One of the main sources of information on your family history is birth, death and marriage certificates. We have staff at the local and family history library who can help you. We also run family history workshops and you can get information about these by following the link to the local and family history library.
Where to get copies of birth, death and marriage certificates
A birth, death or a marriage is registered in the district where it took place. You need to apply to that district’s Register Office to get a copy of the certificate.
Leeds Register Office holds the registers of all births, deaths and marriages which took place in the Leeds district dating back to 1837. Follow the link to Yorkshire births, marriages and deaths to access on-line indexes to some of our older birth, death and marriage records. You can apply for a copy of a birth, marriage or death certificate by following the link to Copy Certificates.
Alternatively you may apply to the General Register Office which holds records for all births, deaths and marriages occurring within England and Wales since 1837 although fees for this service are higher than those at your local office.
If you want an earlier certificate you will need to apply to the local archives. You can follow the link to West Yorkshire archives service. The Yorkshire Parish Registers are held by the Local Studies Library.
You can find more information on tracing your family history from Family Records.
Searches of indexes
Where you provide accurate details, but we can't find the record, Register Office staff will search over a 5 year period (two before and two after the year stated). If a wider search is required you will need to pay for a general search. You can make an appointment to come and do a general search of our indexes for up to six hours but you will not be able to see the registers. You will have to pay for each certificate you want.
Can you help me trace an old friend/relative?
It is very difficult to find someone if you only have a name, unless they are listed in the local telephone directory.
It is very difficult to find someone if you only have a name, unless they are listed in the local telephone directory.
The Business and Research library which is based at the Central library in Leeds has the limited edition of the Electoral Roll. Staff at the Central Library will do a quick search for you if you simply want them to check one name at a particular address - 0113 247 8282. However, entries are made by street name, not by personal name, so unless you know the address of your friend, it will be a laborious task to look through the entire rolls, and fees are charged.
You can see the full electoral register at the Electoral office
Other ways to find information about people living or dead throughout the country, are listed below
British Red Cross
The British Red Cross can help people wishing to trace family members around the world, if family contact was lost due to the war or political situation.
Look4them
A gateway to the sites of several organisations involved with finding people including some that help find people overseas
National Missing Persons Helpline
A charity that advises and supports missing people and those who are left behind.
Salvation Army's Family Tracing Service
The Salvation Army Family Tracing Service exists to try to restore (or to sustain) family relationships, by finding relatives who for various reasons have become out of touch. There are certain categories of enquiries the service does not normally become involved with.
Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA)
Includes directory of professional researchers who follow the association's code of conduct. Most of these researchers work on family history but some also work on researching records relating to living people.