Sources for research
Published sources
Many books have been written about Blenheim Palace and the Spencer-Churchill family. A Blenheim Bibliography has been created listing works relevant to Blenheim, the Family and the Dukes of Marlboroughs’ Estates. It is beneficial to consult this document because often the answers to your questions can be found in existing published literature.
The Dukes of Marlborough
The papers of John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough and George Spencer 4th Duke of Marlborough are held by The British Library. Please contact The British Library directly about these. Information can also be found at The Bodleian Library
Downloadable resources:
Other helpful websites include:
History of staff at Blenheim Palace and its Estates
County Records Offices hold records relating to electoral registers, census and public records, many of which are available at the Oxfordshire History Centre. For birth, marriage and death certificates – please contact the General Register Office.
For wills or divorce records since 1858 – please contact the Probate Service or the Central Family Court respectively. A free online index of parish registers of baptism, marriage and burial is available at FamilySearch.
History of buildings
County Records Offices hold records relating to the census, electoral registers, land tax and maps. A good first port of call might be the Oxfordshire History Centre. The National Heritage List for England (NHLE) records an overview of the date of construction and significant features of every listed building in England.