Religious census returns for
certain places were taken in the 18th Century (c. 1740-66). These
were some of the first census returns in Ireland and some still
survive today. However, the first complete census returns were
taken in 1813. This enumeration was followed by others in 1821,
1831, and every ten years thereafter until 1911. Most of these
census returns have been destroyed. The 1901 census is the first
complete census in existance today.
Census
Religious censuses
(1740-66) vary in their details, but may include the heads of
households, parish by parish, and indicate their religion; or may
give statistics only. Some returns are available for Dioceses
such as Ardagh, Armagh, Clogher, Cloyne, Connor, Cork, Derry,
Dromore, Down, Elphin, Ferns, Kildare, Kilmore, Ossory, Raphoe
and Ross.
1821 Census gives names
of inhabitants, relation to head, ages, occupations, and
information about the house and property. Some returns are
available for parishes A-M, County Gavan; A-D, County Offaly;
A-R, Fermanagh; A-L, Galway; A-T, Meath.
1831 Census gives names
of inhabitants, relation to head, ages, occupations, and
information about the house and property. Some returns are
available for the following parishes in Londonderry County:
Agevey, Aghanloo, Arboe, Artrea, Benagher, Glendermot, Killowen,
Macosquin, Tamlaght-Finlagen, Templemore, and Termoneeny.
1841 Census gives names
of inhabitants, ages, sex, relation to head, marital condition,
year of marriage, occupation and birthplace (country, county, or
city). The only return available is for Killeshandra Parish,
County Cavan.
1851 Census gives the
same information as the 1841 plus a list of those people
belonging to the family that are not present (including their
names, ages, sex, relation to head, present occupation, and
country, county, or city of current residence) and a list of
those family members who died while residing with the family
during the last 10 years (including names, age, sex, relation to
head, occupation, season and year of death). Returns are
available for Drumkeeran, County Fermanagh and the following
parishes in County Antrim: Aghagallon, Aghalee, Ballinderry,
Ballymoney, Carncartle, Craigs (Ahoghill), Dunaghy, Grange of
Killyglen, Killead, Kilwaughter, Larne, Rasharkin, and
Tickmacreevin.
1901 Census gives name of
inhabitants, relation to head, religion, age, sex, occupation,
marital condition, birthplace (country, county, or city),
information on house and property including the name of the lease
holder. This census is available in its entirety.
1911 census gives same
information as the 1901 plus the number of years married, total
number of children born alive, and number of children still
living.