pre 1841 Census .....

[Fraochale]

Hi All
I assume the official gov census began in 1841, but what did they do prior to that? I assume that they had to have some way to asses taxes to pay for such things as the war with Napoleon and the Peninsular war. I see that there are valuation records which I assume are a way to tax the landed gentry but how was the common man asessed taxes? I have seen some valuation records for Kirkcudbright that listed the owner of the property and the tennant, but how does one find out who or where these types of records are found for other parishes? Are there other pre 1841 census records and what would they be called?

Jody

[DavidWW]

Hi All
I assume the official gov census began in 1841, but what did they do prior to that? I assume that they had to have some way to asses taxes to pay for such things as the war with Napoleon and the Peninsular war. I see that there are valuation records which I assume are a way to tax the landed gentry but how was the common man asessed taxes? I have seen some valuation records for Kirkcudbright that listed the owner of the property and the tennant, but how does one find out who or where these types of records are found for other parishes? Are there other pre 1841 census records and what would they be called?

Jody

UK government censuses actually began in 1801, but the first 4 only resulted in overall statistical summaries, and, in any case, the original information recorded in the original schedules related only to the head of the household and the numbers of others. A very few sets of the original detailed info exists for a few parishes.

As to your general question on census substitutes, your best course would be to buy a copy of the basic Scottish research guides by Cory and/or Irvine, as, witness these books, it takes at least a chapter or two to answer that question

David

[Fraochale]

Thanks I will look for these books.
jody

[wini]

David

I see the Domesday Book is now online.
Any Scots in there????????

wini