Thrifty Thursday - Census for Free at Ancestry

Ancestry are celebrating Census Day 2011 by offering everyone the chance to search their indexes for free on Saturday, 27th March.  This is a one day only offer, and you can only look at the indexes for free.  This will give you basic information though - ages, birthplaces and family members.  If you want to look at the original images you will need to pay - either pay-per-view or subscription.

Is it worth it?  Yes, but as with all family history research, prepare yourself first (so get going NOW).  You will need:

1. Blank family tree forms (you can download from the internet)
2. The name(s) of relative(s) who were alive in 1901 - if you know their ages and where they lived, even better.
3. Start with the 1901 Census - if your relative was living at home, note down the names of parents.  If not, you may find their parents in the previous decade's Census.
4. Work back through the decades, adding to your tree as you go. 

Enjoy your Saturday!