England, Middlesex, Westminster Rate Books - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains an index to and images of taxation records from Westminster City for the years 1634-1900. This collection was originally filmed at the Westminster City Archives and the index was created by Findmypast.

Given the information collected during their creation, these records can serve as a substitute for census records for individuals in the nineteenth century, or as a primary source for an individual's life in the two previous centuries. For more information on the information contained within rate books and how to use these records, follow this link.

What Can These Records Tell Me?

 * Name of head of household
 * Street address
 * Rate owed
 * Date of the record

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching, it is best to know the following information:
 * Name of the person
 * Date of the record

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?

 * Look at the image of the original record, if possible. Index entries contain only the most basic information needed to identify an individual; the original record may contain more information which was not included in the index
 * The information will help establish residence in a location. Use that information to search in church and civil records for birth, marriage, and death records

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

 * Check for variants of given names and surnames
 * For much of the period of this collection, spelling was not standardized; pay special attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try variations on the pronunciation
 * Individuals might also have been listed under a middle name, a nickname, or an abbreviation of their given name
 * Vary the search terms. For example, expand the year range or search by either the given name or surname to return broader list of search results
 * Search the records of nearby locations. For this collection, bordering locations could include other parishes in Middlesex outside Westminster or the city of London proper

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in England.
 * England Guided Research
 * England Record Finder
 * 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.