Family History

 
 

Census Returns

 The first official census for England and Wales was taken in 1801. Thereafter a census has been taken every 10 years to the present day, with the exception of 1941. However, the information contained in the census remains confidential until 100 years have past. The latest census available is 1901.

Pre-1841 Census

Until 1841 the census records are mainly statistical, although some do list the main householder. Information Sheet 11 - lists our holdings of Pre-1841 Census and Inhabitants Lists (PDF file). A surname index to the 1821 and 1831 St Marylebone Censuses is also available in the Archives Centre.

1841-1901 Census

A census record is particularly useful from 1841 onwards. The entry will provide details of an individual’s age, occupation and place of birth as well as indicating their relationship to the rest of the household. The 1841 census is less informative than the later ones, as it has ages of persons over 16 rounded down to the nearest 5 years and it does not give precise details about the place of birth of each person.

The Archives Centre holds copies of the 1841-1901 censuses for Westminster, St Marylebone and Paddington. The 1841 census for Paddington and the 1861 census for the Pimlico and Belgravia areas of Westminster have not survived. All the censuses we hold are indexed by street and are available in the Archives Centre searchroom.

Name Indexes 

The following name indexes have also been compiled:-

  • 1841 census - An index is available for a fee via the National Archives and Ancestry. Ancestry is also available for free in the searchroom in the searchroom at the archives centre.
  • 1851 census - is indexed by surname on microfiche. This is available in the searchroom. An index is also available for a fee via the National Archives and Ancestry. Ancestry is also available for free in the searchroom at the archives centre.
  • 1861 census – An index is available for a fee on Findmypast and via the National Archives and Ancestry. Ancestry is also available for free in the searchroom at the archives centre.
  • 1871 census - An index is available for a fee via the National Archives and Ancestry. Ancestry is also available for free in the searchroom at the archives centre.
  • 1881 census - An index for the whole of England and Wales is available on microfiche and CD-ROM in the Archives Centre. The 1881 census surname index can also be searched for free at Family Search. An index is also available for a fee via the National Archives and Ancestry 
  • 1891 census – An index is available for a fee via the National Archives and Ancestry. Ancestry is also available for free in the searchroom at the archives centre.
  • 1901 census – An index is available for a fee via the National Archives. The 1901 Census is also available for free via Ancestry in the searchroom at the archives centre.