Family History Collection
Explore Your Family History
You can discover your family’s past using resources at the Isle of Wight libraries and the Record Office. Whether you're just starting or doing detailed research, we have tools to help.
Our libraries and Record Office have lots of resources to help you explore your family history.
Where to Start
The Family History Collection is mainly housed in the reference section in Lord Louis Library in Newport.
You can visit during normal library opening hours. A number of family history reference sources are held in this collection.
General Register Office (GRO) Index
The GRO Index (also called the St Catherine’s Index) lists births, marriages, and deaths in England and Wales from 1837 to today.
- it’s available on microfiche in the reference library
- the index is split into quarters: March, June, September, and December
- each quarter is sorted alphabetically by surname
- from 1984 onwards, the index is published yearly, not quarterly
- you can use the index to find the details needed to apply for certificates from registry offices
Booking a Microfiche Reader
- Microfiche Reader can be booked in advance
- visit the reference section or or call 01983 823800
- booking is recommended as it can get busy
Electronic records
We also have CD-ROMs to help with your research:
- soldiers who died in the Great War (World War I)
- Army Roll of Honour World War II
- Vital Records Index (birth, christening and marriage records from selected parishes in the British Isles).
Times Digital Archive
Access The Times newspaper (1785–1985) on public computers in the reference library.
Periodicals
Periodicals available are:
- Family Tree January 1995 to May 2003
- Isle of Wight Family History Society Magazine.
General references
Standard reference works include:
- Dictionary of National Biography
- Who Was Who
- Phillimore Atlas and Index of Parish Registers.