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.

What Can These Records Tell Me
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

Collection Content
Sample of an indexed record:

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the deceased
 * Approximate date of death

If you do not know what registration district you need, find your location in: UK BMD Registration Districts In England and Wales.

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?

 * Use the information in the index to obtain a copy of the death certificate from the appropriate registration district
 * Copies of certificates can be obtained through the General Register Office for a fee
 * Use the name of the deceased and the death place to locate the family in census and church records
 * If an age is listed, estimate a birth year and search for a birth certificate or baptism record

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

 * 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

Record Finder

 * Consult the England Record Finder or Wales Record Finder to find other records

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.


 * Collection Citation:"England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007." Database with images. Family Search. http://Family Search.org : 14 June 2016. From "England & Wales Births, 1837-2006." Database. find my past. http://www.findmypast.com : 2012. Citing General Register Office, Southport, England.

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