Census records

[PurpleParis]

A silly question perhaps, but I thought Census records are public records, if so, then why do we have to pay to access them? I am trying to do some family research and am unemployed, so have no funds available. Are there any free sites? I mean really free....not free until you do a search and then they want money for the information?

[Rollo]

Most local and county record offices hold microfilm or microfiche copies of the census returns for their own areas. You can view the information there without paying.



Census returns can also usually be viewed at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' Family History Centres.

[dot.haukes]

census records are public records and it is free to search the released returns in person that have been filmed by the GRO.
However, the indexes as a whole that are accessible online have been purchased at great cost by various genealogical research companies, like ancestry.co.uk, findmypast etc. In many cases they have had to also transcribe AND index the returns supplied which all costs money. If they have bought the returns already indexed then that is mor eexpense for them.

They are businesses and have to charge. If you do want to search for free you can use the ancestry.co.uk library edition at your local reference library, you just need a library card.

also, the 1881 census index (which was a massive voluntary project carried out in the 1990s by volunteer transcribers and checkers under the direction of the LDS Church) is avialble to check free at familysearch.org, but remember it is a transcribed index only not the primary source

[Rollo]

You can also go to the National Archives at KEW if that is convenient for you.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/r dleaflet.asp?sLeafletID=326&j=1

[dot.haukes]

PurpleParis you should just go to your local library and start your research on the free ancestry.co.uk library edition, you can use the GRO index of birth and death and marriage from 1837 - 2002 for england and wales and the census returns for 1841 - 1901 for england and wales, it;'s easy and you can send anything you find to your home computer for checking later

[PurpleParis]

Thank you Dot and Rollo for your advice, much appreciated.

[Dodger666]

You can access the 1881 census at Ancestry.com or findmypast.com for free.
There are also free websites:-
freecen.org.uk (census),
freebmd.org.uk (births, deaths & marriages)
freereg.org.uk (Parish registers).

Of the three freebmd.org.uk is by far the most useful for finding records of births, deaths and marriages. None of them are complete but they are worth a look. Another very useful free website in the Mormon's familysearch.org