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How to Unearth Family History; My Beginner's Guide to UK Civil Records, Censuses, Wills & Parish Registers

  • misssdavis7
  • Jun 18
  • 4 min read

Hi there! I’m Stephanie, and if you’ve landed here, I’m guessing you’re curious about your family history—just like I was when I first started. Whether you’re filling out your first family tree or diving deeper into your ancestry, understanding the different types of historical records is key.


In this post, I’ll walk you through the main sources I use to trace family history in the UK: civil registration records, census data, parish records, and wills. I’ll also share a few tips I’ve picked up along the way that might save you time—and a few wrong turns!


Civil Registration Records (Since 1837)


Civil registration began in 1837, and it’s where I usually start when I’m researching someone born after that date. These records cover births, marriages, and deaths, and they’re a goldmine of information.


You can search them online at FreeBMD or the GRO (General Register Office).


Birth Certificates

These usually tell you:

  • The baby’s full name and date of birth

  • Where they were born

  • The mother’s name (including maiden name if married)

  • The father’s name and occupation—but only if he was present or the parents were married

  • The family’s address at the time


Marriage Certificates

These are full of detail and can confirm lots of things:

  • The names, addresses, and occupations of the bride and groom

  • The date and location of the marriage

  • Their fathers’ names and occupations

  • Names of the witnesses (often relatives or close friends)


Death Certificates

Not always the most cheerful record to look at, but useful nonetheless. They tell you:

  • When and where someone died

  • What they died from

  • Who registered the death


The Census (Every 10 Years from 1841)


The census is one of my favourite tools. It was taken every 10 years and gives you a snapshot of a household on one night.

From 1841 onwards, you can trace people through the years, see family structures, occupations, and even find neighbours who may turn out to be relatives!


Why It’s So Useful:

  • It shows full households—names, ages, birthplaces, and occupations

  • You get a sense of where your ancestors lived and who they lived with

  • It’s a great way to start building a rough family tree


That said, It’s only as accurate as the person who filled it in—and it’s been copied and transcribed a few times since then! Always check the original record if you can—it helps catch transcription errors.


Also, keep in mind:

  • The 1841 census is the most basic (just names, ages rounded down, and occupations)

  • From 1851 onward, there’s a lot more detail

  • Most women didn’t appear on parliamentary electoral rolls until after 1918, making the census a particularly valuable resource for tracing female ancestors before that time.


Parish Records (Before 1837)


If you're tracing people born before 1837, you'll need to dip into parish records. These were kept by churches and aren’t centralised, but they’re usually stored at local archives or county record offices.


Baptism Records

Not quite as detailed as birth certificates, but they do include:

  • Child’s name

  • Date of baptism

  • Parents’ names (sometimes only the father in earlier records)

  • Father’s occupation (commonly from the early 19th century)

  • Address (more frequently recorded in later records)


Families often had several children baptised together, so look for siblings on the same page!


Marriage Records

Church of England marriages (especially after 1837) typically include:

  • Full names and original signatures of the bride and groom

  • Their ages (or “full age”)

  • Fathers’ names and occupations

  • Addresses at the time of the marriage

  • Names of witnesses

  • Occupations of the bride and groom


Burial Records

These are often pretty simple:

  • Name of the deceased

  • Date of burial

  • Occasionally age at death or address


Despite their brevity, burial records can be valuable for confirming life events and connecting family members across generations.


Wills and Probate

Wills are such a hidden gem in genealogy! They often reveal:

  • Family relationships, sometimes across multiple generations

  • Occupations or trade affiliations

  • Property, land, and personal belongings

  • Clues to relatives not found in other records — including married daughters, stepchildren, or distant heirs

Probate records can also include inventories and administration bonds, offering even more insight into the deceased’s life.


A Quick Breakdown:

  • Before 1858: Wills in England and Wales were proved by church courts, such as diocesan courts or the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.

  • From 1858 onward: Probate was handled by the civil Probate Office. You can still search these records online at probatesearch.service.gov.uk.

Even if your ancestor didn’t leave a huge estate, you might be surprised what’s in there!


My Best Research Tips

Here are a few little nuggets I wish I’d known when I started:

  • Be flexible with spellings—names can be spelled differently across records

  • Double-check ages—they’re often off by a year or two (or ten!)

  • Look at neighbours on the census—they might be relatives or clues to social ties

  • Don’t rely on just one source—use multiple records to confirm your findings

  • Remember: a census only shows one day every 10 years. A lot can change between snapshots!


Final Thoughts

Researching your family history isn’t just about finding names and dates—it’s about telling the stories of the people who came before you. These records can help you build those stories piece by piece.


If you’ve made it this far, you’re clearly serious about exploring your roots — and that’s a journey worth taking. At UnearthedHistory, I help people like you piece together the past with care, curiosity, and a little guidance when it’s needed. If you’re feeling stuck, unsure where to look next, or just want someone to walk the path with you, I’d love to help.


You can find out more, book a chat, or explore my research packages at unearthedhistory.co.uk.


Let’s start unearthing your history — together.


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