FAQs
The 1942 fire
A devastating fire destroyed the individual returns for the 1931 Census in England and Wales on Saturday 19 December 1942.
Is the 1931 census available? ›
Unfortunately, the 1931 census for England and Wales was destroyed by fire in 1942, and no census was taken in 1941 because of the Second World War.
How far back do British census records go? ›
In England, the government censuses have been taken every ten years since 1801. The first four censuses, 1801 through 1831, were taken strictly for statistical purposes for the Overseers of the Poor and substantial households. The first census listing people by name was taken in 1841.
Where can I view the 1930 census for free? ›
The 1930 census is partially available in the National Archives Catalog here and fully available online at Ancestry.com (free at most public libraries and at NARA facilities) and FamilySearch.org (free after creating a free account).
Where can I view the 1931 census? ›
Library and Archives Canada completed this project in collaboration with FamilySearch and Ancestry. Search the 1931 Canada Census on FamilySearch today.
Is the 1939 register available on Ancestry? ›
A version of the 1939 Register is also available at Ancestry.co.uk (charges apply), and transcriptions without images are on MyHeritage.com (charges apply).
Was there a 1941 census? ›
In the UK, censuses have been taken on a given census day every ten years since 1801, with just one exception. The 1941 Census didn't happen due to the Second World War.
Why are some names blacked out on the 1939 census? ›
Update us. While searching you'll notice that some records are marked as 'officially closed'. This is down to privacy regulations preventing us from publishing records of anyone born less than 100 years ago and still alive.
What is the oldest census available to the public? ›
The United States has collected data about its population since 1790 and continues to collect data every 10 years. Currently, the National Archives has the 1790 to 1940 census records available to the public. In addition to the censuses conducted by the federal government, many state censuses have been conducted.
Can I view uk census records for free? ›
FreeCEN offers a free, online database of the 19th century UK census returns. The first UK census took place in 1801, and occurred every ten years throughout the 19th century.
The General Register Office ( GRO ) for England and Wales holds records for all births, marriages and deaths registered in England and Wales from 1 July 1837. These records can help you find more information about your ancestors, your family tree and your family history.
Why is there a 72-year rule on the census? ›
The law, passed in 1978, was an outgrowth of an agreement between the Census Bureau and National Archives. For privacy reasons, access to personally identifiable information contained in decennial census records is restricted to all but the individual named on the record or their legal heir for 72 years.
Why isn t the 1921 census free to view? ›
The cost of creating digital images from the paper originals, transcribing those records, and building the infrastructure to present the images and data to the general public is beyond the resources of The National Archives alone.
What happened to the 1930 census? ›
Do the original records exist? No. After filming the census in 1949, the Bureau of the Census destroyed the originals. The 1930 population schedules are reproduced as National Archives Microfilm Publication T626 (2,667 rolls).
Is the 1940 census free? ›
Is there a fee to search or download the 1940 Census? No. The Population Schedules for the 1940 Census are available for free through the National Archives Catalog. Users can download the results of their searches.
What happened in 1931 in the UK? ›
26 January – Winston Churchill resigns from Stanley Baldwin's shadow cabinet after disagreeing with the policy of conciliation with Indian nationalism. 29 January – for the fourth time in nine years, there is a fatal underground explosion at Haig Pit, Whitehaven, in the Cumberland Coalfield, killing 27 people.
Why is the 1921 UK census not on Ancestry? ›
Why isn't the 1921 census on Ancestry? The 1921 England and Wales census records aren't currently available on Ancestry because the National Archives has signed an exclusive deal with Findmypast .
What was the population of England in 1931? ›
1931 Census – taken 26th/27th April 1931
The population of England was shown as 39,952,377 (up from 37,886,720 in 1921) and the population of Wales was shown as 2,593,332 (down from 2,656,504 in 1921).
