Historical Searches

How the Herefordshire Registration Service helps to create and retain historic records.

Some frequently asked questions are

• Where were my parents born?
• Did my relatives always live in Hereford?
• Who did Great Aunt Alice marry?
• Was I adopted?

Questions like these are why so many people become involved in genealogy. Although some families are able to trace their ancestors through a number of generations the majority of people only have information about close relatives - grandparents, parents, uncles etc.

In order to trace ancestors it is necessary for basic information to be checked such as where they were born, who they married and where they died. This can be done by checking the local birth, death and marriage registers for the area in which the relative was known to have resided.

These registers together with the relevant indices are kept by the local Superintendent Registrar who is responsible for ensuring that they are maintained correctly and that the indices (not the registers) are available for inspection by the public. Having been created in 1837 they provide a continuous record, area by area, for every part of England and Wales.

If you are interested in tracing your family tree or need to obtain a copy of your own birth or marriage certificates and the event took place within a local Herefordshire registration district these can be obtained either by a postal request or by personal attendance at the relevant office or via email at Registrars@herefordshire.gov.uk

Please note that a Register Office only has the records of births, marriages and deaths for it’s area. For all other records you should seek advice from the local Record Office or your local library.

The following are some points to aid you when carrying out any genealogical research at a Register Office. We hope you will find them helpful.

Obtain as much information as possible from living members of the family this may save you a deal of time and money. Try to obtain specific information of places of events and dates as well as names.

There are now many excellent books on the subject of family history research, a number of which will be available in your local library.

Courses are now widely available on the subject - check with your local college or institute for details.

Record Office

Your local Record Office will not only hold records of local significance but also national indexes and records. Ask for a leaflet from them to see what is available.

The Record Office in Hereford is situated in Harold Street, Hereford (Tel: 01432 260750).

A large amount of local records for Herefordshire are available to assist the public, but always telephone first if you are thinking of visiting. Enormous demands are made on their limited staff and appointments are necessary for certain types of research.

For further information see the Archives section of the website.

Family History Society

It may well be worthwhile joining the Family History Society of the county or area in which you are concentrating your research.

For further information see the Herefordshire Family History Society website

General Register Office

Information about other areas of the country can be obtained by approaching the General Register Office who keep copies of all registers from across England and Wales.

Postal requests can be made by writing and enclosing the appropriate fee to the:

Office of National Statistics
Smedley Hydro, Southport, PR8 2HH
(Telephone: 051 471 4800)

Alternatively a personal search can be made by visiting the:

Family Records Centre
1 Myddleton Street, London, EC1R 1UW
(Telephone: 0181 392 5300)