Researching ancestors from England, Scotland, Wales or Ireland? Here’s a list of free genealogy sites for the UK and Ireland where you can find everything from census returns and military service records to birth, marriage and death indexes.
We have included only sites that offer mostly or completely free records in our list, but you should also read our Guide to UK and Irish Research for many more resources and help with your research.
Once you’ve checked out these resources read our list of 50 Free Genealogy Sites to Search Today.
Free UK and Irish Genealogy Sites for Finding Your Ancestors
This effort includes three separate UK-focused projects powered by volunteers who transcribe important genealogical records and place them online in searchable databases. Search these three UK genealogy projects via the links below.
FreeBMD: Civil Registration index of births, marriages and deaths for England and Wales
FreeCen: 19th century census records for the UK
FreeReg: baptism, marriage, and burial records from parish and non-conformist registers of the UK
“GENUKI provides a virtual reference library of genealogical information of particular relevance to the UK and Ireland. It is a non-commercial service, maintained by a charitable trust and a group of volunteers.” You’ll find access to a great selection of resources and records on this easy to navigate site.
The National Archives of the United Kingdom has a wide variety of free research databases online, including military records and asylum records. They have done a beautiful job of providing access to just about every type of family history information you might be looking for–whether it be in the form of a searchable database or an easy to read guide.
The National Archives of Ireland have done a really good job of making their online databases simple to find and use. They offer census records, soldier’s wills and more in their genealogy section. This is the place to start if you are looking for an Irish member of your family tree.
This site has thousands of links to genealogy research sites for the UK. They list both paid and free resources, but it seems that most we have used have been free. Many of the sites are geographically focused, or center on one surname–but others are much more extensive. You’ll have to dig around on UK BMD to find what you need.
Don’t forget that many of the sites we have included in our free ancestry search article (such as FamilySearch), as well as our best genealogy research sites infographic, are also very helpful when researching your ancestors from the UK and Ireland.
You might also like:
The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Researching Your Ancestors in England, Wales, Scotland or Ireland
The 10 Collections You Need to Know for Irish Genealogy Research
Image Credit: James Morley
hi Jack , There are a few more siblings WILLIAM , JAMES ROBERT AND STEPHEN , my first message got deleted as i put a link to another site
HI Ashley all seems easy to research .
Name: Reginald P Fraser
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Birth Date: 20 Jun 1899
Residence Date: 1939
Address: Ter-Na-Noa
Residence Place: Maldon and Coombe, Surrey, England
Occupation: Research Scientist Fuel & Coak?? of Gas
Line Number: 40
Schedule Number: 10
Sub Schedule Number: 1
Enumeration District: CMUS
Borough: Maldon and Coombe
Registration district: 30-1
Inferred Spouse:
Emma E A Fraser
I am trying to find out some detailed information on my GREAT Uncle Reginald Percy Fraser. He was an amazing scientist, he had over 200 registered and or pending patents in 1966 of March when he suddenly passed. He was a received the OBE from King George for his work on the Churchill Flame thrower and possibly other war time inventions. It was said he worked closely with Churchill and Roosevelt, however, in the very few front headline newspapers I was able to get the articles on his death was very sparse just saying secret scientist died and gave a little background on him. Please, if anyone has any information on him I would love to hear from you.
Looking for information about the Hillock family in Scotland, So far I have, Andrew Hillock, b abt 1675 in Coaltown of Wemyss, Fife, Scotland. Married to Margaret Sydes b abt 1697 a son
Andrew Hillock jr. b abt 1719.
Any information about this family would be greatly appreciated.
Hello Bev
Did you trace your great Grandfather? My maiden surname also Rodgers. Just starting my research. Understood that my great
Grandfather married a widow who he met on the ship. Could we maintain
Contact please?
Kind regards
Judith Louw nee Rodgers
Hi Annlee, I am Robyn the great great gran daughter of Francis Deveigne, my mother is still alive 88 years old and the daughter of Francis son Eric Deveigne.
They lived in Mudgee for many years, oddly enough I visited Mudgee on the weekend with my daughter and I have been searching things and found this by some stroke of luck. You post is 2015 so hopefully my message shall reach you. Correct they used the name as Deveigne. My Mum did some research and in fact calls her self Bevington as part of her surname.
I do not see Gleason or Carberry mentioned anywhere here. Michael Gleason born in Tipperary County, Ireland about 1829. Arrived 1851 in New York…later he was in Iowa. Mary Ann Carberry born 1821 Cullen?, Tipperary died 1891 in Iowa. Anybody have these lines?
I’m looking for information regarding John Barwick who emigrated from England to America in 1664. According to the book written by Dr. Peter Barwick, he was bequeathed 200 pounds by Dr. John Barwick, Dean of St. Paul’s, London, upon the dean’s death in 1664, the same year young John came to America. Was young John actually the son of the dean’s brother William, about whom I have found little information other than date of birth? I’m extremely interested to learn more about young John’s lineage as he was the patriarch of my family’s branch of Barwicks in the U.S. According to Ancestry.com, he was probably an indentured servant, which seems unlikely considering that he had inherited 200 pounds from the dean at the approximate time of his emigration and soon thereafter started acquiring considerable properties in America. Neither of young John’s parents names are provided in the information from the U.S. version of Ancestry.com. Thank you for any enlightenment on this family’s history.
I am looking for Denham family info., researching for family history book. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thank you in advance.
looking for the chasser family in Scotland.
Christoper chasser and andrew chasser in aberdeenshir Scotland other family came to USA from Aberdeen Scotland. alfred chasser hellen chasser and other family.
Attempting to acquire information on a Sir Robert Craven born1632 in Stepney Middlesex England. He was son of Sir Thomas Craven of Appletreewick near Skipton. Any advice on how to proceed would be appreciated. I plan to visit England in August of 2020 to obtain all the information on this family as far as I can go. Thank you for your help.
Looking for the Chatom Family. Only relative I know that came from England is Willard Herbert Chatom (Chattom). Only thing I know is a birthdate and I am not even sure if it is correct. The birth year is 1824. Anyone have any info on the Chatom family they would be a life saver!!
Hi my name isJane as I hope you can help me out with this issue as I am looking for Thomas Jones Barker and Jones Andrew Barker how is my mum Dad and Peggy Irene Barker how is my mum as she died When I was 21 years old and now I am 49 years old and my mum Peggy Irene Barker has to Sisters how are Daffne Irene Barker and Dorothy Irene Barker as known as Corris and mum had a Brother who is Darren Andrew Barker how family do live in America and I have been trying to find them for years now because I am the grandchild as my name isJane Waller as I am married to Roger Waller as my name was Jane Irene parish as I have been married for 17 years naw as i do live in the UK in 6 Trident Drive Houghton Regis Dunstable BEDS Lu5 5 QF and my number is 07876029693 or 01582 511790 if you want to get in touch with me at all please do from Jane Waller
Looking for the walton family . frome ct fl or other states.
also looking for Christopher chasser from Scotland Charles chasser…
Have you tried the Canadian Library Archives? I think you can just search for “Canadian Library Archives” on Google and it gives you the site & you go from there. There are Canadian census info online & you might be able to find your ancestors & it might say where they were born.
Hello,
I am trying to locate information on my mothers line from St John’s Newfoundland Canada .
My ancestor was Benjamin F. McLarty born ca 1798 , I believe in Scotland or England but his family moved to Canada where the rest of his siblings were born .Benjamin came to the United States in 1824 , I have located his passenger ship list from 9-9-1824, but it does not state where he was born , I know that he married Mary Hughes ca 1827 in New york ,but I can not locate marriage record . Mary was born ca 1805 in Ireland.
They had 2 sons William and John McLarty both born in Brooklyn New York.
Benjamin’s Father was Adam Charles McLarty born ca 1766 possibly in Scotland. He was married to Anne on 9-17-1792.possibly in Scotland .
Adam died on 7-15-1824 St Johns NF Canada. He was Angelican ( Church of England ) and a blacksmith by trade .
Adam and his wife Anne are buried in Canada.
I would like to find out the marriage ,death and burial place of Benjamin McLarty and any other information on him after he arrived in the United States . I would also like to locate the original birth place for his parents Adam and Anne McLarty in Scotland ??
If anyone can help me with this information ,please contact me , I am willing to pay for copies and a small fee . thank you
Hello,
I am trying to locate information on my father’s mother’s parents. Her name was Margaret Stark , she was born on 2-20-1890 in New York . Her father was Charles Joseph Stark born ca 1857 New York ? His parents were born in Germany . Her mother was Margaret Broughton born in Ireland ca,1864. They had 3 children Harry also called Ergot, Margaret and Joseph ,
I have tried to locate them in New York records but can not find any information on their death records or burial location , I also need to locate Margaret Broughton’s passenger list and immigration records . I would appreciate any help I can get , Thank you.
Hi
I am trying to locate information on my fathers line Rice/ Reis from Frankfurt Hessen Germany . I have located William Burkhart Rice who came to America ca, 1845 . He was 15 yrs old .He was born 1830 in Hessen or Baden Germany ? I can not locate his passenger list or passport . His father was Thomas Jon Reis born ca, 1805. Mother possibly Margaret?
I would love information on his parents in Germany and his immigration to the United States .
Looking for info on Jeremie(sic) Gehan born 1800 and wife Ann Harris. Daughter Catherine believed to have been born in 1819 in County Wexford. Family believed to emigrated to Canada circa 1835
Hello looking for my family in white inch Glasgow my Granny was Agnes Morrison and was born in Northern Ireland she was also married before to a mr Stevenson and had four kids my father was from the Morrison side there were Agnes . Maggie . Maisy . and my father Joe they lived in 14 Glendore ST Whiteinch i live in Queensland Australia and we left in 1960 i lived in Medwyn st when the old tennement was still there i remember the Smart family John and Brenda lived on the bottom across the road were Ina and Stewart Christy if anyone has any information please let me know Irene Morrison now Van Heck Cheers
They may have livef in an area known as Shettleston,Lanarkshire.
Thanks
Frank
Looking for any information on James Mckenna, married Catherine Simpson,they had a son Francis,born 1880.
Francis later immigrated to Canada and settled in St John New Brunswick.
Looking for William Henry hodgson born inn doncastet Yorkshire west riding 26 sep 1900 he was married to Francis Laura Golding. He was last seen in 1939. I’m just looking for the ur he died. I was told he might have changed hiss name and or came to America
I have never found any paper trail for my mother, Myra Ellison, born in Glasgow. She was on her own at a very young age and my brother and I suspect she may have been a spy during WWII. She spoke several languages and rarely spoke about a block of time in her life. I am desperate for information on any family she may have remaining in Scotland. Not sure what to do with so little information.
I am looking for the parents of Robert Purtill of Ireland. His wife also, Mary Heneley, who may have been born in England.
Thank you I found your articles most interesting. I hit the proverbial brick wall. Researching my grt,grt,grt,grt grandmother Elizabeth Ross b.1775 Kent,England,Father Hugh Ross and Mother Sarah Cross. She married Dr. Geoffrey O’Connell abt. 1803. They had 3 children, Michael b. 1804, John b. 1811 and Elizabeth b. 1813. DR. Geoffrey was an Irish Soldier during the Reign of Terror, France 1793. Not sure of the fact that he eventually became a major in the UK army and was still on half pay 1815. After his death in abt. 1817, Elizabeth and their 3 children came to South Africa. I am a descendant of Dr. Geoffrey and Elizabeth Ross. If anyone out there could throw light on my search, I would be most grateful. Kind regards and thank you. Marié Claassen de Vries, South Africa.
Looking for locations where ‘stinson’ name may be found prior to 1900.
Looking for info on the family of Robert Washington Booth,Robert was born in 1895? In Calhoun county,Saratoga ,Arkansas,we can not find any info Robert’s father’s family,no information for his fathers wife or her family,no names,ages ,nothing it seems as if the Booth family just appeared on the 1900 census and nothing before that year, I know that Booth is an old English name as old as England,but I can find nothing
I think I have hit a dead end with my 4great grandfather I am looking to go back farther I have him as Thomas Llewellyn no bd but died in 1754? Married. Buried in The area of Myrth TydfilAberdare Wales
There is a Thomas Casey and his wife Katherine in Ayer, Massachusetts!
Hi, Turnbull is a Scottish border name, and the fact he married in England suggests this. There were a lot of cross border marriages as land workers moved around to find work. (Scotland/England border). You can narrow your search to Berwickshire and Roxburghshire in Scotland and Northumberland in England. Few people travelled further than this back in the day as they often had to share their wages with parents, either to help with younger children or to support elderly parents.
Another way to narrow your search is to look for generations with the same first names. And these repeated in the sibling’s family. On both side of the borders, a few “family first names” were used repeatedly through the generations. And in Scotland there’s the naming pattern where 1st sons and daughters are named after grandparents, 2nd sons and daughters named after the other grandparents, 3rd after parents, 4th after parents siblings. You’ll need to look it up as it’s quite complicated. If there’s a break in the pattern, it would suggest a loss of a child and it may be that a later child is named with that name.
So from your family, you know that one of the parents of Robert and wife could be Elizabeth and James. Son Robert could be the 3rd male, so there’s possibly an older son who didn’t travel with them. There may be older daughters too, it may ge that Elizabeth was the 3rd daughter.
It was quite common for families to split like this. Older children married and working staying behind and younger ones travelLing with the parents. I do wonder though that you have the right parents for the children as Robert was born 32 years after marriage, not impossible but very unusual for a pregnancy in an older woman. Quite a risk to to be travelling when due and having a new born to look after on a less than clean boat. But we don’t know what they were leaving behind.
You can look on Scotland’s people for free, and pay a small fee to view actual documents. Start with a broad search for the name and county, then narrow by birth date. Once your down to 2 or 3 options then pay to view. Scottish birth and death records usually have both parents mentioned on them.
You can also contact family history centres in each county and for a small fee they can research for you. These are run by volunteers and they have access to many more documents for cross referencing data.
Happy hunting.
Looking for any ingoformation on my great grandfather John Rodgers born 20 Sept. 1876 In Antrim Northern Ireland. Didappeared after his wifes death in 1926
Searching for a walter david nicholl married emma auguste bertha hettner 1895 victoria, australia, believed born in Stepney London circa 1850-60. Had brother David , sister Meg, was a flour miller in Timaru NZ.Thanks.
kevin gray
Hi,
I a
m trying to find out any information about Mary/Marie Leigh nee Browne the suffragette who was a close friend of Emily Davison.Details of birth/marriage/death etc would be greatly appreciated,as would any other info on her life or of her daughter Ruth Brown.
hi,
all born Canada..Clarence Arthur b 1908-1988, brother Cecil Gordon 1910-unknown 1911,Percy Phillips-2013, sisters Mary Irene 1913-2007[m Russell Fitchet] , Mildred 1918-2013[Gerald McCallister] several trees n Ancestry .ggf Melbourne MacGregor 1892-1911 born Castleton, Ontario and ggm Ethel May ,Haldimand, Canada died 1954.
MacGregor and Whitney trees
im looking for casey thats my maden name<, i would apprecate any information.
I am researching my TURNBULL family tree. Robert William Turnbull born in Scotland 1767, Married in England to Elizabeth,
came to USA around 1800. Children Elizabeth , James, Robert born in Scotland, Robert may have been born at Sea 1799
Lived in Philadelphia,Pennsylvania. Robert William died in 1807, Elizabeth died later. Robert jr. married Siscelia Wolfcale, .
When Siscelia died in 1834 Robert married Ann Margaret Ormsby. Our 2nd great grandfather James was Robert jr. son with Siscelia
I have hit a brick wall because I do not know where in Scotland Robert William came from. Is there anyone out there can tell me where I can find this info??? Thanks
hello I am trying to trace a great great grandfather who originated out of aberdeenshire Scotland he arrived in Samoa with a son. we have no further information of his birth etc from Scotland nor his parents his name was Alexander George Craig his son was John craig
Hi I am seeking any information to trace the family of my grandfather. John Nimmo. He arrived in Picton New Zealand in 1910, married Picton NZ 1912 and said age 35, born Glasgow parents John William Nimmo music publisher and mother Jane. Married again 1927 age 49 and listed same parents on certificate. My own research so far is a T/J Nimmo on Rimutaka departing 20.1.1910 London ticket no. 529 arrived Wellington 8 March 1910. Marrage searches show John Nimmo married Jane/t Morrison in 1855. John Nimmo to Janet Gardner in 1976. John William Nimmo to Jane Miller in 1898. Birth of John Nimmo in 1877 parents John Nimmo and Janet Newbiggins. Birth of John Nimmo parents John Nimmo and Janet Biggins. The only other J Nimmo I can find on any passenger lists is J Nimmo leaving UK 21 Jan 1910 on Otranto to Sydney. My mother is 93 and has always wanted to know more about her father. Any help would be most welcome. With his fathers occupation would have not been many with that work. Thank you Philip.
looking for any who have any information on james lysaght and mary shinnors my great grand parents thank you
Looking for Dilworth Family born in Ireland before 1860. In Cork with particular emphasis on Michael Dilworth.
Don’t know if it helps but the name sounds French but then I have ancestors named DeMartin which sounds French but the census say their from West Prussia. Un fortunately Beyond those the immigrated here I know their parents name due to records here but nothing else.
I am looking for information about Samuel Taylor born 04 Oct 1785, in Ireland. He emigrated to the United States.
He married Elizabeth Marshall 23 January 1812, Madison, Kentucky, United States.
It has been reported that his father was Thomas Taylor 1764-1797.
Any information about him would be very much appreciated. My family has been trying to find information about him since 1930’s.
Great for me to follow up on family in Ireland and England,Scotland
Great for me to follow up on family in Ireland and England,Scotland
Great find thankyou will be able to look for more info thanks x
Looking for any info on the linton from govan and limavady
Looking for my fathers family his name Tom Andrews born around 1908 passed away October 1950 married to Beatrice Mary shearing. She passed away in March 1969 Born in Dorset.
Eltisley, Cambridgeshire, England, looking for parents of Lewis William Fields B: 1750 D: b4 1820 M: Mary Childerley both from Eltisley, married in St. Pandionia Church. Have hit a brick wall.
Hi
I am tracking any information about my grandfather John Nimmo born about 1877 Glasgow that will help me trace his family back ground.
This is what I have searched so far
1911 John Nimmo 1911 NZ Electoral Roll Wairau Marlborough NZ. He was living at Waikawa Road Picton, occupation pig farmer.
1912 married on 1 April to Heni Keepa (died 9.1.1925). He listed his parents as John William Nimmo (music publisher) and Jane, age 35 born Glasgow
1923 My mother was born on 14 October
1927 married Oriana Te Ratuku (my mothers mother) on 23.2.27. Again listed John William Nimmo and Jane as parents, age 49 born Glasgow
1933 Oriana died 16.9.33
1952 John Nimmo died 3.1. 1952 Picton NZ. My mother gave birth to her first child (my sister) in same month.
Philip
I have been researching my husband’s Irish family. I know that his grandfather fought along side General Sherman. His name was Frank Wolfe (Woulfe). Parents were Wolfton Wolfe and Ann (?) and born in County Clare per marriage record. My husband’s grandmother also came to the states around that time. Her name is listed as Sarah Hughes, Parents were Robert Hughes and Sarah Clark. Church records a marriage of Francis Wolfe and Sarah Kehew or Trehew same date as found in other records. Census takers were notorious at changing people’s names. Any info would help. Thank you
Hello from Oz,
My search has taken me to Blackheath, Co Kent , England in regards to my great grandfathers birth approx 1862. Francis Eugene De Veigne, his parents were Hugh De Veigne and Cecilia Bevington, any information regarding the name Deveigne would be appreciated as many indexes don’t recognise the name. In Australia the surname is all one word Deveigne. Great if you can shed some light on the surname as rumour has the name to be made up through the family line,
Thanking you for your time, and hope to hear from you,
Regards Annlee
Please disregard the above as is in wrong place. Was a reply to Joanne Bechard query and has been copied as a reply next to her query.
Hi….Ancestry website shows a John Masterton death in June 1916 in Halifax, Yorkshire. Gives birth as approx. 1839 (age 77 ?) which fits in with yours so may be worth you checking that one. Is it possible that the deceased entry on the daughters marriage certificate was just an error or did the daughter lose touch with him if he moved to another part of the country and thought he was deceased ?
Hi….Ancestry website shows a John Masterton death in June 1916 in Halifax, Yorkshire. Gives birth as approx. 1839 (age 77 ?) which fits in with yours so may be worth you checking that one. Is it possible that the deceased entry on the daughters marriage certificate was just an error or did the daughter lose touch with him if he moved to another part of the country and thought he was deceased ?
Looking for relatives in Scotland. My great grandfather was born there. My grandfathers name
was Clarence MacGregor, born around 1911 or so. Not sure if he was born in Scotland or not, or
whether he was born in Canada. His wife’s name was Luella Whitney. Any info would be great.
Not sure if he had brothers or sisters.
Hunting for Scindlers that come over from Germany on one of the ships. His name is “Charles Marian or Marion Schindler”. My Momma’s Dad. Please help me.born July, 1898. Think his Dad and Mom came from England. His Dad named “Richard”?… Can you please see if Im on the right track?.
There are many other sites as well, many with a very local interest at town, village and county level. These are run by individuals and by local Family History Societies. Many are listed in GENUKI (which should be your first stop) and there are others that are not. After checking GENUKI use Google to find them!
Local Government websites are also useful for BMD and Cemetery data.
Many churches have their own websites, some with transcribed Baptism, marriage and burial information.
And the list goes on …
Looking for my GGrandfather John Spence Masterton born Scotland November 13/1838 – He was a Merchant seaman / Mothers name Mary Spence / he married Anne Tyrer Liverpool England she died in 1871 in childbirth – the only record of John Spence Masterton after that was on one of his daugters marriage certificates states him as being deceased before 1895 – I don’t know where to continue this search / I live in Ontario Canada