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England Church Records: Difference between revisions
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As this was the state church, one should begin a search of church records in those of the Church of England. | As this was the state church, one should begin a search of church records in those of the Church of England. | ||
=== Clergy === | |||
If your ancestor was a clergy member in the Church of England you may find them listed in The "[http://ccedb.cch.kcl.ac.uk/index.html Clergy of the Church of England Database]." This is being funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. | |||
=== Parish Registers === | === Parish Registers === | ||
{{main|Church of England Parish Registers}} | |||
The registers kept by the parish record christenings, marriages, and burials performed in that parish. The parish was also used by the government for taking care of the poor, the physical well-being of the parish, law enforcement, taxation and military conscription during the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. These functions required that the parish keep other records beside the registers. These other records are often called ''parish chest records'' (see the subheading Parish Chest Records in this article). | {{main|Church of England Parish Registers}} The registers kept by the parish record christenings, marriages, and burials performed in that parish. The parish was also used by the government for taking care of the poor, the physical well-being of the parish, law enforcement, taxation and military conscription during the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. These functions required that the parish keep other records beside the registers. These other records are often called ''parish chest records'' (see the subheading Parish Chest Records in this article). | ||
Earlier registers often contained christenings, marriages, and burials in one book, called a general register. Primarily due to concern over the number of clandestine (nonconformist) marriages occuring, a law was passed in 1754, called Lord Hardwick's Act, that required marriages to be performed in the Church of England to be legal. It also required a separate register for marriages be kept in every parish. In 1813 parishes were required to use pre-printed registers. There were separate registers for christenings, marriages, and burials. | Earlier registers often contained christenings, marriages, and burials in one book, called a general register. Primarily due to concern over the number of clandestine (nonconformist) marriages occuring, a law was passed in 1754, called Lord Hardwick's Act, that required marriages to be performed in the Church of England to be legal. It also required a separate register for marriages be kept in every parish. In 1813 parishes were required to use pre-printed registers. There were separate registers for christenings, marriages, and burials. | ||
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The pre-printed forms introduced in 1813 called for the child’s christening date and given names, both parents’ given names, family surname, residence, father’s occupation, and minister’s signature. The birth date was sometimes added. | The pre-printed forms introduced in 1813 called for the child’s christening date and given names, both parents’ given names, family surname, residence, father’s occupation, and minister’s signature. The birth date was sometimes added. | ||
It is worth mentioning that it was common practice in families to use the same Christian name over and over again until a child survived with it. This means that individuals need to try and capture all of the family members listed watching for deaths and that same name being given to the next child of the same sex. | It is worth mentioning that it was common practice in families to use the same Christian name over and over again until a child survived with it. This means that individuals need to try and capture all of the family members listed watching for deaths and that same name being given to the next child of the same sex. | ||
What is in [[What information can I find in Church of England records?|England parish registers]]? | What is in [[What information can I find in Church of England records?|England parish registers]]? | ||
==== Marriages ==== | ==== Marriages ==== | ||
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ENGLAND, [COUNTY NAME] - CHURCH RECORDS | ENGLAND, [COUNTY NAME] - CHURCH RECORDS | ||
{{For|more about marriage allegations, bonds, and licenses for England and Wales|Marriage Allegations, Bonds and Licences in England and Wales}} | {{For|more about marriage allegations, bonds, and licenses for England and Wales|Marriage Allegations, Bonds and Licences in England and Wales}} | ||
==== Burials ==== | ==== Burials ==== | ||
[[Image:St. John's Maddermarket Parish, Norfolk Burial 1791.jpg|thumb|right | [[Image:St. John's Maddermarket Parish, Norfolk Burial 1791.jpg|thumb|right]] | ||
A burial usually took place in the deceased’s parish a few days after the death. Pre-1813 burial records list the deceased’s name and burial date and sometimes mention the age, place of residence, cause of death, or occupation. The husband’s name is sometimes given on the wife’s burial entry. The father’s name may be on the record for a deceased child. After 1813 the forms called for the name, age, abode, burial date, and minister’s signature. | A burial usually took place in the deceased’s parish a few days after the death. Pre-1813 burial records list the deceased’s name and burial date and sometimes mention the age, place of residence, cause of death, or occupation. The husband’s name is sometimes given on the wife’s burial entry. The father’s name may be on the record for a deceased child. After 1813 the forms called for the name, age, abode, burial date, and minister’s signature. | ||
Burial registers may mention infant children who were not christened including stillbirths. Christening records never record stillbirths. | Burial registers may mention infant children who were not christened including stillbirths. Christening records never record stillbirths. | ||
=== Bishop's Transcripts<br> === | === Bishop's Transcripts<br> === | ||
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=== Parish Chest Records === | === Parish Chest Records === | ||
[[Image:The Parish Chest.jpg|thumb|right|250px]] {{main|Parish Chest Records}} Church records were kept in a chest (or strongbox) known as the [[Parish Chest Records|"parish chest"]]. Because the Church of England was ordered by the Crown to keep records on all their congregants, any recorded business other than the christenings, marriages and burials of the parishioners was kept in this chest and are known as "parish chest records." Some of these records still exist from the 16th century, but many do not begin until the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century. | |||
{{details3|[[England and Wales Poor Law Records Pre-1834]] and [[England and Wales Poor Law Records 1834-1948]]|poor law records}} | These records may include information regarding the care of the poor, settlement examinations, removal orders, apprenticeship indentures, militia certificates and workhouse accounts. And many give detailed information on individuals and families! | ||
{{details3|[[England and Wales Poor Law Records Pre-1834]] and [[England and Wales Poor Law Records 1834-1948]]|poor law records}} | |||
=== Watch a Video Presentation on Church Records === | === Watch a Video Presentation on Church Records === | ||
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To watch a video presentation on Church Records created by the staff at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, click [https://learning.familysearch.org/researchcourses here]. | To watch a video presentation on Church Records created by the staff at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, click [https://learning.familysearch.org/researchcourses here]. | ||
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== Indexes to Church Records == | == Indexes to Church Records == | ||