By Lauren Kuntzman
2022 is a banner year for census records! Not only will we be able to access the 1950 Census of the United States, but the 1921 Census of England and Wales has recently become available, too! The 1921 Census of England and Wales is currently only at FindMyPast. While MCDL offers FindMyPast, there are some limitations to accessing these new records. Learn more in the five Frequently Asked Questions below!
1) What can I learn from this census?
This census can provide vital details about an individual’s name, age, and birthplace. It can also help document an individual’s relationship to the people with whom they lived and the address where they resided. For children, it can provide details about their parents (including if the children had been orphaned) and their schooling. Other details include an individual’s occupation and possibly their employer or workplace. One’s nationality might also be documented in census records.
Looking beyond individuals, the 1921 census gives us as a snapshot of England following WWI and the Spanish Flu Pandemic, which had a major impact on households and the workforce.
It's important to note that the 1921 census is the last census available for England and Wales until the 1951 census is released in 2051. (The 1931 census was destroyed by fire, and the 1941 census was never taken due to WWII.)
2) Who is included in the 1921 Census of England and Wales?
The 1921 Census of England and Wales includes more than just inhabitants in those two countries. Other individuals enumerated included…
Inhabitants of the Channel Islands
Inhabitants of the Isle of Man
Members of the British Armed forces (including those serving overseas)
Foreigners like tourists, diplomats, or immigrants en route to their new country
People on ships docked at English or Welsh ports on census night or soon thereafter
3) Who is NOT included in the 1921 census?
Scotland, Ireland, and Northern Ireland aren’t included in this census. A census of inhabitants of Scotland was completed in 1921, but these records will be released on a different website (ScotlandsPeople) later this year. Censuses of Ireland and Northern Ireland were not completed in 1921, due to the Irish War of Independence.
4) How can I search the 1921 census?
You can search the 1921 census at the library. Just visit https://www.findmypast.com/1921-census from any library computer.
You can begin with a name, birthyear, and/or birthplace of your relative, but I recommend trying the advanced search features. Here’s an example:
I searched for my great-great uncle Harold Lawton. From previous research, I knew he was born around 1913 and that his mother’s name was Florence and his sister’s name was Ivy.
First, I searched with just his name (selecting the option for name variants). It returned 2,004 results!
I needed to narrow that down a bit, so I added his birthyear +/- 1 year (to give the search a little room for errors). It narrowed down my results to 107. (That's getting a lot more manageable!)
Lastly, I added his mother’s first name as another person living in the home. My results were narrowed down to just 12.
To determine which Harold Lawton was my relative, I clicked on the little icons at right, to get a few more names of individuals living in the household. Since the first result included an individual named Ivy, I knew I had the right person.
5) How can I view the original records?
Viewing the actual records, has a couple of additional steps. Unfortunately, this part can’t be accomplished from the library.
First, you’ll need to create a free account and log in to it.
Then, recreate your search and select the individual in which you’re interested.
Lastly, you’ll have to pay a fee to view and download the image(s) of the census page. Once you click on the transcript/document icon at right (see screencap above), it will bring up an option to purchase either or both (see screencap below). Fees are around $5 and you can pay with a credit card or through PayPal.
Quick note: If you're wondering why there is a fee to view the image, it is because FindMyPast undertook the expenses of conserving, digitizing, transcribing, and hosting these records. Fees for each record help cover their costs.
After the fees are paid, your purchase includes an image of your ancestor's census record, plus an image of the cover of the volume of the census they are in, as well as maps and other details about the enumeration district. Be sure to click on "Extra (Address)" to access these features.
Also, be sure to download copies of the images to your computer. If you have a family tree on FindMyPast, you can attach them to an individual there as well.
Bonus Question! Where can I learn more about these records or other censuses of the British Isles?
FindMyPast has many helpful resources. Read more at…
FindMyPast’s 1921 Census “Learn More” page (scroll to the bottom)
You can also register to attend the MCDL Genealogy Team’s spring Genealogy Slam event, which will focus on census records. Register at https://mcdl.info/slam.
Looking for more opportunities to learn about local and family history? Check out our Medina County Ohio History Events calendar.
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