The Early Census 1801-1831

[HeatherH]

Hello Happy Hunters,
I know that for the most part these census no longer exist. However, there are still a few indices about. For example 1801 Galston, Ayrshire. Has anyone seen any of these earlier remnants and what did they look like?
Cheers,
HeatherH

[ellenavon]

Hi Heather

I haven't seen any originals, but I have purchased transcriptions of Peterhead (aberdeenshire) 1801, and Galston (ayrshire) 1801 from the relevant county family history societies.

The original Peterhead one is described in the transcription introduction as "The Peterhead 1801 census record is in the form of a notebook collating the answers for the census questions. The census only required statistics, but listing the name of the principal tenant by name helped in keeping track of the statistical data"

Peterhead gives the following information in 12 columns:
1. Address
2. Household number (no in the census, not actual house number!)
3. Name of principal tenant
4. Number of families in the household
5. If uninhabited
6. No of males in the household
7. No of females "
8. The sum of both 6 & 7 above
9. No of persons in the household chiefly employed in agriculture
10. No chiefly employed in trade, manufacture or handicraft.
11. No of persons not belonging to either of 9 or 10 above
12. The sums of all the three (9,10,11), corresponding with the sums of males and females in col 8.


The Galston one is described as "Men of Galston Parish. Divided into four classes. Presumably for militia suitability (undated, but probably 1801)"

It gives less information (and only includes males):

Firstly its broken into four classes of men

1. First class - men between ages of 17 and 30, unmarried, no children under 10.
2. Second class - men between ages of 30 and 50, unmarried, no children living under 10 years
3. Third class - men between ages of 17 and 30, married, or 2 children under 10
4. Fourth class - remainder of men between ages of 17 and 55

Info given for each class is:

Surname
Forename
Son of/servant of (there are very few entries in this column
Occupation
Address
Status (eg. Volunteer/infirm/unfit for service

Just realised I also have Galston 1811, 1821 and 1831 transcriptions, which give information similar to the Peterhead 1801.

Hope this gives you a flavour. Not sure what other ones are in existence.

Regards

Ellen.

[ellenavon]

Forgot - have also got transcription of "The people of Tarves and Methlick 1696"

Taken from List of Pollable persons within the Shire of Aberdeen, Volume 2, (Presbytery of Ellon).

Example of the info given for one farm:

Wester Kilnary

George Gavin, tennent ther and his wyfe, of general poll £0.12.0
Robert, Isobeil and Elspeth Gavin, children, their general poll £0.18.0
John Porter, for fee and general poll £0.10.8
Isobell Symer, for fee and general poll £0.10.0
William Gavin, shoemaker, and his wyfe, poll £0.18.0
Isobell Yuill, cottar woman, of general poll £0.6.0
------------
£3.14.8

Cheers

Ellen.

[HeatherH]

Ta Ellen ,
Galston is the ones I was looking at investing in. And Males are what I am looking for. So I guess I know what I want for my birthday.
Cheers,
HeatherH

[ellenavon]

Hi Heather

If you want me to look anyone up in the meantime, just ask. But if you want to wait for a birthday surprise, thats fine.

Cheers

Ellen.