1921 census - What information ?

[sunflower]

What information is given on the 1921 census. Is it the same of all the others

Sorry if this has been asked before but I'm just returning to FH after a break.

Thanks
Carol

[rosie99]

See this link on the National Archives website
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C13340
Name and Surname
Relationship to Head of Household
Age
Sex
Marriage or Orphan hood
Birthplace and Nationality
Whether in full-time or part-time education
Personal Occupation
Employment
Place of Work
Number and ages of all living children and step children under 16 years of age (Information required only in respect of Married Men, Widowers and Widows)

[sunflower]

Thanks Rosie

[LizzieL]

Usually each successive census has more useful information than the last - useful to us family historians that is. But it seems that from the 1911 census to the 1921, a couple of very useful bits of information have been removed - how many years married and total number of children (with breakdown of how many have died and how many still alive). The 1921 census only tells us how many children under 16 are still living. Presumably the GRO no longer needed this information, I wonder why.   

[Andy J2022]

Just to clarify, the age is given in years and months so it is slightly more useful than in previous censuses. And like the 1911 census, the form you see if you opt to 'buy' the image shows the handwriting of the householder. This, along with any crossings out or mistakes about how to fill in the data, gives us some clues about the literacy of the person filling in the form.

[LizzieL]

Yes interesting to see the handwriting. My grandfather's signature is just the same as in books he used to own and have been passed down to my brother and me. Crossings out and mistakes could be because they left the form to the last minute rather than poor literacy. Or "couldn't be bothered" - it was just another form from the nosey government after all.

[suey]

Just viewed a family where four were ‘out of work’ but their previous employment and employer were included. 

[LizzieL]

I've just looked at a widow, b abt 1857, living on her own, unsurprisingly (given her age) no children under 16. Had that been the 1911 census she would probably have said how many years married and how many children (living and dead). Even though it is only meant to be answered by married women many widows answered the question, and the enumerator struck it through, but allowed it to still be read. I do have slightly more accurate estimate of her age than in 1911, but have less to go on in trying to find where she (or more likely her late husband) fits into my tree.

[Andy J2022]

Just viewed a family where four were ‘out of work’ but their previous employment and employer were included.

Suey, that is correct. The instructions for column (f) say:
"(1) If working for an employer state the name and business of present employer (person, firm, company or public body) or, if at present out of work, of last employer, adding 'out of work.'
(2) ..."