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Explore millions of Berkshire records online

Do you have a connection to the Royal County of Berkshire? Use Berkshire archives online at Findmypast to find fascinating family stories. Pinpoint ancestors in Berkshire parish registers, school admissions and more.

A brief history of Berkshire

Berkshire has been a county since the 7th century and is now known as the historic Royal County of Berkshire because the royal residence of Windsor Castle is within its boundaries.

It was once one of England’s smallest counties by population but has grown substantially over the last century as more people move into the area.  

Berkshire’s natural landscape was ideal for sheep farming, leading to a prosperous wool trade. Today, Berkshire is better known as a major centre for technology and is home to global brands like Oracle, Microsoft and Vodafone.    

The county has no cities but towns such as Reading and Slough are densely populated and have universities. It’s well known for having the largest inhabited castle in the world, as well as the theme park Legoland.  

Linked to the Profumo affair that almost brought down the Macmillan government, Cliveden House bordering Buckinghamshire is possibly the most scandalous hotel in England. 

The 14th century flag of Berkshire featuring a stag and oak tree.

Berkshire’s local family history records

Begin your quest for Berkshire ancestors by browsing our records from the county. From births, marriages and deaths to school registers and electoral rolls, these are the records that tell a richer family story.

Berkshire 1921 census: Collage of life in the 1920s

Life in Berkshire in the 1920s

How well do you really know your Berkshire relatives? Trace their lives and loves in the 1921 Census of England and Wales, exclusively available online at Findmypast. This century-old snapshot of local life reveals where your ancestors were, who they were with and what they were doing on 19 June 1921.

Family history made simple

“The records on Findmypast are really easy to find and understand. There’s no going around in circles, unlike other sites I’ve been on.”

Victoria Mellor

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Page after page of Berkshire newspapers online

Find out what was going on when your ancestors were living in Berkshire through old newspaper archives. Look up birth, marriage and death announcements and find exciting facts to add to your family tree.

Take your search beyond Berkshire

Wherever your family research leads you in England, we’ve got local records covering every county, city, town and village.  Dive into our large collection of historical resources to discover ancestors who settled elsewhere.

Choose a region from the map or drop-down menu to dig deeper into its record collections and learn about local history, county by county.

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