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[[England]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png|go to]] [[England_Civil_Registration|Civil Registration]] | [[England]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png|go to]] [[England_Civil_Registration|Civil Registration]] | ||
[[Image:SomersetHousebyAnonpublAckermann&Co1836.jpg|thumb|right|250px | [[Image:SomersetHousebyAnonpublAckermann&Co1836.jpg|thumb|right|250px]] Civil registration is the government recording of births, marriages, and deaths. Civil registration records are excellent sources of names, dates, and places of births, marriages, and deaths. Because they are indexed and cover most of the population, English civil registration records are important sources for genealogical research. Learn more about using these records for family history from the [https://www.gov.uk/research-family-history-general-register-office GOV.UK website]. | ||
== General Historical Background == | == General Register Office - Historical Background == | ||
Before 1837 only churches recorded birth, marriage, and death information in England (see [[England Church Records]]). In the early 1800s, Parliament recognized the need for accurate records for voting, planning, and defense purposes. Legislation was passed to create a civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths for England and Wales and began on 1 July 1837. | Before 1837 only churches recorded birth, 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 began on 1 July 1837 and for those British subjects, abroad. | ||
<u>'''Civil Registration in England and Wales'''</u><br> | |||
*The jurisdictional basis of civil registration is the Registration District. Registration districts were based on the Poor Law Unions that were formed in 1834. Poor Law Unions contained groups of parishes that administered the new Poor Law system for that jurisdiction with a superintendent registrar appointed for each district. The district was divided into sub-districts, each with a Registrar of Births and Deaths. There would also be one or more Registrars of Marriages for the whole district. | *The jurisdictional basis of civil registration is the Registration District. Registration districts were based on the Poor Law Unions that were formed in 1834. Poor Law Unions contained groups of parishes that administered the new Poor Law system for that jurisdiction with a superintendent registrar appointed for each district. The district was divided into sub-districts, each with a Registrar of Births and Deaths. There would also be one or more Registrars of Marriages for the whole district. | ||
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==== Marriages ==== | ==== Marriages ==== | ||
A marriage certificate gives: | A marriage certificate gives: | ||
*marriage data and place | *marriage data and place | ||
*names of the bride and groom, their ages, their marital "condition" (single or widowed), their professions, and their residences at the time of the marriage | *names of the bride and groom, their ages, their marital "condition" (single or widowed), their professions, and their residences at the time of the marriage | ||
*names and occupations of their fathers (and often whether they were deceased) | *names and occupations of their fathers (and often whether they were deceased) | ||
*signatures or marks of the bride, groom, and witnesses | *signatures or marks of the bride, groom, and witnesses | ||
*also notes whether the bride and groom were married in a church (with the denomination given) and, if so, whether they were married by banns or by license. | *also notes whether the bride and groom were married in a church (with the denomination given) and, if so, whether they were married by banns or by license. | ||
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Because the marriage information found in the civil certificates of marriage, are an exact replica of the church registers of marriage, the records of the churches represent an original copy of each marriage certificate sent to the General Register Office. | Because the marriage information found in the civil certificates of marriage, are an exact replica of the church registers of marriage, the records of the churches represent an original copy of each marriage certificate sent to the General Register Office. | ||
FamilySearch has microfilmed or scanned millions of the 1837-1900 marriage records. To view these for the time period (usually pre-1900) and parish/chapel, search the Family History Library Catalog (online) under the name of the parish; click on Church Records to obtain the microfilm number for ordering to a [https://www.familysearch.org/locations FamilySearch Center] near you. | FamilySearch has microfilmed or scanned millions of the 1837-1900 marriage records. To view these for the time period (usually pre-1900) and parish/chapel, search the Family History Library Catalog (online) under the name of the parish; click on Church Records to obtain the microfilm number for ordering to a [https://www.familysearch.org/locations FamilySearch Center] near you. | ||
==== Divorces ==== | ==== Divorces ==== | ||
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Relatives of divorced persons may obtain information on divorces that occurred in the last 75 years by contacting: | Relatives of divorced persons may obtain information on divorces that occurred in the last 75 years by contacting: | ||
[[Image:First Avenue House, High Holborn, London.jpg|thumb|right|200px]] | [[Image:First Avenue House, High Holborn, London.jpg|thumb|right|200px|First Avenue House, High Holborn, London.jpg]] | ||
'''Principal Registry of the Family Division<br>'''Decree Absolute Section<br>First Avenue House<br>42-49 High Holborn<br>London WC1V 6NP<br>England | '''Principal Registry of the Family Division<br>'''Decree Absolute Section<br>First Avenue House<br>42-49 High Holborn<br>London WC1V 6NP<br>England | ||
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==== Deaths ==== | ==== Deaths ==== | ||
A death certificate usually gives: | A death certificate usually gives: | ||
*death date and place | *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) | *full name of the decedent, their sex and age, their occupation (or for a child, usually the name of a parent) | ||
*cause of death | *cause of death | ||
*name, residence and relationship of the informant to the decedent | *name, residence and relationship of the informant to the decedent | ||
*date registered and the name of the registrar.<br> | *date registered and the name of the registrar.<br> | ||