Family History & Genealogy: Researching Your Kent Ancestry

Kent Archives and Local History Service

The Kent Archives, located in the Kent History and Library Centre in Maidstone, houses the most comprehensive collection of historical documents related to Kent. Their collections span over 1,300 years of the county's history and include:

• Parish registers dating from the 16th century
• Electoral registers
• Poor Law records
• Quarter Sessions records
• Estate and manorial documents
• Maps, plans, and photographs
• Local newspapers from the 18th century onwards

The Kent History and Library Centre provides access to microfilm readers, computers with genealogical database subscriptions, and expert staff who can help guide your research. They hold original records dating back to 699 AD, with collections particularly strong in ecclesiastical, estate, and local government records.

Many of the archive's records are now available to search online through their catalogue, though a physical visit is often necessary to access the actual documents.

Parish Records: The Backbone of Kent Genealogy

Parish registers are perhaps the most important resource for tracing your Kent ancestors before civil registration began in 1837. These records document baptisms, marriages, and burials performed by the Church of England.

The Kent Family History Society has transcribed over 300 sets of parish registers, making it easier to find your ancestors. These transcripts are available to members through their website and at various libraries and archives throughout Kent.

Key facts about Kent parish records:

• The earliest Kent parish registers date from 1538, following Thomas Cromwell's mandate for all parishes to keep records
• Many early records were written in Latin until 1733, when English became mandatory
• The most complete records typically begin in the early 1600s
• Nonconformist records (for those outside the Church of England) become increasingly important from the late 17th century onwards

The Kent History and Library Centre holds original registers for many parishes, as well as microfiche and digital copies for others. Many Kent parish records have also been digitised and are available through subscription sites such as Ancestry, FindMyPast, and FamilySearch.

Civil Registration: Births, Marriages and Deaths

Civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths began in England and Wales in July 1837. Kent was divided into several registration districts, which have evolved over time. Understanding these districts is crucial for locating your ancestors' vital records.

The main Kent registration districts included:

• Blean
• Bridge
• Canterbury
• Chatham
• Dartford
• Dover
• Elham
• Faversham
• Gravesend
• Hollingbourne
• Hoo
• Maidstone
• Medway
• Rochester
• Romney Marsh
• Sevenoaks
• Sheppey
• Strood
• Thanet
• Tonbridge

Civil registration indexes are available through the General Register Office, local register offices, and online through various genealogy websites. Certificates provide valuable details about your ancestors, including names, dates, places, occupations, and family relationships.

Census Records: Snapshots of Kent's Population

Census records provide a detailed snapshot of your ancestors every ten years, making them invaluable resources for family historians. The UK census has been conducted every decade since 1801, although the 1841 census was the first to record names of all individuals.

Kent census records are particularly valuable because they reveal:

• Family relationships
• Ages and birthplaces
• Occupations
• Addresses
• Migration patterns (particularly important in Kent due to its proximity to London)

Census returns from 1841 to 1921 are available through various online platforms, including Ancestry, FindMyPast, and The National Archives. The 1931 census was destroyed during World War II, and the 1941 census was not conducted due to the war.

When using Kent census records, be aware of boundary changes and the fact that some areas now considered part of Greater London were historically part of Kent. Additionally, the census might show surprising population fluctuations in coastal and agricultural areas due to seasonal work.

Maritime Kent

For ancestors connected to Kent's coastal communities or naval history, specialised records include:

• Admiralty records at The National Archives
• Royal Navy muster rolls and service records
• Merchant shipping records
• Records of the Cinque Ports (Sandwich, Dover, Hythe, Romney, and Hastings)
• Coastguard records
• Customs records

The maritime towns of Chatham, Dover, Sheerness, and Folkestone all have specific collections relating to their seafaring heritage. The Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust maintains records relevant to the families who worked at this major naval installation over centuries.

Agricultural Kent

For ancestors from rural Kent, the "Garden of England," look for:

• Tithe maps and apportionments (1836-1860)
• Estate and manorial records
• Agricultural labour records
• Hop picking and fruit harvesting seasonal worker records
• Farming journals and directories
• Agricultural census returns

The Kent History and Library Centre holds extensive agricultural records, including those relating to Kent's distinctive hop farming heritage. These can reveal much about the lives of agricultural labourers, farmers, and landowners.

Industrial Kent

For ancestors who worked in Kent's industries:

• Coal mining records (particularly for East Kent)
• Papermaking industry records (especially around the River Medway)
• Brickmaking records
• Cement industry records (Swanscombe and Northfleet)
• Railway company records

The Kent Mining Museum in Betteshanger and various local archives hold records related to these industries, which can provide insight into your ancestors' working lives.