Census

Old census returns are valuable historical and genealogical records. Unfortunately, the returns for 1813, 1821, 1831, 1841 and 1851 censuses were destroyed when the Custom House was burned in 1921.

The 1861 and 1871 census returns were deliberately destroyed. The 1881 and 1891 census returns were pulped because of the paper shortages during the 1914-18 War. Of the pre-Independence censuses only the 1901 and 1911 census returns remain intact today.

The 1901 and 1911 censuses were undertaken under legislation which made no provision for the confidentiality of the information recorded on them. These were made available as public records in 1961 via a warrant made by the Minister for Justice under the Public Records (Ireland) Act, 1867. They are the most frequently used records in the National Archives mainly for genealogical research.

Visit the National Archives site: www.nationalarchives.ie/censusrtns.html

The extensive use of the 1901 and 1911 census records and the public acceptability of their availability after 50-60 years prompted the inclusion of a provision in the Statistics Act, 1993 which allows census returns to be made available as public records 100 years after the relevant census.

This means that the 1926 census records will be open to the public by the National Archives in the year 2026. By that time almost all of the persons covered in the 1926 census will be deceased. Although there was demand for a shorter period it was considered that 100 years was necessary to comply with the spirit of confidentiality promised to respondents.