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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 Register Office - Historical Background == | == General Register Office - Historical Background == | ||
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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, for registering the same for British subjects abroad. England and Wales registration began on 1 July 1837 and later on, for British subjects living abroad, some records returned to England begin as early as 1790. For a brief list of all those registers of births, marriages and deaths affecting British subjects abroad, see Civil Registration of British Abroad (below).<br> | 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, for registering the same for British subjects abroad. England and Wales registration began on 1 July 1837 and later on, for British subjects living abroad, some records returned to England begin as early as 1790. For a brief list of all those registers of births, marriages and deaths affecting British subjects abroad, see Civil Registration of British Abroad (below).<br> | ||
=== | === '''Civil Registration: in England and Wales'''<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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*There were two marriage registers that had to be completed and signed by the parties. When a register was full, one copy would be sent to the Superintendent Registrar and the other kept at the church. In addition, quarterly copies of all marriages were sent to the register office and forwarded to the Registrar General. | *There were two marriage registers that had to be completed and signed by the parties. When a register was full, one copy would be sent to the Superintendent Registrar and the other kept at the church. In addition, quarterly copies of all marriages were sent to the register office and forwarded to the Registrar General. | ||
*Quaker and Jewish marriages were performed by Registering Officers and Secretaries of Synagogues, respectively. They were also required to deposit completed registers at the Register Office, and to forward quarterly copies to the Registrar | *Quaker and Jewish marriages were performed by Registering Officers and Secretaries of Synagogues, respectively. They were also required to deposit completed registers at the Register Office, and to forward quarterly copies to the Registrar Genera. | ||
{{Wikipedia|General Register Office}} Beginning in July 1837, registrars were required to register all births and deaths in their district. Since they were paid for every registration, that was incentive to make sure all births and deaths were recorded. An estimated 90 to 95 percent of births and nearly all deaths and marriages were reported. A new registration Act in 1874 placed the responsibility on parents to inform the registrar of all births, but this made no discernible difference to the rate of registration, which by 1875 was around 99 percent. If you cannot find a birth, marriage, or death record in civil registration, search church records. | {{Wikipedia|General Register Office}} Beginning in July 1837, registrars were required to register all births and deaths in their district. Since they were paid for every registration, that was incentive to make sure all births and deaths were recorded. An estimated 90 to 95 percent of births and nearly all deaths and marriages were reported. A new registration Act in 1874 placed the responsibility on parents to inform the registrar of all births, but this made no discernible difference to the rate of registration, which by 1875 was around 99 percent. If you cannot find a birth, marriage, or death record in civil registration, search church records. | ||
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{{see also|General Register Office for England and Wales}} | {{see also|General Register Office for England and Wales}} | ||
=== | === '''Civil Registration: Overseas British Citizens & Military Personnel'''<br> === | ||
Parliament passed legislation creating a civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths for English, Scots, Irish and Welsh subjects living abroad, or also known as British subjects abroad. Where registration in England and Wales began 1 July 1837, for those British and Irish subjects living overseas, registration began at differing time periods. <br> | Parliament passed legislation creating a civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths for English, Scots, Irish and Welsh subjects living abroad, or also known as British subjects abroad. Where registration in England and Wales began 1 July 1837, for those British and Irish subjects living overseas, registration began at differing time periods. <br> | ||
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*Indexes to all the above "Miscellaneous" series from 1826-1945 are found in RG43 | *Indexes to all the above "Miscellaneous" series from 1826-1945 are found in RG43 | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
=== Indexes at The Family History Library === | === Indexes at The Family History Library === | ||
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[To be added soon] <br> | [To be added soon] <br> | ||
FamilySearch's British (and Irish) collections in the Family History Library has obtained copies of available General Register Office indices. These may be ordered for and obtained for viewing and researching at any of its 4,600 FamilySearch Centers worldwide. | FamilySearch's British (and Irish) collections in the Family History Library has obtained copies of available General Register Office indices. These may be ordered for and obtained for viewing and researching at any of its 4,600 FamilySearch Centers worldwide. | ||
To view each index series, see Indexes to [[British Citizens Overseas and Military Personnel1627-1969]]. | To view each index series, see Indexes to [[British Citizens Overseas and Military Personnel1627-1969]]. | ||
== Information Recorded in Civil Registers == | == Information Recorded in Civil Registers == | ||
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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 | ||