information Collected
  • Problems
  • Missing Pieces
  • Viewing Availability
1851 Census
  • Information Collected
  • Other Enumerations & Schedules
  • Problems
  • Missing Pieces
  • Viewing Availability
1861 Census
  • Information Collected
  • Other Enumerations & Schedules
  • Problems
  • Missing Pieces
  • Viewing Availability

Module 2 Course Assignments

MODULE 3
CENSUS YEARS … Continued
1871 Census

  • Information Collected
  • Other Enumerations & Schedules
  • Problems
  • Missing Pieces
  • Viewing Availability
1881 Census
  • Information Collected
  • Other Enumerations & Schedules
  • Problems
  • Missing Pieces
  • Viewing Availability
1891 Census
  • Information Collected
  • Other Enumerations & Schedules
  • Problems
  • Missing Pieces
  • Viewing Availability
Module 3 Course Assignments

MODULE 4
CENSUS YEARS … Continued
1901 Census

  • Information Collected
  • Other Enumerations & Schedules
  • Problems
  • Missing Pieces
  • Viewing Availability
1911 Census
  • Archival Reference for the 1911 Census
  • Information Collected
  • Other Enumerations & Schedules
  • Problems
  • Missing Pieces
  • Viewing Availability

Module 4 Course Assignments

MODULE 5
CENSUS YEARS … Continued
1921 Census

  • Information Collected
  • Other Enumerations & Schedules
  • Problems
  • Missing Pieces
  • Viewing Availability

OTHER CENSUS & SUBSTITUTE
1851 Religious Census

  • Information Collected
  • Availability
1939 National Registration
  • Information Collected
  • Availability
  • Terms and Abbreviations
Other Census/Substitute Records

RECORDING & DOCUMENTING CENSUS RESEARCH
Recording & Documenting Censuses

  • Description & Recording a Source
  • Census Search Details
  • Obtaining a Copy of the Document
  • Cleaning Up Census Images
Searching & Reading the Images
Module 5 Course Assignments

MODULE 6
SEARCH HELP
Historical Street Indexes

Searching Name Indexes

  • Help Searching Names
Types of Website Searches

WEBSITES WITH CENSUSES
FamilySearch
FreeCen

Findmypast

  • Findmypast Address Search
Ancestry
TheGenealogist
Genes Reunited
MyHeritage

Module 6 Course Assignments

MODULE 7
CASE STUDY
Case Study Outline

Case Study - Spry Family

  • Case Study Assignments

Conclusion
Recommended Reading and Resources