Morris, Peter and Family

Census of Ireland 1901

Household Return (Form A)

In 1901 a Peter Morris(53), farmer and was head of the household. He was living with his wife Mary(30) and their two daughters Maggie(12) and Mary(10) in the townland of Cregboy. All were born in County Galway and Roman Catholic.

Both Peter and Mary are unable to read or write, but both speak Irish and English. Maggie and Mary are scholars and can read, write but only speak English.

Enumerator’s abstract (Form N)

The second page of this particular return that lists Peter Morris’s house is missing. It describes in detail the family’s status regarding dwelling house, families, persons and religious profession.

House and Building Return (Form B1) & Out-Offices and Farm-Steadings Return (Form B2)

Peter owns the land that he and his family live on. The house which was 3^rd class is a stone or brick thatched cottage with two front windows and two occupied rooms. It had two farm buildings. The second page of this particular return that lists Peter’s farm in Form B2 (Out-Offices and Farm-Steadings Returns) is missing. It describes the farm buildings in detail.

The 1901 Irish Census took place the night of Sunday, March 31^st. The forms were filled and signed as truthful by local Constable John Reilly with Peter signing it with his mark. The forms were also witness, signed and collected by local constable Reilly on April 4^th.

Census of Ireland 1911

Household Return (Form A)

In 1911, Peter Morris is now 65years and head of the family. There are three new columns in the 1911 census, ‘Years Married’, ‘Children Born’ and ‘Children Living’. Peter and Mary were 23 years married. Mary(60) gave birth to three children but only two are still living. Maggie(22) and Mary(20) with both of them classed as Farmer’s Daughters and both are single. Since 1901 Peter has learned to read.

Enumerator’s abstract (Form N)

The Morris family are the only family living in the house, one male and three females and all are of the Roman Catholic faith.

House and Building Return (Form B1) & Out-Offices and Farm-Steadings Return (Form B2)

The house is the existing stone, or brick thatched cottage with now three front window, make the class of the house 2^nd and now four out houses. With page two of Form B2 available we can tell that they are a stable, cow house, piggery and a barn.

The 1911 Irish Census took place the night of Sunday, April 2nd and the forms were filled out by Peter as noted by his signature. The returns were witnessed and collected by local constable Thomas Fitzgerald on April 8th.

Census of Ireland 1926

The next census in Ireland was not taken until 1926. It was not taken in 1921 as Ireland was in the midst the ‘War of Independence’ against Britain. By 1926 Ireland was a Free State and the government was able to take their first census. The official due date for the release of the 1926 Census is January 1st, 2027 as there is a 100 year privacy law in Ireland. There have been many attempts to have an earlier release date, but to no avail yet.