Social History

[Megan Roberts]

I wish the British censuses asked the sort of social history questions that the later USA censuses asked:

How old were you when you first married - that can tell you that there has been more than one marriage;
Do you own or rent your home?
What's its value or rent?
In addition to your job, what sort of industry do you work in?
How many hours a week do you work?
How many weeks in a year do you work?
What's your pay?
Any other sources of income?
The 1930 census wanted to know if you owned a radio set.

It certain helps build a broader picture of people's lives.

[David Benson]

I understand that the radio question was added to find out how many people could be contacted by public announcement should there be any war or other problem that people should be aware of.

[Megan Roberts]

I understand that the radio question was added to find out how many people could be contacted by public announcement should there be any war or other problem that people should be aware of.

So do you think that today's equivalent would involve Twitter and Facebook?