Blencowes in the 1911 Census of England

The complete records for any Blencowe family member can be obtained for a fee from http://www.1911census.co.uk/ however some key information can be obtained free by searching any surname or even complete name. The records shown for free give full names, sex of person, birth date, age and residence district and county.

By searching the surnames known to my research I then copied the information into a database and manipulated it to produce this report. I hope it is useful.

Surnames

By 1911 the various spellings of Blencowe in prior records had been reduced and popular spellings (Blinko, Blinks, etc.) increased. While some leeway has to be given for misspelt surnames (in my own case Blinko often mistranscribed as Blinks, the cursive o as a s) the basic numbers represent the popularity of the surname adopted by the now mainly literate population.

Some surnames that appear in the census have been left out of this analysis because of uncertainty about whether they are traceable back to Blencowe family members: these include Blanco, Blancow, Blench and Blanch.

Names included in the analysis are: Blenco, Blencowe, Blencow, Blencoe, Blenko, Blincko, Blinco, Blincoe, Blincow, Blinco, Blinker, Blinkho, Blinko, and Blinks.

The 'Blencow' population was slightly in favour of the fairer sex, the spilt being 50.6% female and 49.4% male. The oldest woman was Mary Ann Blinco age 86 of Oldham and oldest man was John Blencowe age 88 of Brixworth. There were 18 babies less than 1 year. There were 551 (or 38%) 'Blencowes' of an age that would mean they would be actively engaged in some form in the Great War.

First Names

The top ten first names were Albert, Alfred, Annie, Arthur, Elizabeth, George, James, John, Thomas and William. Only two of the most popular names were for females, it would appear parents imagination was more active for naming of girls, Florence, Alice, Clara, Elsie, Gladys, Emma, Mabel, Nellie, Louisa and Kate being some of the more popular choices.

Counties and Districts

By 1911 the Blencowes had spread further afield, although still not in every county ( No west country counties such as Cornwall, Devon and Somerset). When we look at the most popular locations by town the increased industrial and commercial activity shows in the changes in locations for the Blencowes. Aside from the most populous town being London, the industrial midlands and north are represented heavily in towns such as Aston (Birmingham), Wolverhampton, Wallsall, West Bromwich and Rochdale. Despite this there are still large numbers in the traditional towns of Brackley, Bicester, Newmarket and Banbury.

Roger Blinko,
New Zealand

Roger has recorded the 1911 Census results for the various spellings. He'll share this information with anyone who provides evidence of BFA membership e.g. Your membership number. He can be contacted at roger.blinko @ gmail.com

Thanks for putting so much time into this project, Roger.

Anne Burton