What birth, marriage and death records tell you

Below is a definitive list of what the indexes and certificates for births, marriages and deaths can reveal about your ancestors. We've also included an annotated example of each certificate – explore each image to learn more about the document.

Index
► Name of child
► Mother’s maiden name (after September 1911)
► District and quarter year in which registration occurred
► Reference number (volume and page)
 

Certificate
► Name of child
► Place and date of child’s birth
► Gender
► Father’s name and occupation
► Mother’s name and maiden name
► Who registered the birth (informant) and their residence
► Date of registration, signature of registrar and whether the name was entered after registration

(Additional information is given on certificates issued after 1 April 1969).

Click here to see an annotated example of a birth certificate. Move your cursor over the numbers for explanations.

Index
► Name
► Surname of spouse (after March 1912)
► Registration district and reference number (volume and page)

The index reference number will be the same for both bride and groom, so you can use them to cross-reference the entries, checking that you have found the right marriage before you order the certificate.
 

Certificate
► Date and place of marriage
► Name and surname
► Age
► Condition (marital status of both parties)
► Rank or profession
► Residence at time of marriage
► Father’s full name and profession
► Couple’s signatures
► Names of witnesses and officiating minister or registrar
► Religious denomination of the ceremony
► Whether the marriage was by licence certificate or banns

Click here to see an annotated example of a marriage certificate. Move your cursor over the numbers for explanations.

Index
► Name
► Registration district and a reference number (volume and page)
► From 1866, age at death

Certificate
► Name and surname of deceased
► Gender
► Age
► Occupation
► Cause of death
► When and were they died
► Residence and relation to the deceased of the informant
► When death registered
► Signature of registrar

(Additional information given on certificates after 1969).

Click here to see an annotated example of a death certificate. Move your cursor over the numbers for explanations.