A registration system for dentists was established in 1878 with the first Dentists Act and subsequently a register recording the names, addresses and qualifications of those registered was published.
This was an important step in the regulating of dentists a discipline that had its roots in the Barber-Surgeons of the Middle Ages.
The first incarnation of Kelly's Handbook, 'The Upper Ten Thousand: an alphabetical list of all members of noble families' was published in 1875 and, as its name suggests, was an exclusive publication. From 1878 this became 'Kelly's Handbook of the Upper Ten Thousand'. The final name change to 'Kelly's Handbook to the Titled, Landed and Official Classes' came in 1880, made even more explicit the emphasis on the upper crust and endured until 1973. The Handbook includes key events in the lives of the featured individuals, as well as basic genealogical details. The entries are arranged alphabetically by last name and then by first name, and give a fascinating snapshot of each person's life as at 1901.
The Medical Register was first published in 1859 as a direct result of the Medical Act of 1858. The act sought to abolish 'quacks' and charlatans: unlicensed practitioners of medicine who had not gained the requisite qualifications befitting their position.
In tandem with the publishing of the register, The General Medical Council was established. The GMC is the regulatory body of the medical profession and The Medical Register is its official annual list of licensed doctors. The GMC has the ability to revoke licenses at any time if it believes that one of its professionals is unfit to perform their duties, or have been doing so in an inappropriate fashion. Being struck from the Medical Register prevents a doctor from practising.
The Clergy List 1896 provides details of each member of the Anglican clergy in England, Wales, Ireland and the Scottish Episcopal Church in 1896. The records contain dates of the appointment to their parish and you can search for your ancestors by name.