- Started in 1801, and taken every tenth year, but no details of individual people until 1841.
- Confidential for 100 years; therefore 1901 is the latest census available for personal information.
- Very useful in that birthplaces are given, and this can "bridge the gap" between Civil Registration and Parish Registers.
- In 1841 gives name, age (But only within 5 years for those over 15), occupation, whether born in county in which then living, or in Ireland, Scotland or abroad.
- In 1851, 1861, 1881 and 1891 gives relationship to head of household (e.g. son, servant), condition (e.g. married, widow), age, occupation, birthplace, and in 1891 only whether employer or employee.
- Information in census returns is arranged by area and street, and not by name.
Census - Locations:
Census returns 1841-1891 for England and Wales are at the Family Records Centre, Myddelton Street, Islington, London, EC1R 1UW
Copies 1841-1891 for Yorkshire are at Leeds Central Library
Copies 1841-1881 for the West Riding are at Wakefield Headquarters Library, Balne Lane, Wakefield, WF2 0DQ.
Copies 1841-1891 for Bradford, Baildon, Bingley, Shipley and most of Calverley and Pudsey are in Bradford Reference Library. For 1891 only, copies are also available for the rest of Bradford Metropolitan District.
Copies 1841-1891 for Bingley and Keighley are at Keighley Library. (Name indexes for Keighley 1851-1891 can be consulted at Keighley Library).
Copies 1891 for Bingley are at Bingley Library.
Copies 1841-1891 for Ilkley and 1851-1891 for Addingham, Burley and Menston are at Ilkley Library.
Copies 1841-1891 for Shipley are at Shipley Library.
Census - Indices:
Street Indexes
1841-1891 Bradford, Bingley and Shipley.
1841, 1851 & 1891 Baildon.
1841, 1861-1891 Calverley and Pudsey.
Name - Indexes
1851 Bradford and surrounding area: cards arranged by head of household. Covers Allerton, Baildon, Bolton, Bowling, Bradford, Clayton, Cleckheaton, Denholme, Eccleshill, Heaton, Great & Little Horton, Idle, Low Moor, Manningham, North Bierley, Shipley, Thornton, Tong, Wibsey, Wilsden and Wyke
1871 Bradford and surrounding area: surname only. Covers Allerton, Bolton, Bowling, Bradford, Calverley, Clayton, Cleckheaton, Denholme, Drighlington, Eccleshill, Farsley, Heaton, Great and Little Horton, Hunsworth, Idle, Low Moor, Manningham, North Bierley, Pudsey, Shipley, Thornton, Tong, Wibsey, Wilsden and Wyke.
1881 Yorkshire
1891 As for 1871
1841-1881 Baildon : Surname only.
1851 Ilkley. (B 942 WHA)
1841-1891 Queensbury.
1841 Almondbury, Batley, Golcar and Huddersfield townships.
1851 Huddersfield and townships in Kirklees Metropolitan District.
1851 Leeds and townships near Leeds. Covers Aberford, Armley, Austhorpe, Baildon, Bardsey, Barwick in Elmet, Batley, Beeston, Boston, Bramley, Calverley, Carlton, Chapel Allerton, Churwell, Clifford, Collingham, East Keswick, Esholt, Farsley, Gildersome, Guiseley, Halton, Hawksworth, Headingley cum Burley, Holbeck, Horsforth, Hunslet, Kirkstall, Leeds, Morley, Potter Newton, Pudsey, Rawdon, Rothwell, Roundhay, Scarcroft, Seacroft, Shadwell, Stanningley, Thorner, Whitkirk and Yeadon.
Gibson, J.S.W. Census returns 1841-1891 in microfilm : a directory to local holdings. 6th. ed. 1994. (H 929.341)
Gibson, J.S.W. Marriage, census and other indexes for family historians. 5th. ed. 1994 (H 929.341).
