The Barnsley Indexing Project enables internet users to search indexes held by the Barnsley Register Office. They can the select a birth, marriage or death record they are interested in and download a form to request further information.
In total, Barnsely Council estimates that the completed index will contain almost one million birth and death records, and 400,000 marriages dating back to 1837. Due to the size of the undertaking the authority has declined to speculate on a completion date.
David Greenwood, superintendent registrar for Barnsley Registration District, said when complete, the project would be an important online resource for family historians and people seeking to trace their ancestors in the Barnsley area.
This is an extremely timely project because the interest in family history research has never been greater, he said. There are many similar projects going on around the country, but this is the first time there will be a comprehensive civil registration resource just about Barnsley people. In time, the Barnsley Indexing Project will become a very useful tool.
