The 1931 UK Census was taken, but the records for England and Wales were destroyed by a fire at the Office of Works in Hayes, Middlesex, on 19 December 1942. The fire, possibly caused by a dropped cigarette during the Blitz, destroyed the schedules and enumeration books, leaving a major gap in records until the 1939 Register.
As the 1931 census for England and Wales was destroyed by fire during the Second World War and no census was taken in 1941, the Register provides the most complete survey of the population of England and Wales between 1921 and 1951, making it an invaluable resource for family, social and local historians.
The 1931 UK census was destroyed during WWII, there was no 1941 census taken because of WWII, so after the 1921 census there's only the 1939 Register until the 1951 census.... which won't be available for about another 25 years, at least.
Census 1921: Snapshot of how Britain lived 100 years ago revealed | ITV News
Why are some records on the 1939 census closed?
While searching you'll notice that some records are marked as 'officially closed'. Closed records are down to privacy regulations preventing us from publishing records of anyone born less than 100 years ago and still alive.
The results of the 1920 census revealed a major and continuing shift of the population of the United States from rural to urban areas. No apportionment was carried out following the 1920 census; representatives elected from rural districts worked to derail the process, fearful of losing political power to the cities.
On April 1, 2022, the 1950 Census records were released and are available free of charge. Taken every 10 years since 1790, the United States census provides a snapshot of the nation's population. Because of a 72-year restriction on access to the records, the most recent census year currently available is 1950.
No copies survived, and no backups were made. This leaves a 30-year gap between the 1921 Census and the next available census - the 1951 Census, due for release in 2052.
What is the oldest census available to the public?
The United States has collected data about its population since 1790 and continues to collect data every 10 years. Currently, the National Archives has the 1790 to 1950 census records available to the public. In addition to the censuses conducted by the federal government, many state censuses have been conducted.
Full government censuses for the whole island of Ireland began in 1821 and continued at ten-year intervals until 1911. No census was taken in 1921, because of the Irish War of Independence.
The 1931 census returns, including schedules, enumeration books and plans, were completely destroyed in a fire in Hayes, Middlesex, where the census was being stored. Many precautions had been taken to protect the census, which all failed. To read more about the 1931 census, see http://www.1911census.org.uk/1931.htm.
Census enumerators began canvassing the Nation on April 15, 1910. The law gave census takers 2 weeks to complete their work in cities of 5,000 inhabitants or more, while enumerators in smaller and rural areas were allotted 30 days to complete their task.
Even as late as the 1950s, it was believed that some people were giving false information. However, the rate of compliance is very high. To encourage people to provide accurate details, the government has promised that the information will be kept confidential. Since 1920, census records have been closed for 100 years.
Census returns from 1871 were the first to record the terms imbecile, idiot or lunatic. Such were the descriptions given to people with an intellectual or developmental condition.
The 1921 census is important because it's the last major U.K. census available until 2051. The 1931 census was destroyed during WWII, and no census was taken in 1941 because of the war.
There's no 1931 census for England and Wales because the original population schedules were destroyed in a devastating fire at a storage facility in Hayes, Middlesex, in December 1942, during World War II; no backup copies existed, creating a 30-year gap until the 1951 census, with the 1939 National Register serving as a crucial substitute for that period, according to sources like the Office for National Statistics and The National Archives.
Yes, a census is confirmed for the UK, with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) commissioned in July 2025 to conduct a census in England and Wales in 2031, building on Census 2021 as a core part of future population statistics, incorporating digital methods and administrative data. Planning and public consultations are already underway to shape its content and ensure it meets future needs, with input from devolved governments for a coherent UK-wide approach.
In England, the government censuses have been taken every ten years since 1801 (except 1941). The first four censuses, 1801 through 1831, were taken strictly for statistical purposes for the Overseers of the Poor and substantial households. The first census listing people by name was taken in 1841.
Why would someone be missing from the 1911 census?
Mis-transcribing was likely to be the result of the enumerator making an error when copying the information from the household schedules onto the enumerators schedules. It is only for the 1911 census that the household schedule is available to view.
1890 Census. On January 10, 1921, a fire in the Commerce Department building, Washington, DC, resulted in the destruction of most of the 1890 census, to the woe of researchers ever since.
Yes, you can view the 1921 Census for England and Wales for free in person at The National Archives (Kew), Manchester Central Library, and the National Library of Wales, where it's accessible via Findmypast without charge; some local libraries also offer free access through their Findmypast subscriptions, or you can search for free on Findmypast with a basic account, but viewing full images or transcripts usually requires a paid subscription or pay-per-view fees.
The 1939 Register is one of the most important twentieth century genealogical resources for England and Wales. The 1931 census was destroyed by fire. No census was taken in 1941 because of the war. So the 1939 register is the only national census-like resource available for this period.
To date censuses have been taken in 1926, 1936, 1946, 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1979 (the census due in 1976 was cancelled as an economy measure), 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2002 and 2006.
