Ireland Census 1821-1851
Discover your ancestor in the remains of Ireland’s early nineteenth century censuses that survived the fire at the Four Courts in 1922.
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Discover your ancestor in the remains of Ireland’s early nineteenth century censuses that survived the fire at the Four Courts in 1922.
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The amount of detail in each census varies, as does what survived. The amount of information in each census year can differ.
The 1821 census was taken over a period from 28 May 1821 and survives for parts of the following counties: Cavan, Fermanagh, Galway, King’s (Offaly) and Meath,
The 1821 Census recorded the following information on each member of the household:
- Name
- Age
- Occupation
- Townland
- Parish
Findmypast have calculated year of birth from the age given in the census however it should be noted that respondents may not have known their exact age.
The 1821 census mentions the following counties: Antrim (33)
Carlow (8)
Cavan (79,930)
Dublin (18)
Fermanagh (9,335)
Galway (12,075)
Kilkenny (11)
King's (16,889)
Limerick (20)
Mayo (21)
Meath (18,754)
The 1831 census was taken over a period of some months after 30 March 1831 and survives for parts of Londonderry (Derry).
The surviving documents from the 1831 census record the following information
- Name of head of household
- Number of males and females living in the household
- Religion of the household members
- Townland
- Parish
- Barony
The 1841 census was taken on 7 June 1841 and survives for Killeshandra, County Cavan.
The 1841 census was filled in by the householders themselves and recorded the following information about each household member:
- Name
- Age
- Occupation
- Relationship to head of household
- Date of marriage (s)
- Ability to read/write
- Townland
- Parish
- Barony
Unusually the 1841 census also recorded:
- Family members living elsewhere including location
- Deceased family members (since 1831) including cause of death
Absent family members and visitors are both often shown in the transcript as having a different place of residence. Do make sure you check the image where more information is often revealed. This can give a fascinating insight into people’s movements for work.
The 1841 Census was also used to determine age when the old age pension was introduced in 1909.
The 1851 census was taken on 30 March 1851 and filled out by the householders themselves. It survives for parts of County Antrim.
The 1851 recorded the following information about each household member:
- Name
- Age
- Occupation
- Relationship to head of household
- Date of marriage (s)
- Ability to read/write
- Religion
- Townland
- Parish
- Barony
The 1851 census also recorded:
- Family members living elsewhere including location
- Visitors to the house at the time of the census including where they were from
- Deceased family members (since 1841) including cause of death
Absent family members and visitors are both often shown in the transcript as having a different place of residence. Do make sure you check the image where more information can frequently be found. This can give a fascinating insight into people’s movements for work.
The 1851 Census was also used to determine age when the old age pension was introduced in 1909.