Ancestry Introduces the Female Trailblazers Lost to History This International Women's Day

This International Women’s Day, Ancestry, the global leader in family history, is celebrating the introduction of the 1921 Census of England and Wales, providing access to the lives of women during a pivotal period. This comes as new research reveals that almost one in three Brits don’t believe women have received the recognition they deserve in history.

While almost half of Brits (46%) believe they have a good knowledge of 20th-century British history, Ancestry’s new research reveals a significant blind spot regarding the achievements and contributions of women who took remarkable steps to pave the way for gender equality in Britain.

A huge 96% of respondents were unaware of who Hilda Hewlett was; the first female British pilot. Similarly, 95% were unfamiliar with Noor Inayat Khan, a British resistance agent in the Second World War, and 93% failed to recognise Eleanor Rathbone; a social reformer, MP and long-term campaigner for family allowance, prompting the introduction of child benefits in 1977.

It is not only prominent female figures throughout history that are not recognised, but the milestones for women in our history too. Over four fifths (82%) were unable to state the correct year women first received the same voting rights as men (1928), with one in three (32%) believing this took place later between 1930 and 1959. Similarly, 85% were unaware of the year women were legally required the right to be paid the same as men for work (1970), and 28% mistakenly believed women were able to access contraception through the NHS, regardless of marital status as early as 1960, when in fact it was over a decade later in 1974.

This International Women’s Day, Ancestry empowers people to discover the untold stories of female ancestors. The newly added 1921 Census of England and Wales offers a detailed look at a pivotal moment in history, revealing the roles, achievements, and contributions of women in the years following World War I.

With more than seven in ten Brits (73%) expressing a desire to learn more about their family history, Ancestry’s newly launched 1921 Census makes uncovering those stories easier than ever. This comprehensive resource includes names, ages, addresses, and occupations, offering a fascinating glimpse into life in England and Wales at the time. Combined with Ancestry’s extensive database of over 60 billion records, users can now explore their heritage and uncover the stories of the women who broke barriers, paving the way for progress and the world we live in today.

Laura House, family history expert at Ancestry said, “International Women's Day is a time to honour the incredible contributions of women throughout history. These women, often unrecognised in history books and documentation, played a crucial role in shaping the world we live in today. With the addition of the 1921 Census to our platform, we hope to empower individuals to celebrate the remarkable women in their family trees and beyond.”

Ancestry’s 1921 Census, alongside 21 other collections including WWII Medal Index Cards, UK & Ireland Nursing Registers, The Midwives Roll 1904-1959, Women’s Royal Naval Officers’ Service Records and more will be available on Ancestry for free until Sunday 9th March.