How to use our Findmypast resources
During four decades our volunteers have transcribed hundreds of thousands of historical records and made them available to family historians in various forms. The majority, listed below, have also been placed with Findmypast. The relationship is beneficial to all concerned, as when one is viewed, the Society receives a very modest royalty (fractions of 1p) which helps towards our considerable running costs.
Anyone can search Findmypast for free. You will be able to see basic details such as names, dates and perhaps locations which may help your research elsewhere. On your first visit you will need to sign up for free searches. To see the full transcriptions you will need a Findmypast subscription.
Our records available on Findmypast. Wiltshire memorial inscription index, Wiltshire quarter session calendars 1728-1890, Wiltshire removal orders 1670-1890, Salisbury infirmary admissions and discharges, Sarum marriage licence bonds. Scroll down for advice on accessing them.
We also contributed to the following Findmypast sets: National Burial Index, 1851 Census, Wiltshire baptisms index 1530-1917, Wiltshire burials index 1538-1990.
Among these sets are our pre-1837 baptism and burial transcripts for almost all of Wiltshire which (with marriages) are also available in different formats direct from us – see our Publications page.
More information about the records
Whether or not you have a Findmypast subscription, you can use the links below to see additional information about the various records and their sources.
Wiltshire Memorial Inscription Index
Also known as Monumental Inscriptions. More than 290,000 transcripts of inscriptions from churches, cemeteries and commemorations around the county. Details copied from gravestones and other memorials of many kinds during a county-wide survey in the 1980s. Usually include names and dates and any other key noted. There is some more information in our Resources Section.
- On the Findmypast Search page, see What can these records tell you?
- Scroll down to discover more about the index. Note that each individual mentioned on a memorial is listed separately, so if you find other records with the same reference number, it means that more than one person is mentioned on the same memorial.
- Remember that most burials were unmarked and that many stones have become unreadable or have been removed since the survey.
Wiltshire Quarter Session Calendars 1728-1890
Over 67,000 records of prisoners tried at the quarter sessions as well as witnesses and victims. The information varies, but usually names, dates, offence, prison, whether the named person was accused/witness/victim and often home parish.
- On the Findmypast Search page, see What can these records tell me?
- Scroll down to discover more about the Wiltshire quarter sessions, including dates, penalties, transportation etc
The source documents of most of our transcriptions are in the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre. However in this case we hold photocopies of the original Calendar pages, so if you want to know more about a record, send a research enquiry using the link on the Contact Us page.
Wiltshire Removal Orders 1670-1890
Did your ancestor fall on hard times and was removed from a parish in Wiltshire under the Poor Laws? Search more than 20,500 records for them and their families and their parishes. The information varies but usually includes name, date, age, place removed from, place removed to, etc
- On the Findmypast Search page, see What can these records tell me?
- Scroll down to discover more about Wiltshire Removal Orders
- Scroll down further to learn about the 1662 Settlement and Removal Act
Salisbury Infirmary admissions and discharges
Over 100,000 records from Salisbury Infirmary minute-books of admissions and discharges between 1761 and 1832. The information is limited, but may support information that you have found from elsewhere. It includes name, date of admission and/or discharge, and often brief notes
Over 75000 records from 1604 to 1837 for much of Wiltshire, Berkshire and Dorset and a parish in Devon, and also brides and grooms from other counties being married by licence within the Diocese. Available on CD from us, see our Marriage Licence Bonds page for more information about the bonds, our free name index and the CD. Individual entries available on Findmypast. Note: search for 'Sarum' rather than 'Wiltshire'.
Other Wiltshire FHS transcriptions on Findmypast
We have also contributed high quality transcriptions by our volunteers to the following Findmypast sets:
- National Burial Index for England & Wales
- 1851 England, Wales & Scotland census.
- Wiltshire baptisms index 1530-1917
- Wiltshire burials index 1538-1990
Among these sets are our pre-1837 baptism and burial transcripts for almost all of Wiltshire which (with marriages) are also available in different formats direct from us – see our Publications page.
Note that in some cases on Findmypast the same records have also been transcribed by other organisations. So compare the different results, as different interpretations may help you. You will know our work by the evidence of our copyright (or otherwise) usually shown at lower left of each Record Transcription page.
