Dumfriesshire FreeCENsus Project

Welcome to the Dumfriesshire Free Census Project (FreeCEN), which is part of FreeCEN Scotland. The latter aims to provide a “free-to-view” online searchable database of the 19^th century Scottish census returns. In turn, it is part of the larger UK Free Census Project. For more information please read the Census Project FAQs.

Uploaded returns for various counties, including Dumfriesshire, may be searched in the FreeCEN UK database.

Project status

• The 1841 census is complete, online and searchable. With thanks to Tom Daly and his team of volunteers.
• The 1851 census has been transcribed and put online by the The Friends of the Archives of Dumfries and Galloway.
• We have recently started the 1861 census. Most parishes are available for transcription.

Volunteers are needed now!

All volunteers are welcome, including any who worked on Dumfries 1841 and would like to give transcription another go!

For information about becoming a volunteer, please contact me, . All you need is a PC with spreadsheet and CD drive. It doesn't matter where you live as long as you have access to email. We provide full support.

Please read over the help and information on the FreeCEN Scotland site and download or print anything you find useful. It’s also suggested that you check the National Library of Scotland website for a 19th century map of your area — see the links to the right.