Family history

It’s easy to trace your family tree. Once you start looking you’ll be amazed to find that so many records exist about your ancestors. The main problem is knowing where to start, because these records are not all kept conveniently together in one place.

You can use these links to find a wealth of local information on the Hull City Council website that will help you with your family history research.

Where can I get information on...?

	Adoption records Hull Adoption can help you search for birth parents and adopted people.
	Beginners' tips Read this if you don't know where to start.
	Birth, marriage and death certificates - Hull and Sculcoates districts Hull Register Office can supply copies of certificates for Hull and Sculcoates only from 1837 onwards. An online index is available on the Yorkshire BMD website (link opens in a new window). For events that were registered outside Hull see the national index below.
	Birth, marriage and death certificates - national Index of all births marriages and deaths in England and Wales since 1837, available at Hull Central Library.
	Burial records Hull City Archives has the largest local collection, with records from municipal, private and church burial grounds. The original records for municipal burial grounds are at the Chanterlands Avenue Crematorium (below).
	Business records  The best local collection is at Hull City Archives.
	Census records Hull Local Studies Library has copies of local censuses 1841-1901 on microfilm.
	Church and chapel records Hull City Archives has some non-conformist records. Please note that Church of England registers (baptisms, marriages and burials) are held in Beverley by the East Riding Archive Office (link opens in new window).
	Court records The best local collection, including the Quarter Sessions and Magistrates Courts, is at Hull City Archives.
	Cremation records Contact Chanterlands Avenue Crematorium for information about local cremations from 1901 onwards.
	Electoral registers Hull Local Studies Library has registers of voters from 1835 onwards.
	Fishing industry records Crew lists 1884-1914 - many of them indexed - are held at Hull City Archives.
	Living persons and lost relatives records Hull Reference Library is the best place to look for current addresses.
	Lunchtime Family and Local History Club This free club meets on the second Tuesday of every month at Hull Central Library.
	Maps and books about Hull The best collection is at the Hull Local Studies Library.
	Newspapers Copies of local newspapers from 1739 to the present day are kept at the Local Studies Library.
	Orphanages Records of Hull's two main orphanages are at Hull City Archives.
	Photographs of Hull Searchable database of historic photographs of Hull.
	School records The best local collection is at Hull City Archives.
	Useful websites for family history research in Hull and elsewhere What's available online.
	Wills and probate The Family History Centre at Hull Central Library has the national index of all wills proved from 1858 to 1943.