Registrar General Records
We hope you enjoyed watching our Education Service video with Jessamy Carlson, Twentieth Century Records Specialist at The National Archives looking at the 1921 census records from the Registrar General collection at The National Archives, Catalogue ref: RG 15/26412
The first official census was taken in 1801, but the census of 1841 is regarded as the first modern census as it was run by a new registration service. A form had to be completed by the head of the household on behalf of everyone in the household on a certain day. After 1851 the age of each person, their relationship within the family (such as wife, son or daughter) occupation (job) and place of birth were recorded.
Now try and answer the following questions:
- What type of material can we find in the Registrar General collection?
- When did the Office for National Statistics take over the collection of the census?
- How often is a census taken in Britain?
- When was the most recent census taken?
- Why must census records remain closed for 100 years before we can look at them?
- Where are census records for Scotland and Ireland held?
- What is (a) an enumeration district (b) an enumeration postcard?
- What information must be supplied on the household census form?
- What is the use and value of census information for the government?
- Why is the census an important source for historians and researchers?
Document 1
A census form, or schedule, issued to a single residence in East Cardiff, Wales (written in English) for the 1921 census, Catalogue ref: RG 15/26412
- What can we find out from this census about the lives of the children listed?
- What is the employment of the ‘Head of the household’ (‘father’)?
- What does this census infer about the economy of the area? How could we find out more about this?
- How is the ‘wife’ of the household employed?
- Why do you think the census enumerator has crossed out ‘ferrets’?
- Why do you think the householder listed these animals?
- Why is the form signed at the bottom by Andrew Smith?
Document 2
A census form, or schedule, issued to a single residence in East Cardiff, Wales (written in English) for the 1921 census, Catalogue ref: RG 15/26412
- What can we find out from this census about the lives of the children?
- What is the employment of the ‘Head of the household’ (‘father’)?
- What does this census infer about the economy of the area? How could we find out more about this?
- How is the ‘wife’ of the household employed?
- What does this extract from census infer about the social status of the family?
- Does it reveal anything about the role or position of women in the 1920s?
- Compare this page of the census to Document 1. Can you explain any differences between them?
Document 3
Photograph of women working on the census schedules at the Census Office, Acton, 1931, Catalogue ref: RG 54/5
This photograph is one of a series of Civil Service publicity photographs showing different activities undertaken at the Census Office in Acton, London, including punching of machine cards, stacking and filing schedules for the 1931 census; and the using the Powers-Samas printing/counting/sorting machines.
- Why do you think this photograph was taken during the 1931 census?
- Who would be the audience for this photograph?
- What does this photograph infer about changes in women’s employment with reference to Documents 1 & 2?
- What other information does the photograph reveal?
Document 4
Census extract for the district of Margaret and St John Civil Parish, in the borough of Westminster, London, 1911, Catalogue ref: RG 78/16/5/3/24 (7)
Emily Davidson found hiding in the crypt of Westminster Hall during the 1911 census.
- Which buildings were occupied and recorded on this census return for 1911?
- Who was Emily Davidson (listed as E.W. Davidson)?
- Why was Emily Davison hiding in the crypt of Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament?
- Find out why the 1911 census was significant for the Suffragette movement.
- Look at different page from the 1911 census which links to the Suffragette movement. What does it reveal?
Extension activities
- Carry out a comparative study of the same street over time in 1911 and 1921. What similarities or differences that can be detected?
- Use the census to compare different regions of the country at the same time or over a period. What social changes are reflected in census records from 1911 and 1921?
Connections to Curriculum
Key stage 3
They should understand how different types of historical sources are used rigorously to make historical claims and discern how and why contrasting arguments and interpretations of the past have been constructed.
Challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world 1901 to the present day; could include: the Suffragettes.
Key stage 4
Historical Inquiry: Students learn how historical evidence is used to make claims and to construct different historical arguments and interpretations.
Analytical Skills: Students develop the ability to interpret information and evaluate its utility.
AQA GCSE History:
Britain: Power and the people: c1170 to the present day
OCR GCSE History:
Power: Monarchy and Democracy in Britain c.1000 to 2014
Related Resources
Here you can find a comparative study of the same street over time across censuses
Discover Victorian family history
Find snapshots of an era in Twenties Britain Part One and Part Two
Take a peek into how Victorian lives and Victorian Industrial Towns were