Using the census for local studies
What is the census?
Every 10 years since 1801 (except 1941) a national census has been carried out in the UK, recording details about the population. This is a great source of information for researching your family history.
Learn how the census is carried out, what is measured, and how to compare results from different censuses with our frequently asked questions about the census.
Full census returns 1801–1901
Full details from census returns are made available to the public 100 years after the census has taken place. People's names were first recorded in the 1841 census.
Census summaries 1911–2001 (not 1941)
Summaries of information from census returns are made public until the full results can be released after 100 years. Many of the summaries for East Sussex are available in our libraries.
Buying and using 1901 census vouchers
You can search the 1901 census on the Internet free of charge, but may have to pay for some detailed information and images either by voucher or credit card.
Libraries sell vouchers for this service to use either in the library or at home. They are valid for six months from the date you first use them. Charges for paid information will be deducted from your voucher.
To use our computers free of charge, just bring along your library card or some identification. Find out about using computers and the Internet in libraries.
