Source Information

Ancestry.com. UK & Ireland, Nursing Registers, 1898-1968 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2016.
Original data: Register of Nurses. Royal College of Nursing, London, United Kingdom.

About UK & Ireland, Nursing Registers, 1898-1968

This Collection

Within this collection, you will be able to find details of the Nurse's:

  • Name (including maiden name where appropriate)
  • Registration date and number

Sometimes, they also may include:

  • Home address
  • Place and date of qualification
  • Other personal details

Full details about this collection of nursing applications, including family history guidance, can be found on the Royal College of Nursing Library and Archive Services website.

This collection consists of a number of different registers from diverse organisations. Prior to1921 registers of nurses were kept locally, by hospitals and nursing organisations. These included Burdett’s Directories from 1898 and the Royal College of Nursing (1916-1923).

In 1921 the General Nursing Councils (GNC) were established; one for England and Wales, one for Scotland and one for Ireland. The register of nurses was first published in 1922. The publication of the registers ended in 1968. These registers are held by the Royal College of Nursing Library and Archive Service, the largest specialist nursing collection in Europe.

The Royal College of Nursing was founded in 1916 and successfully campaigned for the state registration of nurses. It continues as a professional member organisation and the voice of nursing to this day.

More information about the Royal College of Nursing can be found on their website.