Schleswig Holstein Census

Census lists are, as a whole, correct and dependable. Usually, every person in a household was listed, including all servants. Most census returns in this area list these items:

• Name(s)

• Age

• Gender

• Relationship to the head of the household 

• Occupation 

• Status (married or single)

Beginning in 1845, the place of birth [parish or church] will usually be provided. Generally, from 1901, a specific date of birth will be given.  

The parish clerk, very often the parish school teacher, took the census in his own handwriting on printed forms. The language used for the headings was either German or Danish. Each scribe had his own handwriting characteristics and wrote the information in his preferred language. The headings of a particular census year may be in German, but the scribe may have written the details concerning the household in Danish. 

Variations in the spelling of names and places may occur. For example, a surname may be listed as Sorensdatter by a Danish scribe and Sorenstochter by a German scribe. The place name "Alt Hadersleben" written in German may be written "Gammel Haderslev" in Danish; German "Quars" becomes Danish "Kvaers." Census lists for each village in each parish in the Schleswig-Holstein area are not available for each year; however, most parishes are well-represented in at least one or more of the census years.

All places in Schleswig-Holstein as they existed from about 1871-1918 are listed in alphabetical order within the Kreis (district) to which they belonged and can be found on our partner website at  Ancestors in Schleswig-Holstein.    The names of places may vary if they are written in the Danish language. You may use the online gazetteer for the German Empire at: www.meyersgaz.com  to find the name of the Kreis to which your place belonged.