Many assume that all the Ireland census records prior to 1901 were destroyed. However, census fragments, especially from 1821, survive throughout Ireland. A listing of surviving Ireland census fragments available at the Family History Library can be found in the Ireland Census fragments available at the Family History Library article in the FamilySearch Research Wiki.
These microfilm copies which include either originals, transcripts, or extracts of the census, can be ordered online and sent to a FamilySearch Center FamilySearch Center near you.
The 1821 census is exciting and contains valuable information for Irish families. The census names everyone in the household, states their relationship to the head of the household and lists their ages. Censuses like this did not exist in other parts of the British Isles until 1841-1851. Known surviving fragments exist in at least the following Counties:
- Cavan
- Galway
- Kilkenny (In at least 36 parishes)
- Meath
- Offaly (Kings)
- Tipperary
- Waterford (In at least 24 parishes)
- Wexford
The 1831 census survives in at least forty-one parishes in County Londonderry, while County Kilkenny also has some surviving fragments. The 1831 census, however, lists only the heads of household and the number of children and adults living in each house.
Other helpful websites for locating surviving census fragment include the following:
- 1821-1851 https://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/population-census.html
- Various census fragments https://www.censusfinder.com/
For more information on Ireland census records, see the Ireland Census article in the FamilySearch Research Wiki.
Good luck with your Irish research!
