Isle of Wight Family History Society

About this website

This web site has been produced by the IOW Family History Society to provide members and visitors with a range of data collections which may help in their family history research.
It is for the use of members, worldwide, who wish to research their Island heritage. Some of the data collections, principally Births, Deaths and Marriages, are available to non-members

The information has been collected from newspaper archives, the County Record Office archive, and other publicly available archives with the aim to simplify access to those records pertaining to IOW residents of the past. In additions members, past and present have collected a diverse collection of materials from churches, churchyards, photo collections and members' research into island history and particularly family history.

Many of the records available have been transcribed from other sources and therefore we cannot guarantee they are 100% correct. Where possible entries should be checked against other sources, or the original records.

This web site was created in November 2020. Previously we had another web site which began in the early 2000's.
The new site originally had a basic collection of databases and record collections and we are gradually transferring other sections to the new site. Any databases or records not yet transferred are still housed on the legacy site and links to these records are automatic. Menu items housed on the legacy site are indicated by an arrow after their name.

If access to the legacy records is restricted to members only then a second login will be required using the old password.

Some of the databases and records available have been transcribed from public records and are therefore available to all visitors to the site. Other records have been collated and donated by members for our members. These records are only available to members who must login in order to view these records.

If you wish to view records reserved for members then please see the Become a Member option under the Members menu.

The Home Page

The home page provides, in addition to a menu, direct access to some sections of the web site.

At the top, immediately under the menu bar, is a direct search facility for our births, death and marriages databases, just enter a surname.

The 3 icons at the top provide instant access to news, upcoming events and access to the database search facility.

Under this is an introduction and, for newcomers, a Get Started section.

Under this is access to the News section, upcoming meetings and databases.

At the bottom we have a section devoted to how to become a member and the bottom section is a section devoted to quick access to various parts of the site.

The Main Menu

Clicking an item on the menu either opens a drop-down list of pages or, if no down arrow is displayed, opens a page directly.

Click a menu item above to go to that section on this page.

About

Web Site Map Provides a visual overview of the site structure
Contacts Gives details of how to contact members of the committee and others with areas of responsibility.
About the Society Provides information about the Society and what it does.
Constitution Displays details of the Society’s constitution and governance.
Committee Displays more details of the committee members, who they are, their background and interests.
Volunteers Describes what volunteers are and how you can become an active volunteer.
Data Protection Provides access to our documents describing our legal obligations regarding protection of personal data, use of cookies and media consent.

Latest

This item opens the News page. Items are listed in date of posting in descending order (latest news first).

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Events

This item opens the Event page. Items are listed in date of posting in descending order. If events require you to book a ticket there is a link to the ticket booking page, payment may or may not be required.

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Databases

Many of our larger collections of records are kept in a searchable database and such record collections are listed here.

Those record collections which are still housed on the legacy web site are indicated by the arrow icon after the name of the database.

Overview
Provides an overview of the menu item available here.
Births, Deaths & Marriages These index records have been transcribed from those held by the Registrar for the Isle of Wight. They include links to the Isle of Wight Council website (Registrar Office) order forms for certificates.
Monumental Inscriptions Index A index to records of monumental inscriptions in churches and churchyards on the Island.
IWRO Burial Card Index Records transcribed from those held in the County Record Office.
War Service Reports A searchable database of Island war memorials plus access to other war service records.
War Service Reports -VAD A searchable database of reports compiled by volunteers in the Society of the British Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment stationed on the Island during WW1.
Pedigree Index Society members have donated family trees as a resource for others researching their trees. The page lists surnames of principles and if you are interested in a particular name then you should contact the pedigree index holder.
Newspaper Report Transcriptions (public) A searchable database of reports in local newspapers, mainly Inquest and death reports.
Strays Search A searchable database of people registering the Isle of Wight as their birth place but recorded living elsewhere.
Index to Royal Notional Hospital (Ventnor) Patient Records A searchable index of the records compiled at the Hospital. Details of patients’ admission, treatment and discharge or death.
Newspaper BMD announcements A searchable database of announcemnets in Island newspapers of births, deaths and marriages
Wills A searchable database of wills submitted for probate by Island inhabitants.

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Churches

Churches, Chapels and Cemeteries Index Provides search facilities of the IWFHS Churches, Chapels and Cemeteries database which includes those which exist, or have existed over the years, on the Isle of Wight. As well as giving the location of each, the index also provides an indication of its current status and location of and/or links to possible family history research resources.
Church Building Memorials Provides links to our pages showing Monumental Inscriptions in, and around Island Churches.
Churchyard Plans & MI Coverage Provides a list of churches with churchyard plans plus a searchable index of monumental inscriptions.

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Photos & Maps

Our Google Photo Albums A link to our Google photo Albums page. Contains albums of photos of Island historical interests as well a for family tree research.
Photo Identification Presents photos we have received with requests for identification of the person or persons I that photo. Only photos with confirmed interest are presented on this page.
Photo Identification (Legacy Website) As above but contains many for which confirmation of interest has not yet been received.
Photo Galleries Presents a page of links to various photo-based pages, some of which are available direct from this menu.
Isle of Wight Rifles Photos Displays a page of photographs, mainly of individuals and groups belonging to the Isle of Wight Rifles - the 1/8th Bn Hampshire Regiment - and some other units.
Maps Presents links to maps and other map-based resources for the Isle of Wight.
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Members

This menu item contains links to various pages which are for registered members only.
If not already logged you will be asked to do so.

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Resources

This menu item lists links to a variety of useful resources and materials. Most of this material is open to non-members, but there are items for which you must be a member.

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