Census, muster and electoral rolls

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Notes

  • Census records were digitised from microfilm and sometimes they are difficult to read.
  • Census records are listed under the householder’s name for many of the years between 1837 and 1857 (not a complete set; most individual returns have not survived). They are more detailed from 1842, indicating address, construction type of a building – stone, brick or wood, and give details on the make-up of the household, for example name of householder, number of people generally residing there and number who were free. The return also has information on the ages, sex, religion, occupation and trade or calling of the persons residing in the house.
  • Censuses after 1901 do not have personal details until 2001, where people could opt to have their details kept.
  • A muster was like a census, but for convicts and military personnel.
  • The earliest electoral roll is from 1856. It only includes men. Women are included from 1903, when they were given the right to vote. The Australian government introduced compulsory voting in 1924 so you may not find names on the rolls before then.

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