Starting today, September 2, through September 7, 2026 — MyHeritage is unlocking 928.4 million U.S. and Canada census records, free.
In honor of Labor Day, MyHeritage is opening its entire collection of US and Canadian census records — no subscription required — so you can trace exactly how your ancestors earned their living.
Search U.S. Census records for free
Search Canadian Census records for free
Why census records are a goldmine
Tucked into nearly every census schedule since the late 1800s is a column that tells a rich story: occupation. A record might show your great-great-grandfather was a “cooper” (barrel maker), or that an entire branch of your family worked the same mine for generations. These details recreate a world — showing what industries shaped your ancestors’ towns and how migration and economic shifts moved families from farms to factories to offices over time. Some records trace an entire industry’s rise and fall within one family — textile workers and telegraph operators giving way to mechanics within a single generation.
What’s included
From today through September 7, 2026, search free:
- 876.1 million records across 54 U.S. collections — every federal census from 1790–1950, plus state censuses
- 52.3 million records across 15 Canadian collections
Quick tips
- Start with grandparents or great-grandparents you already know.
- Follow the occupation column across multiple census years for the same person.
- Check the whole household — other family members’ jobs are listed too.
- Save what you find; free access ends September 7.
Free access runs today through September 7, 2026 only.
Search US Census records now
Search Canadian Census records now
