Who Filled Out Irish Census Forms? The System which began in 1841

I didn't know until the other day that the Irish census enumerations were different than the way censuses were enumerated in the United States at the same time. I knew the head of household signed it but didn't know they were also supposed to fill it out. 

Differences between the two countries

In the United States, up to 1960, enumerators filled out the census returns. In Ireland, however, the heads of households were supposed to complete the Census Form A themselves. The other forms were filled out by the constable during British rule, and later by the Garda after independence.

Here are the instructions for collecting the Census A forms for 1926:

I also wondered what would happen if a family didn’t have a pen or ink. Apparently, these could be expensive at the time. The constable or Garda would provide writing materials if needed.

Evaluation of my Mullen Family's forms:

Form B was filled out by the constable or Garda. This form can be useful for comparing handwriting on the census documents to determine whether the head of household actually filled out Form A, or whether someone else did.

In 1901, it appears that the constable filled out the form for my great-great-grandfather, Patrick Mullen, who as head of household was supposed to complete it himself. He could sign his name, but may not have been comfortable enough to fill in the rest of the form.

 

Patrick signs the return but the handwriting in the body of the form is different

This is the Mullen form A in 1911:

The signature on this form is quite different from the one in 1901. Did Patrick sign this? I have doubts. One of the Mullen children may have signed their father’s name. Again, the professional style of the handwriting suggests that the constable filled out the body of the form.

A sample of the constable's writing in 1911:

By 1926, it appears that a family member filled out the census. It could have been his son Michael, or possibly his wife Ellen. Patrick likely signed it:

“Catholic” is misspelled as “Cathlic,” which suggests a household member filled it out. The Garda also appears to have made some corrections. The rest of the handwriting differs from that of the Garda.

Pat Mullin’s signature is clearly different from the handwriting in the body of the form:

Here is a sample of the Garda's writing:

By 1926, there was generally someone in the household able to complete the form. Misspellings like this point to a household member rather than an official completing Form A.

It has been interesting comparing the handwriting on the census forms from 1901, 1911, and 1926. The improvement in the education system is very apparent when looking at these records. Patrick Mullen was born around 1840, while his son was born in the 1880s—a generation that benefited from improved educational opportunities.

It’s a reminder that census records don’t just document who our ancestors were. They also capture how they lived, what they could do, and how the world around them was changing.

The Looooong Wait for the 1926 Census for Ireland Is Over

 

The Long Wait for the 1926 Census

Most countries have a 10‑year wait between census releases. Ireland had a 15‑year gap between the 1911 and 1926 censuses — a long wait. On top of that, census records are restricted for 100 years. In the United States, census records are restricted for 72 years, and the most recent one available to search is the 1950 Census.

Unfortunately, I had an emergency eye exam on the day of the census release. It turned out not to be an emergency — just a vitreous detachment, which can happen with age. I had to wait for the dilating drops to wear off before I could look at the records. Finally, I got to see what I had waited years for.

Searching for Patrick and Mary Mullen

I was searching for my great‑great‑grandparents, Patrick Mullen and Mary Huvane/Huane, in Pollaturick, Milltown, Tuam, Co. Galway, Ireland. I searched for “Mullen” in Pollaturick but didn’t see them on the list that came up. Maybe my eyes were still bad? I eventually found them by searching the townland instead.

What I Found on Form A

I first looked at Form A, which lists the individual members of the household. The first thing that caught my eye was that Patrick and Mary’s son Michael was living with them, along with his wife and three children. He was the eldest son and inherited the property when his father died. His siblings — Helen, Thomas, Bridget (Sister Mary Kathleen), and Winifred — all migrated to the United States.

I knew about Michael Mullen and his wife Ellen Charles’s son Patrick and daughter Mary Ellen, but not their son Aeneas. I’ll have to research Aeneas and his descendants. I’ve been hoping to find family photos that their descendants might have.

I wondered what the notation for Michael and Ellen’s children meant in the “Marriage or Orphaned” column. The notation for the children is “BP IH alive.” I knew it meant both parents were alive, but I didn’t know what “IH” meant. I asked Copilot AI, and it suggested that IH likely stands for “in house.” That does make sense.

The age column caught my attention as well. Ages were supposed to be recorded in years and months. Only two household members have months listed. So were all the others born between March 18 and April 19? Mary Ellen has no months listed, though she should — she was born in June 1921. Her brother Aeneas's age is given as 3 years and 9 months. He was born in July so 9 months would have been correct. 

My great‑great‑grandparents’ ages are way off. Based on Patrick’s age at marriage, he should be about 76 years old. Age discrepancies are common in Irish census records.

The fact that Michael and his wife lived with his parents is supported by other records. My great‑great‑grandmother Mary was present at the birth of Patrick in 1919, her grandson. Mary Ellen was present at the death of her grandmother Mary in 1940.

Mary Ellen Mullen‑Thornton died recently at age 102. She was listed on the 1926 Census.

Trying to Date the Mullen Houses

I was happy to see acreage included on Form A. I’ve been trying to figure out when the front house on the Mullens’ property was built. I was disappointed that the Building Form B didn’t include descriptions of each house like the 1901 and 1911 censuses did. Those descriptions could have helped me determine whether the front house on the Mullen property existed in 1926. Using the ordinance maps, I determined it was likely built after 1913.

Instead, I had to look for clues in the order of visitation on Form B1. Michael Mullen — my ancestor Patrick’s brother — lived in a house set back from the road. The newer house is on the road. My ancestor Patrick is number 146 in the order of visitation; his brother Michael is 152. They both lived on land owned by their father, which they split evenly. Each reported having 28 acres of land. Patrick owned the land near the road. I believe he was visited earlier because his house was easier to reach. But I can’t be certain — the census taker may have had to return to some houses if no one was home on the first visit.

What Form B Does (and Doesn’t) Tell Us

The 1926 Census House and Building Form B doesn’t provide the detailed information about building materials or outbuildings that the 1901 and 1911 censuses included. It only records whether the house was inhabited and how many rooms it had. Both brothers, Michael and Patrick, had the traditional three‑room cottage.

Worth the Wait

I enjoyed seeing my family on the 1926 Census. It was worth the wait.