Guide to
British Isles Research

      Compiled and annotated by Linda Jonas

Foreword

The British Isles includes England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.  Just because your ancestor lived in one of the countries doesn't mean he can't be found in the records of more than one of them.  It is, and was, easy to move between countries.

This guide describes some of the most important records for British Isles genealogical research, but it also includes some relatively unknown examples to show the vast variety of available records. Many records are available on microfilm from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. The microfilm/fiche numbers are the numbers used in the Family History Library Catalog. Many other records can be ordered online or are digitized and indexed online.

The following pages are not intended to describe all records for British Isles research, but they will get you off to a great start.. All comments, suggestions, or corrections should be addressed to Linda Jonas.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
  1. Where to Begin
  2. General British Isles
    1. How to do British Isles Research
    2. Finding Aids
    3. General Reference
    4. Finding Places
    5. Biographies and Family Histories
    6. Military Records
    7. Other Sources
  3. England and Wales
    1. How to do research in England and Wales
    2. Surnames
    3. Finding Aids
    4. General Reference
    5. Finding Places
    6. Biographies and Family Histories
    7. Birth, Marriage, and Death Records
    8. Census Records
    9. Church Records
    10. Probate Records
    11. Land Records
    12. Other Sources
  4. Ireland and Northern Ireland
    1. Before Beginning Irish Research
    2. Finding the Immigration Date
    3. Surnames
    4. Finding others who are researching your family
    5. How to do Irish research
    6. Guides to Finding Irish Records
    7. Finding Places
    8. Birth, Marriage, and Death Records
    9. Censuses and Census Substitutes
    10. Church Records
    11. Probate Records
    12. Land Records
    13. Estate Records
    14. Genealogical Collections
  5. Scotland
    1. How to do Scottish research
    2. Surnames
    3. Finding Aids
    4. General Reference
    5. Finding Places
    6. Biographies and Family Histories
    7. Birth, Marriage, and Death Records
    8. Census
    9. Church Records
    10. Probate Records
    11. Land Records
    12. Other Sources
  6. Channel Islands
  7. Isle of Man

Copyright © 1998-2006 Linda Jonas. All rights reserved.