To see the censuses, which were produced using MS Excel 2007 but converted into a "pdf"format, you will need to install or to have installed, "Adobe Acrobat Reader" software on your computer. I haven't given a link to any website offering this free (yes, it's free!!) software because websites have a habit of disappearing or changing but there are plenty on the Internet, and, if I can help further, please let me know. However, just do a search for it on the Internet first - I'm sure you'll find a copy.
Going on to the censuses themselves, I have transcribed the first six of the seven, all relating to Hooe, and which are open to viewing by the public. I'm in the process of transcribing the 1901 (taken on March 31st & April 1st) and will add it as soon as I can.
From the list below, choose the census you want and click on the hyperlink.
| 1841 - June 6th/7th | 1851 - March 30th/31st | 1861 - April 7th/8th | 1871 - April 7th/8th | |
| 1881 - April 3rd/4th | 1891 - April 2nd/3rd | 1901 - March 31st/April 1st |
For those who may not know, the census of 1841 was the first census that gave any detail information regarding the people, their movement, and where they lived. Though useful, it didn't give as much information as the later censuses in that relationships between those in a household weren't given. For children of fifteen years and under exact ages were required (if known, that is) but for those above fifteen, their ages were rounded down to the nearest five years and, of course, once again, this was only of any use if they actually knew their age, which, on occasions, they didn't.
The enumerator was only required to record whether or not an individual had been born in the county in which he or she was now residing - there was no requirement to give either the name of the village or town or the name of the county - just "yes" or "no" in the column, "Whether born in same county".
Where the person had more than one Christian name, the enumerator was instructed to put down only the first so the ommission of any middle names doesn't mean that you may have the wrong person but does remove that little bit of confirmation that you do!
Another instruction, which might cause confusion, is the use of the letters "n. k." for "not known". The enumerator was told to insert these where, in the case of a child, no Christian name had, as yet, been given. It was, also, to be used where the name of a person who had slept in a lodging-house or an inn, the night before the census, was unknown because he or she had gone away early. It doesn't mean that the person didn't know their name!
The 1851 was the first very useful census, that is from the point of view of a Family Historian; this gave correct ages, relationship to the head of the household, occupation or profession, whether married or not, and where the person had been born. Subsequent censuses asked much the same questions.
The 1871 census of Hooe was a particularly bad one (once again from the point of view of both a transcriber and a family historian. Apart from the fact that the only photocopy I seemed to be able to get (and I had several tries!) was vey faint in places, I am certain that the enumerator didn't understand the local dialect, didn't know the village or any of the people, and couldn't spell for toffees! A lot of the people, probably, couldn't spell either so weren't able to correct the spelling of their names occupations or place of birth.
Regarding the 1871 census, I intended to stick by what one is told to do when transcribing, which is to put down what you see and not what you think is meant but, as this is MY website, and I know most of the families on the censuses, I, actually, put down what I knew he should have put down but only where he really had made a mess of it. Notice the emphatic "MY"!!!!! - oh, the Power - the Power!
Seriously, I hope this is not only of interest but also of use and help to many people who had ancestors in Hooe but are now some distance away, in time and location.
