Enumerators .....

Post by **Tracey** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 8:03 pm

Would a man have voluntered or was he chosen to be the enumerator for a district ?
I found someone on an 1861 census, clicked the Header and saw that he was also the enumerator. Would there be any information on him being so ?

Tracey

Post by **AndrewP** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 8:20 pm

Hi Tracey,

In cases that I have seen, the enumerator was a local respected character - often a schoolmaster, session clerk or the like. I don't know whether these people volunteered or if it was expected of them.

It may well be that the censuses were organised through the parish councils, and these people were well known to the men of the parish council, and hence trusted to carry out this responsible task.

All the best,

Andrew Paterson

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 8:25 pm

Hi Tracey
I don't know the definative answer but I've certainly come across a registrar who turned up as an emumerator in Edinburgh.

No documentation to back this up (yet!) but I think they were chosen and were usually "reponsible" men in the area. Obviously they would need to be able to read and write, so must have been reasonably well educated. (despite the fact tht you seriously doubt this sometimes!!)

I've met modern day enumerators and they were a retired bank manager and an accountant.

Best wishes
Lesley

Post by **Tracey** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 8:40 pm

Tailor - Must have made good suits ! at the same time a Clerk of somewhere to.

nelmit · Post by **nelmit** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 12:47 am

lbathgate wrote:...........snipped

I've met modern day enumerators and they were a retired bank manager and an accountant.

Best wishes
Lesley

I was a mum interested in helping with the 1991 census.

Loved every minute.

Regards,
Annette M

Post by **Tracey** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 12:56 am

I wonder due to all our frustrations regarding census should we all volunter for the next one

I have one where the enumerator has added Father, Mother then goes onto children gets third childs name wrong (he put Francis instead of James) but all the rest is correct info for the child it should have been then where Francis should have been named (below) he just put "" (dito !) no name

Oh well...................

Tracey

Post by **joette** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 12:23 pm

I enumerated on the 1981 Census(home from USA after a year & skint!)
It was enlightening as to the variation in response.Some people I have to say in the main the elder people were very cooperative & I hope truthful.
A lot of younger people had a political agenda-we are not cooperating with a Tory Government etc.Some I explained to the importance of needing the statistics for Political change & also the Geneaological aspect which I had just barely became aware of but never thought would ever benefit from in my life time!
I know I missed some households & I know some people lied but what can you do?
That is why when I read the Censuses(i?) I have to remind myself that maybe the Enumerator was facing similiar challenges to me.

wini · Post by **wini** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 4:59 am

I too have been an enumerator in Australia
I don't advise it.
Most people are great but others have all sorts of excuses to keep you coming back.
"They are having a Prayer Meeting"
"Too drunk at present" (3 Times)
"Can't find the Census Form
"Not doing it. It is an invasion of my Civil liberties"
and so it went on

wini

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:12 am

"Too drunk at present" (3 Times)

Can't help but ask....was this the same household three times???

Hope not!!

Best wishes
Lesley

wini · Post by **wini** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:27 am

Yes Lesley,

Same house..
Don't know what his liver is like

wini