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Ringmer 1901 Census

Sunday, 31 March 1901: Introduction to the 1901 Census

by Sue Burton

As mentioned earlier, a census has been taken in England and Wales every 10 years since 1801, except for 1941 for obvious reasons. The first four censuses were little more than head-counts and did not contain actual lists of names. From 1841 onwards, the census returns, containing names of individuals, were kept, and are now held at the Family Records Centre in London and, for Ringmer, at the East Sussex Record Office in Lewes. There is a 100-year closure on the records so the most recent census open to public inspection is that for 1901, although restricted information from later censuses can be obtained from the Public Record Office for a fee, currently £40.

The 1901 census was taken on the night of Sunday 31st March. As for earlier censuses, Ringmer was divided into 3 enumeration districts. The enumerators were William POCKNEY, possibly a carpenter living in Norlington Lane, C WASHER, possibly Charles, another carpenter living in Broyle Side and Frank WASHER, the church clerk and school officer who was living in School Hill. As with all transcriptions, there are no guarantees as to accuracy and any information should be checked against the original.

Sue Burton 18th March 2002