Complete Guide To Family History Research
BIRTH, MARRIAGE AND DEATH RECORDS PRE 1837 - PARISH REGISTERS
What are they?
Parish registers began following a mandate issued by Thomas Cromwell in 1538 to the effect that records were to be kept of all baptisms, marriages and burials and stored in a 'secure coffer' (the parish chest). These records were often kept on loose sheets.
In 1598 a royal edict signed by Elizabeth 1 required all the details from loose sheets to be copied into bound volumes. In some parishes this was only done from the beginning of her reign and so some registers only begin in 1558.
What information might they give?
The information given is almost always very much more limited than that available on statutory certificates. In the early years there was little uniformity in the way records were kept and often only names and dates were recorded. Baptismal records often consisted only of the name of the child and that of the father. Before 1813, burial records usually give only a name and an age but may sometimes name the parents (in the case of a child) or the surviving spouse (in case of an adult).
Following an Act of Parliament in 1754 (Hardwicke's Act) marriage records had to be kept separately and were usually in printed volumes. From that date, entries usually recorded the name of the groom and the bride, whether they were bachelor, spinster or widowed, whether married by banns or by licence and the names of at least two witnesses.
Following a further Act of Parliament in 1813, standard printed volumes were used for recording births and burials, records became more standardised and are easier to search. Baptismal records subsequently include the abode of the family and the father's occupation as well as the name of the child and both parents. Burial records give the age of the deceased but do not always name the parents (in the case of a child) and it is not always recorded whether an adult was single, married or widowed.
You may see entries of 'private' baptisms. These were baptisms which took place at home, usually when a child was not expected to live. Illegitimate children were variously referred to as bastards, base born or natural children.
Where can I find them?
Parish registers are now almost always held in local records (archives) offices though it is always wise to check availability before a visit. They are usually on fiche or microfilm. The Society of Genealogists' Library in London holds a collection from across the whole country.
The main finding aid for parish register entries is the IGI (International Genealogical Index) which has been compiled by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS or Mormons). However, not all parishes are covered and not all entries are accurate. Family History Centres, run by the LDS, are able to order microfilms of many parish registers for a small fee, which are then available to view at the centres. This allows you to check the original entries, which may sometimes also contain additional information.
Although availability is extremely patchy, some registers have been transcribed, there are some written indexes and some are on CD. Some records are available online, on freeREG and on some pay sites. Some record offices are willing to sell microfiche copies of individual registers. Availability is constantly changing and it is always worth checking the website of the local family history society to see what records are currently available.
Older indexes include Phillimore's marriage indexes, Boyd's marriage index and Pallot's baptism and marriage indexes. Phillimore's marriage registers consist of transcripts from parish registers done in the late 18th and early 19th century. They are available on CD and some are online at www.thegenealogist.co.uk. Pallot's indexes are available on www.ancestry.co.uk and cover the years 1780-1837. They are most useful for the London area. Boyd's marriage index has entries between 1538 and 1840 and is available on www.originsnetwork.com.
There is a National Burials Index, which can be helpful, although coverage is patchy. It is available on CD and online at www.findmypast.com and www.familyhistoryonline.net. Don't forget - If you are having difficulty locating possible records; ask for help on Ancestry Aid's 'Request Help' forum.
Uses and limitations
Parish registers are the main source of information for family historians before statutory registration began and census information became available. Searching them can be exciting as well as frustrating. You may be lucky and find a parish where records were good and extra information was recorded. You may see your ancestor's signature on marriage records.
Inevitably some records are missing or damaged. Human error occurred then, as now, at all stages of the process. Early records in particular may be very difficult to read. Baptism, marriage and burial records are often recorded in the same book and may be intermingled on the same page, making them difficult to search.
In the majority of cases, only the date of baptism is recorded, not the date of birth. Some baptisms took place long after the birth. It is not uncommon for several children from the same family to be baptised at the same time. The baptism records of illegitimate children may include the name of the father, but more often do not.
If there is no index available and you do not know the name of the parish where the event occurred, you may face a long and possibly unsuccessful search. Sometimes there are several entries of the same name in the same parish at around the same time, without any clue as to which is your ancestor.
Written By Ancestry Aid Member: Gillian
Bishops' Transcripts
Top Of PageBishops' Transcripts are copies of the parish registers which were sent to the local bishop. These commence about 1598 and they are useful for the genealogist where the original parish records have been lost. Not all Bishops' transcripts have survived and where they have, there may be discrepancies between the information in the original registers and that which was sent to the Bishop. The Bishops' transcripts rarely extend beyond the middle of the 19th century and non exsist for The Commonwealth Period from 1649 to 1660.
Uses and limitations
The transcripts available to genealogists are themselves copies of the originals therefore further mistakes could have been made during transcription. If both the parish records and the bishops' transcipts are available it is best to compare them. Both types of records may have additional notes that are not on the other.
Where can they be found?
They can be viewed at the Counties record offices. They can be purchased on microfiche from some record offices. Family History societies may also have records for their area.
Written By Ancestry Aid Member: Starlight
MARRIAGE BONDS AND ALLEGATIONS
Top Of PageWhat are they?
Most marriages took place after banns had been called in the parish church for three consecutive weeks. However, some couples married by licence which meant that calling of banns was not required (often either because they wished to marry quickly or away from their own parish). The couple applied for a licence by submitting an allegation (a sworn declaration that there was no impediment to the marriage) and a bond (a sworn document by a bondsman that there was no impediment to the marriage and also provided a monetary guarantee).
After 1823 a bond was no longer required to obtain a marriage licence.
What information might they give?
- The name of the bride and groom
- The name of their parish.
- Their ages and occupations.
- Parents were also named if either party was under the age of 21.
- The name and occupation of the bondsman is also given.
Where can they be found?
They are generally to be found at local records offices.
Uses and limitations
These records usually give additional information to that available on the marriage record. The bondsman was often a relative, which may give further clues in searching for family members. Very early marriage bonds were written in Latin. The existence of a marriage bond does not necessarily mean that the marriage took place. Only a small proportion of couples were married by licence.
Written By Ancestry Aid Member: Gillian
NONCONFORMIST REGISTERS
Top Of PageWhat are they?
They are the records of denominations that did not conform to the beliefs and practices of the Church of England, for example, Methodists, Baptists, and Quakers. Although nonconformists usually had their births, marriages and burials recorded in the Church of England parish registers, from the late 18th century onwards they often kept their own registers. From 1754 (Hardwicke's Marriage Act) to 1836, only marriages within the Church of England were legally valid, though Quakers and Jews were exempt from this legislation.
What information might they give?
Nonconformist records often contain more information than available on parish records. Births and deaths are recorded as well as baptisms and burials. There is often more information about parents including the mother's maiden name.
Where can they be found?
Most are to be found at local records offices. The local family history society may hold records for their area. Many nonconformist records are indexed on the IGI. There is some further coverage on the BVRI (British Vital Records Index) which is available on CD. Some records are held on microfilm at the National Archives. Some registers are now online at www.BMDregisters.co.uk
Uses and limitations
Nonconformist BMD records may contain more information than given in parish records and so can be invaluable to family historians. Many of the records have not survived. These congregations were often persecuted and at times may have been meeting illegally. They may have met secretly in houses rather than in churches. In these circumstances records were often patchy.
Written By Ancestry Aid Member: Gillian
BIRTH, MARRIAGE AND DEATH RECORDS (post-1837)
Top Of PageSTATUTORY REGISTERS
Civil registration of births, marriages and deaths began on 1 July 1837. There was no penalty for failing to register an event until 1875. Births, marriages and deaths are recorded at local Register Offices and copies are sent to the General Register Office each quarter where they are integrated into the national indexes.
How can I obtain a certificate?
It is not possible to view the original certificate but you can obtain a copy. To do this you first need to find the reference in the indexes. A good starting point for searching the indexes is www.freeBMD.org.uk which contains transcribed entries from 1837 to approximately 1929, with more being added regularly. The coverage is good, but not complete. When searching for a marriage, click on the page number of a possible entry and you see the other people listed on that page, which should include the name of the particular marriage partner. From the March quarter of 1912, the spouse's surname is included in the indexes.
Some libraries hold microfilm or fiche copies of indexes which you can search free. The indexes are also available on some pay sites such as www.findmypast.com, www.ancestry.co.uk, www.bmdindex.co.uk and www.familyrelatives.org. You are able to access the ancestry site free at some reference and family history libraries. All indexes are free to search from 1984.
The index reference consists of the quarter, year, name, registration district, volume and page number. It will look something like this: John Smith, birth March 1862, Leicester 7a, 423. From the September quarter 1911, birth indexes include the maiden name of the mother. From the March quarter 1866, a death index will usually include the age of the deceased, from the June quarter 1969, the date of birth of the deceased is recorded when known.
To see the full details you almost always need to buy the certificate though you may find the event in parish registers, or, if you are very lucky, a local family history society may have relevant transcriptions. Don't forget to check the free bmd records on Ancestry Aid and the links, hints and tips forum for possible sources of free information. You can obtain a certificate from the local Registry Office where the event took place. You may find it easier to order a certificate online at www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/. You can also order by phone or post.
What information might they give?
Birth certificates
They should give you the name of the child, the date and place of birth, the home address, the names, ages and occupations of both parents and the mother's maiden name. This information should help you to find the parents' marriage record.
Marriage certificates
They should give the date and place of the marriage, the names, ages, addresses and occupations of both bride and groom and the names, ages and occupations of their fathers. Sometimes instead of an exact age you will find 'of full age' or 'a minor', meaning over 21 and under 21 years old respectively. There will also be the names of two witnesses. The information on the certificate should help you work back to find birth records and an earlier generation.
Remember that information given may not always be accurate. If the father is deceased, this should be recorded, but sometimes it is not. Illegitimate children not infrequently invented a father for the purpose of the marriage record. Ages may be 'adjusted', for example, in the case of a woman marrying a younger man.
Death certificates
They should give the name of the deceased, the place and cause of death, their address and the name of the informant. Although from the March quarter of 1866 the age of the deceased is recorded, this may not always be accurate as the informant may not have known the correct information. From the June quarter 1969 onwards, the date of birth of the deceased is given where known.
Why am I unable to find a record and what can I do?
- Not every event was registered, particularly in the earlier years. It is worth checking the parish registers and burial indexes for missing records.
- Remember it is the date of registration which is indexed, not the date of the event, for example, a child born near the end of December may have been registered in January of the following year.
- A death may be registered in a different district from the place of burial.
- Remember the registration district is not the same as the place of birth, it covers a wider area. If you have a place of birth, check which registration area it comes under.
- Remember county boundaries and names have changed at various times and some places near the boundaries may appear in different counties at different times.
- Spelling of names was not always standardised. Consider possible variations and use the phonetic search surnames option on freeBMD.
- Not everyone is known by the name they were given at birth. A second name or a diminutive or even something quite different may be used. Keep an open mind and check details against census information. Remember Bessie may be Elizabeth, Peggy may be Margaret, Jack may be John.
- Your ancestor may have been born with a different surname from the one you know him/her by. His birth may have been illegitimate or his mother may have remarried. Keep an open mind and look for possible deaths and remarriages. If names are sufficiently distinctive it is possible to do a first name search on freeBMD if you keep the time span short, for example, you could search for Alexander James? born March 1878 in Nottingham.
- According to the circumstances, consider checking Scottish records, deaths at sea etc.
Written By Ancestry Aid Member: Gillian