What Does A Census Enumerator's Book Contain?

An enumerator's book starts with a description of the area covered by the  enumeration district. These districts were relatively small because the work required by the enumerator took quite a bit of time. He had to collect forms from every householder, or fill them in if the household couldn't manage it, and then copy down the details of every individual person living in every household.

The description of the area covered was also quite detailed. It followed the enumerator's route as he went round the area and shows streets and lanes and places as they were in the year of the census. These are interesting historical records in their own right and provide valuable local history information as well as the family history information contained in the census records themselves.

In 1841, the books contained spaces for the enumerator to insert the name of the vity or borough and the name of the parish or township. Later censuses contained more information, as the population grew.