The individual is the basic element of these census returns. This provides us with a unique opportunity to glean information on the individuals or groups of categorized individuals. Below we can see what kind of information each column provides. In city census returns, there are a few additional columns which need not consern us here. The guiding prinsiple in our work is to be true to the source material.
All informations is written down exactly as it appears.
The exception to this rule is that a few of the data items are input in a standardized form, but this in no way interferes with the information value of the material. The parish registers NHDC transcribes baptism, confirmation, mariage and burial registers. The parish is the unit of registration. Compared to the censuses, the parish registers are noticeably larger. There are more data in each column than in the census returns.