The material here was transcribed by careful study of microfilmed copies of the original. It should be possible to compare this material with that which is published on Scotland's People, the magnificent official site which is such a credit to its authors; anybody researching specific forebears should definitely make the comparison. The main advantage of my transcription is for ease in tracing family groups and colateral lines; I have attempted to retain original orthography and will be happy to help to identify placenames etc.
Please feel free to make use of the material presented here, but (where appropriate) an acknowledgement of the source is always a pleasant courtesy.
Kevin Byrne 30th November 2006
Here is the introduction to the 1841 census: 1841 census summary and here is the actual census: 1841 census
Here is the introduction to the 1851 census: 1851 census summary and here is the actual census: 1851 census
A brief note upon the above: Notes upon the 1851 census
Here is the introduction to the 1861 census: 1861 census summary and here is the actual census: 1861 census
Here is the introduction to the 1871 census: 1871 census summary and here is the actual census: 1871 census
Here is the introduction to the 1881 census: 1881 census summary and here is the actual census: 1881 census
As we know, Colonsay had been subjected to dreadful problems since the mid-1840's - the potato famine was followed by smallpox, cholera, tuberculosis and scarlatina. The population plummeted and many folk fled to Canada, America and Australia. Others moved elsewhere in Scotland and thanks to the generosity of a well-wisher it is possible to see where they went. The following links lead to persons who were living elsewhere in Scotland in 1881, but who gave Colonsay as their birthplace:
1881 Colonsay natives in the Highlands and 1881 Colonsay natives in the Lowlands
Here is the introduction to the 1891 census: 1891 census summary and here is the actual census: 1891 census
Here is the introduction to the 1901 census: 1901 census summary and here is the actual census: 1901 census
Here is the actual 1911 census