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Ireland Church Records: Difference between revisions
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[[Ireland]] | |||
[https://fch.ldschurch.org/WWSupport/Courses/FamilyHistoryLibraryExport/Ireland_Church_Records/Player.html View | [https://fch.ldschurch.org/WWSupport/Courses/FamilyHistoryLibraryExport/Ireland_Church_Records/Player.html View a FamilySearch online tutorial on Ireland church records by clicking here]. | ||
Church records are an excellent source of names, dates, relationships, and places. In fact, church records are the primary source for pre-civil registration (pre-1864) Irish research. Church records include records of christenings, marriages, and burials, sometimes giving birth and death dates. These records were kept in bound registers, usually called parish registers. Church records may include other types of records such as religious census returns, emigration lists, and session or vestry minutes. | Church records are an excellent source of names, dates, relationships, and places. In fact, church records are the primary source for pre-civil registration (pre-1864) Irish research. Church records include records of christenings, marriages, and burials, sometimes giving birth and death dates. These records were kept in bound registers, usually called parish registers. Church records may include other types of records such as religious census returns, emigration lists, and session or vestry minutes. | ||
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'''Key Historical Dates''' | '''Key Historical Dates''' | ||
1534 Henry VIII of England enacts the Act of Supremacy enabling him to become the head of the Church of England. | *1534 Henry VIII of England enacts the Act of Supremacy enabling him to become the head of the Church of England. | ||
*1536 Irish Parliament declares Henry VIII head of the Church of Ireland and recognizes it as the State Church in Ireland. | |||
1536 Irish Parliament declares Henry VIII head of the Church of Ireland and recognizes it as the State Church in Ireland. | *1617 Early attempt to require the registration of baptisms, marriages and burials. Efforts are widely ignored by 1620. | ||
*1634 46th Canon of the Irish Church required the recording of “Christenings, Weddings, and Burials.” Copies of the records are to be returned to the Bishop of each Diocese. | |||
1617 Early attempt to require the registration of baptisms, marriages and burials. Efforts are widely ignored by 1620. | *1660 Restoration to the English Crown of Charles II. Conditions ease for Catholics. | ||
*1661 Reconstitution of Episcopal State Church – A separate commis | |||
1634 46th Canon of the Irish Church required the recording of “Christenings, Weddings, and Burials.” Copies of the records are to be returned to the Bishop of each Diocese. | *sion also investigates Irish land ownership. | ||
*1807 pro forma registers instituted. The first are published by William Watson of Capel Street, Dublin. Registers were further improved in the 1820's. These standardized the recording of the information for births, marriages, and deaths. | |||
1660 Restoration to the English Crown of Charles II. Conditions ease for Catholics. | *1832 Irish Tithe Composition Act – provided for tithes to be paid to the State Church, the Church of Ireland. | ||
*1869 Disestablishment of the Church of Ireland as the State Church. All churches are to be equally recognized by the government. | |||
1661 Reconstitution of Episcopal State Church – A separate commis | *1875 Act of Parliament proclaiming that the Church of Ireland parish registers are “public records” and as such must be deposited in the Public Records Office, Dublin. Parochial returns sent to the Bishops of each Diocese are also required to be deposited in the PRO, Dublin. | ||
*1905 Parish Register Society of Dublin begins the printed publication of Church of Ireland parish registers. They complete sixteen (16) before the destruction of the records in 1922 and abandon the project thereafter. | |||
sion also investigates Irish land ownership. | *1922 Public Records Office burnt by fire. Most registers housed there were destroyed. | ||
*re and explosion 21 June. Registers of 1,006 parishes are destroyed. Surviving registers number 637 with copies of the destroyed registers made prior to deposit numbering 124 and the Public Record Office holding an additional 23 copies of registers. Only three of the parochial returns survive. | |||
1807 pro forma registers instituted. The first are published by William Watson of Capel Street, Dublin. Registers were further improved in the 1820's. These standardized the recording of the information for births, marriages, and deaths. | *1939 Representative Church Body Library (RCBL), the official library of the Church of Ireland located in Dublin, begins receiving Church of Ireland parish registers for preservation. As of 2006, the library held over 780 original parish registers or copies/transcripts, many of which pre-date Ireland’s civil registration which began in 1845. | ||
1869 Disestablishment of the Church of Ireland as the State Church. All churches are to be equally recognized by the government. | |||
1875 Act of Parliament proclaiming that the Church of Ireland parish registers are “public records” and as such must be deposited in the Public Records Office, Dublin. Parochial returns sent to the Bishops of each Diocese are also required to be deposited in the PRO, Dublin. | |||
1905 Parish Register Society of Dublin begins the printed publication of Church of Ireland parish registers. They complete sixteen (16) before the destruction of the records in 1922 and abandon the project thereafter. | |||
1922 Public Records Office burnt by | |||
re and explosion 21 June. Registers of 1,006 parishes are destroyed. Surviving registers number 637 with copies of the destroyed registers made prior to deposit numbering 124 and the Public Record Office holding an additional 23 copies of registers. Only three of the parochial returns survive. | |||
1939 Representative Church Body Library (RCBL), the official library of the Church of Ireland located in Dublin, begins receiving Church of Ireland parish registers for preservation. As of 2006, the library held over 780 original parish registers or copies/transcripts, many of which pre-date Ireland’s civil registration which began in 1845. | |||
=== Christenings (Baptisms) === | === Christenings (Baptisms) === | ||
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*'''By license'''. A couple applied to the proper church authority, usually the bishop of the diocese or the Archbishop of Armagh, for a license to marry. An allegation and a bond were drawn up. The allegation listed the names of the bride and groom, their ages, marital statuses, and intended place of marriage. The bond was made to insure that all the information given was valid. The license granted permission to marry. Most Irish allegations, bonds, and licenses have been destroyed. However, some abstracts and indexes of these records for various dioceses remain. The indexes include the names of the intended bride and groom and the year their license was issued. To find the marriage license indexes and abstracts available at the Family History Library, look in the Locality Search of the catalog under the following headings: | *'''By license'''. A couple applied to the proper church authority, usually the bishop of the diocese or the Archbishop of Armagh, for a license to marry. An allegation and a bond were drawn up. The allegation listed the names of the bride and groom, their ages, marital statuses, and intended place of marriage. The bond was made to insure that all the information given was valid. The license granted permission to marry. Most Irish allegations, bonds, and licenses have been destroyed. However, some abstracts and indexes of these records for various dioceses remain. The indexes include the names of the intended bride and groom and the year their license was issued. To find the marriage license indexes and abstracts available at the Family History Library, look in the Locality Search of the catalog under the following headings: | ||
IRELAND - CHURCH RECORDS | IRELAND - CHURCH RECORDS | ||
For further information click [[Church of Ireland Records|here]]. | For further information click [[Church of Ireland Records|here]]. | ||
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Burial usually took place in the deceased's parish within a few days of the death. Burial records give the name of the deceased and the date of burial. Sometimes they also give the deceased's age, place of residence, cause of death, and occupation. Occasionally a wife's burial entry will provide the name of the husband, and a child's entry, the name of the father. Stillbirths are sometimes recorded in the burial registers. Stillbirths are not, however, listed in christening records. | Burial usually took place in the deceased's parish within a few days of the death. Burial records give the name of the deceased and the date of burial. Sometimes they also give the deceased's age, place of residence, cause of death, and occupation. Occasionally a wife's burial entry will provide the name of the husband, and a child's entry, the name of the father. Stillbirths are sometimes recorded in the burial registers. Stillbirths are not, however, listed in christening records. | ||
=== Other Church of Ireland Records | === Other Church of Ireland Records === | ||
'''Vestry Minutes''' | '''Vestry Minutes''' | ||
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Many Church of Ireland registers were destroyed in the fire at the Public Record Office in Dublin in 1922. To protect against further loss or deterioration, most existing records have been filmed or photocopied and the originals or copies deposited in national repositories in Ireland. Some of the deposited church records are closed to the general public. To search these records, you must obtain written permission from the minister of the parish or the bishop of the diocese over that parish. | Many Church of Ireland registers were destroyed in the fire at the Public Record Office in Dublin in 1922. To protect against further loss or deterioration, most existing records have been filmed or photocopied and the originals or copies deposited in national repositories in Ireland. Some of the deposited church records are closed to the general public. To search these records, you must obtain written permission from the minister of the parish or the bishop of the diocese over that parish. | ||
<br><span style="font-weight: bold; | <br><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Heritage Centers</span>. Many church of Ireland parish records, as well as catholic parish records, some as far back as the 1790's, as well as census records, are being collected in repositories called Heritage Centers. Heritage Centers are part of a country-wide system, the Ireland Family History Foundation, which has begun to transcribe and index millions of the records. The transcribed and indexed are currently available for on-line research at http://www.brsgenealogy.com/ or [http://www.irish-roots.ie www.irish-roots.ie] for several, but not all, counties. Persons' names on birth, marriage and other records can be located, but a fee is charged to see the full transcription of a record, which may contain much additional helpful information.<br> | ||
Ministers were never required to send vestry minutes to Dublin for safekeeping. Consequently, most vestry minutes are in local custody, though some have been deposited at the National Archives, the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, or other repositories. | Ministers were never required to send vestry minutes to Dublin for safekeeping. Consequently, most vestry minutes are in local custody, though some have been deposited at the National Archives, the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, or other repositories. | ||
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The library also has biographical sketches of Church of Ireland ministers. The address is: | The library also has biographical sketches of Church of Ireland ministers. The address is: | ||
:'''Representative Church Body Library<br>'''Braemor Park<br>Rathgar<br>Dublin 14<br>IRELAND (EIRE) | :'''[http://www.ireland.anglican.org/index.php?do=about&id=42 Representative Church Body Library]<br>'''Braemor Park<br>Rathgar<br>Dublin 14<br>IRELAND (EIRE) [http://www.ireland.anglican.org/index.php?do=about&id=5 <br>] | ||
Request a copy of the record from the National Archives or the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. To determine whether the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland has a copy of the record, consult the descriptive catalog of the office's holdings. To locate filmed catalogs for the National Archives at the Family History Library, look in the Place Search of the catalog under the following headings: | Request a copy of the record from the National Archives or the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. To determine whether the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland has a copy of the record, consult the descriptive catalog of the office's holdings. To locate filmed catalogs for the National Archives at the Family History Library, look in the Place Search of the catalog under the following headings: | ||
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Original parish registers are in local custody. Sometimes a priest will search parish records for you. Names, addresses, and parishes of priests are listed in the Irish Catholic Directory and Diary. | Original parish registers are in local custody. Sometimes a priest will search parish records for you. Names, addresses, and parishes of priests are listed in the Irish Catholic Directory and Diary. | ||
<span style="font-weight: bold; | <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Heritage Centers</span>. Many catholic parish records, some as far back as the 1790's, as well as records of other churches, as well as census records, are being collected in repositories called Heritage Centers. Heritage Centers are part of a country-wide system, the Ireland Family History Foundation, which has begun to digitize millions of the records. The digitized records are currently available for on-line research at http://www.brsgenealogy.com/ . Persons' names on birth, marriage and other records can be located, but a significant fee is charged to see the full record, which may contain much additional helpful information. | ||
Filmed copies of almost all pre-1880 parish records are held by the National Library of Ireland. Filmed copies of pre-1880 parish registers for Northern Ireland are also kept by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. Some of the filmed parish registers at the National Library are restricted. To search these registers, you must have written permission from the priest of the parish or the bishop of the diocese in which the registers were kept. | Filmed copies of almost all pre-1880 parish records are held by the National Library of Ireland. Filmed copies of pre-1880 parish registers for Northern Ireland are also kept by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. Some of the filmed parish registers at the National Library are restricted. To search these registers, you must have written permission from the priest of the parish or the bishop of the diocese in which the registers were kept. | ||
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'''Key Historical Dates''' | '''Key Historical Dates''' | ||
1559 John Knox brings to Scotland the teachings of the Protestant Reformation started by Martin Luther and developed by John Calvin. | *1559 John Knox brings to Scotland the teachings of the Protestant Reformation started by Martin Luther and developed by John Calvin. | ||
*1600 Presbyterian ministers are required to swear an oath to the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of Ireland. Refusal can result in being refused the right to minister. | |||
*1608- Plantation of Ulster. As a result of religious persecution in Scotland, | |||
*1610 Scottish emigration to Ireland begins with the settlement of the newly planted counties in Ulster. | |||
*1643 Presbyterian Covenant to establish and defend Presbyterianism. | |||
*1691 Presbyterian ministers are to have a degree to be ordained to the ministry. Most are educated at the universities in Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland. | |||
*1660 Over 100,000 Presbyterians have settled in Ireland. | |||
*1690’s The Synod of Ulster and the Synod of Munster are formed near the end of the 17thC. | |||
*1708 130 Presbyterian congregations are established throughout Ireland, but predominately in Counties Antrim and Down. Internal disagreements in the Presbyterian Church lead to the establishment of the... | |||
*1726 “Non-subscribing” Presbyterians. The Southern Association is formed. | |||
*1740’s Emigration to North America by Scots-Irish is significant. | |||
*1740’s Major division in the Presbyterian Church resulting in the formation of the “Seceders.” They form their own ecclesiastical council – the Secession Synod. | |||
*1744 First Church of Seceders opens near Templepatrick, County Down, Ireland. | |||
*1750’s Seceders divide into Burgers and Anti-burghers over the issue of the Burgess Oath in Scotland that would allow them to sit on town councils, but the issue has little relevance in Ireland. | |||
*1760’s Reformed Presbyterians or Covenanters split off due to their strict interpretation to uphold the Covenant of 1643. Split leads to “First” and “Second” Presbyterian churches in some areas. | |||
*1770’s Another wave of emigration to North America by the Scots-Irish. | |||
*1782 Marriages performed by Presbyterian ministers are legalized. | |||
*1798 Presbyterians take an active role in the rebellion to free themselves from British control. | |||
*1814 Establishment of the Belfast Academical Institute. Most Presbyterian ministers in Ireland are now educated here. | |||
*1819 Presbyterian ministers are required to keep a register of baptisms and marriages. | |||
*1840 The Synod of Ulster, which was the main governing assembly in Ireland joins the Secession Synod. Together, they form the “General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.” | |||
*1844 Marriage Act of 1844 (effective April 1845) legalizes marriages between a member of the Church of Ireland and a Presbyterian. The effect is the start of a formation of a “Protestant alliance.” All Presbyterian marriages are registered in the General Register Office with those of the Church of Ireland. | |||
*1850’s Presbyterians in Ireland number 650,000 with 433 congregations. | |||
=== Baptism Records === | === Baptism Records === | ||