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National Registers

England

The National System of Registration Begins

So how are you going to trace your ancestors? By looking at the traces they left. No one, particularly during the past 150 years, went through their life without leaving some record of their existence. The task is to find these clues, to know where to look. The best and most obvious place to start is with the birth, marriage and death certificates. All of which are indispensable and reliable Genealogy sources when you are conducting a search.

The national system of registration of births, marriages and deaths started on 1 July 1837. Before then it was the law that people be christened, married and buried by the Church of England. These events were records in parish registers, which are examined later. By virtue of the existence of birth, marriage and death certificates, it is much easier to trace your Family History back to 1837 than it is to go beyond that date. Tracing your Ancestry back to 1875, when it became compulsory to three events, is even easier.

Not All Ancestor’s can be found

Yet even though registration was the law, this does not indisputably mean you will be able to find your ancestor’s certificates. Some people, though remarkably few, slipped through the net. There were a variety of reasons why people were missed, but it was mainly those who were suspicious of why the state wanted such information and refused to give it, despite there being fines for non-compliance. Another of upsetting the system was to give completely false details.

Once your Family History search is under way, be aware that the system was not infallible and that occasionally the birth certificate of a much-sought great-grandparent may not exist. If this is the case, it is best to remember one important fact: don’t panic! There is a way around most problems.

The information gleaned from your surviving relatives can be used to further your Genealogy quest. The next step, for those with the time and the means to do so, is a trip to the Family Records Centre in London. (If you are unable to make it to London – once again, don’t panic! There are other ways of obtaining the same information without having to venture to the mean streets of the capital.)