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England Church Records: Difference between revisions
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== Church of England Records == | == Church of England Records == | ||
The Church of England was the government-sponsored and predominant religion to which the vast majority of England's populace belonged. Created in 1536, after King Henry VIII severed all ties to the church in Rome, he directed that each local parish be responsible to register all marriages, baptisms and burials. These records are the primary source for family history research in England for the period prior to 1st July 1837 | The Church of England was the government-sponsored and predominant religion to which the vast majority of England's populace belonged. Created in 1536, after King Henry VIII severed all ties to the church in Rome, he directed that each local parish be responsible to register all marriages, baptisms and burials. These records are the primary source for family history research in England for the period prior to 1st July 1837 when Civil Registration began. | ||
Although a nationwide order was given in 1538 that each parish keep a register of records, many parishes did not start to keep registers until some years later and some records have since been lost or destroyed. Beginning in 1598, copies of entries from many parishes were copied and sent annually to the bishop for the diocese for that area and these copies are known as Bishop’s Transcripts. | Although a nationwide order was given in 1538 that each parish keep a register of records, many parishes did not start to keep registers until some years later and some records have since been lost or destroyed. Beginning in 1598, copies of entries from many parishes were copied and sent annually to the bishop for the diocese for that area and these copies are known as Bishop’s Transcripts. | ||
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Since the legibility of the early records varies and since some years may be missing in the Bishop’s Transcript copy of the parish registers, many researchers prefer to use the microfilms of both the original parish registers and of the Bishop’s Transcript copy of these records, if both are available. | Since the legibility of the early records varies and since some years may be missing in the Bishop’s Transcript copy of the parish registers, many researchers prefer to use the microfilms of both the original parish registers and of the Bishop’s Transcript copy of these records, if both are available. | ||
'''Parish.'''Each local parish keeps records. A "parish" is the jurisdictional unit that governs church affairs within its boundaries. Small villages often do not have their own parishes but are part of a parish headquartered in another town. A parish may have one or more "chapelries" (dependent district churches or chapels of ease), which often keep their own records. | '''Parish. '''Each local parish keeps records. A "parish" is the jurisdictional unit that governs church affairs within its boundaries. Small villages often do not have their own parishes but are part of a parish headquartered in another town. A parish may have one or more "chapelries" (dependent district churches or chapels of ease), which often keep their own records. | ||
'''Chapelry.'''A small parochial division of a large, populated parish. Most chapels or chapelries kept their own registers of baptisms and burials, and where authorization was granted, marriage registers were also kept. Many parishes throughout Lancashire, Cheshire, and several other counties comprised of numerous chapelries, i.e. Prestbury, Cheshire--some of them of ancient origin with 32 chapels. | '''Chapelry.''' A small parochial division of a large, populated parish. Most chapels or chapelries kept their own registers of baptisms and burials, and where authorization was granted, marriage registers were also kept. Many parishes throughout Lancashire, Cheshire, and several other counties comprised of numerous chapelries, i.e. Prestbury, Cheshire--some of them of ancient origin with 32 chapels. | ||
Many parishes are grouped together under the jurisdiction of a bishop. A bishop heads a "diocese." Some dioceses include one or more archdeaconries | Many parishes are grouped together under the jurisdiction of a bishop. A bishop heads a "diocese." Some dioceses include one or more archdeaconries administered by an archdeacon. These may be divided into "rural deaneries" (headed by a "rural dean"). Each deanery consists of several parishes. | ||
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 section). | 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 section). | ||
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There are many forms of Methodists Societies in England: Wesleyan, Primitive, New Connexion, and so on. The Wesleyan group was the largest. They were all united under the United Methodist Church in 1932. Some groups recorded their baptisms and burials in the Church of England until the 19th century. For historical material, contact: | There are many forms of Methodists Societies in England: Wesleyan, Primitive, New Connexion, and so on. The Wesleyan group was the largest. They were all united under the United Methodist Church in 1932. Some groups recorded their baptisms and burials in the Church of England until the 19th century. For historical material, contact: | ||
'''The Methodist Archives and Research Centre ''' John Rylands University Library; Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH England | '''The Methodist Archives and Research Centre ''' [http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/ John Rylands University Library]; Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH England. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u></u></span></span> | ||
To find the location of the birth and burial records, contact: | To find the location of the birth and burial records, contact: | ||
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The Wesleyan Methodist Metropolitan Registry recorded over 10,000 Wesleyan Methodist births and baptisms that occurred between 1773 and 1838 throughout England, Wales, and elsewhere. The records and index are on microfilm at the Family History Library and in the Public Record Office (see the "[[England Archives and Libraries|<u>Archives and Libraries</u>]]" section of this outline for the address). To find the records in the Family History Library, look in the Author/Title Search of the library Family History Library Catalogue under: | The Wesleyan Methodist Metropolitan Registry recorded over 10,000 Wesleyan Methodist births and baptisms that occurred between 1773 and 1838 throughout England, Wales, and elsewhere. The records and index are on microfilm at the Family History Library and in the Public Record Office (see the "[[England Archives and Libraries|<u>Archives and Libraries</u>]]" section of this outline for the address). To find the records in the Family History Library, look in the Author/Title Search of the library Family History Library Catalogue under: | ||
WESLEYAN METHODIST METROPOLITAN REGISTRY AT PATERNOSTER ROW REGISTER OF BIRTHS AND BAPTISMS 1818-1841 | WESLEYAN METHODIST METROPOLITAN REGISTRY AT PATERNOSTER ROW REGISTER OF BIRTHS AND BAPTISMS 1818-1841 | ||
== Roman Catholics == | == Roman Catholics == | ||
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For information on records not available at the library, contact the society at: | For information on records not available at the library, contact the society at: | ||
'''The Catholic Record Society | '''The Catholic Record Society '''''c/o 114 Mount Street'' London W2Y 6AH England Internet: [http://www.catholic-history.org.uk/crs/ <u>http://www.catholic-history.org.uk/crs/</u>] | ||
== Jews == | == Jews == | ||
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Most synagogues have retained their own records. For historical information, contact: | Most synagogues have retained their own records. For historical information, contact: | ||
'''Jewish Historical Society | '''Jewish Historical Society '''''c/o Mocatta Library'' University College, Gower Street London WC1E 6BT England Internet: [http://www.jhse.dircon.co.uk/ <u>http://www.jhse.dircon.co.uk/</u>] | ||
Isabel Mordy collected and indexed a group of English Jewish records. This is now available in the Family History Library, listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under: | Isabel Mordy collected and indexed a group of English Jewish records. This is now available in the Family History Library, listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under: | ||
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Until 1754 Huguenots often recorded their marriages in both Huguenot and Church of England registers. None were recorded in Huguenot registers after that date. The Huguenot Society has transcribed and published most of their original church records. You may write to them at the following address: | Until 1754 Huguenots often recorded their marriages in both Huguenot and Church of England registers. None were recorded in Huguenot registers after that date. The Huguenot Society has transcribed and published most of their original church records. You may write to them at the following address: | ||
'''Huguenot Society | '''Huguenot Society '''''c/o University College, Gower Street'' London WC1E 6BT England Internet: [http://www.huguenotsociety.org.uk/history/ <u>http://www.huguenotsociety.org.uk/history/</u>] | ||
The best way to locate published Huguenot records at the Family History Library is to look in the Author/Title Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under: | The best way to locate published Huguenot records at the Family History Library is to look in the Author/Title Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under: | ||
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The yearly meeting includes representatives from the quarterly meetings and Friends from other countries. | The yearly meeting includes representatives from the quarterly meetings and Friends from other countries. | ||
Quaker registers began in the late 1650s. From 1840 to 1842, the Society made digests of its records (to about 1837), which cover all English meetings. The digests are arranged first by date and then alphabetically by surname. Copies of digests and original registers are in the Family History Library. The original records are in the Public Record Office (see the "[[England Archives and Libraries|<u>Archives and Libraries</u>]]" | Quaker registers began in the late 1650s. From 1840 to 1842, the Society made digests of its records (to about 1837), which cover all English meetings. The digests are arranged first by date and then alphabetically by surname. Copies of digests and original registers are in the Family History Library. The original records are in the Public Record Office (see the "[[England Archives and Libraries|<u>Archives and Libraries</u>]]" article in the Wiki for the address). | ||
For a valuable booklet on this subject, refer to: | For a valuable booklet on this subject, refer to: | ||
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== Online Training from the Family History Library for British Church Records == | == Online Training from the Family History Library for British Church Records == | ||
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The Church’s Family History Library has been providing classes to patrons for many years. In the past, a patron would have to travel to the Library to take advantage of these classes, but no longer. The Library will begin testing different methods of exporting these classes to patrons who reside outside of the Salt Lake City area. The first method to be tested is a set of five lessons in a classroom setting in a video format. These lessons are now available on [http://www.familysearch.org/ www.familysearch.org] and cover the basics of getting started with family history research in England. Go to FamilySearch and select Education under the Family History Library menu. The five lessons are called:</span> | <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">The Church’s Family History Library has been providing classes to patrons for many years. In the past, a patron would have to travel to the Library to take advantage of these classes, but no longer. The Library will begin testing different methods of exporting these classes to patrons who reside outside of the Salt Lake City area. The first method to be tested is a set of five lessons in a classroom setting in a video format. These lessons are now available on [http://www.familysearch.org/ www.familysearch.org] and cover the basics of getting started with family history research in England. Go to FamilySearch and select Education under the Family History Library menu. The five lessons are called:</span> | ||
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span>'''<span | <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"></span>'''<span style="font-family: Arial;" class="Apple-style-span">[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/Education/frameset_education.asp?PAGE=education_research_series_online.asp%3FActiveTab=2 Family History Research Series Online]</span>''' | ||
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lesson 1: Research Overview</span> | <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Lesson 1: Research Overview</span> | ||
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lesson 2: Census Records</span> | <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Lesson 2: Census Records</span> | ||
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lesson 3: Civil Registration</span> | <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Lesson 3: Civil Registration</span> | ||
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lesson 4: Church Records</span> | <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Lesson 4: Church Records</span> | ||
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lesson 5: Find Your Ancestors</span> | <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Lesson 5: Find Your Ancestors</span> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||