Family History Information

For family history purposes the first census to be of use is 1841. Prior to 1841 few names and personal details were taken for individuals.

Members of the public are only allowed to look at census returns that are more than 100 years old. The returns that are currently available are 1841-1901.

The Robinson Library holds the following census information:

1841

Acomb and St John Lee, Northumberland
Transcription of census returns for Acomb, Anick and Halton are available online.

The following census returns are kept with the 'miscellaneous' microfiche in the microfiche cabinet on Level 4:

  • Holy Island 1841 census
  • Kyloe parish census 1841
  • Lowick parish census 1841
Stepping Stones have produced a series of 1841 census returns on CD-ROM. At present the Robinson Library has the following:
  • Durham
  • Kent
  • Lancashire
  • Middlesex
  • Norfolk
  • North & East Riding of Yorkshire
  • Northumberland
  • Staffordshire
  • West Riding of Yorkshire
All the above shelved at ROBINSON GEN REF 929.3 CEN

1851

The Library does not keep a copy of the 1851 census.

However, we do keep a 2% sample of the 1851census for Great Britain. The 2% sample is a transcription of every 50th census enumerator's book in England, Wales and Scotland.

So, it is not complete, but you may be lucky.

The following census returns are kept with the 'miscellaneous' microfiche in the microfiche cabinet on Level 4:
  • Kyloe parish census 1851
  • Lowick parish census 1851
1861

The following census returns are kept with the 'miscellaneous' microfiche in the microfiche cabinet on Level 4:
  • Bywell Sub District
  • Chollerton Sub District
  • Hexham Sub District parish census
  • Lowick parish census
  • Newbiggin census
  • Stamfordham census

The complete 1861 census for Scotland is available on-line from ScotlandsPeople
You can search the indexes without a charge, but there is a small fee to view and download the returns.

1871

The following census returns are kept with the 'miscellaneous' microfiche in the microfiche cabinet on Level 4:

  • Kyloe parish census
  • Lowick parish census
  • Newbiggin census
The complete 1871 census for Scotland is available on-line from ScotlandsPeople
You can search the indexes without a charge, but there is a small fee to view and download the returns.

1881

1881 Census for England, Wales, Scotland, Isle of Man and Channels Isles is available on-line from the Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Saints. The online version is known as familysearch.

1891

1891 census returns for Lancashire, Northumberland (including Newcastle upon Tyne) and Yorkshire are kept in the microfiche cabinets on Level 4.

The following census returns are kept with the 'miscellaneous' microfiche in the microfiche cabinets on Level 4:
  • Ellington, Hirst, Linton, Sheepwash, Woodhorn census
  • Kyloe parish census
  • Lowick parish census
  • Newbiggin census
  • North Seaton census
  • Northumberland Village Homes Industrial School for Girls
  • Ponteland Sub District census
  • Union Workhouse
  • Tweedmouth Parish census
1891 Census for London on CD-ROM . This is the complete, digitized version of the 1891 census.
There is a street index, but no surname index.
ROBINSON GEN REF 929.3421-CEN

The complete 1891 census for Scotland is available on the Web from ScotlandsPeople
You can search the indexes without a charge, but there is a small fee to view and download the returns.

1901

The 1901 census for England and Wales is available from the Public Record Office online.

You can search by name, place, institution or vessel. The indexes are free, but if you want to see the whole return for your family there is a small charge.

The Robinson Library also has a complete set of 1901 census on microfiche for England and Wales in the microfiche cabinets on Level 4.

The complete 1901 census for Scotland is available on the Internet from Scotlands People
You can search the indexes without a charge, but there is a small fee to view and download the returns.

Other places to see Census information

For the local area

Gateshead Library
http://www.asaplive.com/iKnow/LocalHistory.cfm
Gateshead Libraries hold census returns for the Gateshead area. Please look at their web site to get a list of which areas are covered.

Newcastle City Library
http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/libraries
The City Library holds census returns, 1841-1901, for the whole of the Newcastle area. They also hold surnames indexes to the census returns. You can download a PDF document with details of their census holdings from the web site above.

Northumberland Record Office
http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/AZ_AccessDet.asp?ID=51
Northumberland Record Office hold census returns, 1841-1901, for Northumberland, including Newcastle upon Tyne.

Tyne and Wear Archives
http://www.tyneandweararchives.org.uk/
Census returns for the Tyne and Wear district, 1841-1901. Tyne and Wear covers the districts of Newcastle, North Tyneside, Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland.
You can download a PDF document with details of their census holdings from the web site above.

Northumberland and Durham Family History Society (NDFHS)
http://www.ndfhs.org.uk//Catalogue.pdf
NDFHS hold a variety of census returns for Northumberland, County Durham, Cleveland and miscellaneous returns for other parts of the Country.

For the rest of the Country

The Family Records Centre (FRC)
http://www.pro.gov.uk/about/access/frc.htm
The FRC, in London, holds a complete set of census returns and a wide range of surname indexes for the whole of England and Wales

Archives and County Record Offices
County Record Offices and other local archives usually hold census returns for their county or local area. Information about County Records Offices can be found at Mark Howell's excellent site http://www.oz.net/~markhow/englishros.htm

Family History Centre (Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter-Day Saints).
It is possible to order copies of census returns on microfiche/microfilm for England and Wales. To see which census returns are available to order you need to look at the Family History Catalogue: http://www.geocities.com/NDFHS/Library/Catalogue07.html#a42
For further information please contact the Family History Centre which serves the North East, in Sunderland

For Scotland

The General Register Office for Scotland
http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/
in Edinburgh holds Census returns for 1841-1901.

Scotlands People
http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk
Census records for 1861 - 1901 are available on-line. There is a small fee to view the returns.