1939

[softly softly]

I like a lot of others have in the past corrected new/other posters for calling the 1939 war register a census. However, when using FindMyPast and using the menu for census it displays 1841-1921 plus 1939 as a census. We need to be a little more gracious when pointing this out in future

SS

[BumbleB]

Really?  I can only find the 1939 on FindMyPast to be shown as "Register"

Ah - I see - Listed under "Census, Land and Surveys" as Category and under "Census" as Subcategory.

Added:  But if you search for "1939 Census" then there are no results.

[softly softly]

When logging in on FindMyPast on phone, go to menu, census, and a list appears 1841-1921 and 1939 all recorded as "census"

SS

[KGarrad]

BUT, a census is a snapshot of the population at a certain date and time
The 1939 Register was continually updated until the early 1990's - hardly a snapshot!

 The United Nations (UN) defines the essential features of population and housing censuses as "individual enumeration, universality within a defined territory, simultaneity and defined periodicity."

The National Archives says:
While the 1939 Register is not a census, it is arranged along similar lines and includes similar, if less detailed, information. It does, however, show exact dates of birth where census returns simply give a person’s age.

The 1939 Register also excludes the populations of:
    the Channel Islands
    the Isle of Man
    Scotland (for information relating to records of individuals in Scotland at the time of the 1939 Register please contact National Records of Scotland)
    Northern Ireland (for information relating to records of individuals in Northern Ireland at the time of 1939 Register please contact Public Record Office of Northern Ireland)

It also excludes armed forces personnel.

[BumbleB]

Can't comment on what happens when searching with phone - I don't have one - my response was from looking via a desktop computer.

[Gadget]

Why not contact FindMyPast and ask them why.


Gadget

Add - it's also listed with the censuses by Ancestry

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/categories/ukicen/

(scroll to bottom of listing}

[softly softly]

My post regardless of how/why it is recorded was to say that when pointing out it was not really a census needs to be “gentle”

SS