Family Tree, Genealogy and Census Records

I am new to family research.
How do I start?

1. Build

Build your family tree online even with just a few simple facts and the Ancestry Hints feature will help launch your journey of discovery.
2. Grow

Vast archives are quick and easy to search as you develop a rich family tree. Upload photos, attach historical records, record audio and add it all to your tree.
3 Share

Engage family members by sharing your tree with them to develop a collaborative family history archive for you and future generations.

Learn more about trees | View a sample tree Already have a tree? Upload your GEDCOM file

Video tutorials on family research from Tony Robinson

What have Ancestry members been doing this past week?

11,714,769 People added to family trees
25,975 Family stories submitted
273,968 Photos uploaded

What help can I get after I become an Ancestry.co.uk member?

Ancestry.co.uk is so much more than a repository of historical records. As a member you'll have access to various tools which are designed to work with your knowledge to create a rich, layered family history.

A family tree is only the start, Ancestry.co.uk includes archives and projects that enable you to uncover and document social history and your family’s role in it through records, photographs, stories, videos and more.

Membership also makes you a part of an international community dedicated to keeping our shared history alive. Through message boards, connections with other members, and the Ancestry World Archives Project, the history you discover can be preserved and shared for future generations.

There’s guidance at every turn, with a dedicated help section, how-to videos presented by Tony Robinson, a learning centre to ensure you get the best use of all the areas of the site and much more. To begin an incredible journey, click here and bring your family's past to life.

What historical records can
I find on Ancestry.co.uk?

There are currently over 4 billion records available to search. From historical censuses and parish records, to military records and passenger lists, your family's past is waiting to be discovered. Click on Ancestry Card Catalogue to begin a journey in the footsteps of your ancestors.

UK Census Records »

Explore the most comprehensive online collection of censuses from England, Wales and Scotland from 1841 - 1901. This archive is a great starting point for British family history:

1901 1891 1881 1871 1861 1851 1841 All

Birth, Marriage and Death Indexes »

An invaluable collection; Ancestry.co.uk has a complete index of the General Records Office (GRO) birth and marriage indexes for England and Wales from 1837 to 2005. GRO death records are currently being transcribed but are available to search by quarter.

Military Records »

Trace your family's contributions to world history and discover incredible tales of service and sacrifice. Archives waiting to be explored include: WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, British Army WWI Service Records, British Army WWI Pension Records, National Roll of the Great War, UK Soldiers Died in the Great War, even the video footage from WWII United News Newsreels...

Immigration & Emigration »

Directories »

Court, Land, Wills & Financial »

Newspapers & Periodicals »

International » US, Europe, Australia...

Go to What's New for our latest additions

FAQ

If I create a family tree on Ancestry.co.uk, can other people see it?

You can make your tree Public or Private. A Public tree allows all others to see your tree and all those listed within the tree (the exception is living people), you can choose if you want to link with another member tree. A Private tree will only provide possible matches with other trees and you will be notified of these matches, however no one can link or see your tree without your permission.

How do "Ancestry Hints" do the searching work for me?

Ancestry.co.uk will use the facts you enter in your family tree to search billions of historical records, photos and other family trees for missing details about your ancestors. The more you add to your tree, the more we can help you grow it. You’ll see hints ( ) in your tree when we think we’ve found match to one of your ancestors in our collections.

How Do Historical Records make it onto Ancestry.co.uk?

We never stop seeking out rich, original historical records. Working with governments, archives and content owners, we make the records easily accessible to you on Ancestry.co.uk. Using our patented digitalisation process, we make high-resolution digital scans of all the documents. Once the records have been digitally imaged, our indexing team transcribes the information into a format that makes it both searchable and easy to read. We then add the new records to Ancestry.co.uk.

What’s the difference between Ancestry.co.uk and Ancestry.com?

Both sites share the same wealth of historical records; however we encourage you to sign up with Ancestry.co.uk if your family is UK-based so you can enjoy membership packages specially tailored for UK customers and receive Newsletters and record updates from the UK.