The census is probably the most important source of information for family historians.  It is also a valuable source for studies of localities or of a particular street or building.  The information contained within the census is equally useful for social and economic historians of the Victorian and Edwardian periods.

The census reveals details of all persons present in England and Wales on the night of the census.

For each individual the census gives:

• name
• age
• marital status
• relationship to the head of household
• occupation
• birthplace
• location on census night

You can search the data for a person (by surname or forename) or a place, vessel or institution.