Census and Parish Registers

Leicestershire Libraries hold a selection of Census Returns and Parish Registers for Leicestershire towns and villages. The following pages index these collections. The material is available to callers for research purposes and there are links to the opening hours of the libraries listed. You are advised to check with the holding library regarding the availability of the records before making a visit. We are unable to undertake research on your behalf.

Leicestershire Library Services also subscribes to a popular genealogy website known as Ancestry co.uk. You can use Ancestry Library Edition webiste in the library to trace your family history by using UK Census records from 1851 to 1901 as well as birth, marriage and death records and UK parish and probate records. For more information about this service visit our News & Events webpage.

The most comprehensive collection of records and for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland can be consulted at The Record Office, who also provide a Research Service (for a fee).

Census Returns in libraries

1901 Census

Copies of the 1901 Census for all of Leicestershire, Leicester City and Rutland are available for consultation on Microfiche at the following libraries; Coalville, Hinckley, Loughborough, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray and Oadby. A set is also available for consultation at the Leicestershire Records Office.

1841-1891 Censuses

Use the following A-Z index to find the place you are interested in.
The entry will then list details of which library has the returns and what dates they cover.

Holdings by place: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

The census returns are held by the following libraries. Please check to see which places they cover:

Barrow on Soar

Loughborough

Melton

Wigston

Census Returns and other records on Ancestry Library Edition

You can find all these records and much more to kick start your family history research:

England & Wales Census Returns from 1851 – 1901
England & Wales Civil Registration Index from 1837 – present
UK Parish & Probate Records
Pallot's Marriage & Baptism Index for England 1780 - 1837
U.S. Census Collection 1790 – 1930
Immigration Collection
Military Collection
Family & Local History Records
Ancestry World Tree
Ancestry message boards

Ancestry Library Edition is available within the library free of charge. To use this service:

You need to be a member of Leicestershire Library Services
You need a library card and a PIN to book the computer. You can book a computer either by visiting your local library or online.
Logon to: ·www.leics.gov.uk/reference to access Ancestry Library Edition
Use the Ancestry Library Edition Help guides to get you started using this resource.

If you are not a library member then visit your local library and ask a member of the library staff about joining the library.

Parish Registers in libraries

Please use the following A-Z index to find the individual parish you are interested in.
The entry will then list details of which library has the records, what records they hold and the dates covered.