There are many types of information you can make use of when researching your family tree and finding out more about your past, many of which may be accessible if they are in the public domain. Census data gleaned from national and local government sources can be among the most important finds for family historians, allowing you to find out critical details about your ancestors and relatives that could open up new branches of investigation.

Census data can be found in several places, including libraries and other council buildings. Contacting your local library and asking whether they store searchable census records is a good starting point, or your library may have a subscription to major genealogy websites that contain this information. It will usually be necessary to have a library card in order to make use of these services. If your local library lets you down, try other libraries in your area, such as academic libraries if you live near to a university or college.

Full censuses are typically carried out every ten years, though this may vary during certain times (such as wartime). Census data is initially collected on a local or regional basis before being collated as national records, and basic information such as a person's name is usually a matter of public record, though for older censuses you may also be able to glean information such as their address, age and details of spouses and children.

There is an in-built problem with using census data to research your genealogy however - namely that you will already need some basic information about the people you're searching for, as it's unlikely you will be able to track people down through blind searching. Using your surname may not be reliable if the name is relatively common in your area, or if you are uncertain if your paternal ancestors even lived in this area prior to a certain time in the past. Compiling a list of names of known ancestors and their areas of residence should at least give you something to start with.

There are other types of records that could be useful in your search too, including military records if you think your ancestors may have spent time in the services. Records of births, marriages and deaths may also be publicly accessible and are among the information offered through dedicated genealogy websites, which offer a range of resources to get you started and take you through the rewarding process of family research.

Fiona Roy writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.