This new guide for family historians, Birth, Marriage & Death Records sets out to explain the history behind these records and how they can be explored and interpreted. There is help in understanding the different sources which vary between England and Wales and those in Scotland and between churches.

Other useful sources of evidence for births, marriages and deaths are explored and, of course, the authors David Annal and Audrey Collins cover the online sites that are available for help in this crucial area of family history research.

Bradway Bugle - Spring 2022

Referenced in 'Resources' part of Paul Blake article, English And Welsh Baptism Registers as featured by

WDYTYA? Magazine, March 2021

Listed in 'Resources' part of Marriage Records article

WDYTYA? Magazine, November 2019

Listed as 'Recommended Reading' part of Join the Family Tree Academy article

Family Tree, August 2019

Featured in `recommended reading` of join the family tree academy & become a skilled family historian`article.

Family Tree, June 2019

Part of the 10 useful family history titles included in Rachel Bellerby's author article on 'how to start your family tree at home'

Family Tree, April 2017

As featured in 'further reading' section

Your Family History, February 2017

As seen in Dorset Magazine.

Dorset Magazine

Throughout the authors adopt a lightness of touch enlivening the story with human detail about personalities behind the legislation. Illustrations are apt and enliven the text. This is no dry as dust work, but an essentially readable and approachable book which provides a wealth of useful information to ensure users gain the maximum benefit from the sources.

Reference Reviews

All you need to know about birth, marriage and death for tracing family history.

Essex Family Historian

Covering parish and non-conformist registers as well as the records of civil registration, this book is a thorough guide for those researching British ancestors.

Genealogist’s Magazine

Full of fascinating information, including why there are so few Catholic parish records extant before 1820, Isle of Man records, a chapter on Scotland and very useful pointers re military births, marriages and deaths.

Journal of Glasgow and West Scotland Family History Society

This is a very accessible introductory volume to a key subject or family historians. Beginning with a history of the motives for the introduction of such records, the authors explain how record systems evolved and how they can be accessed, explored and interpreted.
From the history of parish records we are taken through the different types of records that exist for England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, foreign churches, non-conformists, military sources and other topics including divorce and adoption. An appendix details relevant legislation from 1538 to 1926 and there is useful bibliography.

Bristol & Avon FHS Journal March 2013

An introductory guide for the uninitiated, Dave Annal and Audrey Collins’ introduction to the holy trinity of family history resources takes BMDs by their horns, explaining and elucidating how documentary evidence of these three junctures in our ancestors’ life can be used in our pursuits of genealogical knowledge.

Your Family History January 2013

This easy-to-read introduction to these crucial resources for family historians will help you to understand why these record keeping systems were created, how they evolved and how they can be explored and interpreted today.
Professional genealogist David Annal and Audrey Collins, a family history specialist at The National Archives, have joined forces to expertly guide readers through this fascinating subject, examining the history of parish registers and civil registration in the 19th and 20th centuries, and explaining how the English and Welsh system differs to those in Scotland and Ireland. Other useful sources are looked at too such as Nonconformist and military registers plus overseas and ‘at sea records. Also covered here are systems in The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, divorce and adoption, and of course, online access, giving you a comprehensive overview of the subject and perhaps new research leads to follow.

Family Tree, January 2013

Birth, marriage and death records are an essential resource for family historians, and this handbook is an authoritative introduction to them. It explains the original motives for registering these milestones in individual lives, describes how these record-keeping systems evolved, and shows how they can be explored and interpreted.
Other useful sources of evidence for birth, marriages and deaths are explored and, of course, the authors assess the online sites that researchers can turn to for help in this crucial area of family history research.

Kent Family History Society Journal

David Annal and Audrey Collins have written a very comprehensive guide to their chosen subject and discuss in detail all available sources.
The book is a most thorough study of its subject. ..it is a great resource for the more advanced genealogist, or those wishing to their understanding go the subject further.

Who Do You Think You Are Magazine, November 2012

This guide acts as an introduction into understanding historical documentation. It gives a great amount of information concerning the creation of the record keeping system, including foreign churches and overseas communities. The authors provide extensive material concerning the original motives for registering the milestones in individual lives and they also give useful websites to explore.

West Surrey FHS, December 2012

This books is one of the best guides I have seen about the important subject of finding birth, marriage and death records. It covers civil registration, parish records and nonconformist registers in great detail but also looks at how to use less commons sources to find your ancestors. These include military sources and chapters covering Irish and Scottish records. If you are trying to discover how to access records when someone was adopted or divorced, you will find information about how to get started and what records may survive. I would recommend this book if you want a good reference book.

Doncaster FHS

The book covers all the well-known resources such as parish registers and civil registration and also includes non-parochial registers. There are interesting chapters on military and information about overseas registers. Scotland, Ireland, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man are included.
The book is written in a lively, interesting way which makes it very readable and it would be a useful addition to any family historian’s bookshelf.

FFHS