Census 2021
Last month in her introduction, Editor Lesley stated that there were 821 Jedi Knights in Swansea at the time of the 2001 census. This year the 2021 census is being undertaken on Census Day, 21st March. I wonder what the population of Jedi Knights will be – and will the Office for National Statistics let us know?
At the time of writing this article, the government has not made an announcement to delay the forth-coming census; the Scottish Government is postponing their census until 2022.
What is a census?
A census is a survey and illustrates the number of people and houses in both England and Wales. They help local authorities and charities to provide the necessary level of required services.
When did it begin?
The Census Act of 1800 was also known as the Population Act, 1800. Prior to this Act, William I, undertook the first survey of England. It had two purposes, firstly to establish the ownership of land, secondly to calculate the actual population of England. Finally, the Domesday Book was published in 1086, which listed 13,418 places, at this time the total population of England was 1.7 million. It would not be until 1873, that the Returns of Owners of Land was published; however, the 1800 Act paved the way for the national censuses to be undertaken.
The first census was on 10th March 1801 when the population was 10.9 million. The Overseers of the Poor obtained the results, which recorded the occupied/unoccupied houses; number of males and females excluding males serving with the army, convicts on prison ships and categorised people’s occupations. The clergy obtained results by counting the number of baptisms, marriages and burials. People’s personal information was not required until the 1841 census.
The preceding censuses show us the increase in population as on 27th May 1811, the population was 12.6 million; 28th May 1821, the popu-lation was 14.4 million and by 30th May 1831, the population was 16.5 million. Examples of these early censuses have rarely survived.
The Population Act, 1840, allowed a record of every occupant of each household, and this was adopted for the 1841 census (see example below) undertaken on, 6th June 1841. Household occupants were asked various questions Name/Surname, Age, Sex, Occupation, where born in the country and whether born outside England & Wales. The population at this time was 26.7 million.
The next census was undertaken on the night of 30th/31st March 1851, the population was 27.3 million. There was an additional question this time, whether the occupants were blind, or deaf or dumb. By 1861 when the census was undertaken on the night of 7th/8th April, the population was 28.9 million. The 1871 census undertaken on the night of 2nd/3rd April showed the population was now 31.4 million.
The population had risen to 37.7 million at the time of the 1891 Census, and further questions were asked that included the number of rooms that they occupied in the house, whether someone was either an employer or employed and those who lived in Wales could speak Welsh.
With the turn of the new century, the 1901 Census was undertaken on the night 31st March/1st April, the population was 41.4 million. Further questions that were asked as to whether someone was working from home. Or if any Isle of Man resident could speak Manx!
The 1911 census was undertaken on the night of 1st/2nd April. There were 3 censuses undertaken, including one for England with additional ones for Scotland and Ireland. The overall population was 45.2 million. Additional questions that were asked, how long married women had been married and the number of children had been born in that marriage and the number that were still alive.
The current census to take place this year on 21st March will be the first digital census. Households will access a code from the Office of National Statistics, and then they will be invited to go online and enter the code into the ONS website and then answer the questions. There is current debate, asking could the 2021 Census be the last one undertaken?
Where will you be on the night of 21st March 2021 and will your descendants be interested to find out in 100 years time?
This year we will all be completing our census for 2021.
In this article, we’ll be looking at the social history of the residents of Cae Banc, Sketty during the 1911 census. Why Cae Banc? Well it is the home of Bay and its producers Lesley and Simon and is also one of the oldest residential areas of Swansea. Details from the 1921 census will be released next year in January 2022, we will return then to Cae Banc to see who was living there.
The 1911 census was released three years before the 100th anniversary release date, of 2011, sadly the Government steadfastly refused to allow that the 1921 census could be released any time before its 100th anniversary date, 2021. The 1911 census provides researchers evidence of the handwriting of our forebears.
So, using the 1911 Census, we will be looking at the 7 households of Cae Banc.
Cae Banc – 4 rooms. Head: Garrett Howells aged 70, Carmarthen born. Occupation: Roadman. Garrett is a widower. Also, resident are children: Thomas, aged 23. Occupation: Baker and Gladys, aged 17.
No. 1 – 4 rooms. Head: Margaret Davies, aged 70, Sketty born. Occupation: Gardener. Margaret is a widow. Also residing is lodger Jane Richards, aged 58, Gower born. Occupation: Charwoman. Jane is married. (Ed: Where is Mr Richards?) Another resident is a “Domestic” William Richards aged 18, Swansea born. Occupation: Baker. Interesting note in this record is that the form was completed by David R. Thomas the Enumerator. Margaret left her mark of a cross (see a copy of the1911 census for No.1 Cae Banc below, the cross mark is bottom right). Ed: No.1 Cae Banc is a two up, two down with all rooms measuring 13’ x 8’, I wonder where they all slept and who shared with who!
No. 2 – 4 rooms. Head: Sarah Edwards, aged 56, Sketty born. Occupation: Charwoman. Also residing is lodger Elizabeth Emily Bond aged 32, Monmouth born, Occupation: Charwoman. Also present are Elizabeth’s daughters Marjorie Jane aged 6 and Florence May aged 4. Both Sarah and Elizabeth are widowed.
No. 3 – 8 rooms (see the census below). The Evans family resided in this house. Head: Thomas aged 47. Occupation: Warehouseman in Copper Works. Wife: Elizabeth aged 47. They were married in 1886. Children Richard aged 24. Occupation: Charge Wheeler in Copper Works; Margaret aged 21, Occupation: Market Gardener’s Shop Assistant; Thomas, aged 20. Occupation: Mill Worker in Copper Works; Gladys aged 19; Mabel aged 15; Lilian aged 13 and Winifred aged 10. Residing is lodger Thomas Street aged 70. Occupation: Night Watchman in Brick Works. Thomas is listed as a widower. (Ed: There is no No 4 Cae Banc as evidently No 3 and 4 were merged at some time)
No 5 – 4 rooms. Head: Morris Downing, aged 78. Irish born. Occupation: Naval Pensioner. Also residing are his children Amy aged 40, Occupation: House Keeper; William aged 34, Occupation: Labourer. Also residing in the house is granddaughter Maggie aged 12.
No 6 – 4 rooms. The Rees family resided in this house. Head: William Henry aged 43, Occupation: Engine Fitter at Iron. Wife: Martha aged 40. They were married 1897. Children: Martha aged 8; Llewelyn George aged 4. Also, resident is the aunt Maria Carrington, aged 63. Occupation: Dressmaker. Maria is a widow.
No 7 – 4 rooms. The Hale family resided in this house. Head: Eli aged 39, born Llanwonno Town. Occupation: General Labourer. Wife: Rhoda aged 40 born in Glastonbury Somerset. They were married in 1899. Children: Ernest Thomas aged 10; Reginald aged 9; William aged 6; Hilda Maud aged 5; and Winnie Irine aged 1. Eli aged 2 was originally on the census but this was amended to indicate that he had died. (Ed: The cottage named Cae Banc, No. 6 and No. 7 no longer exist – it will be interesting to see if they are on the 1921 census, and indeed if the residents are still present in numbers 1 to 5 or if they have moved on – only time will tell)
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