Online resources for family history research

Tracing ancestors

Ancestry Library Edition

Free access to the Ancestry website from our library computers. Search the UK census from 1841 to 1901, parish records and more, as well as resources from the USA and Canada.

Ancestry

Database of over two billion names. Includes a surname index to the 1861, 1871 and 1891 census returns.

Census 1901

The 1901 Census for England and Wales was taken on 31 March 1901. Search 32 million individuals' names and view images of the original census pages.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Searchable site for British and Commonwealth casualties of the two world wars, with links to similar organisations overseas.

Family records

Official source for UK family records, much helpful information and lots of useful links.

Family search

A genealogical database of over two billion names maintained by the Church of the Latter Day Saints. Includes links to the 1880 US census, a transcript of the 1881 census and lots of pre-1837 information from parish registers.

Freebmd

Search for birth, marriage and death certificates.

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

More than 50,000 people from British history are listed in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. You can search it online in libraries or at home, or use the printed dictionary at our main reference libraries.

Roots web

Free information, including a surname database.

Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex

The 'genealogical pedigrees' section is a great resource for tracing ancestors who lived in the area.

Who's Who and Who Was Who

Did you have a famous ancestor? Visit your local library to search these online biographies by name, school, address, occupation or even recreation.

WorldGenWeb Project

Links to worldwide family history resources.

Guidance

Ancestor search

Help for new and experienced researchers on where to seek information about your English and Welsh ancestors in a structured way.

BBC History Trail

How to research family history and draw a family tree.

Brighton History Centre

Holds microform copies of parish registers for Brighton, Hove and surrounding areas. Original versions of these documents are held at East Sussex Record Office.

British library

Interesting links and unusual family information.

Familia

Guide to the genealogical resources in public libraries in the UK and Ireland.

Genuki

A collection of useful genealogical links and information about getting started.

UK Society of Genealogists Online

Research hints and tips.

Family history societies

Family Roots

Eastbourne and district family history society.

Federation of family history societies

Search for family history societies around the globe, including groups in Australia, Canada and USA.

Hastings and Rother Family History Society

Local family history society with over 300 members worldwide.

Sussex Family History Group

Has around 4,000 members worldwide and meets regularly in Hove, Crawley, Westmeads, Uckfield, Worthing and Chichester.

Archives

Access to Archives

Searchable database of records in local record offices and libraries, universities, museums, and national and specialist institutions across England.

Archon

A directory of all record offices and archives throughout the UK.

US National Archives and Records Administration

Advice and resources from an archiove that contains records about more than 200 years of American development.

National Archives of Ireland

Holds records of the modern Irish state.

National Archives of Scotland

Records spanning the 12th to the 21st centuries, touching on virtually every aspect of Scottish life.

Public Record Office for Northern Ireland

Holds records, chiefly relating to Northern Ireland, dating back to 1219.

The National Archives

Formerly known as the Public Record Office, includes an online catalogue and over 100 research leaflets.

West Sussex Record Office

Hold records relating to the west of the county.

Register Offices

General Register Office

Order birth, marriage and death certificates online.

General Register Office for Scotland

For those researching Scottish ancestry.

General Register Office (Northern Ireland)

For those researching ancestors with links in Northern Ireland.

General Register Office of Ireland

For those with Irish ancestry.