Poll Books

From the late 1600's onwards officials compiled Poll Books recording those people who were eligible to vote at Parliamentary election.

Some poll books will even contain information about the how the person voted.

In 1868  secret ballots and  Electoral Registers similar to those that we use today were introduced and the use of Poll Books ceased.

In 1832 election reform meant that Poll Books were discontinued and Electoral Registers introduced.

What information is contained in poll books?

Few people in each area were eligible to vote.

Only male freeholders were entitled to vote.

To be a freeholder a person had to own land or a house.

Some people owned houses or land in several Parliamentary areas in which case they were listed in several poll books and would be entitled to a vote in each constituency.

The fact that a person is listed in a particular town or village therefore does not necessary mean residence there but it would mean that the person owned land or a house and in some cases a business.

Poll books are useful to us as they provide the persons first name and surname , their political allegiance as well as the reason why they were qualified to vote.

Where do I find poll books?

Sadly many poll books have not survived

A few poll books are available on line at sites such as Google Books

Country Records Offices usually have any original Poll Books that have survived.

Many Local or Family History Societies have copied Poll Books and provided recent publications that can be borrowed from libraries or bought at specialist book shops.