[#1449] Age and the Norwegian Censuses

[Gjest Sue Barham]

When I am searching in the 1801 or the 1865 census for an individual whose name is known and whose birth year is known, do I use the age one will achieve in the census year, or the age one has achieved as of the date of the census? If the latter is true, what calendar date were the censuses taken?

[Gjest Per Helge Seglsten]

You should try avoiding birth years as search parameter in the censuses, as they are often inaccurate. You should estimate a margine of +-5 years, and try to eliminate candidates by searching regions and farm names first.Per Helge

[Gjest Jan Oldervoll]

I agree with Per Helge. The 1801 census was taken February 1, 1801 and 1865 December 31, 1865.

[Gjest Kristian Hunskaar]

Given age is age at a person's next birthday, i.e. a person aged 20 in the 1865 census is born 1846 (as the census was taken December 31th). But as it's already mentoned; given age is often inaccurate.