Doctors Records

The History

Although the Royal College of physician was founded in 1518 most ' Doctors' were untrained using strange and even dangerous remedies on their patients.

Barbers conducted minor surgery and apothecaries/chemists/druggists dispensed medicine.

By the early 1800's more Doctors were being produced at University although the vast number of 'Doctors' were unqualified well into the 1800's.

The passing of the 1858 Medical Act proved the end for unqualified Doctors as they could no longer use the title Doctor and in a short period only qualified Doctors remained.

What records can you find?

The Royal College of Physicians maintain an index of deceased members called Munks Roll.

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The Royal College maintain  an index of Fellows of the Royal College called Plarrs list

This list covers fellows rather than members and as such represents about one third of the members.

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The Society of apothecaries has a museum where records of members and apprentices are kept.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has lists of its chemist/druggist members going back to 1841.

The National Archives has many documents relating to various Health Ministries but little family history detail.

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The Archbishops were able to issue medical licences to Doctors. Lambeth Palace has a searchable database of medical Licences issued by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

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Family Register have copies of the medical registers from 1858 to 1923 . Searching is free but looking at any data incurs a charge.

Ancestry has copies of the UK Medical Registers 1859-1959 Searching is free but looking at any data incurs a charge.

Local museums and County Records offices have information and memorabilia relating to individual local Doctors.

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Doctors were local celebrities so incidents involving them or even their social engagements may be reported in the local newspapers.

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All qualified Doctors will have attended a University which offers a medical degree. 

Checking alumni lists may be useful.