Tuesday 6 November 2012

1871 census of England & Wales on FamilySearch

FamilySearch.org has added 4,936,247 indexed records from the 1871 census of England and Wales. This represents some 81% of the total. The remaining records will be added as counties are indexed.

The database is free to use, and the search results are quite extensive ie name, date of birth and age, details of other household members. Place of birth is also recorded, but if this was Ireland, there may be no further clue; all too often this box of the form contains just the word 'Ireland', but this census is worth checking because there are also many instances when a county was provided.

To see images of the census returns, you need to have a subscription or other payment arrangement with FindMyPast UK or visit a Family History Center, where full access is provided free.

Records for some civil parishes on the Gower peninsula (Glamorgan, Wales) are missing. See the collection notes for a list.