Note: The majority of these articles relate to English and Welsh ancestor research specifically. Click here to see articles and resources covering a broader scope of United Kingdom records and research tips.
5 Steps to Finding Your English Ancestors Online
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English Genealogy Cheat Sheet
This cheat sheet download includes information about English genealogy records and how to find English records online, plus quick guides to the history and geography.
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English Genealogy Fast Facts
Key Dates in History
1066
Norman Conquest of England
1536
Henry VIII unites England and Wales
1607
England’s first American colony established at Jamestown
1620
English Puritans land in Massachusetts on the Mayflower
1707
England, Wales and Scotland form United Kingdom
1818
Regular Liverpool-to-New York City passenger service begins
Vital Records Kept
In England and Wales, vital records (birth, marriage, death) are called "civil registration" records. Civil registrations recorded in one national system began on July 1, 1837.
Best Records for Genealogists
Census Returns (1841)
Civil Registration (1837)
Parish Registers (1813)
Probate Records (1858–present; prior to 1858 held in church courts)
Immigration Waves
First Wave: 1861-1880
Second Wave: 1881-1900
Third Wave: 1901-1920
