Hi Stephanie The first of the modern census was 1801 here but it was largely a headcount as was the following three 1841 was the first with names of all in the household For more on the census see http://www.british-genealogy.com/census-sources/british-censuses.html IMHO the best access to the census for England and Wales is Ancestry for 1841 to 1901 Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) > May this Yankee ask what the best way to get English census > information online? As an alternative to finding the ancestral home of > my immigrant ancestor Joseph COBB, I've decided to attempt to trace > the family remaining behind in London. > > I believe he left a younger brother William behind in the parish of St > Bartholomew the Great, West Smithfield, greater London. He died in > 1659 but the letters of administration were renewed in Oct 1761. > > Was the first year of the census 1811? > > Thanks and regards, > > Stephanie > > P.S. I recently read that for a time London was the largest city in the world!