The aim of this book is to demonstrate both the difficulties and the opportunities which the accumulation of statistical information in economically advanced countries offers for studying nineteenth-century society in depth. The chief emphasis is upon quantitative methods of analysis. The main focus of the attention is the census – what information was required on census night; how the information was collected; how accurately and completely population characteristics were recorded, the problems which arise in attempting to use either the published census volumes or the enumerators' books; and the techniques which have proved useful in analysis. Related topics covered include the study of family structure, the use of information about occupation, the measurement of migration, criminal statistics, educational provision and sampling in historical research.