Micro-Census Insights into Historical Households, Mortality and Fertility

Cambridge (UK), 6-17 July 2026

This advanced course on historical demography introduces students to analytical approaches using micro-census data. The course programme combines theoretical lectures with practical sessions, offering participants the opportunity to work with individual-level census datasets.

Using quantitative, spatial, and indirect estimation methods, we explore patterns in historical mortality, health, fertility, marriage, and migration.

Programme

Programme

Opening day event

6 July 2026 · Small Lecture Theatre, Department of Geography, Downing Site

Registration form for opening day event

• 11:00–12:30: An introduction to census-taking in Great Britain and the I-CeM project (Kevin Schürer, University of Cambridge)
• 12:30–13:30: Lunch
• 13:30–15:00: The Past, Present and Future of Census Microdata in the United States (J. David Hacker, University of Minnesota)
• 15:00–15:30: Refreshments
• 15:30–17:30: Flash talks from Summer School participants
• 17:30: Reception

Organisation and funding

The course is jointly organised by the European Society of Historical Demography (ESHD) and the Cambridge Group for the History of Population and Social Structure (Campop) at the University of Cambridge. It is funded by ESHD and the COST Action GREATLEAP (CA22116).

Local organisers: Hannaliis Jaadla, Alice Reid, Romola Davenport

• European Society of Historical Demography – www.eshd.eu
• The Cambridge Group for the History of Population and Social Structure – www.campop.geog.cam.ac.uk