Population of a place in the 17th century? (find, free, Ireland)

[Sally_Sparrow]

So, census taking wasn't a regular thing until? Later on anyway.

I am wondering if there's a way to find out what the population of a given town, county, etc., might have been back before it was all officially recorded.

In this particular instance, I am wondering what the probable population was in Enniskillen, in Ireland, in the mid 1600's. I have traced 2 different ancestors (one on my mom's side, one on my Dad's) to that same place and time and it makes me wonder how many people lived there at the time and what the likelihood was that these 2 families were known to each other. Just curious.

[bjh]

One thing that comes to mind is the historical books about communities that were published, often in the 1800 or early 1900s. They might give some idea of growth in the past, but it would be pretty hit and miss. Must be other historical sources though.

[in_newengland]

You could try the links on Rootsweb for the UK and Ireland. If they don't have it nobody will.

They will usually have links to the towns. I know for England there wasn't a census until the 1800s and in the US what was it? 1790 or so?

[nightbird47]

The English had a yearly tax list, which included the count of all tenants and free residents and every life event was recorded in the parish books. I've seen listings for ancestors in the 1500's and one earlier. I know Ancestry has some of these, and some are listed from other than the parish records.

I assume if the same system was in place there would be a yearly local cencus in Ireland as well.

[Vectoris]

Sally, I can't answer your question but you may find this an interesting read... it's available as a download on ebooks.com as well - It's called The History of Enniskilen.

Full text of "The history of Enniskillen with reference to some manors in co. Fermanagh, and other local subjects"