LONDON-L Archives

From: Eve McLaughlin <>
Subject: Re: electoral roll
Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 23:43:24 +0000

In message <01be739e$3c56c8a0$>, Julle Wilson
<> writes
>Hi was there electoral rolls in England in the 1800s and if so was every one
>on it I would appreciate any information
>Thankyou
There are poll books till 1868, but the vote largely went with a
property-owning or expensive renting qualification; therefore, fine if
yours had money, not so good if not.
After this, the franchise was widened and all town males over 21
might in theory have the vote (not peers, lunatics or paupers) - but in
practice, you needed to be a stable householder to get on the list. The
lists work for searching towns for male householders, and country
districts for farmers (not ag labs)till later). However, pre 1891,
censuses and directories are simpler and after 1891, directories pick up
more folk, and are easier to search, since they are generally
alphabetical in sets, whereas electoral registers are by street.
Electoral registers come into their own after 1929, when women over 21
join the men, and almost all the adult population were included. .
--
Eve McLaughlin

Author of the McLaughlin Guides for family historians
Secretary Bucks Genealogical Society

This thread:

• electoral roll by "Julle Wilson" <>
  • Re: electoral roll by Simon Rutter <>

  • Re: electoral roll by Eve McLaughlin <>