Finding 17th and 18th Century Records

Researching Family History in the 17th and 18th Centuries

The 17th and 18th centuries can feel relatively recent compared to earlier periods, but the records from this era are often patchy and inconsistent. Before the 1800s, there was little effort to centralise documentation, so sources are scattered across local and national archives.

The English Civil War and the Interregnum period that followed created further gaps. Normal record keeping broke down in many areas during these turbulent decades, which can make tracing ancestors from the mid 1600s particularly challenging.

Despite these difficulties, useful records do survive. Knowing where to look and what types of documents exist will help you make progress with your research.

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Electoral Records and Poll Books

Before the Reform Act of 1832, very few people could vote. The franchise was restricted to men who met specific property qualifications, so electoral records from this period cover only a small section of the population.

Poll Books were published throughout the 18th century and list those who voted in elections. Unlike modern ballots, voting was not secret, so these books also record how each person voted. This can provide insight into political allegiances and local connections.

If your ancestors were landowners or held certain types of property, they may appear in these records. Poll Books are held in various county record offices and some have been digitised. The British Library also holds a significant collection.

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Religious Records

Religion shaped daily life throughout this period, and many records relate to people's faith or their refusal to conform to the established church.

The Church of England was the official religion, and those who did not attend its services faced penalties. Dissenters, including Quakers, Baptists, and other Protestant groups, established their own congregations and kept their own registers. These records can sometimes be found at The National Archives or through local record offices.

Catholics who refused to attend Church of England services were known as recusants. They were subject to fines, and their names were recorded on Recusant Rolls, which are now held at The National Archives in Kew. These rolls can help identify Catholic families during a period when practising that faith was officially restricted.

The Association Oath Rolls from 1696 list those who swore loyalty to William III. Clergy and others in positions of authority were required to sign, and these documents may include your ancestors if they held such roles. The rolls are held at The National Archives and can be searched through their catalogue.

Tax Records

Taxation generated some of the most consistent documentation from this period. Various taxes were levied on property, land, and even specific items, and administrators kept records of who paid.

The Hearth Tax, collected between 1662 and 1689, recorded householders based on the number of fireplaces in their homes. These records can indicate relative wealth and are useful for locating ancestors in specific parishes. Many Hearth Tax returns have been published by local record societies.

Land Tax records from the 18th century list property owners and occupiers, often by parish. These can help you track family movements and property ownership over time. Most Land Tax records are held in county record offices.

Window Tax records, Poll Tax returns, and other assessments may also survive for certain areas. Availability varies, so check with your local record office to find out what exists for the places you are researching.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Record Availability Checker lets you determines which genealogy records are likely available for a specific ancestor based on location, date, and record type. Try it now →