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Family HistoryMember of the public using the family history resources

 

Notices

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Where to visit?Extract from a Genealogical Tree

The Worcestershire Record Office is the perfect place to start for anyone interested in family or local history and is free to use.

We also cater for the experienced genealogist and are happy to advise about using a wider range of resources and how to overcome any 'brick walls'.

Although our resources tend to focus on Worcestershire, we have a variety of sources that cover England and Wales and even wider in some cases. We can also advise you how to access material for other areas.


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What sources do we hold?

The Record Office has a wide range of sources for anyone wanting to find out about their family history. These are just a few examples. Please contact us for more information.

There is also a Free guide to Worcestershire sources, by the Worcester branch of BMSGH.

Type of resource

Further information

Links to guides

Parish registers from the mid 16th C onwards

These tend to be from Worcestershire but we can have some out of county records

Please see also the online parish register index

Parish Register Guide 

Bishops' transcripts

 

Handlists to microfilms at HC  

General Register Office Index

(also known as Civil Registration or St Catherine's House) Index of Births, Marriages and Deaths from 1837 onwards

Please note that we have a free subscription to the Family History website Ancestry.co.uk

 

Census

Coverage is for the whole of England and Wales from 1841-onwards plus indexes for Scotland

Please note that we have a free subscription to the Family History website Ancestry.co.uk

  

Local cemetery records

 

  Cemetery records on microfilm

Trade directories from the 1790s onwards.

Please check the online library catalogue for details

  

Electoral registers from the 1840s onwards

 

 Electoral registers on microfilm

Books and pamphlets on genealogy and important local families

Please check the online library catalogue for details

 

Maps of Worcestershire

Please search our guide to maps and plans

Newspapers from 1712 onwards

Please see also the Newsplan website

Newspapers on microfilm

Worcestershire wills from the 15th C onwards

 

Worcestershire Original Wills

The International Genealogical Index

Please see the website of the Church of Latter Day Saints

  

We are also proud to be the first local authority Record Office to act as a circulating centre for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints(LDS). This means that if the LDS have copied the records for an area you would like to research, by using their catalogue and our ordering system, you can gain access to this material for a small fee. Please ask for further details about this service.

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How do I access the information?

  • The material is mainly for reference only but access to all the sources is free. You only pay for the copies you make or for any material ordered in.
  • Many of the family history resources are on microfilm or microfiche, so you will need to book one of our machines. You can do this in advance or on the day.
  • Some of the material is available in electronic form. Computers can be booked in advance or on the day to access this information.
  • Local libraries often have information about how to trace your family history. Please check the online library catalogue for books.
  • We also have a research service if you cannot come and visit us yourself. Please ask for further details if you are interested.
  • You may also wish to try using other Family History websites.

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Page Information
This page was last reviewed 23 November 2009 at 10:51 by James Lawley.
The page is next due for review 11 June 2010.