Dear Listers, I recently acquired an excellent book about the 19th century censuses of England and Wales, called "Local Communities in the Victorian Census Enumerators' Books". The book brings together a collection of papers previously published separately in the pages of the journal "Local Population Studies" (see below). The contents are fascinating and I though I'd share some of them with you. Page 7 [Discussing the interpretation of column 5, 'Relation to Head of Family] "Whilst boarder and lodger were supposed to be distinguished by only the former taking meals with the family, in practice it is very doubtful if this was a consistent use." This is the first time I have seen an explanation of the difference between a boarder and a lodger. Page 22 [Discussing the recruitment of census enumerators - a quote from the Census Office prior to the 1851 census] "The enumerator, in order to fulfil his duties properly, must be a person of intelligence and activity; - he must read and write well, and have some knowledge of arithmetic: - he must not be infirm or of such weak health as may render him unable to undergo the requisite exertion: - he should not be younger than 18 years of age, nor older than 65: - he must be temperate, orderly and respectable, and be such a person as is likely to conduct himself with strict propriety, and to deserve the good-will of the inhabitants of his district. - He should also be well acquainted with the district in which he will be required to act; and it will be an additional recommendation if his occupations have been in any degree of a similar kind." The author comments that while the most typical ages were between 25 and 45, at least one enumerator was in his mid 70s! Source: "Local Communities in the Victorian Census Enumerators' Books", edited by Dennis Mills and Kevin Schurer, Leopard's Head Press Ltd., Oxford, 1996; ISBN 0-904920-33-X. Local Population Studies Society Published biannually, "Local Population Studies" is the journal of the Local Population Studies Society (LPSS), a charity devoted to the promotion of all aspects of historical demography in a local context. The LPSS has an eclectic publications programme, and organizes themed conferences on topics related to local populations in the past. The first 70 issues of the journal, from 1968 to 2003, are available as downloadable PDF files free of charge on the Society website: www.localpopulationstudies.org.uk/ The journals contain some excellent articles many of which should be of great interest to family historians. Kind regards, John -------------------- John Ball, Brecon, Mid-Wales, UK E-mail: john@jlb2005.plus.com John's Homepage: http://www.jlb2005.plus.com/ Images of Wales: http://www.jlb2005.plus.com/walespic/ Welsh Family History Archive: http://www.jlb2005.plus.com/wales/ GENUKI Breconshire Maintainer: http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/BRE/ Joint Administrator - Powys (& BRE/MGY/RAD) RootsWeb mailing lists