South Australian Census
1841
The official census of South Australia taken in early 1841 is the only SA census with surviving details. This searchable database gives arrival information for persons named in this census and also includes all others known to have been present in the colony before 1841 (except aborigines).
Searching the census and arrival information
From the drop-down list, select the type of search you require: Named in 1841 census to only search records containing at least one person named in the census, or Present in colony before 1841 to also include all other persons known to have been present in the colony, even though not named in the census.
If you do not get the expected results, read our more detailed help article on advanced searching of our databases.
1841 census notes
The major source of data for this database is the 1841 South Australia Census Returns, SA Archives, GRG24/13, which were reconciled against our passenger lists several years ago. These passenger lists are now being searched in a different way to reveal the previously existing census data.
In Adelaide and some country areas, only the head of each household was named and the number, sex and age group of other occupants were recorded. In other country areas, all occupants of each household were named and their sex and age group recorded. In Adelaide, the household's street name was usually included. A total of about 7,190 persons were named of the 15,440 counted,.
Wherever possible, the unnamed wives and children have been included in this database using the other sources listed with each search result. Note especially that arriving single persons may have married before the census. Births may also have occurred, affecting the numbers of children, as with any deaths of spouses and children.
Those who had arrived in SA by 1841 but were not named in the census may have already departed the colony, died, shared accomodation with a named person or simply have been missed by the census takers. Known births in this period are included in the group of all those present in the colony before 1841. Deaths in the colony are not taken into account.
German immigrants were counted but generally not named. Aboriginal persons were not counted, except in the Port Lincoln area.