Family History - The 1881 Census

Family History - 1881 Census.

The 1881 census was taken on the 3rd of April 1881.

This census is online, complete, and totally free of charge thanks to the Church of Latter Day Saints site here. Just click on the drop menu tab on the 'census' line and choose the 1881 census. Then fill in as much information as you want to. The results will depend on how common the name was, and may result in several hundreds or even thousands of results. Just because you believe you know the exact age of your family at that time, does not mean that they entered that age on the census. Illiteracy was widespread at that time, and not everyone would have known their exact year of birth. For this reason, always allow at least + or minus 5 years in the year range drop down menu.

The 1881 census is online at the official 'Find my past' website here. This is a pay per view site, and is a complete transcription of the census. You can also search the census for many other criteria, other than just names and addresses.

The 1881 census is also online at the Ancestry website, but it is also a pay to view. Visit the Websites page.

The most accurate way to access the 1881 census is to visit your local county or regional archives.

There is a 'Free Census' online website that eventually aims to have all of the censuses including the 1881, online free to search and view. You can access it here.

There are numerous part censuses online, and the best way to access these is via a search on Google (see search box below) using the search phrase "1881 census online", or whichever census year you are searching for.

Lots of family history societies have transcribed this census, which may be available on cd, and you should refer to the 'Societies' page (accessible via 'Finding Aids' button) to find a link to their websites.