What are some reliable sources for census information and birth records?

Question

Every source I've tried to follow through with, seems to need registration and payment of some form. I would really appreciate any help with establishing free sources. its likely this topic has been discussed previously but I haven't found the thread. If so please point me in the right direction. Would also be interested in how to find service records that don't require registration and payment. Thank you!!

Comments

Sources  vary by jurisdiction. Are you working in Wales, the United States, or New Zealand?

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Excellent question.

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Just started and its going to be a rather large project by the sounds of things. So far it would seem most my leads are Wales and Denmark. The united states lead has gaps that i cant bridge yet untill ive found more welsh information

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I added tags to your question to identify Wales and Denmark as places for which you need sources.

Answer 1

Familysearch.org has census information.

Comments

And

https://www.freereg.org.uk/

FreeCen.org.uk

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As Frank said, FamilySearch is very good. You do have to register but it is free. While in FamilySearch stick to the collections, rather than the Family Tree. Their Wiki is excellent and will give you more ideas on where to search.

Additionally, Cyndislist.com has a ginormous amount of links by category and country. It's not to be missed.

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Familysearch does require registration, but it's free and they don't use the registration to intrude into a person's life. I think the registration is intended to allow users to save personal information on the Familysearch website, but it's not necessary to save information there.

I know that https://www.freebmd.org.uk/ is a good resource for some parts of the UK, but I've never searched for records from Wales. It has sister sites for census data and parish records.

Answer 2

https://www.danishfamilysearch.com is a good source of Danish records. It's free but you do have to register.

Answer 3

LDS Family History Centers are located worldwide, and give you access to numerous subscription genealogy sites that you cannot access from the public Family Search website at home. If you follow this link you can see if there is one near where you live. https://www.familysearch.org/locations/centerlocator?c=76078

Comments

There is one of these near me, but I haven't gone yet. Always wondered if they try to sell you their god in payment for using this service. Is is more like a library, or are they going to try to convert me?

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I have used several in California including the big center at the Oakland Temple, and am a volunteer at the one closest to me (I am not LDS). No one will give you a religious pitch, and you will not get a visit from the missionaries. The FHC centers are very inviting, the volunteers will try to help with what ever you ask for. If you do not need help, you are free to work on your own.

My local FHC Center has a good relationship with the Livermore Amador Genealogical Society and over the years have jointly sponsored a number genealogical events for the public.

It is a great place to work, and I am grateful for the resources they have made available without cost to all of us.

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Well, that's nice to hear; thank you for taking the time to answer.

Answer 4

The Queensland BDM of Australia is free as are most BDMs in Australia.

This is the link to Queensland's and it is very easy to navigate.

https://www.familyhistory.bdm.qld.gov.au

Answer 5

For Denmark:

The original censuses and church books are available from several sources. the official web-site of the National Danish Archives is www.sa.dk/ao. Here you will find the original handwritten documents in scanned versions.

At ddd.dda.dk you will find a database free of charge of transcribed census records made  by volunteers.