The Census in Trunch 1801 - 1911
The first census in Trunch was in 1801 when 351 residents (169 men and 182 women) were recorded, but no names given. In 1811 there were 177 men and 186 women (363 in total). By 1821 the population had grown to 441 (230 men and 211 women). In 1831, 99 heads of houses were surveyed and it is said that 9 of them were employers or professionals, 20 were middling sorts, 60 were labourers or servants and there were 10 others. Overall there were 202 men and 228 women (430 in total) in 1831.
The first full census in Trunch was in 1841 when names, rough ages and occupations were recorded. Birth places were not given except to say if they were in Norfolk or not. Street names were stated but the only houses individually named were Laurel Cottage, Rose Cottage, The Crown, Old Manor House, Tee Farm, the Rectory, the New Inn, and Grove Farm.
In 1851, relationships to the head of the house were also given, as well as marital status, birth places and more accurate ages. Streets were named as well as some cottages. Major buildings such as farmhouses, pubs, the nursery and blacksmith’s shop were specified. Yards were mentioned for the first time - Watts’, Amies’, and Bullen’s and were probably yards surrounded by cottages. Farmers stated their acreage and number of employees - men and boys.
In 1861, 1871 and 1881 the same information was collected. The 1891 census for Trunch is a little disappointing as addresses were not recorded and farm details were no longer given. Similarly in 1901 street names were not given, and only farms, shops and pubs were named. The number of rooms was given if less that 5 per house.
The 1911 census collected additional information and householders who could write, completed their own forms. The number of rooms in all properties was given and married women stated how long they had been married, how many children they had had and how many survived.
Most of the street names given in the censuses are familiar but I think Warren Lane and Southrepps Road may be what is now Brewery Road. Interestingly Chapel Road is called Chapel Street right up until 1911, when some individuals still called it that but the enumerator seems to have put Chapel Road. Wright’s Loke was also called Wright’s Lane until 1901. In 1911 I believe it was Frarey’s Lane.
I have been as careful as possible with the transcription but mistakes are possible. If you want to check an entry the best thing to do is to look at the original record on Ancestry or a similar web site but do check the original records because Ancestry transcripts do contain errors.
The censuses post 1911 have not been released yet but I have found out that the population in 1921 was 377, in 1931 it was 412, in 1951 it was 376 and in 1961 it was 340. So the population was in the 300s or 400s for all of the time between 1801 and 1961 with the highest figure being 464 in 1841 and 1861 and the lowest in 1961.
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