Finding Free Census Records: Tips and Suggestions
There are several websites that provide access to census records. While truly free information is often limited, there are ways to maximize what you can access without spending money. Below, I’ll share the pros and cons.
Please keep in mind: Free access usually comes with limitations—such as fewer search options or incomplete records—but with the right approach, you can still uncover a wealth of valuable information.
🔍 General Tips Before You Start
Check the coverage years: Some sites specialize in certain time periods or countries.
Start with what you know: Full names, birth dates, places lived, and family members help narrow down searches.
Be flexible with spelling: Names were often misspelled or changed by census takers.
Use multiple sources: One record can lead to another.
FamilySearch
LCompletely free – registration required
How to use:
Create a free account.
Click “Search” > “Records.”
Enter names, dates, and locations.
Use filters to narrow down by census records.
Pros:
Massive database of U.S. and international census records.
Linked family trees and transcriptions.
Original images available for many records.
Tip: Use the “Collections” filter to search specifically in U.S. Census records (e.g., “United States Census, 1900”).
National Archives (NARA)
Free access to public domain records
How to use:
Visit the Census Research page.
Click on the decade you’re interested in (e.g., 1950).
Follow links to digital images or partner sites (some redirect to subscription services, but many are still free).
Pros:
Official U.S. government source.
1950 Census is fully digitized and searchable.
Research guides included.
Tip: Use the NARA Access to Archival Databases (AAD) for indexed records of certain years and military censuses.
Internet Archive
Free, public domain scans
How to use:
Search for “census [year] [state or county]”.
Download scanned microfilm records as PDFs or view online.
Pros:
Many original census microfilms.
Can be used as backup if you can’t access other databases.
Tip: Records here are often not indexed—use this for browsing or verifying info from other sites.
USGenWeb Census Project
Volunteer-transcribed census records
How to use:
Select your state > county > census year.
View transcribed data in text format.
Pros:
Fully free.
Great for local or rural area research.
Volunteer-powered with growing coverage.
Tip: Not all counties or years are complete. Cross-check with FamilySearch.
State and Local Libraries or Archives
Often free with a library card
Examples:
Digital Public Library of America (DPLA): https://dp.la
State archives websites (e.g., California State Archives)
Tip: Search for your state’s digital library or ask your local librarian for help accessing census resources.
Limited Free Options (With Workarounds)
Paid service, but the Library Edition is free at many libraries
How to access:
Visit your local public library.
Ask for access to “Ancestry Library Edition.”
Pros:
Full access to U.S. Census records.
High-quality images and search tools.
Tip: Save the record info and access the image later on FamilySearch if needed.
Genealogy Bank
Exploring Your Roots Through U.S. Census Records
Using the U.S. Federal Census database for research into your family history is a fantastic tool to travel through your ancestors’ past. Such documents stretch beyond mere explanation of migration and age to incorporating cultural values and traditions of the people who lived there.
U.S. Library of Congress
The Library offers many resources for researching your family history including historical newspapers, land ownership maps, tips on researching African American family histories and guides to the Library’s genealogy collections.
African Slave Records
African American genealogical research is different from other ethnic backgrounds. Because slaves were considered property, they were prohibited from reading, writing, attending school, legally marrying, owning land, owning a business, voting, and participating in many other activities that generate records on which much genealogical research is based.
