England Death Records
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How to Find England Death Records Using Guided Research[edit | edit source]
To find a death record, choose the county the death occurred:
- Don't know the county? — Go to England Guided Research
The England counties listed above are based on historic boundaries pre-1974. The records dating before 1974 are located within the information found in the historic counties. This practice better assists our patrons who are researching their ancestors before the modern time period.
Introduction to Death Records[edit | edit source]
In England there are two record types that can give death information, Church Records and Civil Registration.
Before 1837 only churches recorded birth (baptism), marriage, and death information in England (see England Church Records). In the early 1800s, Parliament recognized the need for accurate records for voting, planning, taxation, and defense purposes. Legislation was passed to create a civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths for England and Wales and, for registering the same for British subjects abroad. England (and Wales) registration began on 1 July 1837, and covered births, marriages, divorces and deaths. However one problem with English civil registration is that coverage was not universal, especially in the earlier years before tougher laws in 1874. Use Church Records in these cases.
Church Records - Before 1837[edit | edit source]
Church records are the main source for death information prior to 1837.
Although a nationwide order was given in 1538 that each parish keep a register of baptisms, marriages, and burials, many parishes did not start to keep registers until later and some early records have since been lost or destroyed. Beginning in 1598, birth entries from many parishes were copied and sent annually to the bishop of the area diocese. These copies are known as Bishop’s Transcripts or BTs.
Civil Registration - After 1837[edit | edit source]
Coverage and Compliance
In 1837, the government in England and Wales required all births, marriages, and deaths to be recorded. Initially, up to 15% of events were not recorded, but that did not last long. By 1875, registration was mandatory and there were penalties for non-compliance. Most events since 1875 are registered.
A birth had to be registered with the register office within 42 days. The law required all marriages to be recorded in a civil register immediately after the ceremony. Because a death certificate was required for burial beginning in 1837, almost all deaths were registered.
Content of Marriage Records[edit | edit source]
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Burials
A burial usually took place in the deceased’s parish within a few days after the death. Church of England parish register burial records usually contain:
- Burial date
- Name of the deceased.
- If the deceased is a child, the father’s name might be given.
- If the deceased is a married woman, the husband’s name might be given
- If the deceased is a widow, that may be noted.
- May give the sex of the deceased
The forms introduced in 1813 also called for:
- Age of the deceased
- Residence of the deceased
- Occupation of the deceased
- Minister's signature
Burial registers may mention infant children who were not christened, including stillbirths. Christening records never record stillbirths.
Civil Registration[edit | edit source]
A death certificate usually gives:
- death date and place
- full name of the decedent, their sex and age, their occupation (or for a child, usually the name of a parent)
- cause of death
- name, residence and relationship of the informant to the decedent
- date registered and the name of the registrar.
On certificates for adults, the names of parents are never given. In considering whether to order a death certificate, remember that the information on the certificate may be limited or inaccurate because it is based on the informant’s knowledge.