TYNE & WEAR ARCHIVES
USER GUIDE 23 CENSUS RECORDS
A census of the population has been taken every ten years since 1801, except 1941,
although returns containing personal details only survive from 1841 onwards.
The returns for 1841 include the names of all household members, address, ages
(usually, but not always, rounded down to nearest 5 years for those over 15) and
occupations. From 1851 birth place, exact age and relationship to head of the household
are also given for each person.
Original census returns are held at the National Archives in London. Tyne & Wear
Archives Service holds copies of the returns for Tyne & Wear for 1841 – 1901 on
microfilm or microfiche. Tyne & Wear covers the districts of Newcastle and North
Tyneside (included as part of the county of Northumberland in the census returns)
and Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland (included as part of County
Durham in the census returns). On some census the coverage overlaps slightly the
Tyne & Wear border into areas of Northumberland and Durham – please check before
your visit.
A microfilm reader should be booked in advance to look at census records. At
present microfiche readers are not booked in advance.
Numbers in brackets (MF) refer to census available on microfilm.
Numbers in brackets (FC) refer to census indexes available on microfiche.
Numbers in brackets [ ] refer to printed census indexes available in searchroom library.
HO and RG references in brackets are the National Archives’ document references.
Pre 1841 Census
Give statistical information only, eg numbers of males/females, numbers of each type of
occupation
Census of Sandgate Ward, Newcastle 1811 Ref 465/8 (on MF340)
Census of Pilgrim Ward, Newcastle 1821 Ref 465/9 (on MF340)
Census of All Saints Parish, Newcastle 1831 Ref 465/10
1841 Census (taken 6 June 1841)
On microfilm
Street index available
No name index except for Walker (HO107/822/4-5 – on FC425)
1851 Census (taken 30 March 1851)
On microfilm
Street index available
Name indexes as follows:
NB Some of these indexes relate to areas outside Tyne & Wear for which we do not hold
copies of the census returns. These are marked * and will be available at either
Northumberland Record Office or Durham Record Office
Northumberland
Alnham, Alwinton, Holystone & Longframlington [160]
(HO107/2423, folios 1-332) *
Bedlington [107]
(including Hepscott, Sleekburn, Choppington & Cambois)
Registration District 558/2
(HO107/2418, folios 293-460) *
Belford & Bamburgh [162]
Registration District 560/1
(HO107/2420, folios 1-250) *
Berwick-upon-Tweed, Part 1 [161]
Registration District 561/2
(HO107/2421, folios 243-436) *
Castle Ward Superintendent Registrar’s District (FC426)
Registration District 554 (Ponteland/Stamfordham Sub-Districts)
(HO107/2413)
Chirton, Preston & Murton (FC423-424)
Registration District 553/2
(HO107/2409, folios 184-304, 550-597)
Embleton, Longhoughton, Howick, Edlingham, Whittingham (part), Eglingham
(part)& Ellingham (part) [164]
Registration District 559/3
(HO107/2419, folios 564-820) *
Hartburn, Netherwitton, Longhorsley & Hebburn, Mitford, Meldon & River Green
[106]
Registration District 558/1
(HO107/2418, folios 1-292) *
Holywell, Hartley, Seaton Delaval (part)& Blyth (part) (FC431)
Registration Districts 553/5 & 6 (part)
(HO107/2412, folios 153-328)
Longbenton, Walker, Killingworth & Weetslade [104]
Registration District 553/4
(HO107/2411, folios 1-288)
Newcastle, All Saints Ward [101]
Registration District 552/4
(HO107/2407, folios 1-731)
Newcastle, Byker Ward [102]
(including Heaton & Jesmond)
Registration District 552/5
(HO107/2408, folios 1-367)
Newcastle, St Andrew’s Ward [99]
Registration District 552
(HO107/2405, folios 1-507)
Newcastle, St Nicholas’s Ward [100]
Registration District 552/3
(HO107/2406, folios 1-470)
Newcastle, Westgate Ward [98]
Registration District 552/1
(HO107/2404, folios 1-630)
Newsham, Cowpen, Bebside, Horton, East & West Hartford & Cramlington (FC429-
430)
Registration District 553/6 (part)
(HO107/2412, folios 329-580)
North Shields (FC433-435)
Registration District 553/2
(HO107/2409, folios 305-549)
Rothbury & Elsdon [160]
Registration District 535
(HO107/2423, folios 1-332) *
Seghill (including part of Seaton Delaval), Backworth, Burradon & Earsdon (part)
[105]
Registration District 553/5 (part)
(HO107/2412, folios 1-153)
Tynemouth, Cullercoats, Monkseaton & Whitley Bay [103] (also FC427-428, FC1054-
1055, FC1253-1254, FC1355-1356)
Registration District 553/3
(HO107/2410, folios 1-233, 237-499)
Wallsend, Willington & Howden (FC436-437)
Registration District 553/1
(HO107/2409, folios 1-183)
Warkworth, Shilbottle, Lesbury & Felton [163]
Registration District 559/1
(HO107/2419, folios 1-275) *
Whittingham, Longhorsley & part Netherwitton [160]
(HO107/2423, folios 1-332) *
Durham
Bishopwearmouth South part 1 (FC1255-1256, FC1357-1358)
(HO107/2396, folios 4-236)
Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland parts 1 & 2 [91-92]
(HO107/2395, folios 62-542)
Chester le Street and adjacent parishes [90]
(including Cocken, part Great Lumley, South Biddick, part Bournmoor, Edmondsley, Little
Lumley, part Washington, part Usworth, Birtley, Harraton, Ouston, Witton Gilbert, Pelton,
Plawsworth, Waldridge & Lamesley)
(HO107/2394, complete)
Gateshead [96]
(HO107/2402, folios 1-742)
Gateshead, Heworth Registration District [95]
(HO107/2401, folios 1-278)
Houghton-le-Spring (FC1251-1253, FC1352-1354)
(including Coxgreen, Hetton le Hole, Herrington, Newbottle, Penshaw, Rainton &
Silksworth)
(HO107/2393, folios 1-611)
Jarrow, South Shields St Hilda & Holy Trinity, Westoe, Monkton & Hedworth [94]
(HO107/2400, complete)
Monkwearmouth Township (FC2026-2027)
(HO107/2398, folios 1-104)
Monkwearmouth Shore Township (FC2028-2031)
(HO107/2398, folios 105-407)
Monkwearmouth – Fulwell, Hylton & Southwick (FC2032-2033)
(HO107/2398, folios 411-511)
South Hylton & Ford (FC2038)
(HO107/2395(part), folios 1-61)
South Shields, Boldon, Westoe, Cleadon, West Boldon, St Hilda, Harton, East
Boldon, Union Workhouse, Harton Colliery, Whitburn, East Jarrow, West Harton [93]
(also FC432)
(HO107/2399, complete)
Whickham, Winlaton etc [97]
(including Blaydon, Chopwell, Crawcrook, Greenside, Ryton & Swalwell)
(HO107/2403, complete)
1861 Census (taken 7 April 1861)
On microfilm
Street index available
Name indexes as follows:
Monkwearmouth Shore (FC1246-1248, FC2000-2002)
(RG9/3782-3783)
Monkwearmouth Shore & Fulwell (FC1249-1250, FC1457-1458, FC1998-1999)
(RG9/3784)
Southwick [195]
(RG9/3781)
1871 Census (taken 2 April 1871)
On microfilm
Street index available
Name indexes as follows:
Newcastle
Benwell (FC 1231-1232,1245)
(RG10/5082-5083)
Byker (FC1209-1212, FC1219-1220) [177]
(RG10/5105-5108)
Elswick (FC1238-1245) [117]
(RG10/5075-5082)
Fenham (FC1231-1232)
(RG10/5083)
Gosforth (FC1417, 1440) [214]
(RG10/5125-5126, 5137)
Jesmond (FC1212) [177]
(RG10/5108)
Newburn [214]
(RG10/5139-5140)
Newcastle, All Saints (FC1221-1226)
(RG10/5094-5102)
Newcastle, St Ann’s & St Anthony’s, Byker (FC1218-1220)
(RG10/5103-5105)
Newcastle, St Andrew’s (FC1231-1237)
(RG10/5083-5089)
Newcastle, St John’s (FC1229-1230)
(RG10/5092)
Newcastle, St Nicholas’ (FC1227-1229)
(RG10/5090-5091)
Westgate (part) (FC1244-1245) [116, 117]
(RG10/5070(part), 5071-5075, 5082)
Walker & Ships in Port (FC1416-1417, FC1455-1456, FC2020)
(RG10/5123-5125, 5127)
North Tyneside
Dudley, Weetslade, Seaton Burn, Wideopen (FC2020) [196]
(RG10/5127)
Earsdon, Burradon, Holystone, Backworth, New Backworth (FC2021) [196]
(RG10/5128)
Holywell, Hartley, Earsdon, Seaton Sluice (FC2022) [196]
(RG10/5129)
Earsdon, Seghill, Seaton Delaval and all of the places in the three above mentioned
indexes (FC2020-2022) [196]
(RG10/5127-5131)
Howdon & Ships in Port (FC1336)
(RG10/5111)
Killingworth & Weetslade (FC1440, 2020) [196]
(RG10/5126-5127)
Longbenton (FC1417, 1440)
(RG10/5125-5126)
North Shields & Ships in Port (FC1161-1163, FC1213-1215, FC1303-1305, FC1334-
1335, FC1338-1340, FC1442)
(RG10/5112-5116, 5118-5119, 5120)
Seghill (FC1997) [196, 201]
(RG10/5131)
Seghill (parts Earsdon), Cowpen, Blyth, Horton & Cramlington [201-202]
(RG10/5131-5134)
Tynemouth (FC1441, FC1443)
(RG10/5121, 5122)
Wallsend (FC1079-1980) [177]
(RG10/5109)
Willington & Howdon (FC1216-1217) [177]
(RG10/5110)
Northumberland
Ponteland, Newham, Bolam, Whalton, Morpeth, Stannington, Gosforth, Dinnington,
Stamfordham, Kirkheaton, Kirkwhelpington, Matfen, Ovingham, Heddon on the Wall,
Newburn [214]
(RG10/5136-5140)
1881 Census (taken 3 April 1881)
On microfilm (Tyne & Wear area)
Street index available
On CD-ROM (England, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands, Isle of Man & the Royal Navy):
The Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) produced the 1881
census on CD-ROM. It contains a transcription of each entry with various indexes to allow
searches to be made. The CD-ROM is available in the searchroom, and the counties of
Northumberland and Durham are also available on microfiche.
This census is also available via the Family Search Internet Genealogy Service of the
Mormons at www.familysearch.org. Access to this website is usually available to the
public in the TWAS searchroom. [NB A declaration form must be signed before using the
internet and users must be aged 18 years or older].
1891 Census (taken 5 April 1891)
On microfiche
Street index available
Name indexes as follows:
NB Some of these indexes relate to areas outside Tyne & Wear for which we do not hold
copies of the census returns. These are marked * and will be available at either
Northumberland Record Office or Durham Record Office
Northumberland
Ford (including Carham, Wark, Ford, Etal, Lowick, Bowsden, Millfield, Kirknewton,
Yeavering) (FC2112-2113)
(RG12/4270) *
Haltwhistle (FC1424)
(RG12/4250) *
Newcastle, All Saints (FC2090-2097)
(RG12/4209-4212)
Newcastle, Westgate (part) (FC1444-1449, FC2098-2111)
(RG12/4191-4196, 4198, 4200)
North Shields (FC1425-1426)
(RG12/4223)
Stamfordham [225-226]
(RG12/4242-4243)
Tynemouth (includes part of North Shields) (FC2084-2089)
(RG12/4227, 4229)
Westgate (FC1444-1449)
(RG12/4191, 4192)
Tynemouth Union Workhouse & Northumberland Village Homes Industrial School
for Girls (FC1181)
Durham
Bishopwearmouth South (FC2044-2046)
(RG12/4138)
Chester le Street (FC2012-2014)
(RG12/4120)
Gateshead (part) (FC1421-1423, FC2081-2083)
(RG12/4175, 4177)
Gateshead, Heworth (part), Windy Nook & Felling [222]
(RG12/4172)
Gateshead, St Cuthbert’s parish (FC1359-1361, FC1418-20)
(RG12/4176)
Heworth (part), Bill Quay, Wardley, Felling, Felling Shore & ships [223-224]
(RG12/4173-4174)
Kelloe, Wingate & Thornley (FC2010-2011)
(RG12/4110) *
Monkwearmouth (FC2047A-B, FC2048A-B, FC2050-2051)
(RG12/4146/4B, RG12/4145/4A, RG12/4150/4F)
South Shields (FC1427-1428, FC1989-1991, FC2023-2025, FC2070-2080)
(RG12/4152, 4164-4167, 4169-4171)
South Shields (Monkton, Jarrow & Hebburn) (FC1992-1994)
(RG12/4168)
South Shields (Westoe) (part) (FC1987-1988, FC2003-2005, FC2054-2069)
(RG12/4153-4159, 4162-4163)
Sunderland (part) (FC2052-2053)
(RG12/4144)
1901 Census (taken 31 March 1901)
On microfiche
Street index available
Census related documents held in the Archive
Census of Distribution Plans, 1970 Ref 1342
Gateshead, Newcastle (Byker & Jesmond), North & South Shields, Sunderland,
Tynemouth (Central), Wallsend
(These show situation of shops and businesses)
Census Plans of Division Ref 82
Newcastle, Benwell Sub-District, 1911
Newcastle, Benwell & Elswick Sub-Districts, 1921
(These describe the division of each enumeration district and the streets included in each)
Miscellaneous Census Material Ref 82
Enumerator’s memorandum and instruction book, 1911
Blank Schedule, 1921
Provisional Rules and Orders for 1931 Census, 1930
Further Instructions for Enumerators, April 1931
Circular on recruitment of unemployed as enumerators, 1930
Blank Enumeration Book for Dene Sub-District, 1931
Northumberland, census abstracts, 1901 Ref 1547
Census related documents in the searchroom library
A number of volumes giving statistical information extracted from various census returns,
such as population by age and marital condition, households by size, and occupation by
gender and age are available in the searchroom library:
Census of England & Wales 1891
Area, Houses & Population Vol 1
Census of England & Wales 1901
County Reports for Northumberland & Durham
Digest of the Results of the 1901 Census in England & Wales
Census of England & Wales 1911
County Reports for Northumberland & Durham
Preliminary Report
Vol 1 Administrative Areas
Vol 8 Tenements
Census of England & Wales 1921
County Reports for Northumberland & Durham
Preliminary Report
General Report
Index of Place Names
Census of England & Wales 1931
County Reports for Northumberland & Durham
General Tables
Census of England & Wales 1951
County Reports for Northumberland & Durham
Preliminary Report
General Tables
Housing Report
Occupation Tables
Report on Usual Residence & Workplace
One Per Cent Sample Tables Part 1
Populations of Ecclesiastical Areas (England)
Census of England & Wales 1961
County Report for Northumberland
Preliminary Report
Housing Tables Part 1
Population Dwellings Households – Cumberland,
Durham, Northumberland, Westmorland
Census of England & Wales 1971
County Reports for Northumberland & Durham
Other ‘Census’
Census of Benwell & Elswick, June/July 1860 Ref 277/1 (on MF308)
(Taken by Rev William Maughan and includes house numbers, names, occupations,
religion, numbers in family)
Census of the parish of St Bede Roman Catholic Church, Denton Burn, Newcastle, 1940
(includes streets, house numbers, names, some years of birth for children) Ref C.NC99/6
Census of the parish congregation of SS Mary & Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic
Church, Stella, 1858 (includes Lemington, Bells Close & Newburn) Ref C.BL3/7
South Shields School Board Census of Schoolchildren, 1887 (indexed by name) Ref
487/128-129
South Australian Vinegrowers 1891 census [138]
January 2006
