In 1832, following the introduction of the Reform Act, a register was retained of the electorate.

The franchise was extended again in 1867 and also in 1884, which meant that more men were able to vote. In 1918 women over 30 years and householders, or married to a householder, could vote in national elections. Eventually by 1928, after many decades of campaigning, all women over 21 years were entitled to vote.  

If eligible to vote, the Electoral registers can be used to indicate the period of time a person lived at the same address.