First
Scottish Census 1801
The
first official census was undertaken in 1801, parish ministers
throughout Scotland playing the same prominent role they had
exercised in the compilation of the first Statistical Account
in the 1790s. The Rev. Dr Alexander Webster (1707-84) and his
associate, Rev. Dr Robert Wallace (1697-1771), had made an earlier
enumeration in 1755. Sir John Sinclair (1754-1835) compiled
an estimate for 1795, based on the returns to the Statistical
Account; while Patrick Colquhoun (1745-1820) produced other
data (based apparently on his own calculations) - but neither
of these efforts was systematic nor comprehensive. Official
estimates of population had been made elsewhere in Europe, for
example, in Sweden (1749) and Austria (1754), and it was the
same fiscal and strategic requirements that lay behind the first
national census of 1801 - during the Napoleonic Wars. From 1801
there was a census every ten years until 1931 and, owing to
the intervention of World War 11, again from 1951. Historically
the information sought varied: the number of persons of each
sex was consistently obtained, but ages were neglected until
1821 and included in every census since 1841. Marital status
was included for the first time in 1851.
The
1841 census is of particular interest because it included data
about native place as well as place of residence - hence giving
the researcher some indication of migration patterns that can
be married up with surviving parish registers. The census is clearly
an important historical source in the range of information and
statistical data it provides - and is thus much consulted by the
researcher.
Census
records are of great value to genealogists and many other researchers
giving an insight into so many facets of history. A 100 year rule
is applied to the census information and in recent times much
work has been undertaken to make this data available on micro
fiche and subsequently on CD ROM disks making any research possible
by computer. The Church of the Latter Day Saints has this year
made available the complete 1881 Census for the UK.
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