Secrets of The National Archives: Censuses

What do you know about the census? Join us to explore the history and importance of this iconic document.

What do you know about the census?

A census has been taken in England and Wales, and separately for Scotland, every ten years since 1801, except for 1941, offering a unique snapshot of everyone in the country on a given day. Join Family & Local History Engagement Lead, Jessamy Carlson in exploring the history and importance of this iconic document.

Drawing on notable examples from within our collection, this talk will explore the changes in this historic form of data collection over the centuries. It will highlight some of the peculiarities unearthed in census returns and explore what a generic state document can tell us about the lives and times of our forebears.

Secrets of The National Archives is a new monthly series showcasing some of the most notable documents and tales from our collection. Each month, delve into the fascinating stories behind the documents and learn straight from the experts.

From iconic documents such as Magna Carta and Domesday, to our hidden gems, discover The National Archives’ unique and rich collection and explore history as it really happened.

What’s Online is a series of talks, in conversation events and webinars delivered by our experts and special guests. Events last approximately one hour, including an audience Q&A.

This event will be presented on Zoom. For the best experience we recommend using either a laptop or desktop computer. For more information on attending a Zoom event, please visit: https://bit.ly/3fojVtn

You will receive a reminder email, including a link to join in advance of the event.

Talks are available to watch on catch-up for a limited period of 48 hours only. You will receive a separate link to view the recording once the event is over.