Free National Census Database

Are you looking to access UK Census records for free?

Search the FreeCEN website

FreeCEN contains all of our free census records; click now to search:


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. 

UK census information can provide the full name, exact age, relationship to head of household, sex, occupation, parish and county of birth, medical disabilities and employment status of an individual. 

However later census years contain the most thorough information, with marital status and relationship to the head of the household introduced as categories from 1851 onward. 

When researching your ancestors using census data, please remember that ages in years of individuals were rounded down to the nearest five up until the 1851 Census. 

For more information on the history of the UK census, visit the National Archives website.

FreeCEN volunteers are currently working on the 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, and 1891 census. 

FreeCEN1 is still around and will be until we get FreeCEN2 working at least as well.