England Church Records: Difference between revisions

[[England|'''England''']]'''&nbsp;''' |&nbsp; [[England Civil Registration|'''Civil Registration''']]&nbsp; |&nbsp; [[England Census|'''Census''']]&nbsp; |&nbsp; [[England Probate Records|'''Probate''']]&nbsp; |[[England|England]]<br>

[[Image:Osmotherley3.jpg|thumb|right|275x186px]]Church records are the main source for identifying people prior to 1837 when civil registration began. It is also a main source after 1837 in conjunction with civil registration. The Church of England was 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. The governing of each parish created a group of records known as [[Parish Chest Records|parish chest records]].&nbsp; The Church of England has dominated the religious scene in England; therefore it is likely that this is where you will find your ancestors. As time passes other religions began to organize and create records. Those that did not belong to the Church of England were referred to as [[England Church Records#Nonconformist_Church_Records|nonconformists or dissenters]]. The main influence of the nonconformist was in larger towns and cities.  

'''Diocese.''' 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 article).  

[https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/What_information_can_I_find_in_Church_of_England_records%3F What's in parish registers]?  

Children were usually christened within a few weeks of birth, though christenings of some older children or adults were recorded. The parish registers give at least the infant’s name and the christening (baptism) date. Additional information may include the father’s name and occupation, the mother’s first name, the child’s birth date and legitimacy, and the family’s place of residence. In larger cities the family’s street address is given.  

What is in [[What information can I find in Church of England records?|England parish registers]]?  

Parish registers often record only the marriage date and the names of the bride and groom. The records may also include the marital status and the parish of residence of both parties, the groom’s occupation, signatures of witnesses, and the minister’s name especially after 1754.  

To learn more about marriage allegations, bonds, and licenses for England and Wales click '''[[Marriage Allegations, Bonds and Licences in England and Wales|here]]'''.&nbsp;&nbsp;  

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.  

'''Bishop’s Transcripts'''. Beginning in 1598 each parish was supposed to send a copy of its registers to the bishop of its diocese. Most parishes complied.  

England, [county name] - Church records  

[[Image:The Parish Chest.jpg|thumb|right]]  

Church records were kept in a chest (or strongbox) known as the [[Parish Chest Records|"parish chest." ]]Records other than the parish registers were called "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. <br>

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].  

= Locating Church Records of England  =

= Nonconformist Church Records  =