Anyone can view digital images of the 1921 Census of England and Wales for free on the premises at The National Archives at Kew. The original paper census returns are not available in the reading rooms. The paper records will be kept secure by The National Archives at their offsite storage facility and readers at The National Archives at Kew will be directed to the digital version. This is to ensure the preservation of the paper records for years to come.
In addition, the 1921 Census is free to view via Findmypast at the Manchester Central Library, on St Peter’s Square, Manchester, supported by the Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society helpdesk and the Archives+ Team, and at the National Library of Wales, in Aberystwyth.
For anyone accessing elsewhere, it is free to search the 1921 Census on Findmypast. Unlimited access to the records is available with a Findmypast Everything subscription or on a pay-per-view basis using Findmypast micropayments.
What about access in other libraries?
The 1921 Census is available as an add-on to Findmypast library subscriptions. Please check with your local library to see if they have added the 1921 Census to their subscription. Library patrons can view 1921 Census returns like any other Findmypast member, via a personal account with a Findmypast Premium subscription or pay-per-view micropayments. You cannot purchase a personal subscription or make micropayments on a library account. This is to ensure that credit card details cannot be shared or compromised when using public computers.
Libraries or organisations wishing to find out more about access to Findmypast and the 1921 Census can contact our subscription agent JCS Online Resources at [email protected] or call +44 (0) 1865 987211.