United Kingdom, British Armed Forces and Overseas Vital Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

United Kingdom

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes birth, marriage, and death records from armed forces personnel, civilians traveling or working abroad, and individuals at sea. If you have a relative or ancestor who was born overseas but was still classed as a British citizen at the time of the birth, then it is quite possible that the British Consul or the UK High Commission in the relevant jurisdiction would have been notified of the birth, allowing you to find the record within the General Register Office Consular indices.

The armed forces records include the registrations of British armed forces (including serving members who were not British nationals) posted overseas. This index also includes some regimental registers and chaplains' returns for army births which took place in the British Isles, for example, at barracks and garrisons.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Approximate date of the event

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Try searching by surname only
 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the United Kingdom.
 * England Guided Research, Ireland Guided Research, Scotland Guided Research
 * England Record Finder, Ireland Record Finder, Scotland Record Finder, Wales Record Finder
 * England Research Tips and Strategies, Ireland Research Tips and Strategies, Scotland Research Tips and Strategies, Wales Research Tips and Strategies

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.