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England Civil Registration (view source)
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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 [http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Registeringlifeevents/Familyhistoryandresearch/DG_175464 Directgov website]. <br> | 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 [http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Registeringlifeevents/Familyhistoryandresearch/DG_175464 Directgov website]. <br> | ||
== General Historical Background == | == General Historical Background == | ||
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*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. | ||
*Each quarter, superintendent registrars forwarded copies of their district’s registrations to the Registrar General in London. The registration districts hold the original birth and death records, and the General Register Office | *Each quarter, superintendent registrars forwarded copies of their district’s registrations to the Registrar General in London. The registration districts hold the original birth and death records, and the General Register Office holds copies. | ||
*Ordained clergy of the Church of England, the established church, were automatically entitled to perform and register marriages. Clergy of other denominations could not perform legally valid marriages until 1898, when they could apply to become 'Authorised Persons'. Prior to that date, a Registrar of Marriages had to be present. Civil marriages could be performed in the register office, but these were rare until the 20th century. | *Ordained clergy of the Church of England, the established church, were automatically entitled to perform and register marriages. Clergy of other denominations could not perform legally valid marriages until 1898, when they could apply to become 'Authorised Persons'. Prior to that date, a Registrar of Marriages had to be present. Civil marriages could be performed in the register office, but these were rare until the 20th century. | ||
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==== Deaths ==== | ==== Deaths ==== | ||
A death certificate usually gives the death date and death place, the full name of the decedent, their sex and age, their occupation (with children usually a parent is named here), the cause of death and the name, residence and relationship to decedent of the witness. Also included is the date that the event was registered and the name of the registrar.<br> | A death certificate usually gives the death date and death place, the full name of the decedent, their sex and age, their occupation (with children usually a parent is named here), the cause of death and the name, residence and relationship to decedent of the witness. Also included is the date that the event was 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. | 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. | ||
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==== Ordering Certificates Online ==== | ==== Ordering Certificates Online ==== | ||
Civil registration certificates are closed to the public. The only way to obtain one is to order a copy from the Register General Office for England and Wales. You may order through the Internet, mail or FAX. The cheapest way is to order online, quoting the full reference. You should also take care to order only through the official GRO site, and not through any other site, which will often charge more, and take longer. The current online price of a certificate is £9.25 pounds sterling with full reference. Full Reference includes the type of certificate requested, name, district, quarter, year, volume and page number from the indexes. For more information, see their Web site at: | Civil registration certificates are closed to the public. The only way to obtain one is to order a copy from the Register General Office for England and Wales. You may order through the Internet, mail or FAX. The cheapest way is to order online, quoting the full reference. You should also take care to order only through the official GRO site, and not through any other site, which will often charge more, and take longer. The current online price of a certificate is £9.25 pounds sterling with full reference. Full Reference includes the type of certificate requested, individual's name, registration district, quarter, year, volume and page number from the indexes. For more information, see their Web site at: | ||
*[http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/ Certificate Ordering Service] | *[http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/ Certificate Ordering Service] | ||
==== Ordering Certificates by | ==== Ordering Certificates by Telephone ==== | ||
Using Visa, Visa Electron, Mastercard, Solo, Delta or Maestro, call +44 (0)845 603 7788 and have your details in hand. | Using Visa, Visa Electron, Mastercard, Solo, Delta or Maestro, call +44 (0)845 603 7788 and have your details in hand. | ||
The telephone lines are open: Monday to Friday | The telephone lines are open: Monday to Friday 8:00 am – 8:00pm (excluding Bank Holidays) and Saturday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (GMT). Have your credit or debit card ready. | ||
==== Ordering Certificates by Mail ==== | ==== Ordering Certificates by Mail ==== | ||
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Certificates from the General Register Office are less expensive if you supply index reference numbers. | Certificates from the General Register Office are less expensive if you supply index reference numbers. | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
== Indexes to Civil Registration Records == | == Indexes to Civil Registration Records == | ||
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=== Online Index to England and Wales Civil Registration === | === Online Index to England and Wales Civil Registration === | ||
In recent years volunteers began transcribing the microfiched indexes and placing them online. Two sites with online civil registration indexes to births, marriages and deaths for England and Wales are located at:<br> | In recent years volunteers began transcribing the microfiched indexes and placing them online. Two sites with online civil registration indexes to births, marriages and deaths for England and Wales are located at:<br> | ||
1. [http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/search.pl FreeBMD] - After selecting the event to search, features include: | 1. [http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/search.pl FreeBMD] - After selecting the event to search, features include: | ||
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#Click one of the following titles: | #Click one of the following titles: | ||
##{{FHL|47767|title-id|disp=''Index to the civil registration of births, marriages and deaths for England and Wales, 1837-1980''. This set is on microfilm}}. | ##{{FHL|47767|title-id|disp=''Index to the civil registration of births, marriages and deaths for England and Wales, 1837-1980''. This set is on microfilm}}. | ||
##{{FHL|744657|title-id|disp=''Index to the civil registration of births, marriages and deaths for England and Wales, 1837-1983''. This set is on microfiche.}} | ##{{FHL|744657|title-id|disp=''Index to the civil registration of births, marriages and deaths for England and Wales, 1837-1983''. This set is on microfiche.}} | ||
#Click View Film Notes to see the film and fiche numbers. | #Click View Film Notes to see the film and fiche numbers. | ||
<br><br> | <br><br> | ||
==== Superintendent Registrars ==== | ==== Superintendent Registrars ==== | ||
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==== Family History Library Training Online ==== | ==== Family History Library Training Online ==== | ||
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif | <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif">The Family History Library is now offering an online series of five lessons on genealogical research in England entitled "England Beginning Research." This video series includes one lesson on Civil Registration and is available for anyone to view at their own computer. These lessons are available on [http://www.familysearch.org/ www.familysearch.org]. On the home page, click on 'L</span><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif">ibrary' </span><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif">and select </span><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif" /><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif">'Education'. There are no registration or password requirements for viewing these lessons.</span> | ||
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif | <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif" /> | ||
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif | <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif" />[[England Warwickshire Church of England Parish Registers (FamilySearch Historical Records)|England Warwickshire Church of England Parish Registers]] | ||
=== FamilySearch Historical Records Collections === | === FamilySearch Historical Records Collections === | ||