Great Britain, Births and Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records

Great Britain

This is a Legacy Collection This collection is a partial index of records for this locality. The collection was originally assembled for publication in April 2010. Since that time only a few records may have been added. As no additional records will be added, or any corrections made to the data, this is considered to be a "Legacy" collection. Where significant issues with the data have been identified, a Known Issues Wiki article has been created. See the table of contents of this article to see if one is available. Many Legacy collections contain records from localities other than that which the collection is for. If available, please consult the coverage table to see what other localities may be included. As this is an index of records compiled from various sources, it is strongly recommended that you verify any information you find with original records.

Access the Records
Great Britain, Births and Baptisms, 1571-1977 CID1770884 {{{CID2}}} {{{CID3}}} {{{CID4}}} {{{CID5}}} {{{CID6}}} {{{CID7}}} {{{CID8}}} {{{CID9}}}
This article describes a collection of records at FamilySearch.org.
Great Britain
Flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location of Great Britain
Record Description
Record Type	Births and Baptisms
Collection years	1571-1977
FamilySearch Resources
England and Wales Historic Maps
England Civil Registration
Quick Research Links - England
United Kingdom
Quick Research Links - Wales
Quick Research Links - Scotland
England Record Finder
Related Websites
Discovering English Ancestors
Indexed British Batches

What is in This Collection?

This index is an index for the years 1571 to 1977. It is not complete for any particular place, region or time period. This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index.

Image Visibility

Whenever possible FamilySearch makes images and indexes available for all users. However, rights to view these data are limited by contract and subject to change. Because of this there may be limitations on where and how images and indexes are available or who can see them. Please be aware some collections consist only of partial information indexed from the records and do not contain any images.

For additional information about image restrictions see Restrictions for Viewing Images in FamilySearch Historical Record Collections.

What Can These Records Tell Me?

Not all records contain the same information. Generally, the following are included:

• The name of the child
• Date and place of birth
• Date and place of christening
• Gender
• Names of the parents

Collection Content

Sample of indexed information:

Field Value Name John Raphael Smith Gender Male Christening Date 29 Oct 1869 Christening Place IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHAPEL-CATHOLIC, SOUTH ORANGE, ESSEX, Birth Date 25 Oct 1869 Father's Name John Smith Mother's Name Ann Murray Field Value Gender Female Birth Date 07 Dec 1874 Birthplace Edwin Fox, Merchant Marine, At Sea, Great Britain Father's Name Wm. Smith Mother's Name Martha Smith

How Do I Search This Collection?

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:

• The name of the person you are looking for
• Approximate date of birth

Search the Index

Search by name on the Collection Details Page.

1. Fill in the search boxes in the Search Collection section with the information you know
2. Click Search to show possible matches

How Do I Analyze the Results?

Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

• Add any new information to your records
• Beginning in 1841, search the census records for the individual
• Continue to look for the individual in civil and parish marriage records
• Continue to look for the individual in civil and parish death records
• Collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relations that can be verified by records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

• Try viewing the original record to see if there were errors in the transcription of the name, age, residence, etc.
• When looking for an individual with a common name, look at all the search results before deciding which is the correct person
• Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name
• Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames, abbreviations of a name, or alternated between using first and middle names
• Spelling was not standardized for much of the period of this collection, so names were often spelled as recorders heard them. Pay attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try spelling variations that could have that pronunciation
• Vary the search terms. For example, expand the date range or search by either the given name or surname to return a broader list of search results
• Search in other nearby locations

Research Helps

The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and England

• Scotland Guided Research, Ireland Guided Research, England Guided Research
• Scotland Record Finder, Ireland Record Finder, Wales Record Finder England Record Finder
• Scotland Research Tips and Strategies, Ireland Research Tips and Strategies, Wales Research Tips and Strategies, England Research Tips and Strategies

Citing This Collection

Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

Collection Citation: The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Citing this Collection.

Record Citation: When looking at a record, the citation can be viewed by clicking the drop-down arrow next to Document Information.

How Can I Contribute to the FamilySearch Wiki?

We welcome user additions to FamilySearch Historical Records wiki articles. We are looking for additional information that will help readers understand the topic and better use the available records. We also need translations for collection titles and images in articles about records written in languages other than English. For specific needs, please visit WikiProject FamilySearch Historical Records/Guidelines for Articles. Please follow these guidelines as you make changes. Thank you for any contributions you may provide.