Copenhagen Police Census

The police census records are probably one of the most vital of records used in Copenhagen research. The records tracked individuals in Copenhagen year by year, creating a valuable database of the city's residents. The police censuses fill in the years between the national censuses and contain vital genealogical material.

Background
In 1816, the Copenhagen police began taking a census of every resident over the age of ten, both male and female, in the city. The census was taken twice a year, once in May and once in November. After some time, a few of the surrounding suburbs were included in the census: Brønshøj-Rødovre (1868-1900), Sundbyvester and –øster (1889-1901), and Kastrup (1891, 1893-1895).

What You Typically Find
The police censuses are similar to other censuses in Denmark. The only difference is that it is particular to Copenhagen, and there are absolutely no children under the age of ten on the census. Some of the most typically information listed in the censuses include: -the floor living on -Full name -age -birth place -Rank, status, and occupation -Servants -Length of time in residence by half year -When began service -Where last served -Lodgers The later censuses include a little more information including birth date.

Tips
An index exists for the census records and can be a real help in locating individuals. Each year has an index that is divided into Kreds, or police districts. All names are alphabetized and then listed under the street names. Once the street is located, the corret census can be pulled up. The actual censuses are organized by Kreds first, then street, then house number, and finally by resident. Residents are listed on the left side of the page, servants in the middle, and lodgers on the right side. Be sure not to forget to check all three parts if you don't know what the individual or family was.

Access
All police census records and index (1866-1923) are available at the Family History Library on microfilm, and at several different archives and libraries in Copenhagen.