Genealogical Sources
Information about our ancestors is derived from many records, many of which were created as a result of Government legislation.
Sometimes these sources contain errors, where, for example, people may not have known their exact date of birth or where they were born. Sometimes people exaggerated or even lied when providing personal information to officials. This can lead to conflicting information between genealogical records, making it all the more important to verify any data against variety of sources.
UK Birth, Death and Marriage Records
Civil registration for births, marriages and deaths was introduced in England and Wales in 1837, with Scotland introducing similar legislation in 1855 followed by Ireland in 1864. These records are one of the most significant repositories for genealogical research of the period 1837 to present. Certificates of these events provide important information such as the date of the event, names and locations.
UK Census Records
Census records are also a valuable resource, providing information on families, residences and occupations. The first census of the English population was conducted in 1801, however this was little more than a head count and contained little personal information. It wasn't until the 1841 census that names of all individuals in a household or institution were collected.
UK Parish Registers
It is possible to trace our forebears back to the early 1800's using the civil registration and census records. Parish Registers are a good source of information when tracing further back. These registers, kept by Anglican churches, recorded the baptisms, marriages and burials that occurred within a parish. The keeping of parish registers began in 1538, however very few records from the 1500s have survived.
Overseas Records
Many other countries also keep records of births, marriages and deaths (Australia operates a system similar to Britain) as well as recording census data every 10 years. Immigration records are also another useful source.
Other Records
Other useful sources of information include:
- Tax records
- Wills
- Militia muster rolls
- Military service records
- Tithe maps
- Electoral rolls
- Business and telephone directories
- Newspapers
These records can provide evidence of the existence of a person at a particular time in a specific place.
