We’re delighted to announce that you can now access the 1921 census from our library computers – for free! The 1921 Census is available through Findmypast and you will be able to explore to your heart’s content.

The 1921 Census gives a wonderful snapshot of life at that time with the details of over 38 million people on record. You can find out where your relatives lived, who they lived with, their age, marital status, where they were born, employment details and so much more.
 

The 1921 census will be the last to be released for the next 30 years as the 1931 census was destroyed in a fire and the 1941 census was cancelled due to the Second World War. 

For the first time you will be able to see relatives you may have known on the census. As with previous census forms, the details will have been written by a relative too which is always good to see.
  

Aside from the typical details required on a census form, the 1921 census added new features. Divorce could now be entered as an option under marital status by filling in a “D”. Another rather poignant addition, considering the timing of this census, was children under 15 could enter whether their mother, father, or both were dead. While previous censuses asked for occupation only, this census asked for name of employer and place of work too. Since 1919, women were allowed to enter professional occupations so it will be interesting to see this change on the census. The RAF were included on this census so family members stationed overseas can be found. 
 

The 1921 census was delayed because of industrial action at the time. The census was originally set to take place on 24 April but a coal miners' strike, due to wage reductions and mines being returned to private hands after the war, resulted in the census being delayed until 19 June. The census was taken for England, Scotland and Wales but not Ireland because of the ongoing Irish War of Independence which began in 1919.
 

The census will also reveal a marked change in demographics. Not only the extreme losses from the First World War and the Spanish Flu but the post-war baby boom will be evident too.