Wiltshire Family History

This is a list of Wiltshire family history, genealogy and local history resources and links. They will help you research your Wiltshire ancestors and break down those brick walls.

Archives

  • Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre
    Wiltshire and Swindon has a rich and diverse heritage. The new History Centre brings together the archaeology, archive, buildings record, conservation, and museum advisory services together with the county local studies library to create a centre whose sum is much more than that of its parts.

Births, Marriages & Deaths

  • Wiltshire BMD
    Wiltshire BMD gives you free access to over 800,000 births, deaths, and marriages from 1837 onwards.
  • Wiltshire Parish Records
    Links to external websites containing Wiltshire parish records and registers available online, including Births/Baptisms, Marriages, Deaths/Burials.

Burials & Cemeteries

Census Records

  • UK Census 1841-1921
    Search the entire Wiltshire census and the 1939 Register which lists over 284,000 Wiltshire residents.
  • FreeCen

Criminals & Convicts

Electoral Registers

The registers include people who are eligible to vote and the reason for their eligibility, which could be property ownership or residence. Because the 1931 census was lost, these records are a valuable substitute.

Forums

  • RootsChat Wiltshire
    A great place to find Wiltshire resources and request help with your research.

Heraldry

Heraldic visitations were tours of inspection undertaken by Kings of Arms (or more often by junior officers of arms, acting as the Kings’ deputies) in England, Wales and Ireland. Their purpose was to regulate and register the coats of arms of nobility and gentry and boroughs, and to record pedigrees. They took place from 1530 to 1688, and their records provide important source material for genealogists.

Historical Directories

Local History

Maps

Military Records

Newspaper Archives

Obituaries

Occupations

Societies & Groups

  • Wiltshire Family History Society
    The Wiltshire Family History Society is a great place to start or continue research into your Wiltshire ancestors. There are regular events where you can learn more about researching your family history.

Surname Research

Wills