How was the census carried out? .....

Keatley · Post by **Keatley** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:48 pm

Hi

First time I've posted on the site

I'm hoping someone could tell me how the Scottish Census(1891,1901) was collected?

I presume it was some type of 'door to door' knock infomation collection tactic, far from the standard census form we receive in the post these days.

Which brings me to my next question.
If someone had temporarily left the country, would that person be recorded on the census?

Today, if I was abroad on holiday for 2 weeks, I would still be captured by the census, but what time limit will not produce a recording?

I'm trying to solve a dilema with my Gt Grandfather, Thomas George Keatley, born in Ireland in 1862, came to Hutchesontown,Lanark, between 1881 and 1886.
Although he was present for the 1891 Census(80 Calder Street),he was not recorded, unlike the rest of his family, on the 1901 Census(538 Calder Street).He died in 1921 in Govan.

Any help would be most appreciated.
Thanks

Post by **AndrewP** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 10:02 pm

Hi Keatley,

A belated welcome to TalkingScot.

The censuses should have been a snapshot of who was there on that night. Those who were away from home on that night should have been enumerated where they were on that night, so long as it was within the UK. So if the person was out of the country, there would be no record of them in the census.

I have tracked down census enumerators' instructions for 1841 and 1851 and these are quoted in the TalkingScot census pages for these years (via the census button at the top of this page). These specifically call for those who abode in the house on that night.

A schedule form was given to each household to complete. The enumerator collected these schedules and copied that information into the census enumeration books that we see. After the census, the schedule forms were destroyed.

All the best,

Andrew Paterson

Keatley · Post by **Keatley** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 11:07 pm

Many thanks Andrew,

I take it in that case that he must have returned to his native Ireland at the time of the 1901 Census.

Are there any specific dates that the 1901 Census was collected? Was it done over the year or a certain week etc?

Post by **AndrewP** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 11:10 pm

Hi Keatley,

The night of 31st March - 1st April 1901 (Sunday - Monday)

See http://www.talkingscot.com/censuses/census-dates.htm for the full set of dates.

All the best,

Andrew Paterson

Keatley · Post by **Keatley** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 12:52 am

Andew thanks,
I think I may have found him.
I have just found George Heatley(Keatley) exact same age (39) and
correct occupation (cycle repairer)living as a boarder with a
widow,(Margaret McCellan...40)and her 4 children ...and the family are
all cycle agents /cycle shop assistants etc ....the address is 28
Allison Street, Govan.

Unfortunately I can't make his 'where born' out, and the previous 1891
Census simply listed him as Ireland...is it know to detail the place
of birth in Ireland on Scottish Census?

So if this is my Gt Grandfather, why is he living as a boarder with a
family who have the same occupation as him, and the head is of same
age and a widow...Hmmm
George's wife died 4 years after this census.

Post by **AndrewP** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 6:45 am

Sometimes there was more detailed information than just "Ireland" - count that as a bonus, if you can make out what it says. Can you upload the census image into the TalkingScot Gallery. That way others can see if they can recognise the place name for you.

All the best,

Andrew Paterson

Keatley · Post by **Keatley** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 6:24 pm

After great detailed examination, the place of birth looks like Argyllshire, Campbeltown.

That means that it can't be my Gt Grandfather

as it was shown on the 1891 Census as Ireland.(but it is some coincidence!)

Is there any other way at all to find his place/town of birth?

He was not on any earlier census, and no clues on his marriage or death cert, and I have found him on the Glasgow 1913/14 Valuation Rolls, but again no help.

I know a lot of Irish records were destroyed, but where do i start without even an Irish County!

From his death cert. his father is shown as John Keatley(Farmer) and his mother as Esther Bates

I have found a few John Keatley's on The Griffith's Valuation but how do I know its my Gt. Gt. Grandfather?

Paul