The latest available census is for 1901, which is available online at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/census or on microfiche at the National Archives. Local archives have copies for their area and many also have access to the online version.

A complete set of census records between 1841 and 1891 is to be found at the Family Records Centre at www.familyrecords.gov.uk/frc, although most local record offices and local study libraries have copies for their areas. The FRC has street indexes for many of the larger towns and cities, as well as surname indexes, although with the exception of the 1881 and 1901 censuses, they are not complete.

A list of the dates when the census took place can be found at www.peterswoodharlow.freeserve.co.uk/FAQCENSUS

The 1841 census is not as informative as later censuses, because the authorities were afraid that the questions asked might be regarded as being too intrusive. In particular, ages for people over 15 are often rounded down to the nearest five years. Also, no place of birth is given and it is often unclear of the relation of a particular individual to the head of a household. In addition it can also be difficult to read.

The census forms between 1851 and 1891 are very similar. For each of the censuses the census books contain the following information:

In addition the 1891 and 1901 censuses asked about the number of rooms the household had, whether they were employed, self-employed, or unemployed, and (in Wales) whether they spoke Welsh.

The following hints may help you find people who aren't where you thought they would be: