How can I use this website?

Searching the database (index) is free. You can use this site to search the data for details of individuals, places, vessels and institutions. You can then view digital images of the original census pages and transcriptions of the data from the original pages. Certain images are free to view but for others you will need to pay.

For details of the charges see Census Charges

For details of how to pay see Payment Methods

For details about the Census see What is the Census?

About searching

You will only need a name to start searching but you may find that your search gives you too many returns. So for best results enter as much information as you can but take care to put in only the information you are sure about.

Remember the information you have may differ from that recorded in the Census returns. If you don't find the entry you are seeking leave out some of the facts you may not be sure about. For example:

• remove the place keyword (a person may not be in the area you expect them to be on census night),
• remove the age specified
• extend the age range that is searched.

Tell me about Wildcards, and Synonyms

You can use wildcard characters where you are not sure of the exact spelling (or where the recorded spelling may differ). To represent one or more characters use an asterisk ( * ), to represent a single character, use underscore ( _ ).

You can use Synonyms and abbreviations e.g. for John Jon, Jack and Jno. Where you provide a full forename the system will return matching synonyms and abbreviations. Therefore a search for 'John Brown' will also return all matching 'Jno Brown' records etc.