Census Records in Ireland

The British Government held a full census in Ireland every 10 years from 1821 to 1911. This should be a rich and valuable research resource, but tragically the fire at the Public Records Office at the Four Courts in Dublin in 1922 destroyed all census returns from 1811 to 1851.

Sadly later records were also lost. The 1861 and 1871 census returns were deliberately destroyed. The 1881 and 1891 census returns were pulped at a time of serious paper shortages during the First World War.

Because of the extent of the loss, the government decided in 1991 that census returns from 1901 and 1911 should be released before the normal 100 year period for which they usually remain secret has elapsed.

Because of the civil war and other political turbulence the next census in Ireland was held in 1926. Records from that census will not be available to the public until 2026.

Census Records Online

In a hugely welcome development, the National Archives now has all available census records up to 1911 online and searchable.

It is free to search and covers census years 1821, 1831, 1841, 1851, 1901 and 1911. The 50 year gap in the records makes it somewhat challenging to trace backwards from 1901, but there is a treasure trove of information in there.

Information Held in Census Records

Census records were, then as now, completed for every person who passed the night of the census at a given address. For each person the following information is recorded:

• name
• relationship to the head of the household
• religion
• literacy
• occupation
• age
• marital status
• county of birth
• ability to speak English and Irish

The 1911 records also record the number of live births and living children of parents, which makes it a little easier to connect people who may not have been home on the night of the census to their families.

This information is particularly valuable for those cross checking records from other sources, but as most of those undertaking research in Ireland are really looking for information about people who left Ireland before 1901 they are of limited value.

It just makes you sad about all the priceless information that was lost.