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|[[Image:First Avenue House, High Holborn, London.jpg|thumb|right|300px|<center>First Avenue House, High Holborn, London<center>]]  
|[[Image:First Avenue House, High Holborn, London.jpg|thumb|right|300px|<center>First Avenue House, High Holborn, London<center>]]  
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== Research Tools ==
*
=== FamilySearch Help Center Online Lessons ===
*[https://familysearch.org/ask/learningViewer/74 '''England Beginning Research Series Lesson 3: Understanding Civil Registration''']
*[https://familysearch.org/ask/learningViewer/498 '''England and Wales Civil Registration''']
*[https://familysearch.org/ask/learningViewer/784 '''How to Trace Ancestry in England/Wales' Civil Registration Records Using Online BMD Indexes''']


== Historical Background  ==
== 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, 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 overseas, see '''Civil Registration of Overseas British Citizens and Military Personnel''' (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 covered births, marriages, divorces and deaths. However one problem with English civil registration is that coverage was not universal, especially in the earlier years. Use Church Records in these cases. <br>  


=== Civil Registration: in England and Wales  ===
=== Civil Registration: in England and Wales  ===
Line 40: Line 36:
{{see also|General Register Office for England and Wales}}  
{{see also|General Register Office for England and Wales}}  


=== Civil Registration: Overseas and Military  ===
::<br>
 
== Information Recorded in Civil Registers  ==
 
=== Births  ===


A birth certificate usually gives:
*birth date and birthplace
*child’s name and sex
*father's name and occupation
*mother's full name including her maiden name
*informant’s name, relationship to the baby, and residence
*when registered and the name of the registrar
The father, mother, neighbor, or other person present at the birth must register a birth within 42 days. The 1874 act imposed a fee for late registration (43 days to 6 months). This penalty may have persuaded some parents to "adjust" their child's birth date to avoid paying the fee. After six months the birth could not be registered.
==== Stillbirths ====
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.
==== Adoptions ====
Civil registration adoption certificates began in 1927, giving the child’s new name, birth date, court, entry date and reference number, and district and subdistrict of birth as well as the adoptive parents’ names, addresses, and occupation(s). Adoption records may be consulted only by arrangement with the Office for National Statistics.
Pre-1927 adoption records are kept by the agency or institution which handled the adoption and are very difficult to locate. Many no longer exist. For more information, see:
*Stafford, Georgina. ''Where to Find Adoption Records: A Guide for Counsellors''. London, England: British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, 1993. (Family History Library {{FHL|647592|title-id|disp=book Ref 942 D27sgw}}.)
==== Abandoned Children ====
Since 1977 the births of abandoned babies, whose parentage is unknown have been recorded in the Abandoned Children Register. Before this, these births were registered at the register office in the district where the child was found. 
Application for certificates can be made in writing to:
General Register Office, Adoptions,
Trafalgar Road, Southport, PR8 2HH.
=== Marriages  ===
A marriage certificate gives:
*marriage date 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 and occupations of their fathers (and sometimes whether they were deceased)
*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.
The law required all marriages to be recorded in a civil register immediately after the ceremony. Marriages were often performed at the bride’s parish
Because the marriage information found in the civil certificates of marriage, are an exact replica of the church registers of marriage, there is no need to consult civil records(for which payment is requirement) if the Anglican Church records are more freely available elsewhere. 
=== Divorces  ===
Divorce records contain information on family members, their marital history (including marriage date and place), property, residences, and sometimes dates of events such as children’s births. To search an index to Divorce Records, see "Key Websites" below.
==== Pre-1858 ====
Before 1858, a divorce required an Act of Parliament, restricting it to the aristocratic and wealthy whose marital lives were of concern to Parliament. Divorces were a type of "Private Act",  lists in chronological order are available on the [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/changes/chron-tables/private Private and Personal Acts] page of legislation.gov.uk. Information may also be available at the [http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/parliamentary-archives/explore-guides-to-documentary-archive-/familyhistory/ Parliamentary Archives]
==== 1858 onwards ====
Civil divorce registration began in 1858. These divorce records are confidential for 75 years. The National Archives has a useful [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/divorces/ Help Page for Divorces]. Records up to 1916 can be searched on Ancestry in the collection [http://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=2465&geo_a=r&o_iid=41021&o_lid=41021&o_sch=Web+Property England and Wales, Civil Divorce Records, 1858-1916]. 
Relatives of divorced persons may obtain information on divorces that occurred in the last 75 years by contacting:
'''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
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7947 7017<br>Internet: [http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/courts-and-tribunals/courts/hearing-lists/list-pr-family-division.htm Family Division]<br>
Historic newspapers may mention divorces if the figures involved were well known.  ''[http://www.timesplus.co.uk/ The Times] ''- to search for and view historical articles from 1785-1985 of divorce cases in the news
The Family History Library has:
*FamilySearch.org has {{FHL|1110522|title-id|disp=indexes to the Divorce Decrees and Matrimonial causes, 1858-1958}} - on microfilm; order these at a [https://www.familysearch.org/locations FamilySearch Center] near you.
*{{FHL|695681|title-id|disp=Index to divorces (as listed in Palmer's Indexes to "The Times" newspaper, London) 1788-1910}}.
==== Deaths  ====
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.<br>
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 <u>informant’s</u> knowledge. It can be helpful for those looking for clues about persons born or married before July 1837.
== Overseas and Military Civil Registration ==
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 in different countries. <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 in different countries. <br>  


Line 201: Line 282:
::- [http://www.bmdregisters.co.uk/ Registers and Returns of Births, Marriages and Deaths in Protectorates (RG36)] - 1895-1965  
::- [http://www.bmdregisters.co.uk/ Registers and Returns of Births, Marriages and Deaths in Protectorates (RG36)] - 1895-1965  
::- Indexes to all the above "Miscellaneous" series from 1826-1945 are found in RG43<br>
::- Indexes to all the above "Miscellaneous" series from 1826-1945 are found in RG43<br>
== Information Recorded in Civil Registers  ==
==== Births  ====
A birth certificate usually gives:
*birth date and birthplace
*child’s name and sex
*father's name and occupation
*mother's full name including her maiden name
*informant’s name, relationship to the baby, and residence
*when registered and the name of the registrar
The father, mother, neighbor, or other person present at the birth must register a birth within 42 days. The 1874 act imposed a fee for late registration (43 days to 6 months). This penalty may have persuaded some parents to "adjust" their child's birth date to avoid paying the fee. After six months the birth could not be registered.
===== Stillbirths =====
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.
===== Adoptions =====
Civil registration adoption certificates began in 1927, giving the child’s new name, birth date, court, entry date and reference number, and district and subdistrict of birth as well as the adoptive parents’ names, addresses, and occupation(s). Adoption records may be consulted only by arrangement with the Office for National Statistics.
Pre-1927 adoption records are kept by the agency or institution which handled the adoption and are very difficult to locate. Many no longer exist. For more information, see:
*Stafford, Georgina. ''Where to Find Adoption Records: A Guide for Counsellors''. London, England: British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, 1993. (Family History Library {{FHL|647592|title-id|disp=book Ref 942 D27sgw}}.)
===== Abandoned Children =====
Since 1977 the births of abandoned babies, whose parentage is unknown have been recorded in the Abandoned Children Register. Before this, these births were registered at the register office in the district where the child was found. 
Application for certificates can be made in writing to:
General Register Office, Adoptions,
Trafalgar Road, Southport, PR8 2HH.
==== Marriages  ====
A marriage certificate gives:
*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 and occupations of their fathers (and often whether they were deceased)
*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.
The law required all marriages to be recorded in a civil register immediately after the ceremony. Marriages were often performed at the bride’s parish
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. 
==== Divorces  ====
Divorce records contain information on family members, their marital history (including marriage date and place), property, residences, and sometimes dates of events such as children’s births. To search an index to Divorce Records, see "Key Websites" below.
Divorce required an act of Parliament until 1857 and was uncommon before the mid-20th century. Records of parliamentary divorce acts are at:
'''[[The Parliamentary Archives (U.K.)|Parliamentary Archives]]<br>'''Houses of Parliament<br>London, SW1A 0PW<br>England <br>Telephone: +44 (0)20 7219 3074<br>Fax: +44 (0)20 7219 2570<br>E-mail: [mailto:lawlords@parliament.uk archives@parliament.uk]<br>Internet: [http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/parliamentary-archives/archives-highlights/archives-the-suffragettes/ Parliamentary Archives]
Civil divorce registration began in 1858. These divorce records are confidential for 75 years. Records older than 75 years can be consulted at the National Archives in London. Indexes for 1858 to 1937 are available.
Relatives of divorced persons may obtain information on divorces that occurred in the last 75 years by contacting:
'''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
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7947 7017<br>Internet: [http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/courts-and-tribunals/courts/hearing-lists/list-pr-family-division.htm Family Division]<br>
'''Websites for Online Searching'''
*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/divorces/ The National Archives Divorce Case Files, 1858-1914 ] - offers a free online index search for Divorce Records (J77 series) from 1858-1937. See their online Catalog, for searches made.
*See ''[http://www.timesplus.co.uk/ The Times] ''- to search for and view historical articles from 1785-1985 of divorce cases in the news(nobility, prominent merchants, political figures, and those of the ruling class who often are listed/ mentioned)
*[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/changes/chron-tables/private/8 Parliamentary Acts: Chronological Tables of the Private and Personal Acts] - this lists numerous tables of divorce decrees in court cases prior to 1858.
The Family History Library has:
*FamilySearch.org has {{FHL|1110522|title-id|disp=indexes to the Divorce Decrees and Matrimonial causes, 1858-1958}} - on microfilm; order these at a [https://www.familysearch.org/locations FamilySearch Center ]near you.
*{{FHL|695681|title-id|disp=Index to divorces (as listed in Palmer's Indexes to "The Times" newspaper, London) 1788-1910}}.
To learn more about divorce records, visit the following Websites.
*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=260 www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=260] (before 1858)
*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=53 www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=53] (after 1858)
*[http://www.1837online.com/Trace2web/resources/divorcerecords/ www.findmypast.com/helpadvice/knowledge-base/wills-divorces/#divorce]
*[http://www.genealogy.about.com/cs/vitaluk/index.htm www.genealogy.about.com/cs/vitaluk/index.htm]
==== Deaths  ====
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.<br>
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 <u>informant’s</u> knowledge. It can be helpful for those looking for clues about persons born or married before July 1837.


== Merchant Shipping Act  ==
== Merchant Shipping Act  ==
Line 303: Line 289:
Indexes for Deaths at sea are also located on [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/BirthsMarriagesDeaths.jsp findmypast], these indexes cover 1854-1890.  
Indexes for Deaths at sea are also located on [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/BirthsMarriagesDeaths.jsp findmypast], these indexes cover 1854-1890.  


== Finding England Civil Registration Records ==
== Accesing England Civil Registration Records ==
Locating England Civil Registration Records is a two-step process:
Locating England Civil Registration Records is a two-step process:
# Find the GRO Index Entry
# Find the GRO Index Entry
Line 311: Line 297:
There are two forms of the GRO Index:
There are two forms of the GRO Index:


'''GRO Searchable Index'''. For free, anyone can register at the site of the [http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/ GRO], and search the indexes for Births and Deaths only. These indexes contain the names of the people involved, but not parents or spouses, as well as Age of the deceased (Death Records) and Maiden Name of the Mother (Birth Records)
'''GRO Searchable Index'''. For free, anyone can register at the site of the [http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/ GRO], and search the indexes for Births and Deaths only. These indexes contain the names of the people involved, but not parents or spouses, and can also be searched by registration district, age at death and mothers maiden name(births)


'''Traditional Indexes'''. Alphabetically-arranged indexes were created by the GRO at the end of each quarter, for births, marriages and deaths. images and searchable Indexes of these appear on several sites. Coverage may not be 100%. Maiden name of Mothers are not included before 1911.  
'''Traditional Indexes'''. Alphabetically-arranged indexes were created by the GRO at the end of each quarter, for births, marriages and deaths. images and searchable Indexes of these appear on several sites. Coverage may not be 100%. Maiden name of Mothers are not included before 1911.  
Line 411: Line 397:


Keep in mind that over time district boundaries have changed, and some districts have been abolished.   
Keep in mind that over time district boundaries have changed, and some districts have been abolished.   
Research Tools
== Tips and Guidance ==
*[https://familysearch.org/ask/learningViewer/74 '''England Beginning Research Series Lesson 3: Understanding Civil Registration''']
*[https://familysearch.org/ask/learningViewer/498 '''England and Wales Civil Registration''']
*[https://familysearch.org/ask/learningViewer/784 '''How to Trace Ancestry in England/Wales' Civil Registration Records Using Online BMD Indexes''']


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