Deep History, Deepening Collaborations

42 A New World Record? The 1821 Census of Ireland By Dr Brian Gurrin Census Specialist, Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland The Irish census of 2022 introduced an innovative feature called the ‘Time Capsule,’ allowing people to leave messages to be revealed in 100 years. This was the first time such an option was included in any national census worldwide. Irish censuses have a history of pioneering initiatives . In 1851, the Irish census introduced a question to indicate proficiency in the Irish language, a first in the United Kingdom. The subsequent census in 1861 included a question on religion, also a UK first. However, the most innovative Irish census was undoubtedly that conducted in 1821. The first statutory census of Ireland had commenced in 1813. Although it was intended to be completed within weeks, to the embarrassment of many in the Irish administration, the exercise dragged on for nearly two years before it was terminated, with only parts of the country enumerated. Thus, there was immense pressure to ensure the success of the 1821 census. While Britain had already been enumerated twice in 1801 and 1811, the enumerators provided only numerical counts, not individual names. This remained the requirement for Britain in 1821 and in 1831. In contrast, the 1821 Irish census demanded that enumerators record the names, ages, and relationships of every person in each household. The survey recorded details of approximately 6.8 million inhabitants in 479 extensive volumes, filling six shelves in the Public Record Office of Ireland. This social survey was the first of its kind in the English-speaking world, where a census aimed to document the names of all inhabitants . Britain did not attempt a similar approach until 1841, while the United States only achieved complete name recording in 1850, and Canada followed suit in 1851. A census in New South Wales recorded all names in 1828, but it counted only 36,598 individuals, far fewer the millions of names recorded in Ireland. Due to its exceptional level of detail, the 1821 census garnered attention from early genealogists, leading to the transcription of thousands of names before the records were destroyed in 1922. Fortunately, some original materials survived, including three complete volumes from Galway, Meath, and King’s County, and a partial volume covering two parishes in Fermanagh. Interestingly, the 1821 Irish census contained a novel element in its legislation. It required counties to compile copies of their census returns for retention within their own records before sending them to the Chief Secretary’s Office in Dublin. Many counties failed to fulfil this obligation or completed it partially before the requirement was lifted. These copies remained in county records collections until the establishment of the Public Record Office. Ironically, after that, they were to be submitted to the Archive for safekeeping. Fortunately, volumes covering approximately 40% of County Cavan’s area survived as the county defaulted on submitting its copies. During our research, we have discovered other copies for parts of counties Leitrim and Tipperary, and we remain hopeful that additional copies can be identified in local custody. The Irish census of 1821, conducted before the mapping of Ireland by the Ordnance Survey, stands as one of the most significant surveys conducted in pre-Famine Ireland. It will be a crucial area of research for the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland team during this phase of the project.