Research in the UK

by Gaby LAWS

Censuses

The first national census of use in tracing ancestors was carried out in 1841. After that a census was done every 10 years except 1941. Access to census is restricted under a 100 year rule.
Films and microfiche of the census enumerators' books can be viewed at:


London - Big Ben
  • The Public Record Office at Kew, London
  • The Family Record Centre, Myddleton Street, London
  • Any LDS Family History Centre
  • Local Studies Libraries

Census records available online

BMD (Births marriages and deaths) records

BMD registers are available at the Family Records Centre (see Records Offices & Archives) and you can also order copies of the certificates from the centre.

Other records

Both Ancestry.co.uk and FindmyPast.co.uk are constantly adding new data so it is always worth looking at the site. Examples include Parish records, directories, immigration records and emigration records.

Jewish Records

Wills

PCC (Prerogative Court of Canterbury) cover the period from 1384 to 1858) copies of the wills are available on line.

Oxford Circus
London - Oxford circus

 

Records Office & Archives

  • The National Archives. The records cover from the 11th century to the present day.
    Public Record Office, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU.
    Telephone Number: 020 8876 3444, fax: 020 8392 5286
    Website contains a number of useful leaflets explaining what can be found at the archives and / or you can use the online catalogue
  • London Metropolitan Archives (LMA), The largest local authority record office in the United Kingdom. There are 32 miles of archives, covering a period of nearly 900 years.
    40 Northampton Road, London EC1R OHB.
    Tel 020 7332 3820
    Fax 020 7833 9136
    Information on records available online. The LMA is currently digitalising their records and making them available.

Societies

  • Federation of Family History Societies for general enquiries and information. They will provide details of the local Family History Society for a given area.
  • Society of Genealogists, They have a large collection of family histories, civil registration and census data, and collection of Parish Register copies in the country.
    14 Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Road, London EC1M 7BA.
    National (020) 7251 8799
    International +44 20 7251 8799

Directories

The main County directories began about 1820s with the publications of Pigot & Co. Kelly’s directory started second half of the 19th century. Some are available on CD. Various directories available online

Newspapers

Piccadilly Circus
London - Piccadilly Circus

 

Other records & Resources

GenAmi Library

  • The Jewish Victorian, by Doreen BERGER, recueils de faire-parts in British newspapers, 2 volumes : 1861-1870 & 1871-1880
  • Mariages à la grande synagogue de Londres by Angela Shire (1791-1850) & by Harold & Myriam Lewin (1791-1885)
  • New Synagogue records, CD-Rom, par Angela Shire
  • Bevis Mark, synagogue portugaise de Londres : Mariages (2 vol.), Décès, Naissances (circoncisions)
  • Jews in Bristol par Judith Samuel
  • The lost Jews of Cornwall, Keith Pierce, Helen Fry
  • The Jews of Devon and Cornwall, catalogue d’exposition
  • The Jewish Free School, par Dr Jerry Black
  • A History of the Jews in England, par Cecil Roth
  • The Great Synagogue London, par Cecil Roth
  • London, par Elkan Nathan Adler (grand rabbin)
  • Think and Thank, The Montefiore Synagogue of Ramsgate
  • Numerous files (Great Synagogue, Hambro Synagogue, Western Synagogue…)