Integrated task : the 1901 census online

Note for teachers:
  • These enrichment activities provide an opportunity to assess learning. Can pupils identify appropriate criteria for 1871 inhabitants most likely to be in the 1901 census? Do they carry out a 'narrowing down' search using AND, or they still reliant on simple searches or even browsing?
  • If you have been using data for your own locality, a visit to the graveyard provides a great opportunity for 'detective work' and a further opportunity to assess pupils' ability to retrieve information and reflect on what they have found.

There's an accompanying assessment task here.

Search the 1871 file to find people who may have been recorded in the 1901 census.

What sort of people should you look for, to give you the best chance? Why are you more likely to find men than women?

Searching the 1901 census is free: www.census.pro.gov.uk

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Guston, 1871

Edward Dilnott record

Brickfield Cottages today

Brickfield Cottages
Edward Dilnott in the 1901 census

The 1901 census shows that Edward Dilnott lived and worked in Chatham.

 

Search the 1901 Census database: www.census.pro.gov.uk
Write a report on what you find.

Points to include in your writing:

  • Who I decided to search for
  • Why I chose that person
  • What I did
  • What I found
Farm steam engine

I looked for Charles Fagg. In 1871 he was 3 years old. Because he was so young I thought he might be alive in 1901. When I found him, I checked him out by going back to the 1871 census. In 1901 he was still living in Kent. He was 32 years old. His job was driving a stationary engine. That’s a steam-powered engine used on a farm to drive machinery.

Christopher

 

Graveyard detectives

You may be able to meet some of your community’s nineteenth century residents – in the churchyard!

 

 

John Dixon's grave

Pupils study gravestones

 

 

There are two John Dixons in the 1841 census, so which one is this? Let’s work out his age in 1841…

Note for teachers:

There was an unexpected and unplanned SMSC dimension to the work. Children were fascinated by their visit to St Martin’s Church. They asked many questions about what they found in the church. There was much discussion about why people want gravestones and memorials, and how we remember the dead.

The pupils were intrigued by the inscription on Mary Eastes’ memorial:
Go and do thou likewise.
How in our lives can we be an example for other people?

Slab in Guston Church
 

 | Published: 5-2-09  | TOP