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=== Online Resources  ===
=== Online Resources  ===
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5877 England, Extracted Parish and Court Records], ($), index  
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5877 England, Extracted Parish and Court Records], ($), index  
*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1666142 England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977], index and images
*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1967749 United Kingdom, Maritime Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1787-1933], index  
*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1967749 United Kingdom, Maritime Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1787-1933], index  
<br>
<br>
====Births, Baptisms, or Christenings====
====Births, Baptisms, or Christenings====
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-non-conformist-births-and-baptisms England &amp; Wales Non-Conformist Births and Baptisms], ($), index
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-society-of-friends-quaker-births-1578-1841 England &amp; Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Births 1578-1841], ($), index
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9882 Great Britain, Select Births and Baptisms, 1571-1977], ($), index  
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9882 Great Britain, Select Births and Baptisms, 1571-1977], ($), index  
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-nationals-armed-forces-births-1761-2005 British Nationals Armed Forces Births 1761-2005], ($), index  
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-nationals-armed-forces-births-1761-2005 British Nationals Armed Forces Births 1761-2005], ($), index  
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====Marriages====
====Marriages====
*[http://ukga.org/cgi-bin/search.cgi?action=loadDB&DB=8 Phillimore Marriages Indexing Project, 1538 - 1837], index
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-boyds-marriage-indexes-1538-1850 England, Boyd's Marriage Indexes, 1538-1850], ($), index
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1352 England &amp; Wales Marriages, 1538-1940], ($), index
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-society-of-friends-quaker-marriages-1578-1841 England &amp; Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Marriages 1578-1841], ($), index
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-nationals-armed-forces-marriages-1796-2005 British Nationals Armed Forces Marriages 1796-2005], ($), index  
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-nationals-armed-forces-marriages-1796-2005 British Nationals Armed Forces Marriages 1796-2005], ($), index  
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5967 England, Pallot's Marriage Index, 1780 - 1837], ($), index
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-royal-marines-marriage-registers-1813-1920 British Royal Marines, Marriage Registers 1813-1920], ($), index  
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-royal-marines-marriage-registers-1813-1920 British Royal Marines, Marriage Registers 1813-1920], ($), index  
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-nationals-married-overseas-1818-2005 British Nationals Married Overseas 1818-2005], ($), index  
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-nationals-married-overseas-1818-2005 British Nationals Married Overseas 1818-2005], ($), index  
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8913 England &amp; Wales, FreeBMD Marriage Index, 1837-1915], ($), index


====Deaths or Burials=====
====Deaths or Burials====
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-non-conformist-burials England &amp; Wales Non-Conformist Burials], ($), index  
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-non-conformist-burials England &amp; Wales Non-Conformist Burials], ($), index  
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-society-of-friends-quaker-burials-1578-1841 England &amp; Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Burials 1578-1841], ($), index  
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-society-of-friends-quaker-burials-1578-1841 England &amp; Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Burials 1578-1841], ($), index  
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-nationals-armed-forces-deaths-1796-2005 British Nationals Armed Forces Deaths 1796-2005], ($), index  
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-nationals-armed-forces-deaths-1796-2005 British Nationals Armed Forces Deaths 1796-2005], ($), index  
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-nationals-died-overseas-1818-2005 British Nationals Died Overseas 1818-2005], ($), index  
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-nationals-died-overseas-1818-2005 British Nationals Died Overseas 1818-2005], ($), index  
*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2285341 England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007], index. Also at [http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-deaths-1837-2007 FindMyPast], ($), index
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2969 UK, RMS Titanic, Deaths at Sea, 1912], ($), index
*[http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/Fatalities/Alan-Beales-Database.html Alan Beales Database of Fatalities in the Coal Fields], index.
<br>
== Introduction  ==
== Introduction  ==


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== Bishop's Transcripts ==
== Bishop's Transcripts ==
In 1530, King Henry VIII established the Church in England, also known as the Anglican Church, the State Church, or the Episcopal Church. A law passed in 1537 required ministers to record the baptisms, marriages, and burials that took place in their parishes. 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. Chapelries sometimes had the authority to perform baptisms, marriages, and burials, so they kept their own registers. Several parishes formed a deanery (presided over by a dean), several deaneries formed an archdeaconry (presided over by an archdeacon), and several archdeaconries formed a diocese (presided over by a bishop).
Beginning in 1598, ministers were required to send copies of their registers to an archdeacon or bishop annually. These copies are referred to as bishops’ transcripts, or sometimes archdeacon transcripts. As a result, two copies of many parish registers exist from 1598 to about the mid-1800s. After civil registration began in 1837, the value of keeping bishops’ transcripts diminished, so by 1870 most parishes had stopped making them.  
Beginning in 1598, ministers were required to send copies of their registers to an archdeacon or bishop annually. These copies are referred to as bishops’ transcripts, or sometimes archdeacon transcripts. As a result, two copies of many parish registers exist from 1598 to about the mid-1800s. After civil registration began in 1837, the value of keeping bishops’ transcripts diminished, so by 1870 most parishes had stopped making them.  
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. The vast majority of the English population belonged to the Church of England. Only since the mid 19th century have other religious groups made headway.


Bishop's transcripts should be an exact copy of the parish register but they often are not.&nbsp; This may be because:  
Bishop's transcripts should be an exact copy of the parish register but they often are not.&nbsp; This may be because:  
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England, [county name] - Church records  
England, [county name] - Church records  
For Lincolnshire, many Bishop's transcripts begin as early as 1561.
Archdeacon transcripts exist for many Kent County parishes--some as early as 1560.
<br>
== Parish Chest Records  ==
== Parish Chest Records  ==


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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!  
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}}<br>
{{details3|[[England and Wales Poor Law Records Pre-1834]] and [[England and Wales Poor Law Records 1834-1948]]|poor law records}}


== Church of England Records  ==
== Church of England Records  ==
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=== Parish Registers  ===
=== Parish Registers  ===


{{main|Church of England Parish Registers}}&nbsp;
{{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&nbsp;clandestine (irregular or nonconformist) marriages occuring, Lord Hardwick's Act required that effective with 1754, all marriages had to be performed in the Church of England to be legal (exceptions for Jews and Quakers only).&nbsp; It also required a separate register for marriages be kept in every parish. In 1813 parishes were required to use pre-printed registers. From 1813, there were separate registers for christenings, marriages, and burials.
 
The amount of information recorded varies from parish to parish. Later records (particularly after 1812) are usually more complete than earlier ones. However, content often changed when a new minister began keeping the records.
 
Some pre-1733 parish registers are in Latin and even records in English may contain some Latin words. Local dialects may have affected the spelling of some family names or places.


'''To Search Parish Registers:'''  
'''To Search Parish Registers:'''  


*The [https://www.familysearch.org/#form=catalog FamilySearch Catalog] lists many parish registers/bishop's transcripts that are available on microfilm.&nbsp; These can be sent to a [https://familysearch.org/catalog-search family history center]. To search the catalog, use the Place-name search and search for a parish of interest.  
*The [https://www.familysearch.org/#form=catalog FamilySearch Catalog] lists many parish registers/bishop's transcripts that are available on microfilm.&nbsp; These can be sent to a [https://familysearch.org/catalog-search family history center]. To search the catalog, use the Place-name search and search for a parish of interest.  
*The[https://familysearch.org/catalog-search International Genealogical Index] (IGI) was the largest index of extracted Church of England parish registers, and included some non-Church of England (nonconformist) records. It is now included in the current version of FamilySearch at&nbsp;[http://www.familysearch.org www.familysearch.org] website.&nbsp;.
*The current FamilySearch.org also has many additional&nbsp;parish records and more will be&nbsp;frequently added, such as for Warwickshire, Durham, and Cheshire counties.
*[http://www.freereg.org.uk/ Free Reg] is a wonderful site of indexed parish records, indexed by volunteers.
*There are several subscription Websites&nbsp;that have parish records, especially&nbsp; at&nbsp;FindMyPast, Ancestry.co.uk, The Genealogist, and World Vital Records.&nbsp; These are free at [https://familysearch.org/catalog-search family history centers] and some&nbsp;of these web sites are available at large public libraries.
*You can contact the county records office and they will ''sometimes'' do a quick look-up for you for free--providing you do not ask for too much. If you have more extensive research you want done, they will recommend a researcher who knows their records.
*You can contact the county records office and they will ''sometimes'' do a quick look-up for you for free--providing you do not ask for too much. If you have more extensive research you want done, they will recommend a researcher who knows their records.


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==='''Other Partial Indexes''' ===  
==='''Other Partial Indexes''' ===  
*[http://www.freereg.org.uk/ Free Register][http://freereg.rootsweb.com/ /]- Online transcripts of baptisms, marriages, &amp; burials (ongoing project- not complete)  
*[http://www.freereg.org.uk/ Free Registers][http://freereg.rootsweb.com/ /]- Online transcripts of baptisms, marriages, &amp; burials, the sister project of FreeBMD and FreeCEN
*[http://ukga.org/cgi-bin/search.cgi?action=loadDB&DB=8 Phillimore Marriages Indexing Project, 1538 - 1837], index
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-boyds-marriage-indexes-1538-1850 England, Boyd's Marriage Indexes, 1538-1850], ($), index
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5967 England, Pallot's Marriage Index, 1780 - 1837], ($), index
*[http://ukbmd.co.uk/ www.ukbmd.org.uk]- provides links to some countywide online church registers databases  
*[http://ukbmd.co.uk/ www.ukbmd.org.uk]- provides links to some countywide online church registers databases  
*[http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/user/subscriptions.php www.thegenealogist.co.uk]- Transcripts of parish registers
*[http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/ http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/EssexAncestors.asp]- Online images for Essex parish registers
*[http://www.google.com/ www.google.com]- Just try Googling the name of the ‘county’ or ‘parish’ + ‘parish registers.’ I.e. ‘Worcestershire parish registers’ or ‘Churchill parish registers.’
*[http://www.google.com/ www.google.com]- Just try Googling the name of the ‘county’ or ‘parish’ + ‘parish registers.’ I.e. ‘Worcestershire parish registers’ or ‘Churchill parish registers.’


Non-Conformists (Those not belonging to the Church of England)  
Non-Conformists (Those not belonging to the Church of England)  


*[https://www.familysearch.org/ www.familysearch.org] Indexes to births/baptisms, 1620-1881; marriages 1619-1898;
*[http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/user/subscriptions.php www.thegenealogist.co.uk] ($) FHL Subscription (Free indexes and images at the FHL)
*[http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/bmdr/ www.bmdregisters.co.uk] ($) (Indexes free)  
*[http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/bmdr/ www.bmdregisters.co.uk] ($) (Indexes free)  


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]]?  


<br>
=== Non-Conformists ===
'''Online Records'''
* [http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/user/subscriptions.php www.thegenealogist.co.uk] ($) FHL Subscription (Free indexes and images at the FHL)
*'''1692 - 1900''' {{RecordSearch|1675690|England, Durham Diocese, Marriage Bonds & Allegations, 1692-1900}} at [https://familysearch.org/search| FamilySearch] — index  
* [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1666142 England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977], index and images
<br>
* [http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-non-conformist-births-and-baptisms England &amp; Wales Non-Conformist Births and Baptisms], ($), index
<br>
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-society-of-friends-quaker-births-1578-1841 England &amp; Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Births 1578-1841], ($), index
 
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-society-of-friends-quaker-marriages-1578-1841 England &amp; Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Marriages 1578-1841], ($), index
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-non-conformist-burials England &amp; Wales Non-Conformist Burials], ($), index  
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-society-of-friends-quaker-burials-1578-1841 England &amp; Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Burials 1578-1841], ($), index
The current location of original marriage license documents is given in:  
The current location of original marriage license documents is given in:  


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Several Internet web sites also have indexes to church records:  
Several Internet web sites also have indexes to church records:  


*[https://www.familysearch.org/ <font color="#800080">www.familysearch.org</font>] - records span billions of names across hundreds of collections—including birth, marriage, death, probate, land, military, IGI extracted, and more.
*[http://www.ancestry.co.uk/ <font color="#800080">Ancestry.co.uk</font>] - vast entries for Greater London and other regions of England - about 10 million entries.&nbsp; Includes Pallot's marriage index.
*[http://www.bmdregisters.co.uk/ <font color="#800080">BMDRegister.co.uk</font>] - about 10 million entries  
*[http://www.bmdregisters.co.uk/ <font color="#800080">BMDRegister.co.uk</font>] - about 10 million entries  
*[http://www.findmypast.co.uk/home.jsp findmypast] - nearly 70 million entries
*[http://www.fhlfavorites.info/Links/British/Start_%20Page/British_Frame_Page.htm <font color="#800080">FHLFavorites.com</font>]- links to millions of entries from many&nbsp;areas of England; many are at no cost  
*[http://www.fhlfavorites.info/Links/British/Start_%20Page/British_Frame_Page.htm <font color="#800080">FHLFavorites.com</font>]- links to millions of entries from many&nbsp;areas of England; many are at no cost  
*[http://forest-of-dean.net/ <font color="#0066cc">forest-of-dean.net</font>]&nbsp;- indexed and transcribed records for the Forest of Dean area in Gloucerstershire  
*[http://forest-of-dean.net/ <font color="#0066cc">forest-of-dean.net</font>]&nbsp;- indexed and transcribed records for the Forest of Dean area in Gloucerstershire  
*[http://freereg.rootsweb.com/ <font color="#800080">FreeReg.org.uk</font>] about 10 million entries
*[http://www.marriage-locator.co.uk/ Marriage Locator]: Helps to locate the church where the marriage took place  
*[http://www.marriage-locator.co.uk/ Marriage Locator]: Helps to locate the church where the marriage took place  
*[http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/nameindex/index.php?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegenealogist.co.uk%2Fuser%2Fsubscriptions.php TheGenealogist.co.uk] - has nonconformist as well as parish register entries; over&nbsp;12 million&nbsp;
*[http://www.ukbmd.org.uk/ UKBMD.org.uk] - millions of entries throughout many (but not all) counties of England
*[http://www.uk-genealogy.org.uk/Registers Parish Registers and Phillimore Marriage records] hundreds of parish registers and other BMD transcripts in&nbsp;their collection, and they are working to put them all online.
*[http://www.uk-genealogy.org.uk/Registers Parish Registers and Phillimore Marriage records] hundreds of parish registers and other BMD transcripts in&nbsp;their collection, and they are working to put them all online.


=== Online County Indexes  ===
=== Online County Indexes  ===


*'''1558-1887''' {{RecordSearch|2515875|England, Devon Bishop's Transcripts, 1558-1887}} at [https://familysearch.org/search| FamilySearch] — index and images
*[http://www.fhlfavorites.info/Links/British/Start_%20Page/British_Frame_Page.htm fhlfavorites.com] - a categorized list of websites. Look under the county of interest and the subject "Church Records" to see a list of church records online for that county.  
*[http://www.fhlfavorites.info/Links/British/Start_%20Page/British_Frame_Page.htm fhlfavorites.com] - a categorized list of websites. Look under the county of interest and the subject "Church Records" to see a list of church records online for that county.  
*Google the following search terms:&nbsp; 1) "Index",&nbsp;2)&nbsp;"Church records", or "baptism", or "marriage", or "burial" and 3) name of place, e.g. "Westminster"  
*Google the following search terms:&nbsp; 1) "Index",&nbsp;2)&nbsp;"Church records", or "baptism", or "marriage", or "burial" and 3) name of place, e.g. "Westminster"  
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