The first census containing names and other information was conducted in Britain in 1841. It has continued every ten years since then, (excluding 1941). The information contained in the census has increased each year and census returns are a valuable source of information for both family and local historians. Census returns are released after a hundred years have elapsed.

I have transcribed the 1841, 1851, 1861,1871, 1881 and 1891 census returns for Quorn. Each census has been different. Later returns contain more information than earlier ones, and it has been fascinating to gradually become aware of the differences between different enumerators. Some were meticulous with clear and consistent writing and spelling. Others had their own quirks in the descriptions of occupations and spelt names etc simply as they heard them. Eventually as my knowledge increased I was often able to tell whether an enumerator had walked down one side of a street and up the other side, or zig zagged from side to side (remember there are no house numbers). More analysis will follow.

As with any transcription, information you use should then be confirmed back to the original.

The 1841 census gives less information than later returns. For people over the age of 15 the age is only approximate, ie to five years, rounded down, eg 24 is recorded as 20. The place of birth information is limited to whether or not it is in Leicestershire, and then if it is in Scotland, Ireland or 'Foreign Part's, a 'S', 'I' or 'F' is also entered in the final column.

The 1871 census was more difficult to than some. Especially towards the end the writing was difficult to read and inconsistencies were found. I have put question marks and comments were appropriate.

The 1881 census had quite a few fundamental spelling errors (on Surnames in particular), that would be very misleading. Where I have been able to verify these I have corrected them in my transcription.

Now there are approximately 80 streets, over 2000 houses and in 1991 the population was 4,614.