ABOUT

Census Image

Used with permission from Chiswick Library Local Studies.

The Early British Census project (EBC) brings the numerous disparate pre-1841 census records into one searchable database. It is designed to help family historians discover their ancestors; offer training for students; and provide data for scholarly research, particularly for local and population studies. The project offers valuable insight into household and occupational structures of early industrial Britain.

There are over 1400 surviving household or individual schedules from the 1801, 1811, 1821, and 1831 censuses. Because the household and individual schedules were never submitted to a central government entity, the original returns remain in dozens of local archives across the UK. These records have never been brought together into one database, most have never been indexed or published, and only occasional returns have been digitized.

EBC brings these various records into one searchable database. When the database is complete, it will likely contain information about approximately 500,000 households.

The first stage of the project is to extract data from, and where possible gather digital images of, the 1801-1831 English censuses. Later stages will capture records from other parts of the British Isles as well as earlier periods.

Student researchers, under faculty supervision, consult the originals, extract parish, household, and individual data, and where possible upload the digital image. The extractions are then verified by a second researcher.

All information was extracted from digital images of original census records. No extractions or transcriptions from other collections or publications were used. Student researchers and volunteers extracted and verified census data. If you notice an error or have more information about a collection, please let us know.

 

Team

Project supervised by Prof. Amy Harris (http://fhssfaculty.byu.edu/FacultyPage/ah22).

Current student researchers and volunteers: Nicole Hunsaker, Sarah Jorgensen, Megan Bruggerman, Leslikae Thomas, Ellie Hancock, Cassie Holland, Shannon Lambson, Amanda Reece, Mikayla Cluxton, and Kate Lingwall.

Past student researchers and volunteers: Donna Heninger, Elizabeth Harper, Christopher Devenport, Rachel Van Katwyk, Sarah Rounsville, Amy Leavitt, and Tyler Soutas.