The 1926 Census: A Window Opens in April
You may already have heard the news: the 1926 Irish census is scheduled for release in April 2026. For anyone tracing Irish roots, this is something special.
The 1926 census was the very first taken by the Irish Free State. It captures families and communities only a short time after independence and the Civil War - a pivotal moment when the country was finding its footing and many households were still rebuilding their lives. For us researchers, it offers a fresh chance to see our families as they were in the early years of a new state.
Why the 1926 Census Matters — Even If Your Ancestors Left Long Before
Even if your ancestors left Ireland in the 1850s or the 1880s, the 1926 census may still help you.
A branch of the family almost always stayed behind - maybe siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews - and these households often provide clues that let you work backwards into parish registers, civil records, and land valuations. Once you find the “right” family in the 1901, 1911, or now 1926 census, you have a fixed point that makes the earlier decades far easier to untangle.
We’ve seen this again and again while researching with Green Room members: it’s often the later records, not the earlier ones, that reveal the vital townland, the correct parents, or the surviving branch that finally ties the story together.
What’s New in the 1926 Census
Much of what we’re used to from 1901 and 1911 census will still be there including names, relationships, ages, occupations, literacy, Irish-language ability, and so on. But the Free State introduced several entirely new categories of information that were not recorded in 1911.
These new categories will offer a deeper look into Irish families and communities:
1. Usual Place of Residence (New in 1926)
This is a major addition. The census distinguishes between:
where a person was physically present on census night, and
where they usually lived (this is the important link)
This will help identify:
seasonal workers
farm servants
relatives visiting temporarily
young adults working away from home
individuals who moved for employment
It’s a powerful tool for understanding family movement.
2. More Detailed Occupational Information (New)
The 1926 census shows:
whether a person was an employer, employee, or independent/self-supporting
the industry/trade/ business of the employer. This adds depth to the bare job titles we see in 1911.
3. Unemployment Information (New)
1926 recorded:
4. Expanded Housing and Outbuilding Data (New)
More detail on:
5. Improved Literacy and Education Categories (New or Expanded)
While 1911 included simple literacy categories, 1926 applied more structured classifications across the entire population.
These additions will help us understand a family’s economic situation, mobility, and social position with greater precision than ever before.
And importantly, all the valuable 1911 features - such as years married, children born/living, and Irish-language ability - will remain in place.
Join Us This Thursday
To help make sense of all this, John Grenham will be hosting a special webinar free to Green Room members this Thursday. Among many topics, he will cover what to expect from the 1926 census, how it differs from 1911. Green Room members can sign up for free for the webinar by clicking here (if you would like to become a Green Room member before next Thursday go here.)
Looking Ahead
So, as we count down to April 2026, I’ll share more about how to prepare, how to cross-reference your existing lines, and how to take advantage of the new categories that the 1926 census will bring.
In the meantime, have you already found your ancestors (or their relatives) in the 1901 or 1911 census? What did those returns reveal for your research? Do HIT REPLY - I’d love to hear your stories.
That’s it for this week.
Slán for now,
Mike
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