OVER six million historic parish records have been digitised for the first time – offering a unique insight into the history and people of Wiltshire.

Published online by Ancestry, in conjunction with Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council, the Wiltshire Parish Registers, 1538-1916 collection details generations of baptisms, marriages and burials that took place in the local area.

Searchable by name, birth date, parish, baptism, marriage, burial date, name of spouse and names of parents, the records contain vital information for anybody looking to find out more about their ancestor who lived in the county.

A number of famous names feature in the extensive collection, from a renowned architect to a suffragette.

These include Sir Christopher Wren, the architect who later designed St Paul’s Cathedral, Edith Bessie New, one of the suffragettes who chained herself to the railings of 10 Downing Street and smashed windows, demanding votes for women, and William Henry Fox Talbot – One of the pioneers of modern photography.

Ancestry’s senior content manager Miriam Silverman said: “The Wiltshire collection encompasses close to 400 years of county life and offers a fascinating insight into everyday rites of passage, especially for budding family historians with ancestors in the area.”

“Names of national and international importance are also among the records, such as Sir Christopher Wren and Edith Bessie New, highlighting the historical significance of Wiltshire society.”

To search the Wiltshire Parish Registers, 1538-1916 and more than 20 billion historical records worldwide, visit www.ancestry.co.uk.