Francis SHEARD 1801 to 1876

The next record of the family is on the census taken on 30th March 1851. From 1851 to 1901 the format of the census returns and the range of questions asked remained largely the same. The following details can be found for each individual:

• forename, middle names (often just initials) and surname
• relationship to the head of the household (usually the oldest male)
• marital status
• age (at last birthday)
• sex
• occupation (i.e. their source of income)
• county and parish of birth (if born in England or Wales)
• country of birth (if born outside England and Wales)
• whether they suffered from certain medical disabilities
• language spoken (in Wales, from 1891; on the Isle of Man, from 1901)

The full address is given and, progressively with each census, more information about the dwelling itself.

Click here for some 1851 trivia