Bracknell Genealogical Records

Bracknell Birth & Baptism Records

England & Wales Birth Index (1837-2006)

An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Berkshire Birth Index (1837-2012)

An index to births registered in Berkshire. This index lists sub-registration district, which helps to narrow down your search.

Berkshire Baptisms (1538-1928)

Transcriptions of baptisms from 43 Anglican churches in Berkshire.

British Birth and Baptism Records (1400-2010)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of birth and baptism records that cover over 250 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

FreeBMD Births (1837-1957)

An index to births registered at the central authority for England & Wales. The index provides the area where the birth was registered, mother's maiden name from September 1911 and a reference to order a birth certificate.

Bracknell Marriage & Divorce Records

England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2008)

An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Oxford Diocese Marriage Bonds (1661-1850)

An index to bonds that record an intention to marry. Also includes affidavits.

Berkshire Marriage Index (1837-2012)

An index to Marriages registered in Berkshire. This index lists sub-registration district, which helps to narrow down your search.

Berkshire Marriages (1538-1927)

Transcriptions of over 200,000 marriages recorded in 89 parishes in Berkshire.

Vicar General’s Office Marriage Licences (1600-1679)

Abstracts of marriage licences granted by the Vicar-General in London. These licences could be used to marry in any church in the Province of Canterbury.

Bracknell Death & Burial Records

England & Wales Death Index (1837-2006)

An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Bracknell Burials (1822-1960)

A searchable transcript of burials recorded by the church. These records essentially record deaths between 1822 and 1960. Details may include the age of the deceased, their residence and name of relations.

Berkshire Death Index (1837-2012)

An index to deaths registered in Berkshire. This index lists sub-registration district, which helps to narrow down your search.

Berkshire Burials (1536-1962)

Transcriptions of over 750,000 burial entries from parish registers held by 175 Berkshire parishes.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Bracknell Census & Population Lists

1939 Register (1939)

An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.

England, Wales, IoM & Channel Islands 1911 Census (1911)

The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

1901 British Census (1901)

The 1901 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

1891 British Census (1891)

The 1891 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

1881 British Census (1881)

The 1881 census provides details on an individual's age, residence and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows for searches on multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Newspapers Covering Bracknell

South Bucks Free Press, Wycombe & Maidenhead Journal (1859-1865)

A record of births, marriages, deaths, legal, political, organisation and other news from the High Wycombe area. Original pages of the newspaper can be viewed and located by a full text search.

Windsor and Eton Express (1812-1846)

Local news; notices of births, marriages and deaths; business notices; details on the proceedings of public institutions; adverts and a rich tapestry of other local information from the New Windsor district. Every line of text from the newspaper can be searched and images of the original pages viewed.

Reading Mercury (1770-1903)

A database allowing full text searches of a newspaper covering local news, family announcements, obituaries, court proceedings, business notices and more in the Reading area.

Western Gazette (1863-1950)

A regional newspaper covering the counties of Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire Hampshire and Berkshire. It covers local and national news, family announcements, business news, legal proceedings and more.

Berkshire Chronicle (1825-1870)

A conservative newspaper, publishing local news, family notices etc. It has a particular interest in agriculture.

Bracknell Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

Oxfordshire Wills (1516-1857)

Digital images of 93,245 wills made by residents of Oxfordshire. The record can provide a wide variety of details, most common of which are: family relationships, land owned, possessions and legal agreements. Wills can be located by a name index.

Archdeaconry of Berkshire Probate Index (1840-1857)

An index to the name, date of probate, residence and occupation of over 39,000 Berkshire inhabitants who left a will or property that was administered by the Archdeaconry Court.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Admon Index (1559-1660)

An index to estate administrations performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The index covers the southern two thirds of England & Wales, but may also contain entries for northerners.

Archdeaconry of Berkshire Probate & Admon Index (1508-1652)

An index to early wills and administrations granted by the Archdeaconry of Berkshire. Details contained are name of the deceased, their residence, type of grant and year of grant.

Bracknell Immigration & Travel Records

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

Alien Arrivals in England (1810-1869)

Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.

17th Century British Emigrants to the U.S. (1600-1700)

Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.

Bracknell Military Records

Berkshire & Wiltshire War Diaries (1914-1945)

Transcriptions of war diaries covering 15 regiments during World War I & II. The records detail war action and record names, generally those of officers.

War Service of the 1/4 Royal Berkshire Regiment (1914-1918)

A narrative of the regiment's movements during World War I. Includes a list of the regiment's personnel and decorations.

West Berkshire War Memorials (1914-1945)

A list of memorials recording those who fought and died in the world wars. Includes photographs and lists of names adorning them.

8th Royal Berkshire Regiment Officers (1914-1918)

An investigation into the officers of the regiment during WWI. Includes some primary source material.

Berkshire WWI Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War One monuments in Berkshire, with some service details.

Roll and Writ File of the Berkshire Eyre (1248)

Transcriptions of pleas brought before a court. They largely concern land disputes.

Act Books of the Archbishops of Canterbury (1663-1859)

An index to names and places mentioned in act books of the Province of Canterbury. It records various licences and conferments, such as marriage and physician licences.

High Sheriffs of Berkshire (1066-1566)

A list of the county's high sheriffs, some with links to biographies.

Home Office Prison Calendars (1868-1929)

Records of over 300,000 prisoners held by quarter sessions in England & Wales. Records may contain age, occupation, criminal history, offence and trial proceedings.

Central Criminal Court After-trial Calendars (1855-1931)

Over 175,000 records detailing prisoner's alleged offences and the outcome of their trial. Contains genealogical information.

Bracknell Taxation Records

Poll for the Knights of Berkshire (1798)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures (1710-1811)

An index linked to original images of registers recording apprenticeship indentures. Details are given on the trade and nature of apprenticeship. Many records list the parents of the apprentice.

Red Book of the Exchequer (1066-1230)

A compilation of records from the Court of the Exchequer primarily dealing with taxes and land. These records are in Latin.

Bracknell Land & Property Records

Poll for the Knights of Berkshire (1798)

A list of those who voted in the election, stating their residence and for who they voted.

Enclosure in Berkshire (1738-1883)

Digital images of maps recording the distribution of common land. Maps can be viewed by location and an interactive map. Also includes award documents, which can be searched by name.

Berkshire Domesday Extracts (1066)

Extracts for Berkshire settlements found in the Domesday book. Includes the modern & 11th century place name, land owners and details of later history.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

Bracknell Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Berks, Bucks & Oxon (1939)

A directory of the counties detailing its history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Kelly's Directory of Berkshire (1931)

A directory of settlements in Kent detailing their history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Kelly's Directory of Berks, Bucks & Oxon (1920)

A directory to the settlements of the counties detailing their history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Kelly's Directory of Berkshire (1915)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Berkshire (1907)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.

Bracknell Cemeteries

Berkshire Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Berkshire's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Hampshire Church Monuments (1400-1700)

Photographs and descriptions of some of Hampshire's most illustrious church monuments. They often feature effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Mausolea and Monuments (1500-Present)

Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.

Bracknell Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Bracknell Histories & Books

Victoria County History: Berkshire (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Berkshire Towns & Villages (2000 BC-2004)

Profiles of over 100 towns and villages in Berkshire, illustrated with photographs.

Berkshire Legends (849-1920)

A number of Berkshire legends and folk tales, including ballads and ghost stories.

Berkshire Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Berkshire.

Berkshire Boundaries and Population (1834-2001)

A history of some of Berkshire's boundaries and its population in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Bracknell School & Education Records

Eton School Lists (1791-1850)

A list of boys who attended Eton School, with many short biographical and genealogical details.

Old Public School Boys' Who's Who - Eton (1933)

A biographical directory of Old Etonians who were living in 1933. Contains details on the individual's parents, spouse, and siblings, personal achievements, career and address.

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Bracknell Occupation & Business Records

Broadmoor Revealed (1863-2013)

A book primarily detailing the famous and not-so-famous inmates of Berkshire's famous lunatic asylum.

Berkshire Police Examination Books (1856-1929)

A name index to records that detail appointment to the Berkshire police.

Horse-racing in Berkshire (1830-1897)

An article outlining the development of horse-racing in Berkshire.

Berkshire Pub Histories (1820-Present)

Histories of Berkshire pubs, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.

South England Mines Index (1896)

Profiles of coal and metal mines in the south of England.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Bracknell

Berkshire Gentry Families (1200-1838)

A number of pedigrees and family histories, including heraldry and extracts from visitations.

Victoria County History: Berkshire (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Pedigrees of Berkshire Families (1066-1837)

Hand-draw genealogical charts covering Berkshire's gentry. Includes descriptions of coats of arms.

Pedigrees of Berkshire Families (1000-1837)

A manuscript-book detailing notable Berkshire families. Includes biographical details, coats of arms and historical notes.

Ford's Landed Gentry of Berkshire (1000-2004)

A genealogical database with pedigrees of Berkshire gentry families.

Bracknell Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Berkshire Gentry Families (1200-1838)

A number of pedigrees and family histories, including heraldry and extracts from visitations.

Victoria County History: Berkshire (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Pedigrees of Berkshire Families (1066-1837)

Hand-draw genealogical charts covering Berkshire's gentry. Includes descriptions of coats of arms.

Visitations of Berkshire: 1532, 1566, 1623 & 1664-6 (1000-1666)

Four works rendering 16th and 17th century heraldic visitations in pedigree form. These works may list the lineage, marriage and collateral lines of Berkshire families who had the right to bear a coat of arms.

Pedigrees of Berkshire Families (1000-1837)

A manuscript-book detailing notable Berkshire families. Includes biographical details, coats of arms and historical notes.

Bracknell Church Records

The Baptists of Berkshire (1650-1951)

A book detailing the history of the Baptist church in Berkshire, from origins, to persecution, to consolidation.

Congregational Church in the Berks, Oxon & Bucks (1414-1905)

A history of Congregationalism in Berkshire, South Oxfordshire and South Buckinghamshire, with profiles of each church.

Historic Churches in Berkshire (1100-2000)

Histories and photographs of Berkshire churches, shrines, abbeys and priories.

Thames Valley Papists (303-1829)

A well illustrated book, outlining the history of Catholics in the Thames Valley, with special notice to conspiracies, executions etc.

Act Books of the Archbishops of Canterbury (1663-1859)

An index to names and places mentioned in act books of the Province of Canterbury. It records various licences and conferments, such as marriage and physician licences.

Biographical Directories Covering Bracknell

Eton School Lists (1791-1850)

A list of boys who attended Eton School, with many short biographical and genealogical details.

Berkshire Biographies (456-1900)

Over 300 biographies of Berkshire men and women.

Old Public School Boys' Who's Who - Eton (1933)

A biographical directory of Old Etonians who were living in 1933. Contains details on the individual's parents, spouse, and siblings, personal achievements, career and address.

Berkshire Aviators (1927-1960)

Biographies of the earliest Berkshire residents to take to the air.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Bracknell Maps

Enclosure in Berkshire (1738-1883)

Digital images of maps recording the distribution of common land. Maps can be viewed by location and an interactive map. Also includes award documents, which can be searched by name.

Berkshire Parish Map (1841-1895)

A map naming and delineating parishes in the county of Berkshire. Also outlines poor law unions.

Maps of Berkshire (1607-1892)

A collection of digitalised maps covering the county.

John Fisher's Map of Berkshire (1840)

A map of the country depicting settlements, rail lines, roads, forests etc.

Berkshire Maps (1610-2004)

A selection of Berkshire maps, particularly from the early modern period. Includes a map showing royalist and parliamentarian divisions in the county.

Bracknell Reference Works

England Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.

Parish Register Abstract (1538-1812)

Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

British Family Mottoes (1189-Present)

A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.

Historical Description

BRACKNELL is an ecclesiastical parish formed Oct. 24, 1851, out of the parishes of Warfield and Winkfield, 28 miles from London, 12 south-east from Reading, 8 south from Maidenhead and 9 south-west from Windsor, in the Eastern division of the county, petty sessional division of Wokingham, hundred of Wargrava, union of Easthampstead, county court district of Windsor, rural deanery of Maidenhead, archdeaconry of Berks and diocese of Oxford; it is situated on the forest road from Reading to London, forming part of the old Forest of Windsor, and is surrounded by a neighbourhood full of picturesque scenery and containing several mansions and parks of resident noblemen and gentlemen. The Bracknell station on the South Western railway is in the parish of Easthampstead, a quarter of a mile distant. The parish is lighted with gas by the Ascot District Gas Co. and supplied with water by the Wokingham District Water Co. and the South Western and Suburban District Water Co. The church of the Holy Trinity, built in the year 1851, and enlarged in 1860, is a structure of flints in the Early Pointed style, and consists of chancel, nave of three bays, aisles, south porch and a north tower with picturesque spire containing one bell and a clock; in 1888 the chancel was rebuilt and an aisle added at a cost of £1,515; a new organ and chancel seats of oak were added in 1894; the stained east window is a memorial to Col. Bagot Lane; there are 510 sittings, 307 of which are free. The register dates from the year 1851. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £300, with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Oxford, and held since 1886 by the Rev. Herbert Barnett M.A. of Christ Church, Oxford, and surrogate. At Chavey Down is a mission chapel, a plain building of red brick, with western bell-cot containing one bell. The Catholic church of St. Josephs, in Stanley road, is an iron building, erected in 1898. The Congregational chapel was rebuilt in 1859. There are Baptist, Wesleyan and Primitive Methodist chapels, and the Christians have a place of worship known as “Our Hall.” There is also a cemetery of 2 ½ acres in extent containing one mortuary chapel, which is under the control of a burial board of 9 members. The Victoria Hall, in Church road, built in 1887, is managed by trustees and used for various public purposes. The County Police Station, in High street, was built in 1897. A cattle market is held here every Thursday at the back of the Hind’s Head hotel. Lilyhill, a handsome modern residence, beautifully situated on an elevation and surrounded by a park, is the seat of Mrs. Bagot Lane. Holly Spring, a pleasant mansion, situated in a park of about 60 acres, is the seat of Julius Meyer esq. The Brackens is the residence of Sidney King George esq. and Heathfield Lodge is at present unoccupied. Lord Bray-brook is lord of the manor. The principal landowners are Lord Ormathwaite, Mrs. Bagot Lane, Mrs. Palmer Chapman, C. J. Cave esq. Maj.-Gen. G. H. L. Milman R.A. of Martins Heron, and Capt. John Hunter Reynolds, of 2 Prince’s Mansions, Victoria street S W. The soil is clay and gravel; subsoil, clay and sand. The land is principally pasture. The population in 1891 wras 2,220.

Schools

National (mixed), Bullbrook, enlarged in 1897, for 280 children; average attendance, 195.

Infants', for 100 children; average attendance, 76.

Kelly's Directory of Berkshire (1899)