Ancestry
This guide will introduce you to Ancestry and show you how to carry out a basic search.
You can also print or download this Ancestry helpsheet PDF [732 KB]
Introduction
Ancestry is one of the most popular online resources aimed at family history researchers. It is available in your local library using the computers or on a mobile device when using library Wi-Fi in a West Sussex Library.
Logging In
Use your library card to sign in on a public computer in a library. Or type in the library website address https://libraries.westsussex.gov.uk on your personal device after connecting to the library Wi-Fi. From the library website home page click on the eLibrary (mobile device) icon.
Introduction
Ancestry is one of the most popular online resources aimed at family history researchers. It is available in your local library using the computers or on a mobile device when using library Wi-Fi in a West Sussex Library.
Logging In
Use your library card to sign in on a public computer in a library. Or type in the library website address https://libraries.westsussex.gov.uk on your personal device after connecting to the library Wi-Fi. From the library website home page click on the eLibrary (mobile device) icon.
Then click on eInformation in the drop-down menu to view the A-Z of resources.
From the A-Z of eInformation Resources, choose Ancestry.
To start, click the Search tab on the black toolbar at the top of the Ancestry page.
The best place to start is often the Census & Electoral Rolls. Make sure you select the U.K. Census Collection under Narrow by Category. You can either search all the UK censuses or select a specific year.
Enter the details of the person you are looking for in the search boxes. The less information you enter, the more results you will get. When you have filled out the boxes click on Search.
Shown below are the results of a typical search. The closest matches are listed first. Be aware that names are sometimes misspelled, particularly where there is more than one way to spell the name. To make sure that you have the right person, view the full entry by selecting the census heading for the person you wish to view.
Click on View others on page to see everyone who was living in the house on the day of the census.
Click the green View button to see the original document.
Click the green View button to see the original document.
Click the tools icon from the menu on the right-hand side to download and save the image, print it or email it to yourself.
This guide has been produced by West Sussex County Council Library Service ©2025.