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[di]

Could someone tell me how accurate ages are in these census's. eg:rounded off. I have been looking at an 1841/51.
Many thanks,
Di

[Chris Mackay]

I'm affraid there is no definate answer to that one. These were "early days " as far as census returns were taken. However, it is known that many ( though not all) enumerators did in fact just round ages up and down. It varies from Parish to Parish ... so if everyone's age appears to be "rounded" then you can assert that they have indeed been rounded for ease. Of course, such were the times, it was considered inappropriate to ask a woman her age anyway, so the enumerator may have been forced into guessing her age

However, the same problem arises with todays ages. There is nothing stopping someone to diliberately lie about there age, I'm sure there are many spouses who do that even know, but more so in the past. The other problem, especially with older persons, is that they may genuinely not know (or remember) their age ... having lost count.

So, in effect, even a "misinformed" age could be enhanced or reduced further by the enumerators rounding up/down.

The upshot of it all is that ages shouldn't be used as a fast rule, and I suppose there is nothing preventing anybody from submitting false names, places of birth etc ... and we have been guilty of that in the past!

Sorry that I can't be more definitive.

[Robert Whitton]

From "Scotlands People"

"Points to note about the 1841 Census:
Although the names of household members were recorded, the head of the household was not denoted and therefore relationship of household members to the head is absent.
Enumerators were instructed to round down the ages of persons 15 years and over to the nearest five years. Hence a given age of 28 would be recorded as 25, one of 63 as 60 and so on. If a person lied about their age, this, combined with the rounding down, could severely distort the actual age. You will find instances where enumerators did not adhere to this instruction on age and inserted the given age.
Birthplace details were less specific than in later years, recording only whether or not the person was born in the county where the census took place, or whether a person was English, Irish or Foreign.
Enumerators were instructed to record occupations in an abbreviated form, e.g. H.L.W. denoted handloom weaver.
More detailed information appeared in the 1851 census compared to that of 1841:
Households were given a schedule number, making it easier to determine the extent of each household.
Relationship to the head of the family was now shown.
The given age of each person was recorded, instead of adult ages being rounded down to the nearest 5 years.
The Birthplace column was more detailed - schedules included place and parish of birth, instead of simply recording whether or not a person was born in the county in which the census took place, or whether they were English, Irish or Foreign.

[di]

Hi Chris & Robert, Many thanks for your info. Will apply it in future. There is so much for one to learn but extremely worthwhile & interesting. Much appreciated,
regards, Di