The 1841 census is the oldest surviving census for Farnley, taken on the 7th June 1841. All the members of the household were listed, but their age, if over 15, was rounded down to the nearest five years (though some enumerators forgot to do this and entered the true age). Place of birth wasn't given nor was relationship to the head of the household.

The 1851 census, taken on the 30th of March, was a vast improvement, listing occupations, correct age, place of birth and relationships.

The indexes here vary as to material included. All include the Folio number enabling you to find an entry in the original census films.

The dates of all the censuses were as follows:

• 1841 – 6 June
• 1851 – 30 March
• 1861 – 7 April
• 1871 – 2 April
• 1881 – 3 April
• 1891 – 5 April
• 1901 – 31 March
• 1911 – 2 April
• 1921 - 19 June