Place:Chiltern and Beaconsfield Registration District, Buckinghamshire, England

Registration Districts in England & Wales

In England and Wales, Registration Districts are used by the Public Record Office to designate geographical areas into which the staff sorts the reporting of births, marriages and deaths, and also the gathering of census statistics every ten years. Up until 1901 the names of the districts, usually based on the name of the largest town in the district, were used, but since 1911 the districts have been numbered. Tying back the numbers to the registration district placenames for 1911 and the "1939 Register" is not too much of a problem, but probably next year the 1921 census will be available and the task will be that much greater.

Registration Districts were added as "Places" a couple of years ago. This was fine for 19th century work, but when a person or family moved from one district to another just after the turn of the century it was hard to know where they had gone when only a number code was provided. These numbers are now being added to the description. Until the project is complete these numbers are available on a series of linked pages on the UKBMD website.

At intervals the PRO has found it necessary to revise thier numbering system. The population steadily increased through the 20th century, and the number of Registration Districts decreased with improvements in communication and travel around local areas. Notes on these alterations will now be included on the Registration District pages here in WeRelate.

The Local Picture

In 1974 there were substantial changes to the county borders between Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. The large town of Slough and the smaller parish of Eton, together with a number of surrounding but not-so-well-known parishes were transferred out of Buckinghamshire, creating an enclave of Berkshire on the north side of the River Thames.

The remainder of Eton Registration District, where Beaconsfield was the largest town, merged with Amersham Registration District to become the Chiltern and Beaconsfield Registration District.

In 1998 a second merger with Wycombe Registration District took place, with the new larger registration district named Chiltern and South Bucks.

Research Tips

Registration District Codes as used by the Public Record Office

Brett Langston's list of Registration Districts in Buckinghamshire will lead to specific parishes with dates.