Family life: Census records
Our census records let you peek into your Victorian ancestors’ homes and discover the different generations of your family. Find names, ages, addresses and much more, every ten years from 1841 to 1911. Many of you will have grandparents or even parents who were alive in 1911, so try searching for them first.
Working days: Occupation records
Trace the effects of the Industrial Revolution and see how the jobs in your family changed, with our occupation records. We have detailed lists of postmen, railway workers, doctors and more. Before you try these specialist records, discover your ancestors’ occupations in census records, starting with the 1911 Census.
Migration & travel
Our immigration records let you follow the journeys of your seafaring ancestors, from the First Fleet in Australia to the Titanic. For more recent ancestors, the best place to start is our Incoming Passenger Lists, which reveal both immigrants and holidaymakers.
War heroes: Military records
Our military records let you discover your family’s heroes from both World Wars right back to the Battle of Waterloo. WWI affected every family in Britain, so you’re bound to find relatives in our Service and Medal Records.
Early ancestors: Parish records
Our parish records let you follow your family history through Georgian reform and the Civil War, all the way back to Tudor times. Because these are local records, it’s easiest if you have some idea of where your family lived.