Checking out family names in the census records reveals all sorts of information about  ancestors but it also uncovers lots of valuable social history as to what life was like in past times in a small Wiltshire village.

1841 CENSUS
For Ham it shows that the huge majority were all labourers working on Ham’s historic three farms: Dove’s Farm, East Court Farm and Manor Farm which embraced a copyhold farm, and then the emerging Ham Spray Estate.

In the second half of the 19th century Henry Deacon Woodman became the major landowner, welding the majority of these farms together.

1841 CENSUS NOTES

1. In this first proper census of 1841, adult ages were rounded up or down to the nearest 5 years. It is extraordinary today to think that children 5+ were deemed workers.

2. No addresses given except for 2 on page 8, the rest just marked ‘Village’.

3. Total population was 215:
108 males & 107 females.
48 households. 127 adults &
88 children under 16.

4. Summary of occupations:
Agricultural Labourer.
Labourer. Carpenter. Farmer. Balemaker. Blacksmith.
Publican. Tailor. Shoemaker.
Yeoman. Clergyman.
Female servant. Male servant.