We’re pleased to announce that the 1921 England & Wales Census is now available to search on MyHeritage. This release includes 38 million records, providing an extraordinary view of life in Britain just after the First World War.
Taken on June 19, 1921, the census recorded every household in England and Wales, listing names, ages, relationships, occupations, and birthplaces along with employers and addresses. It’s the most recent U.K. census available to the public — and will remain so until the 1951 census becomes available in 2052, because the 1931 census records were destroyed in a fire and no census was conducted in 1941 due to WWII. This makes the 1921 census an essential resource for anyone exploring family connections from the early 20th century.
The 1921 census was taken at a moment of change. Families were rebuilding after the war, women were entering new professions, and social and industrial life were being reshaped across the country. The collection offers valuable insight into how people lived, worked, and adapted to those shifting times.
The full index is searchable on MyHeritage, this collection will help you add new depth and detail to your family tree.
Search the 1921 England & Wales Census now
Famous figures found in the 1921 census
Some of history’s most familiar names appear among the millions recorded that summer. These examples show how the census captures real lives behind public legacies.
Agatha Christie
The 1921 census records Agatha M. Christie, already describing herself as a “novelist.” Then 29 years old and newly successful with her first published book, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha appears as a visitor at Clewer Mill House in Berkshire, away from her husband Archibald, who was serving with the Air Ministry. Her birthplace is listed as Torquay, Devon, and her occupation stands out as an early sign of her lifelong career. It’s a remarkable entry that captures the world’s best-known mystery writer just as she was stepping into literary fame.
Virginia Woolf
Another fascinating entry is that of Adeline Virginia Woolf, recorded at Monk’s House, Rodmell, in Sussex with her husband Leonard Woolf. Her occupation is listed simply as “author,” and Leonard appears as the respondent. Two servants, Nellie Boxall and Lottie Hope, complete the household — both names familiar from Woolf’s diaries and letters. This record places Virginia at 39 years old, working on Jacob’s Room and preparing to publish the novels that would shape modern literature.
Beatrix Potter
The census also records Helen Beatrix Heelis, better known as Beatrix Potter, living at Castle Cottage, Claife, Lancashire with her husband William Heelis.
She is described as a “farmer,” with William listed as the respondent. By 1921, Potter had moved away from children’s publishing to focus on farming and land preservation in the Lake District — work that later helped lay the foundations for the National Trust’s stewardship of that landscape.
This entry, which shows her as a 54-year-old farmer from South Kensington, captures her second life beyond literary fame.
Accessing the collection
Searching the collection on MyHeritage is free. Viewing full records or saving them to your family tree requires a Data, Complete, or Omni subscription.
If you have a family tree on MyHeritage, MyHeritage’s Record Matching technology can automatically identify potential matches between draft cards and individuals in your tree.
Why these records matter
The 1921 Census connects names with moments in history allowing us to see how they lived, where they worked, and who they shared a home with. Search the 1921 England & Wales Census on MyHeritage to uncover the stories of your own relatives.
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Source: My Heritage