Buckinghamshire might be a small county, but its records are surprisingly well-preserved and rewarding to research. Whether your ancestors worked the Vale of Aylesbury farmland, made lace in the villages, or ran a trade in one of the market towns, the chances are good that they left a trail.
Archives
- Buckinghamshire Archives
Browse the family and local history records held at the county archive and find out how to access them.
Births, Marriages, Deaths & Parish Records
- FreeBMD
Search and view free birth, marriage and death records.
- Buckinghamshire Baptism Index
- Buckinghamshire Marriage Index
- Buckinghamshire Banns Index
Records announcing a couple's intention to marry in their parish. Details include names and addresses.
- Buckinghamshire Burial Index
- Buckinghamshire Parish Registers
Free parish register transcriptions via FreeReg.
The following records are mostly contained in digitised books at Archive.org, which can be searched or browsed. There's often a name index at the back.
- Buckinghamshire Marriages
Bradenham 1627–1812, Fingest 1607–1812, High Wycombe 1600–1812, Ibstone 1665–1812, Turville 1582–1812.
- Buckinghamshire Marriages
Cheddington 1552–1812, Cholesbury 1576–1812, Edlesborough 1562–1812, Hawridge 1600–1812, Masworth 1591–1812, Mentmore 1575–1812, Pitstone 1576–1812, Slapton 1653–1812, Soulbury 1575–1812.
- Buckinghamshire Marriages
Aston Clinton 1560–1812, Hardmead 1575–1813, Ivinghoe 1559–1812, Wendover 1576–1812.
- Buckinghamshire Marriages
Chesham 1637–1837, Iver 1605–1812.
- Buckinghamshire Marriages
Amersham 1561–1812, Chenies 1679–1812, Chalfont St Giles 1584–1812, Chalfont St Peter 1538–1812, Hedgerley 1539–1812, Stoke Poges 1563–1812.
- Castlethorpe Parish Records
- Chesham Parish Registers 1538–1636
- Drayton Parslow Baptisms, Marriages & Burials 1559–1837
- Hanslope Parish Records
- Olney Parish Registers 1665–1812
- Ravenstone Registers 1568–1812
- Sherington Parish Records Archived
- Stoke Poges Parish Registers 1653–1753
- Thornton Parish Registers 1562–1812
An alternative source is also available.
- Westbury Parish Records 1558–1780
- Weston Underwood (Catholic) Parish Registers 1710–1785
Census Records
- Census 1841–1921
Search Buckinghamshire census records from 1841–1921, plus the 1939 Register, all in one place.
- FreeCen
A good, though not complete, selection of free Buckinghamshire census records to search and view.
Electoral Records
- Voter List 1722
Names of freeholders who voted for the Knights of the Shire, listed alphabetically by town and village.
- Poll of 1784
Names, parish and hundred of eligible voters.
Historical Directories
- Buckinghamshire Trade Directories
A free council-provided index of historical trade directories for 1792, 1798, 1811, 1824 and 1832, with over 5,000 entries. A useful source for locating ancestors and identifying their occupations.
- Pigot's Directory 1830
Names, surnames and area of abode for the whole county.
- Robson's Directory of Buckinghamshire 1839
An alphabetical surname index with names, occupation and location.
- Kelly's Directory of Buckinghamshire 1883
Listings of private residents and businesses for each town and village.
Local History
- Buckinghamshire Maps
Over 40 maps, including a large county and parish overview, plus village maps in alphabetical order.
- Buckinghamshire Remembers
Documents the Buckinghamshire men and women who served or fell in the First World War, drawing on virtually all county war memorials. Includes many photographs, Clint's Roll of Honour (covering both casualties and survivors), and an index of newspaper references.
- Aylesbury Gaol Prisoners
An online database of prisoners entering the County Gaol in Aylesbury in the 1870s, taken from gaol receiving books. Some entries include photographs; all include the inmate's crime and punishment.
- Winslow History
Photographs, transcribed documents and short articles covering Winslow's history from the Anglo-Saxon period to the 20th century.
- Worthies of Buckinghamshire
Memoirs of deceased men of note connected with the county — rulers, statesmen, warriors, literary figures, divines and more.
- Wycombe's Old Photographs
Over 40,000 images of High Wycombe and the surrounding towns and villages.
- Dorney History
Parish records, historical directories, quarter sessions and more for the village of Dorney.
Societies & Forums
- Buckinghamshire Family History Society
Founded in 1976, the society holds regular meetings and events open to all. Offers a look-up service for births, marriages and deaths within the county (small charge applies). Publishes a regular journal.