England

1. FamilySearch: Learn about British civil registration in these articles.
   
   FS—Wiki: English Civil Registration   
   • Information Recorded in Civil Registers
   • Overseas and Military Civil Registration
   • Information Recorded in the Records Records


2. Introduction: Get an introduction to English civil registration in this video.
   
   BYU—English Civil Registration Made Easy—50:43 - 2018   
   • What is civil registration?
   • Quarters
   • Registration districts
   • Key information
   • Repositories
   • Sample search
   • GRO Sample search
   • FreeBMD sample search
   • FamilySearch Historical Records
     
   • Ancestry sample search
   
   
   
   


3. Watch this video to get started with civil registration research.
   
   AAC—Researching Civil Registration Records—5:53


4. Here are some tips for using civil registration records in England and Wales.
   
   LT—Tips for Navigating Civil Registration Records from England and Wales


5. Explore the FreeBMD site for England civil registration records.

  Record Search Practice  |  

Anne Johns was married in England. Her marriage was officially registered in March, 1839. Use the FreeBMD search to locate Anne's marriage record and answer these questions:

1. In what district was she married?
2. Where could we find more information about her marriage, including who she married?
3. If Anne's name didn't have an "e" at the end, what additional information would we need to verify her record?

Hints  |  

1. In FreeBMD, select Marriage as the type and open the search to all districts. Use the glasses icon on the far right to look for the marriage record that occured at the correct month and year, and click Find. On the bottom left of the new screen that appears, click the "View the Original" icon.
2. Find Anne's entry and answer the questions.

Answers

1. Anne was married in the Strand district.
2. We could find more information on Anne's marriage in the first volume, page 262 of 1839 Marriage records.
3. If we discovered that Anne's name did not have an "e" at the end of it, we would need to know if her marriage would have been registered in Plymouth or St. Austell. Two other Ann's appear, so we would need to be able to differentiate between the two.
   (Contributed by Kaylee Lynn)

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1. Get familiar with civil registration resources.
   
   BYU—English Ancestors, Civil Registration


2. FamilySearch Links: Visit the Civil Registration section of the FamilySearch Wiki links article.
3. Learn how to find information for British deaths at sea, after 1837.
   
   GG—Birth, Marriages & Deaths At Sea

QUIKLinks

The GRO is an extensive and helpful resource for vital records in England. You can explore the GRO website here.

1. Learn about the resources available in the GRO (General Register Office) Index.
   
   Research your family history using the General Register Office
   GRO Index of England and Wales


2. Learn more about the GRO in this article.
   
   RIV—British Research Using the GRO Indexes


3. Get answers to frequently asked questions about the GRO.
   
   FAQs for the GRO


4. Learn about using GRO certificates.
   
   BYU—GRO Certificates—13:41 - 2017
   
   
   Certificates: England and Wales - 2013


5. Learn about various ways that the GRO site can help you in your research.
   
   BYU—How the General Register Office Site Can Help You—68:09 - 2024
   
   
   

1. Work: Learn about using apprenticeship records in English research.
   
   GG—Apprenticeship Agreements, Trade (Occupations)
   Apprentices and Masters


2. Learn how to find records for industrial and agricultural laborers in England.
   
   RT—Researching English Industrial Labourers—59:58 - 2024
   
   
   
   RT—Researching English Agricultural Labourers—59:49 - 2024
   
   
   
3. Find records for companies and businesses that have been dissolved in England.
   
   Companies and Businesses
   Company and business history records held by other archives


4. Learn more about business and company records in England.
   
   GG—Business and Company Records


5. Learn about trade directories published in England and Scotland.
   
   WDY—Where to Find Historical Trade Directories Online


6. Learn how to find records for a wide variety of occupations for ancestors.
   
   WDY—Occupations
   PR—Ale Taster or Wagon Greaser: Who Was Your Ancestor?


7. Education: Learn about using school records in various parts of England.
   
   FS Wiki—England School Records


8. Learn about school admission registers available on Findmypast.
   
   RT—Why School Admission Registers on Findmypast Are Important Online Records—15:22 - 2022
   
   
   

QUIKLinks