British Sources for Previous Research

When you begin family history research in the British Isles, ask yourself what others have already done. Determining what research has already been accomplished by others, including your own family members, can save you time and help avoid unnecessary duplication of work. Check with family members for information first, and then begin your search to see what others have done. Research in original British records is difficult if you do not know where your ancestor came from. Fortunately, these sources may provide you with a place of origin.

Here is a select list of sources to find published family histories and records of research done by others. Many other sources exist, but start with these.

Web sites
The following Web sites are two places to look to see what British research has already been compiled.

1. Search www.familysearch.org for the names of your British ancestry.

2. Search www.ancestry.com to view information in their UK Collection.

Family Histories

Search catalogs from various libraries to see the British family histories that are in their collections. Here are a few collections to search.

·        Family History Library www.familysearch.org

·        Society of Genealogists www.sog.org.uk/

·        Allen County Public Library www.acpl.lib.in.us/

·        Mid-Continent Public Library www.mcpl.lib.mo.us/

·        St. Louis County Library http://webpac.slcl.lib.mo.us/

Other libraries and archives may have collections of family histories. Check their Web sites to see if there are online catalogs that you can search. One way to find Internet links is to use a search engine, such as Google, and search for the name of the institution or the locality.

Biographies
The following items provide biographies of specific individuals and may include your ancestor or provide clues to finding your ancestor. These are of a general nature, but other biographical sources may have a specific focus, listing people according to occupation, religion, etc. Other sources for biographies can be found in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under GREAT BRITAIN or ENGLAND - BIOGRAPHY.

British Biographical Archives, published by K. G. Sauer, Inc. (FHL fiche 6029709–732, several parts each, 1160 fiche total; computer number 460188.) This source:


 * Is a collection of biographies taken from 324 printed sources.
 * Covers 1600 to 1900.
 * Is arranged alphabetically.

British and Irish Biographies, 1840-1940, published by Chadwick-Healey Ltd. (On microfiche. See FHL British Reg 942 A3cj for fiche numbers [computer number 509643], or look in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under GREAT BRITAIN - BIOGRAPHY.) This source:


 * Contains entries from 138 sources published from 1840 to1940.
 * Contains an index that lists all persons and families included in the biographies. (FHL fiche 6342001 with 325 parts.)

The National Dictionary of Biography, edited by L. Stephen & S. Lee. (FHL book British Ref 920.042 D56ln 1993; computer number 731170.) This source:


 * Was initially published in 1900 with 63 volumes. (FHL fiche 6051261 with 278 parts.)
 * Contains supplements that update to 1980.
 * Contains posthumous sketches of more than 32,000 notable Britains.

Registries for Research Exchange
The following sources list individuals and groups who are willing to share the results of their research.

Genealogical Research Directory (GRD), edited by K. Johnson and M. Sainty. This directory lists thousands of family historians worldwide and the surnames they are researching. There are several editions; be sure to check them all.

British Isles' Genealogical Register

This register is known as BIG-R. It was created by the Federation of Family History Societies in the UK.

Directories of Members’ Interests

These directories are published by some individual family history societies in the British Isles. They list surnames which their members are interested in or are researching. The Register of One Name Studies lists groups that specialize in the research on one surname.