Census records can show how a person’s life changed over time. Each census may include details such as age, birthplace, occupation, and household members.

Census Compare lets you view multiple census records for the same person side by side. This makes it easier to follow an ancestor across different census years and compare the details before adding information to your family tree.

Comparing census records can help you:

• Follow an ancestor across multiple census years
• See how households and locations changed over time
• Confirm details such as age, birthplace, occupation, or family members
• Spot differences or possible errors between records
• Decide which records belong to your ancestor and what information to add to your tree
  
  

Using Census Compare

Census Compare is available with an active Ancestry family history membership.

It appears when a person has multiple census records to compare, such as:

• 2+ census hints, or
• 1 census hint and 1 saved census record from the same collection

New, Undecided, and Accepted census hints count. Ignored census hints don’t.

To use Census Compare:

1. Go to your family tree and select a person with census records you want to compare.
2. In the person card, select Hints.
3. Under a census hint’s Review and Ignore buttons, select Compare to other census hints (if available).
4. Compare the census records and decide what information to add to your tree.
   
   

Tips

• Review census records from multiple years to see how a household changed over time.
• Look for consistent details such as birthplace, family members, or location.
• Small differences in age or spelling are common in historical records.
• Compare household members to help confirm that records refer to the same person.
  
  

Frequently asked questions

Why don’t I see Census Compare for someone in my tree?
Census Compare appears only when there are multiple census records available to compare.

You may see it when:

• The person has two or more census hints, or
• The person has one census hint and one saved census record from the same census collection.
  
  

Which census records are included?
Census Compare currently supports:

• U.S. Federal Census records
• U.K. Census records
  
  

Do I need to save a record before comparing it?
No. Census Compare can include census records that are:

• New hints
• Undecided hints
• Accepted hints
• Saved records from the same census collection

Ignored hints are not included.

Does Census Compare change my family tree automatically?
No. Census Compare doesn’t automatically add to or change your family tree. It just helps you review census records more easily.

You decide which information to save to your family tree.