GRO(Government Record Office) Indexes

CENSUS RECORDS

In England a census was taken every 10 years from 1841. These are now available to search on a number of websites. The LDS website, FamilySearch, has all census from 1841 to 1911, and is a free resource.

1841 CENSUS

The 1841 Census was the first real Census in England & Wales. It was taken on 6^th June 1841. It included the name, age and profession of an individual, and his relationship to the head of the household. There is also an indication of whether the individual was born in the census county or not, but the place of birth of 'outsiders' is not given. Dates of birth are sometimes confusing in that up to 14 the age was exact but after that "in five year groups indicated by the youngest year of the group" which was a long winded way of saying "rounded down".

1851 CENSUS

The 1851 Census was the first Census in England & Wales that provided details of the person's age, occupation and place of birth. It was taken on 30^th March 1851.

The rest of the census dates are:-

• 1861.....7^th April
• 1871.....2^nd April
• 1881.....3^rd April
• 1891.....5^th April
• 1901....31^st March
• 1911.....2^nd April

The 1921 census will be made available in 2021.

THE 1939 REGISTER

The 1939 Register, taken on 29 September 1939, provides a snapshot of the civilian population of England and Wales just after the outbreak of the Second World War.

The records were used to produce up-to-date population statistics and identification cards and, once rationing was introduced in January 1940, to facilitate the issuing of ration cards. Information in the Register was also used to administer conscription, and to monitor and control the movement of the population caused by military mobilisation and mass evacuation.

The 1939 Register is a useful resource for family, social and local historians. As the 1931 census for England and Wales was destroyed by fire during the Second World War and no census was taken in 1941, the 1939 Register provides the most complete survey of the population of England and Wales between 1921 and 1951.

Whilst the 1939 Register is not a census, it is arranged along similar lines and includes similar, if less detailed, information.

The records are available to search at a cost from the website Findmypast.

PARISH RECORDS

Copies of Parish Records are usually available on micro film/fiche in County Record Offices and at the Mormon Family History Centres. Some Contributors have been through various Parish Records and have listed entries for Poulton's and may be able to help in a particular area.

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WILLS

Click here for a list of 16th & 17th Century Poulton Wills and their repository

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