This printed sheet provides instructions as to how to conduct a census of male and females in 1831. Prior to the 1841 census, which was the first census to record peoples names, only statistics were recorded. The total number of males and females in Belford can be found in the census section of this website.
Many of the Belford parish records are deposited with Northumberland Archives Service. Previously they were kept at the church. For many years church records were stored in the Parish Chest. This tradition dates back to medieval times. The Chest would usually be found in the vestry and kept under lock and key. All church records would be stored there. For example, baptism registers, poor relief records and churchwardens' accounts would all be found within the Chest.
