This is an outline for a lecture presentation entitled Research in England's Big Cities. The call numbers given are for the Family History Library (fiche and film numbers can be used directly at Family History Centers, and all call numbers can be used to retrieve the catalog record from the online Family History Library Catalog.

I.          General Factors

            A.        Do your homework first!

                        1.         Check old correspondence for address

                        2.         Ask relatives for memories, traditions--be specific

            B.        Take the time to learn about areas of the city that apply

            C.        London peculiarities

                        1.         London, Middlesex, Kent, Surrey, Essex & more

                        2.         IGI - no Middlesex

                        3.         FHLC - 1866 county structure, with regions (sometimes)

II.        Civil Registration

            A.        1837-1980 indexes only (no certificates)

            B.        Parents' names are not given in indexes (except mother's maiden name from 1911)

            C.        Certificates usually give address of birth (sometimes only Hospital) or death, but residence at time of marriage is often misleading

            D.        London area can't use district superintendent registrars

            E.         Six weeks response time

            F.         Maps available (REG 942 V2icr, fiche 6020287)

III.       City Directories

            A.        Postal (may contain 3 parts)

                        1.         Court directory (nobility, specialists)

                        2.         Official directory (Crown employees)

                        3.         Commercial directory and/or Street directory

            B.        Business

            C.        Occupational (Trade)

            D.        Bibliography of London directories arranged by year--REF 942.1/L1 E43c, fiche 6026395

            E.         Coverage - 120,000 in 1849 directory with 1.2 million population (40-50%?)

IV.       International Genealogical Index

            A.        If find entry from extracted source, go to the original for address!

            B.        Check out locality listing given in IGI--it is sometimes in wrong county

            C.        On computer, can filter to several counties

            D.        If several films given as source, use CD Catalog (on computer) to narrow down

V.        Marriage Indexes

            A.        Pallot - concentrates on 1785-1837, covers about 65% of marriages (by mail only)

            B.        Boyd's - book or fiche, broader time period (pre 1813), about 50% coverage or less

            C.        Phillimore's - Marriage transcript series, see FHLC or Register (REG 942 V25p)

            D.        Marriage Bonds & Allegations - published or filmed

                        1.         By diocese -- cataloged under ENGLAND, [COUNTY] - CHURCH RECORDS

                        2.         Vicar General (REG 942.23/C1 V25a)

                        3.         Faculty Office (REG 942 V25ac)

 

VI.       Parish and Vital Record Listing

A.        Lists extracted parishes (includes time period & events), whether in 1988 IGI, source and printout films

            B.        Complicated by use of "regions" such as Westminster or London, includes all of Middlesex

            C.        Helpful to know which parishes extracted, but be careful due B.

VII.     Family History Library Catalog (FHLC)

            A.        Middlesex listed separately from London

            B.        London regions, such as Westminster, sometimes used

C.        Only three levels allowed, so ENGLAND, LONDON, LONDON or ENGLAND, WARWICK, BIRMINGHAM is the maximum breakdown for city parishes.

            D.        Items compiled or recorded at county or diocese level cataloged by county, not parish

VIII     Maps

            A.        Listed in FHLC under ENGLAND, [COUNTY], [CITY] - MAPS

            B.        Some listed in City and Rural Maps (REG 942 E73c)

            C.        See Civil Registration maps (II., above)

            D.        Parish maps important, if available

                        1.         London - see Victorian London Research (942.21 H25w no. 6)

2.         Phillimore's Atlas and Index of Parish Registers (REF 942 E7pa)               

                        3.         Manchester - see map case 942.72/M1 E7msp

            E.         Street Maps

IX.       Census

            A.        Surname indexes

                        1.         In some cases, parts of the city may have name indexes.

                        2.         Name indexes are listed in Census Surname Index Register (REG table)

            B.        Census street indexes

                        1.         Not available for all cities or all census years (e.g., few London for 1861)

                        2.         See handout "Using a Census Street Index"

                        3.         Lead sheets (giving film numbers for district) not always on first page

4.         Article Census Records of England and Wales.

C.        Use of term "parish" or "ecclesiastical parish" on census forms is a civil jurisdiction, and often does not correspond to church parish as shown on parish maps

            D.        Be acquainted with population tables, bundle or piece numbers, and Operator's reports

X.        Other Sources

            A.        Elme's Tophographical Dictionary of London (REF 942.1/L1 E5e1)

            B.        Boyd's Citizens of London (computer #323578)

            C.        Guides to research

XI.       Sources for addresses - see England Research Outline, page 13

            A.        Phillip B. Dunn, A guide to ancestral research in London

            B.        Cliff Webb (942.21 H25w)

                        1.         guides

                        2.         maps

                        3.         General street indexes