Isle of Man - Family History

Civil Registration Births and Deaths 1878 onwards and Marriages 1884 onwards are with the General Registry, Deamster's Walk, Bucks Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IMI 3AR (01624-685242). Copies can be supplied in person or by post. Before those dates they will provide copies of church records that they hold, but not all denominations are available.

It should be noted that copies of parish registers up to 1883 are on microfilm at the Manx Museum Library/Manx National Heritage Library, Manx Museum and National Trust, Kingswood Grove, Douglas (Isle of Man) IM1 3LY. (01624-675522).

Also in the General Registry are Non-conformist registers, Wills, Deeds, Adopted Children (after 1928) and other records.

Some other Manx records are in the PRO at Kew.

Manx Baptisms and Marriages are on the IGI (Not burials or deaths usually). There is a 1881 Census index available for the Isle of Man. There is also a BIGR Directory (try Secretary of FHS).

There were two early Probate Courts, The Consistory Court of Sodor and Man (Wills 1600, Indexed 1659-) and the Archdeaconry Court of the Isle of Man (Wills 1631 indexed) who had the jurisdiction over probate until 1874. From 1874 to 1885 the Consistory Court handled probate and after 1885 it was handled by the High Court of Justice. Some Pre-1858 Wills could be proved at York.

Probate Records 1847-1910 are with the Archivist, The Manx Museum and National Trust, Douglas, Isle of Man.

From 1910 to the present they are with the Deeds and Probate Registry, based in the General Registry in Douglas (see above).

Isle of Man Family History Society. c/o The Secretary, 5 Selborne Drive, Douglas, Isle of Man. 01624 622188