CUMBERLAND - Census Returns 1801-1911

Availability and use of Census Records for Cumberland Family History research

This web page provides information about online resources for census research - transcriptions, indexes, searchable databases, &c. Select a year below, or start with 'All Years' and browse the whole page.

Original census returns are held by The National Archives and are not available generally for direct research, but copies on film or fiche are available at LDS Family History Centers worldwide. The 1841 and 1851 census are available at the Cumbria Archives Service, and for all parishes in Cumberland at Carlisle Library. Copies may also be available in the larger District Libraries in Cumbria, but please check availability with the Offices themselves before your journey. For more general information, see GENUKI's Census of England and Wales, and Barry Ruck's Census - Frequently Asked Questions (archived copy).

Census - Sources for All Years

• FreeCEN is an ongoing volunteer-based project to provide a 'free to view' online searchable database of the 19th century UK census returns. Volunteers are being sought to assist with transcribing - visit the FreeCen Project page to see each county's status as well as a FAQ for volunteers.
• Index of names, and downloadable images of Census 1841-1901 are available from Ancestry.co.uk. Access is by Annual subscription, or Pay-per-View. A subscription includes access to other Ancestry resources.
• Index of names, and downloadable images of Census 1841-1911 are also available from findmypast.co.uk. Access is by Annual subscription, or PayAsYouGo. A subscription includes access to other findmypast resources. Added 23 Feb 2010.

Census - Sources for 1911

• The 1911 census is available exclusively online from findmypast.co.uk. Searching is free and payment is required to view results. Payment options are PayAsYouGo, Vouchers or Subscription. A subscription can include access to other findmypast resources. Added 23 Feb 2010. 

  

Census - Sources for 1901

• Search the 1901 Census at FindMyPast (subscription).
• Free search by name of the 1901 Census at Ancestry.com. Access to images is by Annual subscription, or Pay-per-View. A subscription includes access to other Ancestry resources.
• The 1901 census is also available for searching at findmypast.co.uk.

Census - Sources for 1891

• Free search by name of the 1891 Census at Ancestry.com. Access to images is by Annual subscription, or Pay-per-View. A subscription includes access to other Ancestry resources.
• The 1891 Census is also available for searching at findmypast.co.uk.

Census - Sources for 1881

• Free search by name of the 1881 Census at Ancestry.com. Access to images is by Annual subscription, or Pay-per-View. A subscription includes access to other Ancestry resources. The index for this service is provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS); images are reproduced by courtesy of The National Archives.
• The same 1881 data is also available for searching free of charge at FamilySearch - Census Records, but without access to the digital images. It is also available for purchase on CD from various outlets.
• The 1881 Census is also available for searching free of charge at findmypast.co.uk.

Census - Sources for 1871

• Free search by name of the 1871 Census at Ancestry.com. Access to images is by Annual subscription, or Pay-per-View. A subscription includes access to other Ancestry resources.
• The 1871 Census is also available for searching at findmypast.co.uk.

Census - Sources for 1861

• Free search by name of the 1861 Census at Ancestry.com. Access to images is by Annual subscription, or Pay-per-View. A subscription includes access to other Ancestry resources.
• The 1861 Census is also available for searching at findmypast.co.uk.

Census - Sources for 1851

• Free search by name of the 1851 Census at Ancestry.co.uk. Access to images is by Annual subscription, or Pay-per-View. A subscription includes access to other Ancestry resources. Added 23 Nov 2005.
• The 1851 Census is also available for searching at findmypast.co.uk.
• Many portions of the 1851 census, as well as other material are published by the Cumbria Family History Society.

Census - Sources for 1841

• Free search by name of the 1841 Census at Ancestry.co.uk. Access to images is by Annual subscription, or Pay-per-View. A subscription includes access to other Ancestry resources. Added 10 May 2006.
• The 1841 Census is also available for searching at findmypast.co.uk.

Census - Sources for 1821

• Brief Notes from the 1821 Census for Cumberland, suggesting reasons for local population changes, transcribed by Alan Longbottom. Added 21 Jul 2005.

[The above information was transferred from the main GENUKI/Cumberland index page on 4 Sep 2005]