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Because they are indexed and cover most of the population, English civil registration records are important sources for genealogical research. | Because they are indexed and cover most of the population, English civil registration records are important sources for genealogical research. | ||
== General Historical Background == | |||
Before 1837 only churches recorded birth, marriage, and death information in England (see the "[[England Church Records|Church Records]]" section of this outline). In the early 1800s, Parliament recognized the need for accurate records for voting, planning, and defense purposes. Legislation was passed to create civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths for England and Wales, which began on 1 July 1837. | Before 1837 only churches recorded birth, marriage, and death information in England (see the "[[England Church Records|Church Records]]" section of this outline). In the early 1800s, Parliament recognized the need for accurate records for voting, planning, and defense purposes. Legislation was passed to create civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths for England and Wales, which began on 1 July 1837. | ||
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The jurisdictional basis of civil registration is the registration district. Each county is divided into districts. Each district has a superintendent registrar. He (or she) registers the births and deaths reported by informants. | The jurisdictional basis of civil registration is the registration district. Each county is divided into districts. Each district has a superintendent registrar. He (or she) registers the births and deaths reported by informants. | ||
An officiating minister or other responsible official registers marriages: | An officiating minister or other responsible official registers marriages: | ||
*Copies of marriages performed by Church of England ministers are sent quarterly to the district office and the original marriage registers are kept at the parish church. | *Copies of marriages performed by Church of England ministers are sent quarterly to the district office and the original marriage registers are kept at the parish church. | ||
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Beginning in July 1837 all births and deaths were to be reported to the registrar. An estimated 90 to 95 percent of births and nearly all deaths and marriages were reported. However, until 1874 no penalty was imposed for failure to register. By 1875, 99 percent of all births, marriages, and deaths were being recorded. | Beginning in July 1837 all births and deaths were to be reported to the registrar. An estimated 90 to 95 percent of births and nearly all deaths and marriages were reported. However, until 1874 no penalty was imposed for failure to register. By 1875, 99 percent of all births, marriages, and deaths were being recorded. | ||
If you cannot find a civil birth, marriage, or death certificate, search church records. A church record may verify known details or give additional information. | If you cannot find a civil birth, marriage, or death certificate, search church records. A church record may verify known details or give additional information. | ||
== Information Recorded in Civil Registers == | |||
=== Births === | === Births === | ||
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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: | ||
'''Divorce Registry of the Family Division<br>'''Somerset House, Strand<br>London W.C. 2<br>England<br>Internet: [http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/family/index.htm http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/family/index.htm]<br> | '''Divorce Registry of the Family Division<br>'''Somerset House, Strand<br>London W.C. 2<br>England<br>Internet: [http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/family/index.htm http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/family/index.htm]<br> | ||
To learn more about divorce records, visit the following Web sites. | To learn more about divorce records, visit the following Web sites. | ||
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1. Indexes to divorce and matrimonial causes files from the Court for Divorce and Matrimonial causes and Supreme Court of Judicature, High Court of Justice, Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division, Principal Probate Registry, 1858-1958. To find the call numbers, use the Place Search option in the [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library Catalog]. Type "England" and click "England - Court Records - Indexes" | 1. Indexes to divorce and matrimonial causes files from the Court for Divorce and Matrimonial causes and Supreme Court of Judicature, High Court of Justice, Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division, Principal Probate Registry, 1858-1958. To find the call numbers, use the Place Search option in the [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library Catalog]. Type "England" and click "England - Court Records - Indexes" | ||
2. Index to divorces (as listed in Palmer's Indexes to "The Times" newspaper, London) 1788-1910. To find the call numbers in the catalog, use the Place Search option, type "England" and click "England - Divorce Records - Indexes" | 2. Index to divorces (as listed in Palmer's Indexes to "The Times" newspaper, London) 1788-1910. To find the call numbers in the catalog, use the Place Search option, type "England" and click "England - Divorce Records - Indexes" | ||
=== Deaths === | === Deaths === | ||
Civil registration death records can provide the following useful identifying factors for finding and tracing an ancestor - especially in cases when the surname is very common: | Civil registration death records can provide the following useful identifying factors for finding and tracing an ancestor - especially in cases when the surname is very common: | ||
*age | |||
*date | |||
*signature | |||
*occupation | |||
*relationship | |||
*cause of death | |||
*name of the deceased | |||
*a child parent’s name | |||
*residence of the informant | |||
*name of a spouse (who may be the Informant) | |||
*approximate year of birth (age-deduced at time of death) | |||
*place of residence (useful in determining correct ancestor when searching other records, i.e. census) | |||
Civil registration death records information also may: | Civil registration death records information also may: | ||
*be very limited | *be very limited | ||
*be inaccurate because it is based on the informant’s knowledge | *be inaccurate because it is based on the informant’s knowledge | ||
*pertain to the wrong person due to difficulties in identifying the correct index entry | *pertain to the wrong person due to difficulties in identifying the correct index entry | ||
*be the only civil registration record for persons born or married before July 1837 | *be the only civil registration record for persons born or married before July 1837 | ||
== Stillbirths and Adoptions == | |||
No provision was made for registering stillbirths until 1874, when a new law required a death certificate before burying stillborn children. Since 1927 all stillbirths (any birth where the child never took a breath) are recorded in the Register of Stillbirths, which is not available to the public. | No provision was made for registering stillbirths until 1874, when a new law required a death certificate before burying stillborn children. Since 1927 all stillbirths (any birth where the child never took a breath) are recorded in the Register of Stillbirths, which is not available to the public. | ||
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*Stafford, Georgina. ''Where to Find Adoption Records: A Guide for Counsellors''. London, England: British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, 1993. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=647592&disp=Where+to+find+adoption+records%20%20&columns=*,0,0 book Ref 942 D27sgw].) | *Stafford, Georgina. ''Where to Find Adoption Records: A Guide for Counsellors''. London, England: British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, 1993. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=647592&disp=Where+to+find+adoption+records%20%20&columns=*,0,0 book Ref 942 D27sgw].) | ||
== British Persons Christened, Married or Buried Abroad == | |||
== Locating Civil Registration Records == | |||
Civil registration records are kept at the superintendent registrar’s district office. Duplicates are kept at the Office for National Statistics (formerly Registrar General). | Civil registration records are kept at the superintendent registrar’s district office. Duplicates are kept at the Office for National Statistics (formerly Registrar General). | ||
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*Yeo, Geoffrey. ''The British Overseas''. Third Edition. London, England: Guildhall Library, 1995. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=942+V24y 942 V24y] 1995) | *Yeo, Geoffrey. ''The British Overseas''. Third Edition. London, England: Guildhall Library, 1995. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=942+V24y 942 V24y] 1995) | ||
== Indexes to Civil Registration Records == | |||
Indexes can help you find an entry for your ancestor. The Office for National Statistics (formerly Registrar General) creates nationwide indexes after receiving quarterly returns. | |||
=== Content === | |||
These indexes are arranged by calendar quarter and give name, registration district, volume, and page number. Later indexes include the following: | |||
*Age at death (post-1865 death indexes) | *Age at death (post-1865 death indexes) | ||
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*Birth date (post-March 1969 death indexes) | *Birth date (post-March 1969 death indexes) | ||
With the index reference you can send for the certificate (see above). If you cannot locate an index entry, consider the following reasons: | With the index reference you can send for the certificate (see above). | ||
Search Tips | |||
If you cannot locate an index entry, consider the following reasons: | |||
*Surnames are often found under unexpected spellings. | *Surnames are often found under unexpected spellings. | ||
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The registers in local Registration Districts in both England and Wales are the <u>primary</u> registration information of births marriages and deaths. Research has shown that the national index contains many errors and omissions. The indexation of primary records is based on year of event unlike the national index which is compiled from quarterly returns and is therefore more likely to locate the event you seek. | The registers in local Registration Districts in both England and Wales are the <u>primary</u> registration information of births marriages and deaths. Research has shown that the national index contains many errors and omissions. The indexation of primary records is based on year of event unlike the national index which is compiled from quarterly returns and is therefore more likely to locate the event you seek. | ||
3. [http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/nameindex/ai_content.php The Genealogist website] has indexed and posted online most of the births, marriages and deaths throughout the country. The indexes provide the same information as listed above. | 3. [http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/nameindex/ai_content.php The Genealogist website] has indexed and posted online most of the births, marriages and deaths throughout the country. The indexes provide the same information as listed above. | ||
=== Records at the Family History Library === | === Records at the Family History Library === | ||
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif">The Church’s Family History Library has been providing classes to patrons for many years. In the past, a patron would have to travel to the Library to take advantage of these classes, but no longer. The Library will begin testing different methods of exporting these classes to patrons who reside outside of the Salt Lake City area. The first method to be tested is a set of five lessons in a classroom setting in a video format. These lessons are now available on [http://www.familysearch.org/ www.familysearch.org] and cover the basics of getting started with family history research in England. Go to FamilySearch and select Education under the Family History Library menu. The five lessons are called:</span> | <span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif">The Church’s Family History Library has been providing classes to patrons for many years. In the past, a patron would have to travel to the Library to take advantage of these classes, but no longer. The Library will begin testing different methods of exporting these classes to patrons who reside outside of the Salt Lake City area. The first method to be tested is a set of five lessons in a classroom setting in a video format. These lessons are now available on [http://www.familysearch.org/ www.familysearch.org] and cover the basics of getting started with family history research in England. Go to FamilySearch and select Education under the Family History Library menu. The five lessons are called:</span> | ||
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif" | <span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif" />'''<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial">[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/Education/frameset_education.asp?PAGE=education_research_series_online.asp%3FActiveTab=2 Family History Research Series Online]</span>''' | ||
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif">Lesson 1: Research Overview</span> | <span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif">Lesson 1: Research Overview</span> | ||
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif">Lesson 5: Find Your Ancestors</span> | <span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif">Lesson 5: Find Your Ancestors</span> | ||
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif" | <span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif" /> | ||
[[Category:England]] | [[Category:England]] | ||