Thursday 26 August 2010

Animals in the 1911 census

The 1911 census is the first census published that is in colour and also individual household pages completed by the householder in their writing rather than the enumerator. This allows you to actually see handwriting of your ancestors.

What is fascinating in any census are some unusual details that come to life. In the 1911 census a Mr & Mrs Arthur John Delve of Smethwick thought it apt to record their pet dog Biddy on the bottom of their return.


Biddy was was described as the couple’s “faithful Irish Terrier Bitch, Magnificent Watch, a demon on Cats and Vermin, age 11 years”.

There must be others - have you found any? If so please feel free to leave a comment. Visit the 1911 census website to search for your ancestors. Who knows what you will uncover?

Thanks to the 1911 census for releasing the above image.
Please visit their blog at
http://blog.1911census.co.uk/2010/06/animals-in-the-1911-census/
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1 comment:

  1. Andrew31 August 2010 at 12:33

    Hi Mike,

    Didn't realise the 1911 census was completed by the householder!! Gives a great depth to what your seeing.

    Cheers for sharing this.

    All the best

    Andrew

    ReplyDelete

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