This message contains some experience with British records in the 1800s: Civil Register Index, 1851 census CD-ROM and 1881 census index. The information is probably not 100% accurate, but based on what I recall from using these sources. If anyone has additional information and/or corrections, just jump in! Civil Register Index I visited a large local FHC last night and discovered that fiche is available for civil registration indices for England and Wales from the 1830s and up (I think to 1979?). You will find the entire collection only at large local FHCs. It filled about two fiche file drawers. I assume you could order individual fiches the same way you do other fiches. These indices may be helpful in finding birth, death and marriage records for pioneer English and Welsh ancestors. After they converted, British Mormons obviously weren't getting married or having their children baptized in the Church of England, so we don't find records in the parish registers. The indices are alphabetical by quarter of the year (i.e., 1st quarter ending March 1860 covers Jan, Feb. & March). The index has the name, place (town or parish, I think), volume and page number, but not the county. I guess you'd then have to write for a copy of the actual record if you want actual date and names of parents. I was in a hurry, so I didn't check the catalog to see if any of the actual registration books have been microfilmed. I don't think so. I was looking for the family of a cousin's husband in the late 1860s and 1870s. As I had approximate birth dates from the 1900 US census, all I needed was verification from the index. Of four children, two of the census dates were in the correct quarter for the index; two born late in the quarter were found in the next quarter's index. I had already found the older three of the four in the IGI for parish christenings. I suspect that the indices are more complete later in the 1800s than at the beginning, but it's worth the try to look. Even if you don't write for the record, the index listing will serve as an approximate date and actual place. You should cross-check the name of the bride, if known, to verify you have the correct groom. Both brides and grooms are in the same index by surname. Of course, if your surname is SMITH or JONES, it might not be so easy! 1851 British Census on CD-ROM As advertised, this only covers three counties. I tested it anyway. You can search for individuals or heads of family. The whole family can be pulled up. This is unlike the 1881 indices, where you might miss family members if you don't have the names of all the children. 1881 British Census Index This gives the name, age, sex, marital status, census place, name of head of household, occupation, parish and county of birth, and film and page number. The indices are by county, sorted three ways: surname, place of birth (the 3rd I don't remember!) This source is obviously too late for pioneer ancestors, but might be useful in finding parents and siblings who didn't emigrate.