CENSUS taking

[Robert Hand]

Today the Census is based on the residents on THAT particular night!
 Was that the same in the past? 
If so, then the Census would not reflect the actual family members if some of the family were 'farmed out' elsewhere.  [A cousin noted that ALL the LARGE family were only male according to the Census and given events like in Tuam, any others might never have been listed.]

[KGarrad]

Every census is supposed to include just the people sleeping at the address on a specified day.

But some people would fill out their forms in advance, and then be somewhere else on the night, and therefore get included twice.
Not many - but it did happen.

I don't understand the reference to Tuam?

[stanmapstone]

Every census is supposed to include just the people sleeping at the address on a specified day.

Not strictly true, from 1851 onwards night workers were to be enumerated in their homes if they returned there the next day.
Just to expand on that: The instructions to the enumerator were that no person present on census night were to be omitted, and no person absent included. If individuals were working that night, or were travelling, they would be enumerated in the house to which they would normally return on the morning after they had finished their shift, or where they were to stay at the next stop on their journey. This is from the 1871 Census Schedule
Stan

[Craclyn]

The other effect you get from this is that folks who were out visiting may not have been recorded at either the location they were visiting or at home.

You lost me with Tuam too.

Do you have an actual issue with a census that you are trying to understand and would like help with?

[stanmapstone]

Tuam is a town in County Galway, Ireland

Stan

[JenB]

I don't understand the reference to Tuam?

Perhaps to do with the many children who died at the Bon Secours home in Tuam?
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0162k/

[iluleah]

Welcome to rootschat

Anyone born and who died between census will not be recorded on any census, the 1911 UK and Irish census lists how many children born to the family and how many are living, which can give you a clue to look for other births/deaths between census years.

The census is a snap shot in time, every 10 years it is not an ongoing record of life

[Sinann]

The mother and baby home in Tuam which has been in the news a lot recently.
It would have been a Work house at the time of the 1901 and 1911 Census and everyone there are included in the Census. Only by their initials.

Lots of people aren't at home on the night of the Census but if they are in the country they will/should be included where ever they happen to be. The fun is finding them.

[stanmapstone]

Always remember that the censuses were taken purely for government statistical purposes and not for the benefit of future family historians. 

Stan