Search Free Census Records Online
Find your ancestors in the U.S. census with these free online census records, census images, census indexes and census databases in our easy to use census directory.
U.S. Census Records
International Census Records
- Africa Census Records
- Argentina Census Records
- Australia Census Records
- Austria Census Records
- Canada Census Records
- Germany Census Records
- Native American Census Records
- Norway Census Records
- Russia Census Records
- Sweden Census Records
- United Kingdom Census Records
What is a census?
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. The United Nations defines the essential features of population and housing censuses as "individual enumeration, universality within a defined territory, simultaneity and defined periodicity", and recommends that population censuses be taken at least every 10 years.
Census records offer an abundance of details including:
- Birthplace
- Age
- Occupation
- Military service information
- Immigration date
- Names of family members
United States Census Types:
- Church Census
- Colonial Census
- Federal Census
- Indian Census Rolls
- School Census
- State Census
- Territorial Census
Substitute Census Records
Other records that show where people lived are:
- Directories
- Maps (especially plat and insurance maps)
- Tax Lists
- Voting Registers