‘Using Society of Genealogists Data Online and Future Developments’

Else Churchill - 19 Mar 2008 - speaking at the BerksFHS Computer Branch, Woodley

The SOG library was set up 100 years ago and has collected a wide variety of material, much of which would have been lost if they had not provided a home. About 10 years ago it was decided to put some of this online and a partner was needed to provide the particular expertise. At that time Origins, who had put the Scottish BMD online, were the only experienced UK company and the first SOG online data appeared in 2000 on http://origins.net/

This site has 3 areas for British, Irish and Scots Origins and subscriptions are available for either of the first two but note that Scots Origins searches are always free. Subscription packages range from 72 hours to monthly or annual. SOG members have free access 4 times a year online but at the SOG library all Origins data is available free of charge.

SOG data on Origins

Marriage records

Boyds Marriage Index 1538-1840

Compiled from English parish marriage registers, Bishop's Transcripts and marriage licences between 1538 and 1840. Records are now available for every English county. Over 7 million names are available online.

Marriage Licence Allegations Index 1694-1850 Hard copies available

Index to documents sworn by one of the prospective parties to the effect that there was no impediment to the marriage and where the marriage could take place. Contains over 670,000 names identifying couples, particularly Londoners, who intended to marry. Hard copies available.

Wills records

Bank of England Will Extracts Index 1717-1845 Hard copies available

The Bank of England Will Extracts Index (61,000 namesl helps locate will extracts made by the Bank when people had money in public funds between 1717-1845. Hard copies available.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills Index 1750-1800. Hard copies available

Wills have been proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury since 1383 and are preserved in The National Archives, London. The index covers wills proved in the period 1750 to 1800. Hard copies available.

Apprenticeship records

Apprentices of Great Britain 1710-1774

Abstracts from tax records kept by the Inland Revenue. They are of exceptional value to the family history researcher. About 350,000 indentures are included, from all over Great Britain.

Burial records

London Burials Index 1538-1853

Combines Boyd's London Burials and Cliff Webb's London City Burials. Records include the last name, first name, age, year of death and the burial ground.

General records and images

Boyd's Inhabitants of London and Boyd's Family Units 1270-1927

Over 500,000 names. One of the Society of Genealogists' most valuable holdings, this index is a key source for researchers into families not only from London but all over the world.

Teachers' Registrations 1870-1948

The Teachers' Registrations give details of nearly 100,000 people who taught in England and Wales between 1870 and 1948; more than half ofthose are women.

Trinity House Calendars 1787-1854 Hard copies available

Petitions for charitable aid by disabled seamen or their widows, provides access to an extraordinary amount of genealogical information. Hard copies of originals can be ordered online.

SOG data on findmypast.com

Some recent publishing of data has been with findmypast.com. So far this comprises Civil Service evidence of age, 1752-1948, and the GWR shareholders index 1835-1910. The former contains information which can relate to candidates from Ireland or overseas, where more detailed references were needed. The GWR index is valuable as it contains evidence of proof of death and also address.  .

updated 12 Jul 2008