The Victorian Censuses

• 1841 Census: two questions about migration

• “Whether born in same county?”
• “Whether born in Scotland, Ireland or Foreign Parts?”

• 1851 Census: one question about migration

• “Where born?”

• Similar questions posed in subsequent 19th century Censuses

Notes:

Questions are dichotomous

The second question demonstrates ambiguity and differential treatment of people on the basis of nationality rather than actiality of birthplace

British subjects were to answer NO to the first question, but leave the second blank