Medical Nursing Records

The History

From early times ladies have nursed invalids and the sick although in most cases this related to being there rather than treating their condition.

Nurses as we know them emerged in the 1800's with the growth of Hospitals open to everyone.

Quickly the realisation of cleanliness to recovery brought about the modern nurse.

Often nurses were from middle class backgrounds with lower class girls becoming cleaners and aids in the hospital.

Until comparatively recently nurses would be female.

Nurses were rarely found in Doctors Surgery's with any 'nursing' work often carried out by the Doctors wife.

Midwives registration began in 1902 with other nurses following suit in 1919 with the Formation of the General Nursing Council.

Since the inception of the NHS in 1939 comprehensive records of nursing personnel have been maintained although these are not accessible for family history purposes..

What records can you find?

The National Archives is the major source of Nursing Records including midwives and district nurses as well as State Registered Nurses.

2,800 Hospital appear in a Hospital database some of which may help track a Hospital and narrow the search area for a Nurse ancestor.

Records of the General Medical Council including the enrollment register are also held although these are not yet on line.

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The current register of nurses can be searched on the Nursing and Midwifery Council website.

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County Records Offices and local museums sometimes have local records of nurses.

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The armed services all had corps of nurses. Their records will be found with the respective service.