England and Wales, Census, 1891
Census returns of England and Wales, 1891.
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England and Wales, Census, 1891
What is in This Collection?
The 1891 census taken on the night of 5 April 1891 gave the total population as 33,015,701.
Census schedules consist of large sheets with preprinted rows and columns. The schedules are arranged by county and then divided by civil parish, while some are further subdivided into smaller enumeration districts, each district being an area that could be enumerated in a day. Enumerators went door to door collecting the data in census books. Censuses taken between 1851 and 1931 were conducted on a single day, sometime between March 31 and April 8. The census takers listed only those who spent the night in each household, so individuals who were traveling or at school were listed where they spent the night. Almost all the residents of England are included in the census. Noncitizens were also included.
Census records are a good source to use as you search for your relatives. Use census records to help you find the age of your ancestor, as well as birthplace, occupation, and address. The records can also help you define relationships between individuals.
Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.
What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:
- Name
- Gender
- Age
- Marital status
- Relationship to the Head of Household
- Occupation
- Birthplace
- Physical limitations
- Address
Collection Content
Sample Record
| Field | Record |
|---|---|
| Name | John Smith |
| Event Type | Census |
| Event Date | 1891 |
| County | London |
| Parish | Paddington |
| Ecclesiastical Parish | ST MARY |
| Registration District | Paddington |
| Residence Note | Paddington Basin North Side |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 53 |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Occupation | Captain |
| Relationship to Head of Household | Crew |
| Birth Year (Estimated) | 1838 |
| Birthplace | Wiltshire, England |
| Page Number | 46 |
| Registration Number | RG12 |
| Piece/Folio | 3/57 |
Source information
Location of Original Records
The National Archives
"England and Wales, Census, 1891." Database with images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 13 February 2025. From "1891 England, Scotland and Wales census." Database and images. findmypast. http://www.findmypast.com : n.d. Citing PRO RG 12. The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
