Nature of Source
Records generated from the running of universities with registers and calendars containing the most useful information on individuals. Up to the 19th century only two universities existed, namely Oxford (1249) and Cambridge (1284), who offered higher education mainly to the sons of the politically powerful and wealthy elite. Many more universities were established in 19th century offering a variety of subjects especially in the sciences and engineering which also for the first time admitted females as students.
The first of these new universities opened in Durham in 1832 with the University of London founded in 1836. In Scotland, St Andrews was established in 1411, Glasgow in 1451, Aberdeen in 1495 and Edinburgh in 1582. In Ireland, Dublin’s university was founded in 1592.
Many university registers have been published and indexed.
Also see
School Records
Teacher Records
Where Found
University Archives
Society of Genealogists (Lists of school registers and where to locate them. For more details consult the SoG publication ‘School, university and college registers and histories in the library of the Society of Genealogists‘, 2nd ed 1996)
The National Archives Library (Published registers)
Institute of Education Library & Archives (The archives holds extensive collections of current and historical materials on education and related areas of social science. The archives consist of collections deposited by people and educational organisations and of the Institute of Education itself. The library houses a collection of journals, books and documents on all aspects of education)
British & Foreign School Society Archive (The archive housed at Brunel University Archives is probably the most important collection in the world on 19th-century elementary education and teacher training. Holding include: material concerning Joseph Lancaster’s work; minute books that date from 1808 and record the work of the Trustees of the Royal Lancasterian Institution; correspondence and pamphlets)
County Record Offices (Find the details of a local UK archive from a searchable list of over 2,500 archives hosted by The National Archives. Use the ‘Find an archive’ box to search for an archive)
Reference Libraries
National Library of Scotland
Period Covered
1167 – Onwards
Genealogical Value
- Student’s first and second name and date of entry and departure.
- Details of degree awarded.
- Student’s age, parentage and occasionally details of later career or death.
- Parents’ occupation and address.
Further References
- Chapman, Colin. The Growth of British Education and its Records: Lochin Publishing, 1992
- Chapman, Colin. Basic Facts about Using Education Records: Federation of Family History Societies, 1999
- Craigie, James. A Bibliography of Scottish Education before 1872: Scottish Council for Research in Education, 1970
- Harwood, Elain. England’s Schools: History, Architecture and Adaptation: English Heritage, 2010
- Jacobs, Phyllis M. Registers of the Universities Colleges and Schools of Great Britain and Ireland: Institute of Historical Research, 1964
- May, Trevor. The Victorian Public School: Shire Publications, 2009
- May, Trevor. The Victorian Schoolroom: Shire Publications, 1994
- Oates, Jonathan. Tracing Your London Ancestors: A Guide for Family Historians Pen & Sword Books, 2011
- Ogilvie, Joseph. The Church of Scotland Training College in Aberdeen: Records of the Classes from 1895-96 to 1905-07: Albany Press, 1907
- Oldham Hughes, Walter. The Register of Tonbridge School from 1820 to 1886: Beecroft, 1886 (available to download or read online at the Internet Archive)
- Steed. H.E. The Register of Tonbridge School from 1826 to 1910: Rivingtons, 1911
- Torrance, D. Richard. Scottish Trades, Professions, Vital Records and Directories: A Selected Biography: Scottish Association of Family History Societies, 1998 (The book contains a bibliography of works which contain lists of Scottish people trades people including students and teachers)
- Webb, Cliff. An Index of London Schools and their Records: Society of Genealogists, 2007
- Wilkes, Sue. Tracing Your Ancestors’ Childhood: Pen and Sword Books, 2013
- Woolf, Alex. Past in Pictures: A Photographic View of Schools: Wayland, 2014
Published University Student Registers
- Addison, W. Innes. A Roll of the Graduates of the University of Glasgow, 1727-1897: Glasgow, 1898 (Available to download or read online at the Internet Archive)
- Addison, W. Innes. The Matriculation Albums of the University of Glasgow from 1728 to 1858: J. Maclehose and sons, 1913(Available to download or read online at the Internet Archive)
- Anderson, James Maitland. The Matriculation Roll of the University of St. Andrews, 1747-1897: W. Blackwood and Sons, 1905 (Available to download or read online at the Internet Archive)
- Anderson, James Maitland. Early Records of the University of St Andrew: The Graduation Roll 1413-1579 and the Matriculation Roll 1473-1579: Edinburgh, 1926 (Available on CD from GenFair)
- Anderson, Peter John. Officers and Graduates of University and King’s College, Aberdeen, 1495-1860: New Spalding Club, 1893 (Available to download or read online at the Internet Archive)
- Anderson, Peter John. Roll of Alumni in Arts of the University and King’s College of Aberdeen, 1596-1860: University of Aberdeen, 1900 (Available to download or read online at the Internet Archive)
- Anderson, Peter John & Johnstone, James Fowler Kellas. Fasti Academiae Mariscallanae Aberdonensis: selections from the records of the Marischal College and University, 1593-1860, 3 vols: New Spalding Club, 1889-1898 (Available to download or read online at the Internet Archive)
- Donald, Louise & Macdonald, W. S. Roll of the Graduates of the University of Aberdeen 1956-1970 with Supplement 1860-1955: Aberdeen University Press, 1982
- Dunlop, Annie I. Acta Facultatis Artium Universitatis Sanctandree, 1413-1588: Oliver and Boyd, 1964
- Foster, Joseph. Alumni Oxonienses: The Members of the University of Oxford, 1715-1886: Parker and Co, 1888 (Available to download or read online at the Internet Archive)
- Foster, Joseph. Alumni Oxonienses: The Members of the University of Oxford 1500-1714: James Parker and Co, 1891 (Available to download or read online at the Internet Archive)
- Innes, Cosmo. Munimenta Alme Universitatis Glasguensis: Records of the University of Glasgow: From its Foundation till 1727, 3 vols: Maitland Club, 1854 (Available to download or read online at the Internet Archive)
- Johnston, William. Roll of the Graduates of the University of Aberdeen, 1860-1900: University of Aberdeen, 1906 (Available to download or read online at the Internet Archive)
- Mackintosh, John. Roll of the Graduates of the University of Aberdeen 1926-1955 with Supplement 1860- 1925: University of Aberdeen, 1960
- Smart, Robert N. Biographical Register of the University of St Andrews, 1747-1897: University of St Andrews Library, 2004
- Venn, John & Venn, J. A. Alumni Cantabrigienses: A Biographical List of All Known Students, Graduates and Holders of Office at the University of Cambridge, from the Earliest Times to 1900: Cambridge University Press, 1922-1954 (Available to download or read online at the Internet Archive)
- Watt, Theodore. Roll of the Graduates of the University of Aberdeen 1901-1925; with supplement 1860-1900: Aberdeen University Press, 1935
Websites
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/teachers-and-pupils (The National Archives Research Guide: How to look for records of Teachers and pupils. The National Archives holds the administrative and policy files of the government departments concerned with education, but not staff records of teachers or information about individual pupils. Where these survive, they are held by local archives)
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/education-history-records-held-by-other-archives (The National Archives Research Guide: How to look for records of Education history records held by other archives. Use this guide if you are researching the history of education in the UK and are interested in collections which are held by archives other than The National Archives)
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/technical-colleges-further-education (The National Archives Research Guide: How to look for records of Technical colleges and further education. Use this guide to find policy and administration records for technical colleges and further education between 1836 and 1997)
https://search.lma.gov.uk/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/RESEARCH_GUIDES/web_detail_rg?SESSIONSEARCH&exp=SISN+92 (London Metropolitan Archives Research Guide: An outline of Sources for the History of Education at London Metropolitan Archives)
https://libguides.ioe.ac.uk/IOEArchive (Institute of Education Archive: This guide provides an introduction to the Institute of Education’s own institutional archive. It provides information on the papers available and how to gain access to the collection including teacher training)
https://libguides.ioe.ac.uk/c.php?g=482261&p=3298295 (Institute of Education Archives Resource Guide: Family History. This guide provides a general overview of the types of records available both at the IOE and in other archive services to help you get started with your search)
https://libguides.ioe.ac.uk/c.php?g=482261&p=3298295 (Institute of Education Archives Resource Guide: Education in London, 1870-1990. This guide provides an introduction to the IOE’s archive collections relating to the history of education in London)
www.open.ac.uk/Arts/building-on-history-project/resource-guide/research/researching-schools.htm (Building on History: the Church in London: Researching Schools)
Online Databases
Online Catalogues (Listing of online catalogues for the partial whereabouts of records including Access to Archives [A2A], National Register of Archives [NRA], Aim25, Archives Hub, Scottish Archive Network)
www.ancestry.co.uk (School Lists & Yearbooks Datasets include: Oxford University Alumni, 1500-1886; Oxford Men, 1880-1892; Oxford University Brasenose College Register, 1509-1909; Cambridge University Alumni, 1261-1900; University College School, London, Register 1831-1891; University of London Student Records, 1836-1945; Register of Admissions to King’s College Cambridge 1850-1900; Matriculation Roll of the University of St. Andrews, 1747-1897. See site for full coverage)
www.ancestry.co.uk (London, England, Royal Holloway and Bedford College Student Registers, 1849-1931. This collection comprises student records of the Royal Holloway and Bedford College originally both female-only colleges)
www.findmypast.co.uk (Britain, School and University Register Books. The records consist of digitised copies of school and university register books. In addition to Scotland, county coverage includes: Berkshire, Cambridgeshire, Cumberland, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, Durham, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, London, Middlesex, Northumberland, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Somersetshire, Surrey, Warwickshire, Yorkshire)
www.thegenealogist.co.uk (School, College & University Registers. Search registers to find ancestors who attended or taught at a variety of educational establishments including schools and universities between the 1830s and 1930s across England and Scotland. Also listed are the names of those who held high office in the institutions. Resources include Cambridge and Oxford University registers; London School of Economics and Political Science Register 1895-1932; London University College School Register, 1831-1931; Aberdeen University Roll of Graduates; Glasgow University. See website for full county coverage)
www.familyrelatives.com (School & University Alumni Records)
https://london.ac.uk/senate-house-library/our-collections/special-collections/archives-manuscripts (University of London: Senate House Library: University of London Students 1836-1939. Search digitised copies of lists of students and University of London graduates)
https://london.ac.uk/senate-house-library/our-collections/special-collections/archives-manuscripts (University of London: Senate House Library: Digitised collections include: London University Military Service 1914-1945; Examination registers 1838-1889)
https://venn.lib.cam.ac.uk (Cambridge Alumni Database: Biographical details of everyone who has been identified as being academically associated with the University of Cambridge, covering the period from 1200 onwards)
www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/alumni (University of Glasgow Alumni: Graduate searches including graduates to 1911 and WWI and WWII Rolls of Honour)
https://collections.ed.ac.uk/alumni (University of Edinburgh: Historical Alumni Collection. Search records of students dating back to the first class which graduated in 1587. However they do not cover every student who ever attended the University. The Reading Room also contains a number of non-digitised indexes of the University of Edinburgh student records)
www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/archives/guardian (University of Glasgow: Glasgow Guardian Digital Archive: The archive contains searchable digital editions of the Gilmorehill Globe, Gilmorehill Guardian and Glasgow University Guardian. Together they represent the entirety of student newspaper journalism at the University of Glasgow. Please note that there were no editions of student newspapers produced prior to 1932, nor between 1936 and 1954 and the academic year 1957-1958)
www.findmypast.co.uk (Britain School & University Memorial Rolls 1914-1918. Search the names of individuals who fought in World War 1 from the University of Aberdeen, the University of London, Eton, Oxford, Manchester University, the University of Durham, the University of Edinburgh and St Andrews)
CD Roms
GenFair (Browse tens of thousands of family history products including alumni and university registers from hundreds of suppliers. The largest range of products covering the British Isles)
S & N Genealogy Supplies (University registers)
