Record Office databases

The following databases are available online:

• Alehouse Licences
• Apprenticeship Indentures
• Cowes Registry of Shipping
• Indictments 
• Pauper's Lists
• Sacrament Certificates
• 1841 Census Index
• Marriage Register Index 1837 to 1900.

Photocopies of individual documents can be made subject to condition. For a quote, contact us by email or complete a general  records enquiry form. 

We hope to add more databases soon which may include:

• Cowes Protest Book
• Newport settlement certificates
• Northwood apprenticeship records from our parish collections
• Newport Gaol Book from our Newport Borough Corporation collection.  

In the meantime, you are welcome to request that we search these indexes on your behalf.

This database records details of licences issued at the Newport Borough Quarter Sessions between 1766 to 1819. It records the name of the alehouse, the victualler, and the sureties (for example, those who stood as security for the proper performance of the victualler's duties). You can search the licences by year.

You can visit the Alehouse Licence Database to access these records.

This database covers apprenticeship indentures held in our Newport Borough Corporation collection covering the years 1689 to 1835. The database is arranged by name. The documents themselves give information on the apprentice, the master, and trade to be learned. 

See an apprenticeship document example (PDF, 1.96MB) and an example of its reverse (PDF, 1.32MB). 

You can visit the Apprenticeship database to access these records. 

This database uses a transcript given to the Record Office in which the names of vessels recorded by the Cowes Registry of Shipping appear. It is arranged by the name of the vessel, the year and number. The Registers themselves have now been deposited. It is not possible to photocopy entries from the registers due to the size and condition of the volumes, but the first Shipping Register volume, covering the period of 1786 to 1823, has been digitised. Unfortunately, not all database entries have survived in the register, so email us with the details of the ship in which you are interested to allow us to check the images. If the entry you're looking for survives, then a copy of the page can be supplied subject to our standard copying charges. For entries after 1823, transcripts can be supplied subject to our hourly rate. 

See an example of a shipping registry document (PDF, 1.11MB).

Visit the Cowes Registry of Shipping database to access these records.

This database records the names of those who received relief from the Poor Law Union for the years 1868, 1878, and 1882.  An individual's name is listed, together with their place of residence and age. You can search by date, parish or surname. Returns survive for the years 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, and 1882. The original lists show the reason for relief and the total amount received. They are arranged by Poor Law District and listed alphabetically by parish within each district. In urban areas, the residence details are given to street level. Elsewhere, the names of hamlets, farms, or villages appear.

See an example of a pauper's list document (PDF, 2.11MB).

Visit the List of Paupers database to access these records.

These documents record the name of the accused, the type of offence and the date of the offence. In most cases, the original indictments record further information (usually inserted into the margin), such as the plea, verdict, and sentence. In some cases, the offence is described in more detail. Related papers are attached to many of the indictments (for example, calendars of prisoners, writs, and certificates of conviction). This database can be searched by surname.

See an example of an indictment document PDF, 826KB)

Visit the Indictments database to access these records.

The Test Act of 1673 excluded from civil or military office all those who were not members of the Church of England. As a result, the holder of a civil or public office was required to present a certificate confirming that he had received communion in the Church of England. The certificate was signed by a minister, churchwardens, and two witnesses. Some of the sacrament certificates do not specifically mention the place of residence. In those cases, the parish of the minister and churchwardens is noted. This database records each office holder. 

See an example of a sacrament certificate PDF, 1.23MB).

Visit the Sacrament Certificate database to access these records.

An index to the 1841 census is now available to users of the Record Office website. This index is arranged alphabetically by surname. Copies of individual returns can be supplied our standard fees apply. Quote the surname, reference, and folio on all orders.

To see an example of a census document (PDF, 505KB).

Visit the 1841 Census (PDF, 2.20MB) to access these records.

Indexes to Church of England marriages are now available for the years 1837 to 1900. These indexes are arranged by the surnames of the bride and groom and include their Christian names, year, date and place (parish) of the marriage registration.

More information contained in the parish register may include:

• occupations for the bride, groom, and their fathers 
• residence for both bride and groom 
• signatures for both the bride and groom  
• the names and signatures of the witnesses to the marriage. 

Copies of the parish register entry can be supplied subject to our standard fees (see below). Quote month, year, name, and place (parish) on all orders.

See an example of a marriage register document (PDF, 785KB).

Access the index arranged by surname of bride (PDF, 1.35MB).

To access the index arranged by surname of groom (PDF, 1.35MB.