A census has been taken every ten years since 1801. The census of 1841 witnessed the first use in Britain of a self-administered household schedule, requesting information by name and characteristics of every individual in each household in Britain. The census of 1851 was the first to include questions on the relationship of individuals within each household. It also requested details of precise age and actual place of birth.
More details about the taking and development of the historical census are provided in the unit, Understanding the Nineteenth Century Census.