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If you have come across a website that may be useful to other Devon researchers, or have a website of your own that you would like added to the site, please contact me.
National Archives & Government Sites
The National Archives
The National Archives is the UK governments
archive office, whose aim is to preserve historical records for future generations
to see. Records date back to the Domesday Book, right through to the present day.
Modern technology has now meant that the National Archives have been able to
scan many of these historical records and put them online in digital format.
Records that have been scanned can be purchased in PDF format.
Documents Online is an index of all the digitised public records held by the National Archives and include both academic and family history sources. The indexes are free to search, but anything you may find of interest will cost £3.50 to download as a PDF file. To view PDF files you will need Adobe Reader.
Some of the records that you will find at Documents Online include those below, but there are many more.
- Wills between 1384 and 1858
- WW1 Campaign Medals
- WW2 Seamen's Medals
Run in partnership with the National Archives:
- Ancestors on Board - This site provides passenger lists and is run by Findmypast.com.
Other Government Websites
- Family Records Consortium - This site aims to help you find sources or family history research and is divided into two main sections: Topics and Partners.
- General Register Office - The GRO is where you can obtain birth, marriage and death certificates. Please see the section Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates on this site.
- Land Registry - The Land Registry hold details about the title deeds of properties, which may be useful to you if you are trying to trace the history of a property. For a small fee you can download title deeds from this website.
- Office for National Statistics - The ONS is a government department and is the main provider of official statistics about the UK.
- Wills & Probate Records - The Probate Service is part of Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS). This website provides application forms, leaflets and guidance on how you can obtain copies of wills and grants of probate or administration. There is a section called Probate Records and Family History advising how documents can be obtained.