Professional Family History Research
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Birth, Marriage and Death Records Census Records Parish Registers Criminal Records Migration Records Wills	Birth, Marriage and Death Records
	Birth, Marriage and Death records are one of the main sources for genealogical research in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Registration of these events started at different times in different places – 1837 in England and Wales, 1855 in Scotland and 1864 in Ireland. In Australia, Tasmania was the first colony to introduce civil registration in 1838. Registration of European marriages started in 1848 in New Zealand. The certificates also provide different information depending on the country concerned – for instance English birth certificates provide information on the date and place of the child’s birth, the names of the parents and the occupation of the father. Scottish birth certificates also give information on the date of the marriage of the parents. A combination of birth, marriage and death certificates can provide a strong framework for the family history that can be expanded through other sources. <Return to top of page>
	Census Records National censuses were first taken in England, Scotland and Wales in 1801, although these were only statistical in nature. Information of genealogical interest first appeared in 1841. Censuses are available up to 1901 and have almost been completely indexed. Irish censuses, apart from 1901 and 1911, were destroyed either by the government or in the troubles of the early twentieth century. There are unfortunately no national censuses for either Australia or New Zealand. Finding an ancestor in a census return can lead to information about their age, birthplace and occupation as well as details of other family relationships and members. <Return to top of page>
	Parish Registers
	Parish registers recording baptisms, marriages and burials are a main source of information for the family historian prior to the start of civil registration records. Many of the entries in the registers have been indexed, although these indexes are far from complete. There were over 12,000 ancient parishes in England and Wales alone, each recording the events that took place in the parish church. Of course not everyone worshipped in the established church and so registers of other denominations such as Roman Catholic, Methodist and Quakers might also require investigations. The earliest English registers date from 1538 whereas in Ireland most parish registers were very poorly kept and often only start in the early 1800’s. Parish registers from Scotland fare a little better beginning in most cases in the 1700’s. <Return to top of page>
	Criminal Records Around 162,000 convicts were sent to Australia between 1788 and 1868 from the United Kingdom. In many cases, comprehensive records of their original crime, sentence and passage can be traced through records in Australia and the United Kingdom. These can provide the vital link which identifies the origins of the person to a particular parish in the United Kingdom. The records of the crime and the trial can often provide far more personal information about the individual that can be found in many other sources. <Return to top of page>
	Migration Records
				Over 1.5 million free migrants moved to Australia before 1900. The majority of migrants prior to the Second World War came to Australia from the United Kingdom. After 1945 6.5 million migrants from countries all over Europe, and more latterly Asia, have made Australia their home. Shipping records can be consulted which may reveal the original location of the migrant. Prior to the early twentieth century, passenger lists are usually retained in the State Archives. Later twentieth century material is held by The National Archives of Australia. Records of migrants leaving the United Kingdom after 1890 are also available. Indeed, some migrants may have returned to their country of origin, either permanently or temporarily, and these subsequent journeys can also be traced. Whilst these are not comprehensive, with the same being true for New Zealand also, they can help to pinpoint a location in the United Kingdom, or other European countries, for research into the earlier origins of the family ancestry.
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	Wills Wills are on of the oldest type of genealogical documents, having been in existence from the 1300’s. They can also be one of the most informative documents as well, especially if an ancestor mentions close and distant family members. Wills can also provide an insight into a person’s life through the bequests and gifts mentioned. Of course, not everyone was in a position to leave a will but many small farmers and tradesmen had goods and tools to leave to the next generation, so they are not only relevant to people with wealthy ancestors. In some instances, an attached document called an inventory can be found which lists, and values, the entire possessions of the individual at the time of his or her death. <Return to top of page> These are just some of the many hundreds of different sources that can be used to discover more about your family history. Of course, each family is different, and different sources will be needed depending upon the circumstances of the family being researched. Occupational sources, taxation records and manorial documents are also other commonly used records.
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