England and Wales, Death Registration Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

 England  Wales

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of an index to deaths registered in England and Wales beginning 1 July 1837 through 2007. The index is arranged in volumes by years with the entries listed alphabetically. These indexes can be used to order a copy of the actual certificate. Index courtesy of Findmypast.com.

Collection Content
The death index generally lists:


 * Surname and given name
 * Age at time of death (beginning in 1866)
 * Year, quarter, volume and page number
 * District
 * Line and event number

How Do I Search This Collection?
As you are searching it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.

To search this collection by name: To search the collection fill in the requested information in the boxes on the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the individuals in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to look at the information on several individuals comparing the information about them to your ancestors to make this determination.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors. For example:


 * Use the information in the index to obtain a copy of the death certificate from the appropriate registration district.
 * Use the name of the deceased and the death place to locate the family in census and church records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * Knowing the district name and at least an approximate year in which the death occurred will reduce your search time.
 * Events are filed by the date registered, not the date they occurred (for example, a death on 20 March which was registered on 6 April will be in the April-May-June quarter).
 * Indexes were prepared by hand and may contain copying errors (for example, "T" for "F") or omissions.
 * Persons with common names may be difficult to identify in the index.
 * Some deaths were registered as "unknown."
 * Look for variant spellings of the names. Surnames are often found under unexpected spellings.
 * You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names.
 * A person may have been registered under a different name than he or she used later in life.

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.

“England and Wales, Death Index 1800-2007.” Database. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : accessed 2017. From "England & Wales Births, 1837-2006." Database. findmypast. http://www.findmypast.com : 2012. Citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
 * Collection Citation:

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