A census is an official enumeration of the population in a particular area. In addition to counting the inhabitants of an area, the census generally collects other vital information. Since 1801, the United Kingdom has undertaken a census every ten years (except for 1941, during World War II).

Useful enumerations featuring the names of every resident of England and Wales began in 1841, and by 1851 the census schedule showed each person's full name, age, gender, occupation, address, relationship to the head of the household, marital status, and the exact town or parish of birth.

More than an index to the census, this database includes all of the information you'd find on the actual census page. Knowing the exact town or parish of a person's birth can be especially helpful in tracking a person's mobility and in locating the proper entries in civil registration records or parish registers.

Listings Include:
- Name, age, and gender
- Place of birth (often, town and county)
- Relationship to the head of household
- Marital status
- Occupation
- Address at time of census
- Enumeration district and county
- Exact address or location of house
- Family number assigned by the enumerator