Accredited Genealogists Ireland (AGI) has released a new resource in its Irish Census Records series titled "Social Context of the 1901 and 1911 Census Records."
The AGI says this new resource provides family history researchers with essential background on the Ireland their ancestors lived in at the turn of the twentieth century – a society undergoing profound change.
From the transformation of land ownership under the Wyndham Land Act (1903) to the growth of urban working-class communities in Dublin, Cork, and Belfast, the document helps researchers understand the forces shaping daily life.
The AGI's new guide explores how the Old Age Pensions Act (1908) led many older people to exaggerate their ages in the 1911 Census to qualify for the new pension, creating discrepancies researchers should be aware of when comparing the 1901 and 1911 records.
It also highlights the cultural revival of the era, including the role of the Gaelic League and the significance of households who completed their census forms in Irish.
The resource draws particular attention to the often-overlooked role of women in early twentieth-century Ireland. One striking example is Bridget Nugent, a suffragette from Aghagogan, Carrickmore, Co Tyrone, who was listed as head of household in the 1911 Census even though her husband was present in the home – a quiet act of defiance captured in the historical record.
The 1901 and 1911 Census records are freely available online through the National Archives of Ireland.
Accredited Genealogists Ireland (AGI) is the accrediting and representative body for professional genealogists on the island of Ireland. To find out more, visit AccreditedGenealogists.ie.
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