What are Scottish Census records and how can they help in genealogy research?
A In Scotland from 1830 to 1831, the Censuses were carried out by the local parish schoolmasters and the summarised statistics made available, however few of the original lists of inhabitants have survived, mainly for parishes in Orkney. The first Scottish census widely available is that taken in 1841, which contains less detailed information than later censuses. Each household gave details of the name, sex, age and occupation of every person in the house on the night of the 6 June. Birth places were listed only as within the county, or if outwith the county, whether in Scotland, England or Ireland or foreign. All those over the age of 15 had their ages rounded down to the nearest five years for statistical purposes, which can lead to some confusion. The 1851 Census asked more detailed questions of the families, such as the relationship to the head of the household, marital status, age, rank, occupation, where born and whether blind or deaf and dumb.. Subsequent Censuses added further
