Disability Perspectives: History
Impairment?
QUESTIONS ASKED ON THE UK CENSUS
From 1851 the questions on the UK Census asked about impairments, but this did not include physical impairment, the focus was on gathering data on those who were "Deaf", "Blind", "Lunatic", "Imbecile" and "Feeble-Minded".
"Whether Blind, Deaf or Dumb"
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for 1871, 1881, 1891 the question changed to:
Whether
1. Deaf and Dumb
2. Blind
3. Imbecile or idiot
4. Lunatic
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In 1901 the question was changed to:
The UK CENSUS
If
1. Deaf and Dumb
2. Blind
3. Lunatic
4. Imbecile, Feeble-Minded.
The 1911 UK Census form states:-
INFIRMITY
If any person including in this schedule is:-
1. 'Totally Deaf' or 'Deaf and Dumb'
2. 'Totally Blind'
3. 'Lunatic'
4. 'Imbecile or feeble minded'
State the infirmity opposite that person’s name and the age at which he or she became anflicted.
Our Hidden Histories project explored records to find Disabled people on the Census and other records in the archives
Mary Ann Merrick 41. Deaf from fever on the UK CENSUS 1911
HEAD: Thomas Merrick 36 stone surveyor
WIFE: Mary Ann Merrick 41. Deaf from fever
SON: Edward Victor Merrick 10
DAUGHTER: Glaydys Mary Merrick 3.
William Henry Jones blind from the age of seven appears on the census:
UK Census 1881 The Jones family living at 4 Clifford St, Wolverhampton
Head: William Jones occupation: milkman.
Wife: Sarah
Son: William H. blind five years.
Daughter: Ellen. Daughter: Florey.
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UK CENSUS 1891 62 Clifford St, Wolverhampton
Head: William Jones – Occupation: dairyman
Wife: Sarah,
Son: William H, Occupation: Basket maker. Blind,
Daughter: Ellen Daughter: Florie
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UK CENSUS :1901 62 Clifford St, Wolverhampton
Living with mother and sisters Ellen and Florie
William Henry Jones b.1871 Age 40 occupation , Basket weaver at Blind Institute. Blind from childhood.
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UK CENSUS 1911 UK Census 62 Clifford St, Wolverhampton
William Henry Jones b.1871 Age 40 occupation:Basket weaver at Blind Institute Totally blind age 7.
Living with his mother Sarah Jones b.1843 Occupation: housewife general dealer
and his sister Florie and her husband Charles Williams whose occupation is Carriage Trammer G W R Railway Co.
Wolverhampton Union Workhouse
1901 UK CENSUS
Wolverhampton Union Workhouse
Wolverhampton Eastern Staffordshire England
Mary Ann Wright
Age:35, DOB:1866 in Wednesfield, Staffordshire, England
Pauper - Imbecile
At 55 Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton Staffordshire England 1911
Captain Retired 95 Th Reg Aml Chief Constable Wolverhampton
Lindsay Robert Burnett aged 64
b.1847 Berrow Vicarage, Somerset
WIFE Agnes Herrietta 55
Sons:
Lindsay Robert Burnett 32 yrs (Birth Year:1880) feeble-minded about 7-8 years from fall
Richard Parry 20
Daughters:
Agnes Winifred 31
Margaret Henrietta 30
Katherine Elizabeth 27
Mary Etheldred 20
Servants:
Millicent Gough 20
Helen Rhodes 21
55 Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton Staffordshire England
Head of Household Peel Street Wolverhampton
Joseph Smith b. 1829 occupation: Japanner Deaf
Wife: Mary A Smith b.1826
Son: Sydney b.1856