About the 1921 census
The 1921 census sets the scene for a key point in history as it will be the last census release for 30 years, with the 1931 census lost in a fire and the 1941 census never taken due to the Second World War.
This collective reflection will offer us a glimpse into the lives of those recovering from the great influenza pandemic, women who had finally won the right to vote and how society has evolved over the years.
How you can view the census
The 1921 census is available on FindMyPast at a small cost. It is also available free of charge at The National Archives, Manchester Central Library and the National Library of Wales.
Search the 1921 census on the FindMyPast website
How much it costs
We have access through our Find My Past subscription and it is free of charge for library members.
Types of information the census contains
The 1921 census holds information on every household, vessel, institution and overseas residencies, merchant ships and Royal Navy ships that were part of England and Wales in 1921, including the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. It includes:
- full address of the property
- names of persons in each household
- relationship to head of household
- age (this was now required as years and completed months, rather than just years as in previous censuses)
- sex
- "Marriage or Orphanhood"
- place of birth and nationality for those born outside the UK
- occupation and employment
- number of children or stepchildren under the age of 16
- full or part-time education - principally for recording those at school or university, but could also include adults taking evening classes
For those aged 15 and over this field recorded if you were single, married, or widowed, and for the first time D was to be recorded for those whose marriage had been dissolved by divorce.
For those under 15 this recorded if both parents were alive, father dead, mother dead or both dead.
To be filled in by married men, widowers and widows, a total number followed by a cross in a box for each age that was applicable to a child or stepchild.