A census is a periodic count of a population. Whether it be of the human population.
The first known census was taken by the Babylonians in 3800 BC and thereafter are a relatively small number of other known census takings until the practice became more common in more areas in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. One old but widely known reference to a census taking is found in Luke, Chapter 2, Verse 1″And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.”
Taxed, meaning to be enrolled or registered. Though many early censuses were implemented largely for the purpose of collecting taxes, they could also be used to identify men of an eligible age for service in the military or work for the government. Though because of the desire to shirk these responsibilities, many censuses, even those considered more modern may often contain incorrect information.
Today census data is useful for general population statistics, economic statistics which may influence economic policy, and social and housing information which is useful to the government at all levels.
To ensure adequate privacy, census information is not released to the public for a number of years. Though this may not be the case in all countries. The United States of America has enacted a 72 year privacy law, meaning that census information will only be released to the general public 72 years after it was first taken. Censuses released in the U.S. span 1790-1930. The 1940 census will be released in 2012 and many genealogist’s anxiously await it’s arrival as they did the 1930 census which was released in 2002.
The census is one of the most widely used sources for genealogical information. And it can give you a variety of information on your ancestors that may vary from year to year. Some census information includes years of birth and death, how many years they’ve been married, how many children have been born, where each person was born, what occupation a person followed, the birth place of a persons father and mother, native language and more. In upcoming posts we will be talking about the censuses available from different countries and the valuable information they can give you in your search to know more about your family roots.
