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Church of England Parish Registers: Difference between revisions
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In {{wpd|Act of Supremacy 1534|1534}}, King Henry VIII established the '''Church of England''', also known as the Anglican Church, the State Church, or the Episcopal Church. | In {{wpd|Act of Supremacy 1534|1534}}, King Henry VIII established the '''Church of England''', also known as the Anglican Church, the State Church, or the Episcopal Church. | ||
{{Wikipedia|Parish register}} | {{Wikipedia|Parish register}} A law passed in 1537 that required ministers to record the baptisms, marriages, and burials that took place in their parishes by the following year (1538). Priests recorded these events in '''registers''' and kept them at the '''parish''' level, which is the lowest level of authority in the Church of England. | ||
A law passed in 1537 that required ministers to record the baptisms, marriages, and burials that took place in their parishes by the following year (1538). Priests recorded these events in '''registers''' and kept them at the '''parish''' level, which is the lowest level of authority in the Church of England. | |||
Within some parishes, chapelries were created to provide for the worship needs of the parishioner when the parish church was not easily accessible. [[Chapelry (England)|Chapelries]] sometimes had the authority to perform baptisms, marriages, and burials, so they kept their own registers. | Within some parishes, chapelries were created to provide for the worship needs of the parishioner when the parish church was not easily accessible. [[Chapelry (England)|Chapelries]] sometimes had the authority to perform baptisms, marriages, and burials, so they kept their own registers. | ||
Several parishes formed a [[Rural Deanery (England)|deanery]] (presided over by a dean), several deaneries formed an [[Archdeaconry (England)|archdeaconry]] (presided over by an archdeacon), and | Several parishes formed a [[Rural Deanery (England)|deanery]] (presided over by a dean), several deaneries formed an [[Archdeaconry (England)|archdeaconry]] (presided over by an archdeacon), and one or more archdeaconries were subject to the [[Diocese (England)|diocese]] (presided over by a bishop). | ||
{{further|History of Parish Registers in England}} | {{further|History of Parish Registers in England}} | ||
== Content == | == Content == | ||
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=== Banns === | === Banns === | ||
Banns are proclamations of an intent to marry. After 1754, these banns were required to be read for three consecutive Sundays before a marriage so that anyone with reasons against the marriage could oppose it. Banns were read in both the bride’s parish and the groom’s parish. | Banns are proclamations of an intent to marry. After 1754, these banns were required to be read for three consecutive Sundays before a marriage so that anyone with reasons against the marriage could oppose it. Banns were read in both the bride’s parish and the groom’s parish. | ||
== Bishops’ transcripts == | == Bishops’ transcripts == | ||
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Before 1812, BTs were usually recorded on loose pieces of paper. After 1812, the transcripts were recorded on the same preprinted forms as parish registers. | Before 1812, BTs were usually recorded on loose pieces of paper. After 1812, the transcripts were recorded on the same preprinted forms as parish registers. | ||
After [[England Civil Registration|civil registration]] began in 1837, the value of keeping BTs diminished, so by 1870 most parishes had stopped making them. | After [[England Civil Registration|civil registration]] began in 1837, the value of keeping BTs diminished, so by 1870 most parishes had stopped making them. | ||
== Availability == | == Availability == | ||
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In 1598 ministers were required to copy their registers onto parchment. If the minister failed to make such a copy, the register for that parish and its records do not survive. | In 1598 ministers were required to copy their registers onto parchment. If the minister failed to make such a copy, the register for that parish and its records do not survive. | ||
Most bishops’ transcripts of Church of England parish registers have been preserved. Many have also been copied to microfilm or microfiche. The condition of the records is relatively good considering their age and their storage conditions over the centuries.<br> | Most bishops’ transcripts of Church of England parish registers have been preserved. Many have also been copied to microfilm or microfiche. The condition of the records is relatively good considering their age and their storage conditions over the centuries.<br> | ||
There may be gaps in Parish Registers between 1553-1558 when the Catholic Mary Tudor was on the throne, and between 1642-1660 during the English Civil War and Commonwealth, as many parish registers disappeared and many transcripts were not kept because ministers were deposed from their parishes. | There may be gaps in Parish Registers between 1553-1558 when the Catholic Mary Tudor was on the throne, and between 1642-1660 during the English Civil War and Commonwealth, as many parish registers disappeared and many transcripts were not kept because ministers were deposed from their parishes. | ||
== Calendar Changes == | == Calendar Changes == | ||