Census facts:
A pregnant pause - Population
In 1871, Scotland has a growing population. The birth rate is 35 per thousand, with a death rate of around 22 per thousand. The Education Act of 1872 makes it compulsory for children to go to school. No longer able to work at a young age, children represented more of a financial burden for poor families in the Victorian era.
*From the 1871 Annual Report
A very long queue - Health
Scotland’s doctors are stretched to the limit. In Glasgow, one doctor could have as many as 20,000 patients, and have to make 3,000 home visits in a year.
*Scotland's Census doesn't record health care details.
A hard lesson to take - Culture
In the late 19th century, juvenile delinquents and destitute children are sent to industrial schools. The variable standards in these schools are shown in one chilling statistic: 45 deaths in Scottish Industrial schools were recorded in 1871.
* Scotland’s census doesn't record industrial accidents.
Contemporary historical facts:
18 January 1871 – Otto Von Bismark, the prime minister of Prussia, unifies the 16 independent German states to create the modern country of Germany.
30 November 1872 - the first international football match between Scotland and England is played, the score ending 0-0.
10 March 1876 - Scottish inventor Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone.
1871 – Scotland hosts and wins the world’s first recognized rugby international against England.