Census Returns

UK Records
These pages provide some insight into the numbers and distribution of Rowdens (and Rowdons) found in the UK census during the period 1841 to 1881. The census returns for the years 1891 and 1901 are in the public domain and I have most of the Rowden records for these years but not yet, the complete set. They will be added in due course; along side other research it takes me about six months to cover each census.

The graph below shows the distribution of Rowdens for the decades 1841 to 1881 in the top seven counties Devon, Hampshire, Kent, Middlesex, Somerset, Surrey and Wiltshire. It shows quite clearly the trend of change in those counties:

Graph of Rowdens in the UK Census
  • The numbers in Devon begin significantly greater than those in the other counties
  • After a peak in 1851 the total for Devon starts a marked drop as does the Wiltshire total
  • The numbers in Middlesex, Kent and Surrey are all rising steadily
  • In Hampshire and Somerset, and those other counties not shown, the numbers remain largely unchanged
  • One might think the increase in Middlesex in 1871 is due to migration from Devon or Wiltshire but this does not begin to shown until 1881.

The UK pages currently include England, Wales, Isle of Wight, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Scotland will be included when time allows. The Republic of Ireland seceded from the UK in 1922, but Northern Ireland remains in the UK. Most records relating to Ireland prior to 1901 are lost, having being destroyed by fire. For more detail about the UK census records click here.

 

USA and Canadian Records
Records from the US and Canada cover different periods. The US records available in the public domain cover every 10 years from 1800 until 1911 and those in Canada, from 1861 every 10 years until 1911, although these vary from state to state. At the moment an overview of these is not available from the website but will be included in due course when time permits.