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England Church Records: Difference between revisions

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<span>Church records are an excellent source for accurate information on names and dates and on places of births, marriages, and deaths. Most people who lived in England have information recorded about them in a church record. Since civil authorities did not begin registering vital statistics until July 1837, church records are the best source for family information before that date.</span>
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For information about Nonconformist religious denominations and their registers, go to the [[England_Nonconformist_Church_Records| England Nonconformist Church Records]] page.


<span>In the 1530s King Henry VIII severed ties with the Pope and declared himself the head of the Church of England. This church became known as the state church and was also known as the Established or Anglican Church. In Scotland the Anglican Church was also known as the Episcopal Church. In the 17th Century, there began to be dissension within the Church of England and other religions began to spring up. These other religions are referred to as "nonconformists." or "dissenters" Nonconformists are discussed further on in this section under the name of each denomination.</span>
For information about records for non-Christian religions in England, go to the [[England Religious Records|Religious Records]] page.
==Introduction==


<span>Some church records have been destroyed by fire, lost, stolen, defaced, or damaged by dampness or aging. To protect their records, most parishes have deposited their early registers in county record offices. Addresses of the county record offices are given in:</span>
''See [[History of Parish Registers in England]]''


<span>Humphery-Smith, Cecil R., ''The Phillimore Atlas and Index of Parish Registers''. Second Edition. Chichester, Sussex: Phillimore &amp; Company, 1995. (FHL book 942 E7pa 1995.)</span>
Church records are the main source for genealogy prior to 1837 when [[England Civil Registration|civil registration]] began. It is also a useful source after 1837 in conjunction with civil registration.  


<span>Parish maps can help you determine which parish to search. Maps will reveal neighbouring parishes to search if your ancestor is not listed in the parish where you expected him or her to be. See [[England Maps]] for more information.</span>
Although a nationwide order was given in 1538 that each parish keep a register of baptisms, marriages, and burials, many parishes did not start to keep registers until later and some early 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 of that area and these copies are known as Bishop’s Transcripts or BTs. <br>  


== '''Church of England Records''' ==
'''Parish. ''' A ''parish'' is the jurisdictional unit that governs church affairs within its boundaries. Each local parish kept registers of baptisms/christenings, marriages and burials and other records. Small villages often do not have their own parishes but nevertheless have a chapel of ease built and ''are part of a parish headquartered in another town''. A parish may consist of one or more ''chapelries,'' dependent district churches or chapels of ease (see below).


<span>Are a primary source for family history research in England for the period prior to 1st July 1837 (date of civil registration in England); though registration was not compulsory until 1875.</span>
'''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 to marry was granted, marriage registers. Large cities,  market town parishes and occasional other parishes--in especially Lancashire's original 75 ancient parishes, and many in Cheshire, Greater London, and Yorkshire counties consisted of numerous chapelries. For example, England's largest parish of Manchester (the Cathedral), was not the only church standing within its own boundary. Because of the Industrial Revolution and subsequent massive migration into its large boundary, by 1900 Manchester comprised well [[A Comprehensive List of All Pre-1851 Manchester Parishes and Chapelries|<u>over ''150 attached chapels''</u>]], many of ancient origin. 


<span>The records of baptisms (christenings), marriages, and burials were kept by the local Church of England parishes.  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.</span>
'''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.  


<span>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. </span>
'''Calendar changes:''' The Gregorian calendar, the one commonly used today, is a correction of the Julian calendar, which, because of miscalculated leap years, was 11 days behind the solar year by 1752. England began using the new calendar in 1752. Eleven days were omitted to bring the calendar in line with the solar year. The day after Wednesday, 2 September 1752, became Thursday, 14 September 1752. Also at that time, the first day of the year changed to 1 January. Before 1752, the first day of the year was 25 March. Pre-1752 dates may be confusing. For example, the day after 24 March 1565 was 25 March 1566. Dates between 1 January and 24 March are often recorded using a technique called double dating. An example of double dating is 16 February 1696/7. For more information, see ''[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/261403?availability=Family%20History%20Library Handbook of Dates for Students of English History]'', by C. R. Cheney.


<span>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 branches), which often keep their own records.</span>
==Religions of England==


<span>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), which may be divided into "rural deaneries" (headed by a "rural dean"). Each deanery consists of several parishes.</span>
===Non-Conformist Churches===
* Various '''Non-Conformist''' groups, included all '''Methodists, Baptist''' and '''Presbyterian''' spin-off denominations, as well the '''Independents''', '''Roman Catholic''', and '''Society of Friends''' ('''Quakers'''). They slowly grew in legal standing and in numbers from about 1600 onwards, experiencing at first much persecution and discrimination.


<span>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).</span>
===Roman Catholic Church===
[[File:English and Welsh Catholic Dioceses Map.png|200px|thumb|right|<center>Catholic Dioceses of England and Wales</center>]]
*'''Roman Catholics''' remained present in England after the split between Rome and the Church of England in aboout 1536. They were heavily persecuted and most records became extant after laws of 1778, 1791 and 1829 lifted discrimination against them.
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<span>Earlier registers often contained christenings, marriages, and burials in one book, called a general register. In 1754 a law was passed that required marriages to be kept in a separate register. In 1813 parishes were required to use pre-printed registers. There were separate registers for christenings, marriages, and burials.</span>
===Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints===
*'''Mormon'''s, '''LDS''' or, '''The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints''' Church records include mostly membership records, i.e. baptisms, and some marriages and deaths, etc.,(about 51,000 attending members by 1851) begin by July, 1837. A ''few'' are available online through the 1) online [https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/ Church History Library Catalog]: just type name of England county ''and'' the word "branch". Most, if not, all records are available to access by in-person visit to the Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. Note: The records have been digitised for internal purposes and access. All locality records of Membership are currently being indexed (as of 2022). 2) A slight majority of records are also available in the FamilySearch Library's microfilm collections; see the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch.org online catalog]. Search under the name of the township/parish name and then click "Record of Members". These records may only be searched by in-person visitors at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, UT.


<span>The amount of information recorded varies from parish to parish. Later records are usually more complete than earlier ones. However, content often changed when a new minister began keeping the records.</span>
''See [[Church of England Parish Registers]], [[England Nonconformist Church Records]].''


<span>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.</span>
==Accessing England Church Records==
===Accessing Records ===
The first step is to find out which records survive for the parish you are researching. The following places are useful for this: 


=== Christenings (Baptisms) ===
*[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/churchdb GENUKI Church Database]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/mapp/ <nowiki>1851 Jurisdictions [parish boundary] maps</nowiki>] - an interactive county map of England showing parish and multiple other jurisdiction boundaries, i.e. civil registration district (shows parishes within it)
*Each parish's page on this wiki
*[https://parishregister.co.uk/ Parish Registers - Family History before 1837]
*The parish's entry on the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog]
*The county archive or record office


<span>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 (baptismal) 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.</span>
Once you know what records exist, the next step is to access those records. The easiest way to find records for a particular ancestor is to use an index or transcript of the records. If these are not available then you'll need to browse the original records manually to find records of interest. Both can often be done online, though many websites required a subscription, or can be used for free only at public libraries and FamilySearch Centers (FSCs).  


<span>The pre-printed forms introduced in 1813 called for the child’s christening date and given names, both parents’ given names, family surname, residence, father’s occupation, and minister’s signature. The birth date was sometimes added.</span>
The original records are usually stored at county record offices (Anglican) or The National Archives (non-conformist). A few may remain in custody of the parish, or at local archives or museums.


=== Marriages ===
===Major Resources===  


<span>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.</span>
*The resources are prioritized from left to right, with the left column containing the most complete coverage for the county.
*Percentages in parentheses indicate the approximate percentage of the records included in that collection. Many collections will have a table or index showing the specific parishes and years they have records for.
*OPC is an abbreviation for Online Parish Clerks, a group of websites that transcribes parish records and make them freely available online
*FHS is an abbreviation for a county Family History Society and available products for purchase, i.e. CDs containing indexes to church baptisms or marriage records of the county.
*Many of these collections have the baptisms, marriages and burials on separate webpages. Links to the resources from all this table are always to the baptisms.
*A free account is required to access FamilySearch, and some of the images on their websites can only be viewed at FSCs or Affiliate Libraries. See the next section for information about records formerly part of the IGI.


<span>Starting 1 July 1837(Start of Civil Registration) all parishes were required to use a new form. This form called for the bride and groom’s ages, residences, and occupations and the names and occupations of their fathers.</span>
Few, if any, of these collections will be 100% complete.  
{| class="wikitable"
| width="15%" bgcolor="#f9eb81" |
|signifies index only
|-
| width="15%" bgcolor="#90dded" |
|signifies index with images attached
|-
| width="15%" bgcolor="#ffcccc" |
|signifies images only
|}


<span>Couples usually married in the bride’s parish. Typically, the English married in their 20s.</span>
===== England County Church Records Availability - Indexes and/or Transcriptions =====
{| class="wikitable" width="75%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0"
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b4bec4" align="left" |'''County (pre-1974)'''
| width="15%" bgcolor="#b4bec4" align="left" |'''Best coverage'''
| width="15%" bgcolor="#b4bec4" align="left" |
| width="15%" bgcolor="#b4bec4" align="left" |
| width="15%" bgcolor="#b4bec4" align="left" |'''Less Coverage'''
| width="15%" bgcolor="#b4bec4" align="left" |'''Offline Records'''
|-
|Bedfordshire
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Bedfordshire&record FamilySearch] (98%)
|
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.freereg.org.uk/ FreeReg]
|
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://bedsarchives.bedford.gov.uk/Using_Our_Collections/Collection-Guides/Church-and-Religion/BedfordshireParishRegisterSeries.aspx Bedfordshire Parish Register Series] ($ or in person)
|-
|Berkshire
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Berkshire&record FamilySearch](70%)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/berkshire-baptisms-index Findmypast] ($)
|
|
| bgcolor="#ffcccc" |[https://www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk/family-history/parish-registers-and-other-records Berkshire Record Office] ($ or in person)
|-
|Buckinghamshire
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Buckinghamshire&record FamilySearch] (50%)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/buckinghamshire-baptism-index Findmypast] ($)
|
|
| bgcolor="#ffcccc" |[https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/culture-and-leisure/centre-for-buckinghamshire-studies/help-with-research/family-history/ Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies] (in person)
|-
|Cambridgeshire
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.cfhs.org.uk Cambridgeshire FHS]
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Cambridgeshire&record FamilySearch] (70%)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/cambridgeshire-baptisms Findmypast] ($)
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://www.cfhs.org.uk Cambridgeshire FHS] CDs ($). Can be accessed for free at the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=1927943&query=%2Bplace%3A%22England%2C%20Cambridgeshire%22&subjectsOpen=469171-50 FS Library] in Salt Lake City.
|-
|Cheshire
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Cheshire&record FamilySearch] (70%)
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/cheshire-diocese-of-chester-parish-baptisms-1538-1911 Findmypast]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=60496 Ancestry.com]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[http://cprdb.csc.liv.ac.uk/Live/v3.6/database.html Cheshire Parish Register Project]
|
|-
|Cornwall
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Cornwall&record FamilySearch]
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[http://www.opc-cornwall.org/ Cornwall OPC]
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.freereg.org.uk/ FreeReg] (85%, mostly marriages)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/cornwall-baptisms Findmypast] ($)
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9848/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|
|-
|Cumberland
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Cumberland&record FamilySearch] (80%)
|
|
|
|
|-
|Derbyshire
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/derbyshire-baptisms Findmypast] (85%)  ($)
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Derbyshire&record FamilySearch]
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=61407 Ancestry.com] ($)
|
|
|-
|Devon
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/devon-baptisms Findmypast] ($)
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Devon&record FamilySearch] (50%)
|
|
|
|-
|Dorset
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Dorset&record FamilySearch]
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=2243 Ancestry.com]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/dorset-baptisms Findmypast]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.thegenealogist.com/subscription/ TheGenealogist]  ($)
|
|-
|Durham
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Durham&record FamilySearch]
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/northumberland-baptisms Findmypast] ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.freereg.org.uk/ FreeReg] (25%)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.durhamrecordsonline.com/ Durham Records Online]
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[http://www.durhamrecordoffice.org.uk/article/10573/Parish-registers Durham Record Office] (in person)
|-
|Essex
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Essex&record FamilySearch]
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.thegenealogist.com/subscription/ TheGenealogist]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/essex-baptism-index-1538-1917 Findmypast]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[http://essex-opc.org.uk/ Essex OPC]
| bgcolor="#ffcccc" |[http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/ParishRegisters.aspx Essex Record Office] ($) or in person.
|-
|Gloucestershire
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=4732 Ancestry.com] ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Gloucestershire&record FamilySearch]
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.thegenealogist.com/subscription/ TheGenealogist]  ($)
|
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[http://www.bafhs.org.uk/ Bath and Avon FHS] ($) CDs
|-
|Hampshire
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Hampshire&record FamilySearch]
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.thegenealogist.com/subscription/ TheGenealogist]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/hampshire-baptisms Findmypast]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[http://www3.hants.gov.uk/archives/hals-collections/gro.htm Hampshire Record Office marriage index] (mostly complete)
|
|-
|Herefordshire
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Herefordshire&record  FamilySearch] (80%)
|
|
|
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/herefordshire-archive-records-centre/family-history-research HARC] (in person)
|-
|Hertfordshire
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Hertfordshire&record FamilySearch] (90%)
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/hertfordshire-baptisms Findmypast]  ($)
|
|
|
|-
|Huntingdonshire
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Huntingdonshire&record FamilySearch]
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/huntingdonshire-burials Findmypast]  ($) (burials)
|
|
| bgcolor="#ffcccc" |[https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/libraries-leisure-culture/local-studies/huntingdonshire-collection Huntingdonshire Archives] (in person)
|-
|Kent
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Kent&record FamilySearch]
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/kent-baptisms Findmypast]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=1901 Ancestry.com]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[http://www.kent-opc.org/ Kent OPC]
|
|-
|Lancashire
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2575 Ancestry.com] ($)*
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Lancashire&record FamilySearch]
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/indexp.html Lancashire OPC]
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-greater-manchester-baptisms-1571-1910 Findmypast] (Manchester only) ($)
|
|-
|Leicestershire
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Leicestershire&record FamilySearch] (40%)
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/leicestershire-baptisms Findmypast]  ($)
|
|
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[http://lrfhs.org.uk/publications.html Leicestershire and Rutland FHS] (70%)
|-
|Lincolnshire
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Lincolnshire&record FamilySearch] (85%)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.freereg.org.uk/ FreeReg] (82%)
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-england-records-in-birth-marriage-and-death-parish-registers Findmypast]  ($)
|
|
|-
|London*
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,London&record FamilySearch] (90%)
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1558 Ancestry.com] ($)
|
|
|
|-
|Middlesex
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5908 Ancestry.com] (60%) ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/middlesex-baptisms Findmypast]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Middlesex&record FamilySearch]
|
|
|-
|Norfolk
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.freereg.org.uk/ FreeReg] (75%)
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=61045 Ancestry.com]  ($)
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Norfolk&record FamilySearch]
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/norfolk-baptisms Findmypast]  ($)
|
|-
|Northamptonshire
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=9198 Ancestry.com]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.freereg.org.uk/ FreeReg] (71%)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.northants-fhs.org/database-searches/ Northamptonshire FHS]
|
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Northamptonshire&record FamilySearch]
|-
|Northumberland
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Northumberland&record FamilySearch] (85%)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/northumberland-baptisms Findmypast]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.freereg.org.uk/ FreeReg] (80%)
| bgcolor="#ffcccc" |{{RecordSearch|2353070|England, Northumberland, Parish Registers, 1538-1950}}
|
|-
|Nottinghamshire
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.freereg.org.uk/ FreeReg] (90%)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=61547 Ancestry.com]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/nottinghamshire-baptisms-index-1538-1917 Findmypast] ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Nottinghamshire&record FamilySearch]
| bgcolor="#ffcccc" |[https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/heritage/archives/visiting-archives/ Nottinghamshire Archives]
|-
|Oxfordshire
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=61056 Ancestry.com] ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Oxfordshire&record FamilySearch] (85%)
|
|
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.ofhs.org.uk/CDsales.html#prs Oxfordshire FHS]
|-
|Rutland
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Rutland&record FamilySearch] (80%)
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/rutland-baptisms Findmypast]  ($)
|
|
|
|-
|Shropshire
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/shropshire-baptisms Findmypast]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Shropshire&record FamilySearch]
|
|
|
|-
|Somerset
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=60856 Ancestry.com]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.freereg.org.uk/ FreeReg] (85%)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Somerset&record FamilySearch] (30%)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/somerset-baptism-index Findmypast]  ($)
|
|-
|Staffordshire
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Staffordshire&record FamilySearch] (85%)
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/staffordshire-baptisms Findmypast]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.freereg.org.uk/ FreeReg] (85%)
|
|
|-
|Suffolk
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Suffolk&record FamilySearch] (65%)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/suffolk-baptism-index-1538-1911 Findmypast] ($)
|
|
| bgcolor="#ffcccc" |[https://www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/18-PARISH-REGS-CIVIL-REGS-30-05-2016.pdf Suffolk Record Office] (in person)
|-
|Surrey
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=4790 Ancestry.com] (70%) ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/surrey-baptisms Findmypast]  ($)
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Surrey&record FamilySearch]
|
|
|-
|Sussex
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Sussex&record FamilySearch] (65%)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[http://www.sussex-opc.org/ Sussex OPC]
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://www.thegenealogist.com/subscription/ TheGenealogist]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/sussex-burials Findmypast]  ($) (burials)
|
|-
|Warwickshire
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=2416 Ancestry.com]  ($)*
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Warwickshire&record FamilySearch]
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/warwickshire-baptisms Findmypast]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[http://www.hunimex.com/warwick/opc/opc.html Warwickshire OPC]
|
|-
|Westmorland
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Westmorland FamilySearch] (70%)
|
|
|
| bgcolor="#ffcccc" |[https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/archives/archivecentres/kac.asp Kendal Archival Center] (in person)
|-
|Wiltshire
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/wiltshire-baptisms-index-1530-1917 Findmypast]  ($)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Wiltshire&record FamilySearch] (50%)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.freereg.org.uk/ FreeReg] (80%)
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=61187 Ancestry.com]  ($)
|
|-
|Worcestershire
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Worcestershire&record FamilySearch] (75%)
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://www.thegenealogist.com/subscription/ TheGenealogist]  ($)
|
|
|
|-
|Yorkshire
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=2256 Ancestry.com]  ($) (West Yorkshire)
| bgcolor="#f9eb81" |[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/united-kingdom-and-ireland/england?region=England,Yorkshire&record FamilySearch] (75%)
| bgcolor="#90dded" |[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/yorkshire-baptisms Findmypast]  ($)
|
|
|}


<span>You may find records that show a couple’s "intent to marry" in addition to the records of the actual marriage. Sometimes, however, the couple registered their intent to marry but never married.</span>
*Ancestry also has records for Birmingham and Manchester separate from the records for Warwickshire and Lancashire respectively.
*What is now London was formerly Middlesex, and portions of northeast Surrey, northwest Kent, and West Ham, in Essex.
*[[Media:A Hand List of Online England County-wide Indexes P Dunn Jul 2017 JMR (002).pdf|List of Online England and Wales Church Records]] - additional list of best websites for Church Records with number of records per website


<span>There were two ways to meet the requirements to marry.</span>
===Non-Conformist Religions===
''For more background, see [[Religious non-conformity in England]].''<br>
'''General Collections'''<br>
*'''1588-1977''' {{RecordSearch|1666142|England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977}} at FamilySearch - [[England and Wales Nonconformist Record Indexes (RGA 4-8) ,1588-1977 - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images [Note: Index was last updated Jan 4, 2013.]
*'''1777-1936''' {{RecordSearch|1719223|England, Bristol, Non-Conformist Church Records, 1777-1936}} at FamilySearch - [[England, Bristol, Non-Conformist Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images. Note: FamilySearch has images and indexes to nearly all National Archives UK RG registers.
*[https://bmdregisters.co.uk/ BMDRegisters.co.uk] - online Non-Conformist indexed baptisms, births, marriages and some burials ($)
*[https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/catalog/?title=Non-Conformist&limitToCountry=1 Ancestry.co.uk] - search nearly 6 million Non-Conformist online records; search their "Catalog" and type "Non-Conformist" to search an additional nearly 2 million county databases ($)
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-non-conformist-births-and-baptisms England & Wales Non-Conformist Births and Baptisms] at Findmypast - ($), index
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-non-conformist-marriages England & Wales Non-Conformist Marriages] at Findmypast - ($), index
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-non-conformist-burials England & Wales Non-Conformist Burials] at Findmypast - ($), index


'''<span>By Banns.</span>'''<span> A law required couples to have the minister announce or post notice of their intent to marry for three consecutive Sundays unless they obtained a license. This gave others the opportunity to object to the marriage. Beginning in 1754 officials recorded banns in separate registers. Banns registers contain information almost identical to marriage registers, but banns usually do not list the witnesses or marriage date.</span>
'''By County'''<br>
*'''1613-1971''' {{RecordSearch|3584542|England, Essex Non-Conformist Church Records, 1613-1971}} at FamilySearch - [[England, Essex Non-Conformist Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images
*'''1840-1894''' {{RecordSearch|2806100|England, Northamptonshire, Non-conformist Records, 1840-1894}} at FamilySearch — [[England, Northamptonshire, Non-Conformist Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index


<span>If you believe a marriage took place but cannot find a record of it, search the banns register (if available). The banns should have been recorded in both the bride’s and the groom’s parish. The marriage is usually recorded only in the parish where it took place. For banns registers, look in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under:</span>
'''Society of Friends - Quakers'''<br>
*'''1578-1841''' [http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-society-of-friends-quaker-births-1578-1841 England & Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Births 1578-1841] at Findmypast - ($), index and images
*'''1578-1841''' [http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-society-of-friends-quaker-marriages-1578-1841 England & Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Marriages 1578-1841] at Findmypast - ($), index and images
*'''1578-1841''' [http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-society-of-friends-quaker-burials-1578-1841 England & Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Burials 1578-1841] at Findmypast - ($), index and images
*'''1659''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/quaker-womens-petition-1659 Quaker Women's Petition, 1659] at Findmypast - index & images ($)
*'''1810-1918''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/quaker-deaths-1810-1918 Quaker Deaths 1810-1918] at Findmypast - index & images ($)


<span>Beware banns were only an intent to marry, it doesn’t mean that because they were read that the marriage ceremony took place.</span>
'''Roman Catholic'''<br>
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-roman-catholic-parish-baptisms England Roman Catholic Parish Baptisms] at Findmypast - ($), index and images
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-roman-catholic-parish-marriages England Roman Catholic Parish Marriages] at Findmypast - ($), index and images
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-roman-catholic-parish-burials England Roman Catholic Parish Burials] at Findmypast - ($), index and images


<span>ENGLAND</span><span>, [COUNTY], [PARISH] - CHURCH RECORDS</span>
===IGI===
Starting in 1973, FamilySearch created a major index called the [[International Genealogical Index|IGI]] (International Genealogical Index). Its purpose was two-fold. It contained both indexed/extracted church register name entries and user-submitted records.


'''<span>By License.</span>'''<span> A couple applied to the proper church authority, usually the bishop, for a license when:</span>
The records that were extracted from original source documents comprised the main portion of the original IGI, and with some areas receiving a majority of records included. No original images were included. The records were arranged in batches and sometimes it is useful to know what batches correspond to a particular place. [http://www.archersoftware.co.uk/igi/ Archersoftware], while a few years out of date, still provides batch information for the entire British Isles.


* <span>Circumstances made it desirable to marry without waiting the three weeks required for the proclamation of banns. </span>
In approximately 2004, FamilySearch database engineers migrated all of the IGI extracted data (from parish registers such as baptisms and marriages) into its main search page currently found on [https://www.familysearch.org/search/ FamilySearch.org], and left the remaining individual or "user submitted" records in the IGI intact, with only 430 million submitted name entries, on the "Genealogies" page on FamilySearch's website. Like all compiled sources such as family trees, published genealogies, and transcription records, caution is required as some (IGI) information may be incorrect and mostly incomplete. The user submitted records come from all over the world, with only a small portion relating to England.  
* <span>The bride and groom lived in different dioceses. </span>
* <span>A couple preferred not to subject themselves to publication of banns (common among upper classes and nonconformists). </span>


<span>Marriage licenses could be granted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, bishops, and archdeacons, or their surrogates within their respective jurisdictions. The licensing process created three types of documents, which may provide additional information to what the marriage record itself contains:</span>
To do a general search of old (IGI) database of submitted entries see the following or use the general [https://www.familysearch.org/search/ '''FamilySearch'''] search engine on the main search page. 


'''<span>Marriage bond.</span>'''<span> A written guarantee made by the groom and another person swearing to the legality of the planned marriage. The bond usually lists occupations.</span>
Here is a list of those stand-alone databases (each with its own individual search page). Most pages have not been updated in recent years. Use each with some caution:


'''<span>Marriage allegation.</span>'''<span> A statement filed by the couple in support of their license application. It records the couple’s names, ages, and parish of residence. The allegation sometimes lists where the marriage was to take place or gives a parent’s name or signature.</span>
*'''1538-1975''' {{RecordSearch|1473014|England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975}} at FamilySearch - [[England Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index, incomplete. Also at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9841 Ancestry.com], [http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30042/england-births-christenings-1538-1975?s=218489221 MyHeritage] ($)
*'''1571-1977''' {{RecordSearch|1770884|Great Britain, Births and Baptisms, 1571-1977}} at FamilySearch - [[Great Britain, Births and Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index births at sea, British subjects abroad, baptisms of nonconformist chapels in England, etc.; incomplete
*'''1538–1973''' {{RecordSearch|1473015|England Marriages, 1538–1973}} at FamilySearch - [[England Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index, incomplete. Also at [http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30043/england-marriages-1538%E2%80%931973?s=218489221 MyHeritage] ($), [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9852 Ancestry] ($), and [http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-marriages-1538-1973 Findmypast] ($)
*'''1797-1988''' {{RecordSearch|1770891|Great Britain Marriages, 1797-1988}} at FamilySearch - [[Great Britain Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index, incomplete . Also at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9881 Ancestry] ($)
*'''1538-1991''' {{RecordSearch|1473016|England Deaths and Burials, 1538-1991}} at FamilySearch - [[England Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index, incomplete. Also ar [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9840 Ancestry] ($), [http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-deaths-and-burials-1538-1991 Findmypast] ($), and [http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30044/england-deaths-burials-1538-1991?s=218489221 MyHeritage] ($)
*'''1778-1988''' {{RecordSearch|1770890|Great Britain Deaths and Burials, 1778-1988}} at FamilySearch - [[Great Britain Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index, incomplete. Also at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9880 Ancestry] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9880 Great Britain, Select Deaths and Burials, 1778-1988] ($), index


'''<span>Marriage license.</span>'''<span> The actual document given to the couple to present to the minister. This document seldom survives but is sometimes found in family papers.</span>
===FamilySearch Catalog===


<span>If a couple married by license but the bond or allegation cannot be found in the records for the diocese, check the records of the Vicar General and the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, which had a higher level of jurisdiction.</span>
The FamilySearch Library contains an extensive collection of English church records. The most common are:


<span>The current location of original marriage license documents is given in:</span>
*Parish registers from their beginning up to the nineteenth century or later
*Bishops’ transcripts from 1598 up to the mid- 19th century
*Transcripts of parish registers
*Parish chest records
*Registers of nonconformist churches to 1837 (sometimes later)


<span>Gibson, J. S. W. Bishops’ ''Transcripts and Marriage Licences, Bonds and Allegations''. Fourth Edition. Birmingham, England: Federation of Family History Societies Publications, Limited, 1997. (FHL book 942 K23b 1997.)</span>
To find church records from a particular place, use the FamilySearch Catalog. Look under "church records" and find the religion, year and record type of interest. If an index is available for the records, a magnifying glass symbol will appear. If a camera symbol also appears, the images are also accessible from any computer. A camera symbol with a key indicates the image is only accessible from a FamilySearch Center or Affiliate Library. A microfilm symbol means that the images are not yet available online, and can only be viewed on microfilm at the FS Library in Salt Lake City.  


<span>Many license records are in county record offices. The Family History Library also has a good collection, usually listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under:</span>
===Regional and Local Websites===
Various genealogical societies and organizations have produced transcriptions of records. One prominent groups of sites are the Online Parish Clerks (OPCs). For each county the OPC site is run by volunteers to make church records freely available online. For example, see [http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/ Lancashire OPC]


<span>ENGLAND</span><span>, [COUNTY] - CHURCH RECORDS</span>
For more detail about resources for a particular county or parish, see the wiki page for that area. For example, [[Bedfordshire Church Records]], or [[Ashbourne with Mapleton, Derbyshire Genealogy|Ashbourne]]


=== '''Indexes to marriages.   ''' ===
Other useful sites are [http://dustydocs.com/ DustyDocs] and [https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/parish UKBMD], both providing information about websites specific to the area or parish.


<span>Boyd, Percival. Boyd’s ''Marriage Index''. Bound typescript. N.p., n.d. This work is an index to marriages in 4,375 parishes throughout England. It is available on microfilm, on microfiche, and as a book. Look in the Author/Title Search of the Family History Library Catalogue for library call numbers.</span>
===Extracted Records===
Similiar to the IGI, other individuals and organisations made transcriptions of a small subset of England church records to aid researchers. While mostly superseded by the large databases of the major websites, they may still be useful in some circumstances.  


<span>You can find an explanation of this series in:</span>
*[https://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://sog.archiveps.co.uk/bin/index.php Society of Genealogists] ($) have many transcriptions of church records, members only


<span>Wells, Claire T. Wells, comp. ''A Key to the Parishes Included in Boyd’s Marriage Index''. Second Edition. Salt Lake City, Utah: Family History Library, 1988. (FHL book 942 K22b 1988; fiche 6035667.)</span>
===Military, Overseas and Maritime Records===


<span>A list of parishes is also given in:</span>
*'''1787-1933''' {{RecordSearch|1967749|United Kingdom, Maritime Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1787-1933}} at FamilySearch - [[United Kingdom, Maritime Births, Marriages, and Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-nationals-armed-forces-births-1761-2005 British Nationals Armed Forces Births 1761-2005] ($), index
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-armed-forces-and-overseas-births-and-baptisms British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms] ($), index
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-nationals-armed-forces-marriages-1796-2005 British Nationals Armed Forces Marriages 1796-2005] ($), index
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-royal-marines-marriage-registers-1813-1920 British Royal Marines, Marriage Registers 1813-1920] ($), index
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-armed-forces-and-overseas-banns-and-marriages British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages] ($), index
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-nationals-armed-forces-deaths-1796-2005 British Nationals Armed Forces Deaths 1796-2005] ($), index
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-armed-forces-and-overseas-deaths-and-burials British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials] ($), index


''<span>A List of Parishes in Boyd’s Marriage Index</span>''<span>. London, England: Society of Genealogists, 1994. (FHL book 942 K22l 1994.)</span>
===Other Sites===


<span>Some county record offices and other repositories have indexes to church records, some of which are on film at the Family History Library (see the "[[England Archives and Libraries|<u>Archives and Libraries</u>]]" section of this outline for addresses).</span>
*[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.marriage-locator.co.uk/ Marriage Locator]: Helps to locate the church where the marriage took place
*[http://www.uk-genealogy.org.uk/Registers Parish Registers and Phillimore Marriage records] hundreds of parish registers and other BMD transcripts in their collection, and they are working to put them all online.
*[http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ The National Archives] - provides a marvelous view into county record office and numerous other catalogs and inventories to their genealogical records
*[http://lists.rootsweb.ancestry.com/index/index.html Mailing Lists at Rootsweb.com]


<span>Privately held marriage indexes for most counties are available by correspondence at either of the following two sources. Many indexes are listed with the addresses of where to write in:</span>
===Offline Indexes===
Indexes to church records have been published by family history societies in England. Read more in the [[England Societies|Societies]] article.


<span>Humphery-Smith, Cecil R., ''The Phillimore Atlas and Index of Parish Registers''. Second Edition. Chichester, Sussex: Phillimore &amp; Company, 1995. (FHL book 942 E7pa 1995.)</span>
*Some county record offices hold in-house and sometimes, online indexes to their own records holdings.
*Many family history societies have published in booklet-form, or on microfiche, or on CD-ROM numerous countywide or parish church records transcriptions and indexes.


<span>Gibson, Jeremy, and Elizabeth Hampson, Editors. ''Marriage and Census Indexes for Family Historians''. Seventh Edition. Birmingham, England: Federation of Family History Societies Publications, Limited, 1998. (FHL book 942 D27gjh.)</span>
Privately held marriage indexes for most counties are available by correspondence at either of the following two sources. Many indexes are listed with the addresses of where to write in:  


<span>A few marriage indexes are on film at the Family History Library; look in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under:</span>
*Humphery-Smith, Cecil R., ''[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8830/?geo_a=r&geo_s=uk&geo_t=us&geo_v=2.0.0&o_iid=62817&o_lid=62817&o_sch=Web+Property The Phillimore Atlas and Index of Parish Registers]''. Second Edition. Chichester, Sussex: Phillimore &amp; Company, 1995. (FS Library book {{FSC|752598|title-id|disp=942 E7pa 1995}}.)
*Gibson, Jeremy, and Elizabeth Hampson, Editors. ''Marriage and Census Indexes for Family Historians''. Seventh Edition. Birmingham, England: Federation of Family History Societies Publications, Limited, 1998. (FS Library book {{FSC|733642|title-id|disp=942 D27gjh}}.)
*Some marriage indexes are on film at the FamilySearch Library. To find them, use the Place-name search of the FamilySearch Catalogue and search for a county of interest and the topic of CHURCH RECORDS - INDEXES.


<span>ENGLAND</span><span>, [COUNTY] - CHURCH RECORDS - INDEXES</span>
==Protestation Returns==
The Protestation Returns of 1641–1642 are lists of English males over the age of 18 who took, or did not take, an oath of allegiance "to live and die for the true Protestant religion, the liberties and rights of subjects and the privilege of Parliaments." These lists were usually compiled by parish, or township, within hundred, or wapentake.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Protestation Returns of 1641–1642" in ''https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestation_Returns_of_1641%E2%80%931642'' accessed 18 Mar 2024</ref>


=== Burials ===
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/protestation-returns-1641-1642 Protestation Returns of 1641–1642]


<span>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.</span>
==Archives==


<span>Burial registers may mention infant children who were not christened including stillbirths. Christening records never record stillbirths.</span>
[[Image:Lambeth Palace.jpg|thumb|right|<center>Lambeth Palace<center>]]


=== Copies of Parish Registers ===
===County Record Offices===
Most of the Church of England parish registers and bishop's transcript copies are deposited in the county record offices throughout the country. Additionally, while a majority of the nonconformist church registers have been deposited at The National Archives, some of these church registers have been deposited in the county records offices.


<span>Copies of parish registers may be available in manuscript or published form. These copies include transcripts and abstracts that may have errors or omissions. Compare the transcript to the original parish register, if available.</span>
These record offices are open to the public and all have a website by which you can learn more about their services, the records and their availability, and online offerings.


<span>Individuals and societies collect and compile copies of parish registers. Both the Society of Genealogists in London and the Family History Library has major collections of such records.</span>
Besides county record offices, church records may also be deposited at the local parish, libraries, museums, or other repositories.


'''<span>Bishop’s Transcripts</span>'''<span>. Beginning in 1598 each parish was supposed to send a copy of its registers to the bishop of its diocese. Most parishes complied.</span>
===Lambeth Palace Library===


<span>The current location of original bishop’s transcripts is given in:</span>
Lambeth Palace Library is the historic library and record office of the Archbishops of Canterbury and the principal repository of the documentary history of the Church of England. 


<span>Gibson, J. S. W. Bishops’ ''Transcripts and Marriage Licences, Bonds and Allegations.'' Fourth Edition. Birmingham, England: Federation of Family History Societies Publications, Limited, 1997. (FHL book 942 K23b 1997.)</span>
[[Image:Lambeth Palace Great Hall.jpg|thumb|right|300x156px|<center>Lambeth Palace Great Hall<center>]]


<span>Many bishop’s transcripts are on film at the Family History Library, listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under:</span>
The Library does hold some records relevant to genealogy, but it is unlikely to be the best starting point for such research. The Library holds very few parish registers, however it does hold records relating to those marriages where a licence was issued under the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Library has written a research guide on the family history records it holds, and a guide to the marriage records in its collections:


<span>ENGLAND</span><span>, [COUNTY], [PARISH] - CHURCH RECORDS</span>
For further information on the Library’s collections and services, please see its website: [http://www.lambethpalacelibrary.org/ Lambeth Palace Library.org]    


<span>Most films contain all the years for one parish on one film. However, some are arranged by deanery and year. Those arranged by year and then by deanery are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under:</span>
==Parish Boundaries==


<span>ENGLAND</span><span>, [COUNTY] - CHURCH RECORDS</span>
To find an ancestor in church records, you should know their religion and the parish where they lived. The Place Search on the FamilySearch Catalog usually uses the parish names as given in ''The Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales.'' See [[England Gazetteers | England Gazetteers]] for this source and other help in finding a parish. Also see the [https://www.familysearch.org/mapp/ England & Wales Jurisdictions 1851] map to locate the parish.  Be aware that local residents sometimes referred to their parish by the name of the parish patron saint, rather than by the location of the parish.  In cities where there is more than one parish, the FamilySearch Catalog uses the patron saint's name with the name of the city to identify records of different parishes.


=== Indexes to Church Records ===
Parish maps can help you determine which parish to search. Maps will reveal neighboring parishes to search if your ancestor is not listed in the parish where you expected him or her to be. See [[England Maps|England Maps]] for more information.


<span>The International Genealogical Index (see the "[[England Genealogy|<u>Genealogy</u>]]" section of this outline for more information) is the most comprehensive surname index of English parish registers. Other indexes to parish registers exist. Many of these indexes have been published by family history societies in England (see the "[[England Societies|<u>Societies</u>]]" section of this outline for more information).</span>
==Types of Records==
===Baptisms===
Baptism records usually contain:


<span>To see what indexes to parish registers are available at the Family History Library, look in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under:</span>
*Child's given name
*Father's given name, and from 1813 his occupation and residence/address
*Mother's name, and (rarely) her maiden surname
*Baptism date, and occasionally birth date, which can sometimes be several years before the baptism.


<span>ENGLAND</span><span>, [COUNTY] - CHURCH RECORDS - INDEXES</span>
It is worth mentioning that it was common practice in families to use the same Christian name over and over again until a child survived with it. This means that individuals need to try and capture all of the family members listed watching for deaths and that same name being given to the next child of the same sex.


=== Parish Chest Records ===
<gallery perrow="1" heights="120px" widths="160px" caption="Baptism Record Example">
File:England Church of England Parish Register Christening.jpg|Christening Register 
</gallery>


<span>Church records were kept in a chest (or strongbox) known as the "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.</span>
===Marriages===
Typically, the English married in their 20's. You may find records that show a couple’s “intent to marry” in addition to the records of the actual marriage. Sometimes, however, the couple registered their intent to marry but never married. Church of England parish register marriage records usually contain:


<span>Many parish chest records are available at county record offices. Parish chest records include:</span>
*Marriage date 
*Name of the bride and groom


'''<span>Vestry Minutes.</span>'''<span> A vestry is a parish’s presiding council. Minutes of vestry meetings often mention individuals, appointments of parish officers, and other affairs (such as agreements for the care of illegitimate children and lists of apprentices, parish newcomers, officials, and men eligible to serve as parish officers).</span>
After 1753, the records are more likely to show: 


'''<span>Poor and Other Rates. </span>'''<span>Parishes recorded payments made to the poor and rates, or taxes, assessed to meet welfare needs. Parishes also charged rates for things such as night watch, lighting, highway, pest control, constable expenses, sewer, and victim’s or soldier’s relief. They kept records of assessment, receipt, and disbursement.</span>
*Residence of the bride and groom 
*Marital status of bride and groom 
*May list the dates that the marriage was announced (also called “banns published”). This normally took place on three separate occasions prior to the marriage and gave anyone with a valid reason a chance to object to the marriage.
*After 1753, a form was used for parish registers
*After 1753, whether marriage was by banns or license
*After 1753, the full names of usually two witnesses 
*After 1753, the minister's name


'''<span>Bastardy Bonds. </span>'''<span>When an unmarried woman was expecting a child, parish officials pressured her to reveal the father’s name so the father, not the parish, had financial responsibility for the child’s care. A "bond of indemnification," also known as a "bastardy bond," was the father’s guarantee of responsibility for the child. Bastardy bonds or records of the mother’s examination may still exist in the parish chest records or among quarter session records. (See the "[[England Court Records|<u>Court Records</u>]]" section of this outline.) Churchwardens (church officials) sometimes bypassed the bond with a gentlemen’s agreement, records of which are among churchwardens’ accounts or vestry minutes.</span>
After 30 June 1837, marriage records also include:


'''<span>Churchwardens Accounts.</span>'''<span> Churchwardens, generally appointed at the Easter vestry meetings, were responsible to the bishop or magistrate to present any wrongdoings at quarter sessions, including failure to provide for the poor, failure to attend church, drunkenness, or other undesirable behaviour. They were to report misbehaviour of the vicar or other vestry members as well. Churchwarden records often list men qualified to serve as churchwardens.</span>
*Age of the bride and groom 
*Name and occupation of fathers of bride and groom 


'''<span>Settlement and Removal Records. </span>'''<span>Settlement records relate to a person’s legal place of settlement, as determined by a set of rules. The parish of settlement was responsible for the welfare and old-age care of family members. Parish officials often aggressively denied settlement. When a family sought parish welfare, officials determined the family’s legal settlement. A "removal order" was a document directing the constable to transport the family back to their parish of settlement.</span>
There were two ways to meet the requirements to marry, see [[Marriage Allegations, Bonds and Licences in England and Wales]]


'''<span>Apprenticeship Records.</span>'''<span> These records often list the apprentice’s father, his master, the length of the apprenticeship, and the occupation. A child’s father often arranged the apprenticeship, but the parish "put out" many pauper children, since it was cheaper to pay for an apprenticeship than to raise a child. The child’s name may also be in vestry minutes when the vestry decided to put the child out as an apprentice. You may also find apprenticeships in other sources (see the "[[England Occupations|<u>Occupations</u>]]" section of this outline).</span>
#By Banns. A law required couples to have the minister announce or post notice of their intent to marry for three consecutive Sundays, unless they obtained a license. This gave others the opportunity to object to the marriage. Beginning in 1754, officials recorded banns in separate registers. Banns registers contain information almost identical to marriage registers, but banns usually do not list the witnesses or marriage date.
#By License. A couple applied to the proper church authority, usually the bishop, for a license when:
#*Circumstances made it desirable to marry without waiting the three weeks required for the proclamation of banns.
#*The bride and groom lived in different dioceses.
#*A couple preferred not to subject themselves to publication of banns (common among upper classes and nonconformists).


<span>Parish chest records are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under:</span>
<gallery perrow="3" heights="120px" widths="160px" caption="Marriage Record Examples">
File:England Church of England Parish Register Marriage Before 1754.jpg|Marriage before 1754 and Banns after 1754
File:England Church of England Parish Register Marriage 1747 to 1837.jpg|1754-1837 Marriage Record
File:England Church of England Parish Register Marriage after 1837.jpg|Marriage after 1837
</gallery>


<span>ENGLAND</span><span>, [COUNTY], [PARISH] - CHURCH RECORDS</span>
===Burials===
A burial usually took place in the deceased’s parish a few days after the death. Church of England parish register burial records usually contain:


<span>ENGLAND</span><span>, [COUNTY], [PARISH] - POORHOUSES, POOR LAW</span>
*Burial date 
*Name of the deceased. 
*If the deceased is a child, the father’s name might be given. 
*If the deceased is a married woman, the husband’s name might be given
*If the deceased is a widow, that may be noted. 
*May give the sex of the deceased


<span>ENGLAND</span><span>, [COUNTY], [PARISH] - TAXATION</span>
The forms introduced in 1813 also called for:


<span>For further information on parish chest material, see:</span>
*Age of the deceased
*Residence of the deceased 
*Occupation of the deceased
*Minister's signature


<span>McLaughlin, Eve. ''Annals of the Poor.'' Third Edition. Solihull, England: Federation of Family History Societies Publications, Limited, 1986. (FHL Book 942 H6mev.)</span>
Burial registers may mention infant children who were not christened, including stillbirths. Christening records never record stillbirths.


<span>Tate, W. E. ''The Parish Chest''. Third Edition. Chichester, Sussex, England: Phillimore, 1969. (FHL book 942 K2t.)</span>
<gallery perrow="1" heights="120px" widths="160px" caption="Burial Record Example">
File:England Church of England Parish Register Burial.jpg|Burial Register
</gallery>  


== '''Nonconformist Church Records''' ==
===Bishop's Transcripts===
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.


<span>A nonconformist denomination is any denomination not conforming to the Church of England, including Roman Catholics, Jews, and Quakers. The registers of these religions sometimes contain more information than those of the Church of England, often including the person’s birth date, baptism date, father’s name and residence, and mother’s name (including maiden name). They rarely contain marriage records (except for Quakers and Jews).</span>
Bishop's transcripts should be an exact copy of the parish register but they often are not. This may be because:


<span>Nonconformist registers contain some burial entries, though nonconformists were usually buried in parish churchyards until the chapel obtained its own burial grounds or until civil cemeteries opened.</span>
*The minister was saving time and space by abbreviating entries when copying them.
*The minister may have added ''more'' detail to an entry when he copied it into the BTs.
*BT's were on separate pieces of parchment and some may have been lost over the years.
*BT's may survive where the parish registers do not.
*Entries may have been accidently skipped or mis-transcribed when the record was copied for the BT's.


<span>It is not uncommon to find an ancestor affiliated with more than one religion during his or her lifetime. Search all religions and all chapels of a particular religion if an ancestor might be a nonconformist because some people changed religions and travelled long distances to attend their meetings. Ministers often travelled large circuits keeping the vital statistics of several places in the register they carried with them.</span>
Many bishop’s transcripts are on film at the FamilySearch Library, listed in the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalogue under:


<span>A law passed in 1836 required many nonconformist groups to send their registers into the Public Record Office. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of those that were deposited. Many of these records have been extracted, and the names appear in the International Genealogical Index.</span>
England, [county name], [parish name] - Church records <br>  


<span>Major nonconformist groups are discussed below. The following two works contain more information about nonconformist sects:</span>
Most films contain all the years for one parish on one film. However, some are arranged by deanery and year. Those arranged by year and then by deanery are listed in the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalogue under:  


<span>Steel, Donald J. ''Sources for Nonconformist Genealogy and Family History''. London, England: Phillimore, 1973. (FHL book 942 V26ste, vol. 2.)</span>
England, [county name] - Church records


''<span>Sources for Roman Catholic and Jewish Genealogy and Family History</span>''<span>. London, England: Phillimore, 1974. (FHL book 942 V26ste, vol. 3.)</span>
===Parish Chest Records===


== '''Presbyterians, Baptists, and Independents''' ==
[[Image:The Parish Chest.jpg|thumb|right|250px|<center>The Parish Chest<center>]] Church records were kept in a chest (or strongbox) known as the parish chest. Because the Church of England was ordered by the Crown to keep records on all their congregants, any recorded business other than the christenings, marriages and burials of the parishioners was kept in this chest and are known as "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. Many parish chest records are available at county record offices.


<span>These religions evolved from 16th century Puritanism. The records of these religions are similar to those of the Church of England. The Baptists, however, practiced adult baptism and recorded births in birth registers, not baptism registers. The Independent Church is also known as the Congregational Church.</span>
These records may include:


<span>Many congregations did not keep consistent records. In January 1743 officials formed a central registry for births for all three denominations, called [[Dr. Williams- Library |<u>Dr. Williams’ Library</u>]].</span>
*Vestry (parish presiding council) minutes which can mention appointments of parish officers, parish newcomers, etc.
*Poor law records containing information regarding the care of the poor including payments made to the poor, bastardy bonds, taxes assessed to meet welfare needs, and possibly include the names of the "Overseers of the Poor" along with minutes, accounts, rates, and workhouse accounts.


<span>This registry contains about 50,000 birth records. Information recorded includes the child’s name, parents’ names, birth date, address, names of witnesses, registration information, and sometimes the grandparents’ names.</span>
::{{details3|[[England and Wales Poor Law Records Pre-1834]] and [[England and Wales Poor Law Records 1834-1948]]|poor law records}}


<span>The original records are housed at the National Record Office. Copies of these records are on microfilm in the Family History Library to 1837. To find the film numbers, look in the Author/Title Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under:</span>
*Churchwardens who were responsible to the bishop or magistrate to present any wrongdoings at quarter sessions, including failure to provide for the poor, failure to attend church, drunkenness, or other undesirable behaviour.
*Settlement and removal records which relate to a person's legal place of settlement as determined by a set of rules. These records include responsibility for the care of old-age family members; as well as, the orders directing the constable to remove (transport) the family back to the parish where their petition for welfare settlement originated.


<span>DR. WILLIAMS' LIBRARY (LONDON)</span>
::Read more in the [[Settlement_Examinations_in_England_and_Wales|Settlement and Removal Records]] article.


<span>The following book discusses Baptist history and records:</span>
*Apprenticeship records often list the apprentice’s father, his master, the length of the apprenticeship, and the occupation. A child’s father often arranged the apprenticeship, but the parish "put out" many pauper children, since it was cheaper to pay for an apprenticeship than to raise a child. The child’s name may also be in vestry minutes when the vestry decided to put the child out as an apprentice. You may also find apprenticeships in other sources.


<span>Breed, Geoffrey R. ''My Ancestors Were Baptists: How Can I Find Out More About Them?'' London, England: Society of Genealogists, 1988. (FHL book 942 K23bg 1988.)</span>
::Read more in the  [[England Occupations|Occupations]]  article.


<span>For information or history about Baptists, contact:</span>
*Militia certificates
*Detailed information on individuals and families


'''<span>Baptist Historical Society</span>''''''<span></span>'''<span>15 Fenshurst Gardens<br />Long Ashton, Bristol BS18 9AU<br />England <br />Internet: [http://www.baptisthistory.org.uk/basicpage.php?contents=publications&page_title=Publications <u>http://www.baptisthistory.org.uk/basicpage.php?contents=publications&amp;page_title=Publications</u>]</span>
<br>
For further information on parish chest material, see:  


<span>The Family History Library filmed pre-1837 Presbyterian records from the Presbyterian Historical Society. The Presbyterian and Congregational churches are now combined. For information or history about either denomination, contact:</span>
*The Parish Chest lesson series [https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/the-parish-chest-part-1 Part 1], [https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/the-parish-chest-part-2 Part 2], [https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/the-parish-chest-part-3 Part 3]


'''<span>United Reformed Church History Society</span>''''''<span></span>'''<span>86 Tavistock Place</span><br /><span>London</span><span> WC1H 9RT<br />England</span><span><br />Internet: [http://www.urc.org.uk/history_soc/ <u>http://www.urc.org.uk/history_soc/</u>] </span>
===Rectors and Vicars===
List of rectors, vicars, canons, deans, archdeacons, bishops, and others roles, with their years and locations where they served, extracted from alumni records of Oxford and Cambridge Universities and other sources: https://www.ourfamtree.org/records/religion.php


<span>For information on Presbyterians, see:</span>


<span>Ruston, Alan R. ''My Ancestors Were English Presbyterians/Unitarians: How Can I Find Out More About Them?'' London, England: Society of Genealogists, 1993. (FHL book 942 K23ra.)</span>
==Search Strategies and Tips==


<span>For information on Congregationalists or Independents, see:</span>
As you search church records, use the following strategies:  


<span>Clifford, D. J. H. ''My Ancestors Were Congregationalists in England &amp; Wales: With a List of Registers''. London, England: Society of Genealogists, 1992. (FHL book 942 K23cd.)</span>
*Search both Church of England parish registers and bishops’ transcripts, as either may contain entries missing from the other.
*Note all entries, including burials, in the parish registers for the surname of interest unless the name is very common.
*Note gaps or missing pages in the record. This may suggest that you should search alternative records for that time period.
*If the church records do not contain enough information, search for hints (residence, occupation, and so on) that suggest other records to search.
*If you find little or no mention of your family in Church of England parish records, search neighboring parishes and nonconformist records. However before 1837 non-Anglicans were supposed to marry in the Church of England, the only exception being Jews and Quakers.
*If a marriage record indicates the marriage was by license, it can be very worthwhile to find the marriage license.
*Remember that baptism was not always a few days after birth, and could occur when the child was several years old. When siblings are baptized together, this does not mean they were born together.
*Older records may use handwriting styles that are difficult to read, and therefore take a lot of practice and learning to successfully decipher.
*Naming traditions were often used to name children. The most common and best followed is that the oldest son is named after the father's father.
*The fathers of illegitimate children are often unknown, yet alone recorded.
*Women will be referred to by their married surnames. Only a small proportion of baptism records will record the mother's maiden name.
*It was traditional to marry in the residence of the bride. However Banns still had to be posted in every parish both parties had resided in recently.


== '''Methodists''' ==
==Online Learning==
'''FamilySearch Help Center Online Lessons:'''


<span>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:</span>
*[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/england-parish-chest-records '''England Parish Chest Records''']
*[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/england-nonconformist-church-records-part-1 '''England Nonconformist Church Records'''] - Parts 1 and 2
*[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/england-nonconformist-church-records-introduction '''England Nonconformist Church Records''']
*[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/tracing-non-church-of-england-ancestry '''Tracing Non-Church of England Ancestry''']


'''<span>The Methodist Archives and Research Centre <br /><span>John</span><span> Rylands University</span><span> Library <br />Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH <br />England <br />Internet: </span></span>'''<span>[http://rylibweb.man.ac.uk/data1/dg/methodist/methlink.html <u>http://rylibweb.man.ac.uk/data1/dg/methodist/methlink.html</u>]</span>
==Related Web Pages==


<span>To find the location of the birth and burial records, contact:</span>
*[http://www.genealogylinks.net/marriages/uk/england/index.html Genealogy Llinks.net] 
*[http://www.coraweb.com.au/categories/uk/birth-marriage-and-death-records/ukbmd-local-bmd-sites Coraweb.com] 
*[http://www.origins.net/BOWelcome.aspx Origins.net]<br>  


'''<span>Wesley Historical Society</span>''''''<span></span>'''<span>34 Spiceland Road</span><span><br />Northfield</span><span>, Birmingham B31 1NJ <br />England <br />Internet: [http://www.wesleyhistoricalsociety.org.uk/BRANCHES.htm <u>http://www.wesleyhistoricalsociety.org.uk/BRANCHES.htm</u>]</span>
[[Category:England Church Records]]
 
[[Category:England]][[Category:Church Records]]
<span>A useful guide for tracing Methodist ancestors is:</span>
 
<span>Leary, William. ''My Ancestors Were Methodists: How Can I Find Out More About Them?'' Second Edition. London, England: Society of Genealogists, 1990. (FHL book 942 D27l 1990.)</span>
 
<span>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:</span>
 
<span>WESLEYAN METHODIST METROPOLITAN REGISTRY AT PATERNOSTER ROW REGISTER OF BIRTHS AND BAPTISMS 1818-1841</span>
 
== '''Roman Catholics''' ==
 
<span>Catholic priests usually did not keep registers before 1778 and many registers were written in Latin. Baptism registers usually include the names of the child’s sponsors or godparents.</span>
 
<span>Some registers have been published by the Catholic Record Society. The Family History Library has most of these published registers, which are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under one of the following:</span>
 
<span>ENGLAND</span><span>, [COUNTY], [PARISH] - CHURCH RECORDS</span>
 
<span>ENGLAND</span><span>, [COUNTY] - CHURCH RECORDS</span>
 
<span>For information on records not available at the library, contact the society at:</span>
 
'''<span>The Catholic Record Society</span>''''''<span></span>'''<span>c/o 114 Mount Street<br />London W2Y 6AH<br />England <br />Internet: [http://www.catholic-history.org.uk/crs/ <u>http://www.catholic-history.org.uk/crs/</u>]</span>
 
== '''Jews''' ==
 
<span>Most synagogues have retained their own records. For historical information, contact:</span>
 
'''<span>Jewish Historical Society</span>''''''<span></span>'''<span>c/o Mocatta Library<br />University College, Gower Street<br />London WC1E 6BT<br />England <br />Internet: [http://www.jhse.dircon.co.uk/ <u>http://www.jhse.dircon.co.uk/</u>]</span>
 
<span>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:</span>
 
<span>ENGLAND</span><span>, LONDON - JEWISH RECORDS</span>
 
<span>For more information, see:</span>
 
<span>Gandy, Michael. ''My Ancestor Was Jewish: How Can I Find Out More About Him?'' London, England: Society of Genealogists, 1982. (FHL book 929.1089924 G153.)</span>
 
== '''Huguenots''' ==
 
<span>This Protestant group began in France, and then spread to England as its members fled persecution. Huguenots began keeping records as early as 1567; however, few pre-1684 records still exist.</span>
 
<span>After arriving in England many Huguenots changed their names from French to English. For example, the French surname LeBlanc may have changed to White.</span>
 
<span>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:</span>
 
'''<span>Huguenot Society</span>''''''<span></span>'''<span>c/o University College, Gower Street<br />London WC1E 6BT<br />England <br />Internet: [http://www.huguenotsociety.org.uk/history/ <u>http://www.huguenotsociety.org.uk/history/</u>]</span>
 
<span>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:</span>
 
<span>PUBLICATIONS OF THE HUGUENOT SOCIETY</span>
 
== '''Society of Friends''' ==
 
<span>Also known as Quakers, the Society of Friends did not have appointed clergy to perform the rites of baptism. They recorded births instead. Burial registers usually include the date of death. Quakers recorded marriages to ensure their validity.</span>
 
<span>The organization of Quaker religious groups, known as "meetings," includes:</span>
 
<span>The preparative meeting or the local church group, is about the size of a parish.</span>
 
<span>The monthly meeting, made up of several preparative (local) groups, is the primary meeting for church affairs and includes records of births, marriages, and deaths.</span>
 
<span>The quarterly meeting, comprised of two to seven monthly meetings, is similar to a diocese.</span>
 
<span>The yearly meeting includes representatives from the quarterly meetings and Friends from other countries.</span>
 
<span>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>]]" section of this outline for the address).</span>
 
<span>For a valuable booklet on this subject, refer to:</span>
 
<span>Milligan, Edward H., and Malcolm J. Thomas. ''My Ancestors Were Quakers: How Can I Find Out More About Them?'' London, England: Society of Genealogists, 1983. (FHL book 942 D27m.)</span>
 
== '''Locating Church Records''' ==
 
<span>To find an ancestor in church records, you should know his religion and the parish where he lived. The Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalogue usually uses the parish names as given in The Imperial Gazetteer. See [[England Gazetteers]] for this source and for other help in finding a parish.</span>
 
<span>Local residents sometimes referred to their parish by the name of the parish patron saint (such as St. John) rather than by the location of the parish. In cities where there is more than one parish, the Family History Library Catalogue uses the patron saint’s name with the name of the city to identify records of different parishes.</span>
 
<span>Many parishes had "chapelries" that served a small area within the parish boundaries. Chapelries kept separate registers. Their records are usually listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under the parish with which the chapelry is associated.</span>
 
<span>Some sources that describe the location or survival of church records are:</span>
 
''<span>Lists of Non-parochial Registers and Records in the Custody of the Registrar-General of Births, Deaths, and Marriages</span>''<span>. London, England: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1859. (FHL book Q 942 B4pro Volume 42.) This volume from the Public Record Office series, Lists and Indexes, series tells which pre-1837 nonconformist parish registers are in the Public Record Office (see the "[[England Archives and Libraries|<u>Archives and Libraries</u>]]" section of this outline for the address).</span>
 
<span>Humphery-Smith, Cecil R., ''The Phillimore Atlas and Index of Parish Registers''. Second Edition. Chichester, Sussex, England: Phillimore &amp; Co., 1995. (FHL book 942 E7pa 1995.) This gives the location and repository address for each parish register.</span>
 
''<span>Parish Register Abstract</span>''<span>. England: House of Commons, 1833. (FHL book Q 942 X2gbc; film 599640 items 1–2.) This book shows which pre-1813 parish registers existed in 1831.</span>
 
<span>Steel, Donald J., et al. ''National Index of Parish Registers.'' 13 Volumes. Chichester, England: Phillimore &amp; Company, Limited, 1968–. (FHL book 942 V26ste.) This index helps identify church records and congregations. Not all counties are published yet.</span>
 
<span>Youngs, Frederic A., Jr. ''Guide to the Local Administrative Units''. London, England: Royal Historical Society, 1979, 1991. (FHL 942 C4rg no. 10, 17.) This guide helps identify Church of England ecclesiastical jurisdictions and gives an outline history of changes to the parishes.</span>
 
=== Records at the Family History Library ===
 
<span>The Family History Library has many church records. The most common are:</span>
 
* <span>Parish registers from their beginning up to the nineteenth century or later </span>
* <span>Bishops’ transcripts from 1598 up to the mid- 19th century </span>
* <span>Transcripts of parish registers </span>
* <span>Parish chest records </span>
* <span>Registers of nonconformist churches to 1837 (sometimes later) </span>
 
<span>You can determine whether the library has records, denominational histories, or religious society journals from your ancestor’s parish by looking in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under:</span>
 
<span>ENGLAND</span><span>, [COUNTY], [PARISH] - CHURCH RECORDS</span>
 
<span>ENGLAND</span><span>, [COUNTY] - CHURCH RECORDS</span>
 
<span>ENGLAND</span><span>, [COUNTY] - CHURCH HISTORY</span>
 
<span>ENGLAND</span><span> - CHURCH HISTORY</span>
 
<span>ENGLAND</span><span> - PERIODICALS</span>
 
<span>The Family History Library is always adding records to its collection. The catalo is updated periodically. If you need a record that is not at the library, you may write to the minister or to a repository to request a search.</span>
 
=== Records Not at the Family History Library ===
 
<span>Since England has no single repository of church records, the current location of records depends on several factors. Some counties have more than one approved repository. A few records remain with the parish minister. To determine the location of the original parish registers, use The Phillimore ''Atlas and Index of Parish Registers'' (see "Locating Church Records" in this section).</span>
 
<span>The following types of repositories often answer mail requests for information:</span>
 
'''<span>County record office.</span>'''<span> Contact the county record office to determine the procedure for searching records.</span>
 
'''<span>Local parish.</span>'''<span> Parishes will generally answer correspondence when a small donation is enclosed. Ask that your request be forwarded if the records are now in a repository. To find parish addresses, consult a church directory (see the "[[England Church Directories|<u>Church Directories</u>]]" section of this outline).</span>
 
'''<span>Other archives.</span>'''<span> Some church records are in libraries, museums, or other repositories.</span>
 
<span>When writing to England for genealogical information, be as concise as possible. Do not add unnecessary history about the family you are researching. If staff members at the archive cannot look up the requested information, ask them to send you a list of recommended researchers. Send the following with your request:</span>
 
* <span>An international money order for the search fee and postage or a donation to the church </span>
* <span>The full name and sex of the person sought </span>
* <span>The names of the parents, if known </span>
* <span>The event you are looking for, with approximate date and place </span>
* <span>Request for a complete copy (or photocopy) of the original record </span>
 
<span>If your request is not answered, write to the local family history society and ask if one of their members would do the search for you (see the "[[England Societies|<u>Societies</u>]]" section of this outline).</span>
 
<span>Another way to access some church records and indexes is through the Internet. On the Internet there are lists of people who volunteer to search various types of records for certain areas free of charge. You can locate these lists through the GENUKI Web site at:</span>
 
<span>[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng <u>www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng</u>] </span>
 
<span>From the above site:</span>
 
<span>Click [County of your choice].</span>
 
<span>Click '''Genealogy.'''</span>
 
<span>Click '''Look-up Exchange'''. </span>
 
=== Search Strategies ===
 
<span>As you search church records, use the following strategies:</span>
 
* <span>Search parish registers, bishops’ transcripts, and all other available records for the time period. </span>
* <span>Note all entries (including burials) in the parish registers for the surname (unless the name is very common). </span>
* <span>Note gaps or missing pages in the record. (This may suggest that you should search alternative records for that time period.) </span>
* <span>If the church records do not contain enough information, search for hints (residence, occupation, and so on) that suggest other records to search. </span>
* <span>If you find little or no mention of your family in parish records, search neighbouring parishes and nonconformist records. </span>
* <span>If you do not find your ancestor in church records, use the "Records Selection Table" at the beginning of this outline to find another record to search. </span>
* <span>Search both parish registers and bishops’ transcripts, as either may contain entries missing from the other. </span>
 
=== Web Sites ===
 
<span>[http://www.genealogylinks.net/marriages/uk/england/index.html <u>http://www.genealogylinks.net/marriages/uk/england/index.html</u>]</span>
 
<span>[http://www.coraweb.com.au/ukbdm.htm <u>http://www.coraweb.com.au/ukbdm.htm</u>]</span>

Latest revision as of 19:49, 16 June 2024


England Wiki Topics
Flag of England
England Beginning Research
Record Types
England Background
England Genealogical Word Lists
Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources
Osmotherley3

For information about Nonconformist religious denominations and their registers, go to the England Nonconformist Church Records page.

For information about records for non-Christian religions in England, go to the Religious Records page.

Introduction

See History of Parish Registers in England

Church records are the main source for genealogy prior to 1837 when civil registration began. It is also a useful source after 1837 in conjunction with civil registration.

Although a nationwide order was given in 1538 that each parish keep a register of baptisms, marriages, and burials, many parishes did not start to keep registers until later and some early 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 of that area and these copies are known as Bishop’s Transcripts or BTs.

Parish. A parish is the jurisdictional unit that governs church affairs within its boundaries. Each local parish kept registers of baptisms/christenings, marriages and burials and other records. Small villages often do not have their own parishes but nevertheless have a chapel of ease built and are part of a parish headquartered in another town. A parish may consist of one or more chapelries, dependent district churches or chapels of ease (see below).

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 to marry was granted, marriage registers. Large cities, market town parishes and occasional other parishes--in especially Lancashire's original 75 ancient parishes, and many in Cheshire, Greater London, and Yorkshire counties consisted of numerous chapelries. For example, England's largest parish of Manchester (the Cathedral), was not the only church standing within its own boundary. Because of the Industrial Revolution and subsequent massive migration into its large boundary, by 1900 Manchester comprised well over 150 attached chapels, many of ancient origin.

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.

Calendar changes: The Gregorian calendar, the one commonly used today, is a correction of the Julian calendar, which, because of miscalculated leap years, was 11 days behind the solar year by 1752. England began using the new calendar in 1752. Eleven days were omitted to bring the calendar in line with the solar year. The day after Wednesday, 2 September 1752, became Thursday, 14 September 1752. Also at that time, the first day of the year changed to 1 January. Before 1752, the first day of the year was 25 March. Pre-1752 dates may be confusing. For example, the day after 24 March 1565 was 25 March 1566. Dates between 1 January and 24 March are often recorded using a technique called double dating. An example of double dating is 16 February 1696/7. For more information, see Handbook of Dates for Students of English History, by C. R. Cheney.

Religions of England

Non-Conformist Churches

  • Various Non-Conformist groups, included all Methodists, Baptist and Presbyterian spin-off denominations, as well the Independents, Roman Catholic, and Society of Friends (Quakers). They slowly grew in legal standing and in numbers from about 1600 onwards, experiencing at first much persecution and discrimination.

Roman Catholic Church

Catholic Dioceses of England and Wales
  • Roman Catholics remained present in England after the split between Rome and the Church of England in aboout 1536. They were heavily persecuted and most records became extant after laws of 1778, 1791 and 1829 lifted discrimination against them.











Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

  • Mormons, LDS or, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church records include mostly membership records, i.e. baptisms, and some marriages and deaths, etc.,(about 51,000 attending members by 1851) begin by July, 1837. A few are available online through the 1) online Church History Library Catalog: just type name of England county and the word "branch". Most, if not, all records are available to access by in-person visit to the Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. Note: The records have been digitised for internal purposes and access. All locality records of Membership are currently being indexed (as of 2022). 2) A slight majority of records are also available in the FamilySearch Library's microfilm collections; see the FamilySearch.org online catalog. Search under the name of the township/parish name and then click "Record of Members". These records may only be searched by in-person visitors at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, UT.

See Church of England Parish Registers, England Nonconformist Church Records.

Accessing England Church Records

Accessing Records

The first step is to find out which records survive for the parish you are researching. The following places are useful for this:

Once you know what records exist, the next step is to access those records. The easiest way to find records for a particular ancestor is to use an index or transcript of the records. If these are not available then you'll need to browse the original records manually to find records of interest. Both can often be done online, though many websites required a subscription, or can be used for free only at public libraries and FamilySearch Centers (FSCs).

The original records are usually stored at county record offices (Anglican) or The National Archives (non-conformist). A few may remain in custody of the parish, or at local archives or museums.

Major Resources

  • The resources are prioritized from left to right, with the left column containing the most complete coverage for the county.
  • Percentages in parentheses indicate the approximate percentage of the records included in that collection. Many collections will have a table or index showing the specific parishes and years they have records for.
  • OPC is an abbreviation for Online Parish Clerks, a group of websites that transcribes parish records and make them freely available online
  • FHS is an abbreviation for a county Family History Society and available products for purchase, i.e. CDs containing indexes to church baptisms or marriage records of the county.
  • Many of these collections have the baptisms, marriages and burials on separate webpages. Links to the resources from all this table are always to the baptisms.
  • A free account is required to access FamilySearch, and some of the images on their websites can only be viewed at FSCs or Affiliate Libraries. See the next section for information about records formerly part of the IGI.

Few, if any, of these collections will be 100% complete.

signifies index only
signifies index with images attached
signifies images only
England County Church Records Availability - Indexes and/or Transcriptions
County (pre-1974) Best coverage Less Coverage Offline Records
Bedfordshire FamilySearch (98%) FreeReg Bedfordshire Parish Register Series ($ or in person)
Berkshire FamilySearch(70%) Findmypast ($) Berkshire Record Office ($ or in person)
Buckinghamshire FamilySearch (50%) Findmypast ($) Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies (in person)
Cambridgeshire Cambridgeshire FHS FamilySearch (70%) Findmypast ($) Cambridgeshire FHS CDs ($). Can be accessed for free at the FS Library in Salt Lake City.
Cheshire FamilySearch (70%) Findmypast ($) Ancestry.com ($) Cheshire Parish Register Project
Cornwall FamilySearch Cornwall OPC FreeReg (85%, mostly marriages) Findmypast ($) Ancestry.com ($)
Cumberland FamilySearch (80%)
Derbyshire Findmypast (85%) ($) FamilySearch Ancestry.com ($)
Devon Findmypast ($) FamilySearch (50%)
Dorset FamilySearch Ancestry.com ($) Findmypast ($) TheGenealogist ($)
Durham FamilySearch Findmypast ($) FreeReg (25%) Durham Records Online Durham Record Office (in person)
Essex FamilySearch TheGenealogist ($) Findmypast ($) Essex OPC Essex Record Office ($) or in person.
Gloucestershire Ancestry.com ($) FamilySearch TheGenealogist ($) Bath and Avon FHS ($) CDs
Hampshire FamilySearch TheGenealogist ($) Findmypast ($) Hampshire Record Office marriage index (mostly complete)
Herefordshire FamilySearch (80%) HARC (in person)
Hertfordshire FamilySearch (90%) Findmypast ($)
Huntingdonshire FamilySearch Findmypast ($) (burials) Huntingdonshire Archives (in person)
Kent FamilySearch Findmypast ($) Ancestry.com ($) Kent OPC
Lancashire Ancestry.com ($)* FamilySearch Lancashire OPC Findmypast (Manchester only) ($)
Leicestershire FamilySearch (40%) Findmypast ($) Leicestershire and Rutland FHS (70%)
Lincolnshire FamilySearch (85%) FreeReg (82%) Findmypast ($)
London* FamilySearch (90%) Ancestry.com ($)
Middlesex Ancestry.com (60%) ($) Findmypast ($) FamilySearch
Norfolk FreeReg (75%) Ancestry.com ($) FamilySearch Findmypast ($)
Northamptonshire Ancestry.com ($) FreeReg (71%) Northamptonshire FHS FamilySearch
Northumberland FamilySearch (85%) Findmypast ($) FreeReg (80%) England, Northumberland, Parish Registers, 1538-1950
Nottinghamshire FreeReg (90%) Ancestry.com ($) Findmypast ($) FamilySearch Nottinghamshire Archives
Oxfordshire Ancestry.com ($) FamilySearch (85%) Oxfordshire FHS
Rutland FamilySearch (80%) Findmypast ($)
Shropshire Findmypast ($) FamilySearch
Somerset Ancestry.com ($) FreeReg (85%) FamilySearch (30%) Findmypast ($)
Staffordshire FamilySearch (85%) Findmypast ($) FreeReg (85%)
Suffolk FamilySearch (65%) Findmypast ($) Suffolk Record Office (in person)
Surrey Ancestry.com (70%) ($) Findmypast ($) FamilySearch
Sussex FamilySearch (65%) Sussex OPC TheGenealogist ($) Findmypast ($) (burials)
Warwickshire Ancestry.com ($)* FamilySearch Findmypast ($) Warwickshire OPC
Westmorland FamilySearch (70%) Kendal Archival Center (in person)
Wiltshire Findmypast ($) FamilySearch (50%) FreeReg (80%) Ancestry.com ($)
Worcestershire FamilySearch (75%) TheGenealogist ($)
Yorkshire Ancestry.com ($) (West Yorkshire) FamilySearch (75%) Findmypast ($)
  • Ancestry also has records for Birmingham and Manchester separate from the records for Warwickshire and Lancashire respectively.
  • What is now London was formerly Middlesex, and portions of northeast Surrey, northwest Kent, and West Ham, in Essex.
  • List of Online England and Wales Church Records - additional list of best websites for Church Records with number of records per website

Non-Conformist Religions

For more background, see Religious non-conformity in England.
General Collections

By County

Society of Friends - Quakers

Roman Catholic

IGI

Starting in 1973, FamilySearch created a major index called the IGI (International Genealogical Index). Its purpose was two-fold. It contained both indexed/extracted church register name entries and user-submitted records.

The records that were extracted from original source documents comprised the main portion of the original IGI, and with some areas receiving a majority of records included. No original images were included. The records were arranged in batches and sometimes it is useful to know what batches correspond to a particular place. Archersoftware, while a few years out of date, still provides batch information for the entire British Isles.

In approximately 2004, FamilySearch database engineers migrated all of the IGI extracted data (from parish registers such as baptisms and marriages) into its main search page currently found on FamilySearch.org, and left the remaining individual or "user submitted" records in the IGI intact, with only 430 million submitted name entries, on the "Genealogies" page on FamilySearch's website. Like all compiled sources such as family trees, published genealogies, and transcription records, caution is required as some (IGI) information may be incorrect and mostly incomplete. The user submitted records come from all over the world, with only a small portion relating to England.

To do a general search of old (IGI) database of submitted entries see the following or use the general FamilySearch search engine on the main search page.

Here is a list of those stand-alone databases (each with its own individual search page). Most pages have not been updated in recent years. Use each with some caution:

FamilySearch Catalog

The FamilySearch Library contains an extensive collection of English church records. The most common are:

  • Parish registers from their beginning up to the nineteenth century or later
  • Bishops’ transcripts from 1598 up to the mid- 19th century
  • Transcripts of parish registers
  • Parish chest records
  • Registers of nonconformist churches to 1837 (sometimes later)

To find church records from a particular place, use the FamilySearch Catalog. Look under "church records" and find the religion, year and record type of interest. If an index is available for the records, a magnifying glass symbol will appear. If a camera symbol also appears, the images are also accessible from any computer. A camera symbol with a key indicates the image is only accessible from a FamilySearch Center or Affiliate Library. A microfilm symbol means that the images are not yet available online, and can only be viewed on microfilm at the FS Library in Salt Lake City.

Regional and Local Websites

Various genealogical societies and organizations have produced transcriptions of records. One prominent groups of sites are the Online Parish Clerks (OPCs). For each county the OPC site is run by volunteers to make church records freely available online. For example, see Lancashire OPC

For more detail about resources for a particular county or parish, see the wiki page for that area. For example, Bedfordshire Church Records, or Ashbourne

Other useful sites are DustyDocs and UKBMD, both providing information about websites specific to the area or parish.

Extracted Records

Similiar to the IGI, other individuals and organisations made transcriptions of a small subset of England church records to aid researchers. While mostly superseded by the large databases of the major websites, they may still be useful in some circumstances.

Military, Overseas and Maritime Records

Other Sites

Offline Indexes

Indexes to church records have been published by family history societies in England. Read more in the Societies article.

  • Some county record offices hold in-house and sometimes, online indexes to their own records holdings.
  • Many family history societies have published in booklet-form, or on microfiche, or on CD-ROM numerous countywide or parish church records transcriptions and indexes.

Privately held marriage indexes for most counties are available by correspondence at either of the following two sources. Many indexes are listed with the addresses of where to write in:

  • Humphery-Smith, Cecil R., The Phillimore Atlas and Index of Parish Registers. Second Edition. Chichester, Sussex: Phillimore & Company, 1995. (FS Library book 942 E7pa 1995.)
  • Gibson, Jeremy, and Elizabeth Hampson, Editors. Marriage and Census Indexes for Family Historians. Seventh Edition. Birmingham, England: Federation of Family History Societies Publications, Limited, 1998. (FS Library book 942 D27gjh.)
  • Some marriage indexes are on film at the FamilySearch Library. To find them, use the Place-name search of the FamilySearch Catalogue and search for a county of interest and the topic of CHURCH RECORDS - INDEXES.

Protestation Returns

The Protestation Returns of 1641–1642 are lists of English males over the age of 18 who took, or did not take, an oath of allegiance "to live and die for the true Protestant religion, the liberties and rights of subjects and the privilege of Parliaments." These lists were usually compiled by parish, or township, within hundred, or wapentake.[1]

Archives

Lambeth Palace

County Record Offices

Most of the Church of England parish registers and bishop's transcript copies are deposited in the county record offices throughout the country. Additionally, while a majority of the nonconformist church registers have been deposited at The National Archives, some of these church registers have been deposited in the county records offices.

These record offices are open to the public and all have a website by which you can learn more about their services, the records and their availability, and online offerings.

Besides county record offices, church records may also be deposited at the local parish, libraries, museums, or other repositories.

Lambeth Palace Library

Lambeth Palace Library is the historic library and record office of the Archbishops of Canterbury and the principal repository of the documentary history of the Church of England.

Lambeth Palace Great Hall

The Library does hold some records relevant to genealogy, but it is unlikely to be the best starting point for such research. The Library holds very few parish registers, however it does hold records relating to those marriages where a licence was issued under the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Library has written a research guide on the family history records it holds, and a guide to the marriage records in its collections:

For further information on the Library’s collections and services, please see its website: Lambeth Palace Library.org

Parish Boundaries

To find an ancestor in church records, you should know their religion and the parish where they lived. The Place Search on the FamilySearch Catalog usually uses the parish names as given in The Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales. See England Gazetteers for this source and other help in finding a parish. Also see the England & Wales Jurisdictions 1851 map to locate the parish. Be aware that local residents sometimes referred to their parish by the name of the parish patron saint, rather than by the location of the parish. In cities where there is more than one parish, the FamilySearch Catalog uses the patron saint's name with the name of the city to identify records of different parishes.

Parish maps can help you determine which parish to search. Maps will reveal neighboring parishes to search if your ancestor is not listed in the parish where you expected him or her to be. See England Maps for more information.

Types of Records

Baptisms

Baptism records usually contain:

  • Child's given name
  • Father's given name, and from 1813 his occupation and residence/address
  • Mother's name, and (rarely) her maiden surname
  • Baptism date, and occasionally birth date, which can sometimes be several years before the baptism.

It is worth mentioning that it was common practice in families to use the same Christian name over and over again until a child survived with it. This means that individuals need to try and capture all of the family members listed watching for deaths and that same name being given to the next child of the same sex.

  • Baptism Record Example
  • Christening Register

    Christening Register

Marriages

Typically, the English married in their 20's. You may find records that show a couple’s “intent to marry” in addition to the records of the actual marriage. Sometimes, however, the couple registered their intent to marry but never married. Church of England parish register marriage records usually contain:

  • Marriage date 
  • Name of the bride and groom

After 1753, the records are more likely to show: 

  • Residence of the bride and groom 
  • Marital status of bride and groom 
  • May list the dates that the marriage was announced (also called “banns published”). This normally took place on three separate occasions prior to the marriage and gave anyone with a valid reason a chance to object to the marriage.
  • After 1753, a form was used for parish registers
  • After 1753, whether marriage was by banns or license
  • After 1753, the full names of usually two witnesses 
  • After 1753, the minister's name

After 30 June 1837, marriage records also include:

  • Age of the bride and groom 
  • Name and occupation of fathers of bride and groom 

There were two ways to meet the requirements to marry, see Marriage Allegations, Bonds and Licences in England and Wales

  1. By Banns. A law required couples to have the minister announce or post notice of their intent to marry for three consecutive Sundays, unless they obtained a license. This gave others the opportunity to object to the marriage. Beginning in 1754, officials recorded banns in separate registers. Banns registers contain information almost identical to marriage registers, but banns usually do not list the witnesses or marriage date.
  2. By License. A couple applied to the proper church authority, usually the bishop, for a license when:
    • Circumstances made it desirable to marry without waiting the three weeks required for the proclamation of banns.
    • The bride and groom lived in different dioceses.
    • A couple preferred not to subject themselves to publication of banns (common among upper classes and nonconformists).
  • Marriage Record Examples
  • Marriage before 1754 and Banns after 1754

    Marriage before 1754 and Banns after 1754

  • 1754-1837 Marriage Record

    1754-1837 Marriage Record

  • Marriage after 1837

    Marriage after 1837

Burials

A burial usually took place in the deceased’s parish a few days after the death. Church of England parish register burial records usually contain:

  • Burial date 
  • Name of the deceased. 
  • If the deceased is a child, the father’s name might be given. 
  • If the deceased is a married woman, the husband’s name might be given
  • If the deceased is a widow, that may be noted. 
  • May give the sex of the deceased

The forms introduced in 1813 also called for:

  • Age of the deceased
  • Residence of the deceased 
  • Occupation of the deceased
  • Minister's signature

Burial registers may mention infant children who were not christened, including stillbirths. Christening records never record stillbirths.

  • Burial Record Example
  • Burial Register

    Burial Register

Bishop's Transcripts

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.

Bishop's transcripts should be an exact copy of the parish register but they often are not. This may be because:

  • The minister was saving time and space by abbreviating entries when copying them.
  • The minister may have added more detail to an entry when he copied it into the BTs.
  • BT's were on separate pieces of parchment and some may have been lost over the years.
  • BT's may survive where the parish registers do not.
  • Entries may have been accidently skipped or mis-transcribed when the record was copied for the BT's.

Many bishop’s transcripts are on film at the FamilySearch Library, listed in the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalogue under:

England, [county name], [parish name] - Church records

Most films contain all the years for one parish on one film. However, some are arranged by deanery and year. Those arranged by year and then by deanery are listed in the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalogue under:

England, [county name] - Church records

Parish Chest Records

The Parish Chest

Church records were kept in a chest (or strongbox) known as the parish chest. Because the Church of England was ordered by the Crown to keep records on all their congregants, any recorded business other than the christenings, marriages and burials of the parishioners was kept in this chest and are known as "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. Many parish chest records are available at county record offices.

These records may include:

  • Vestry (parish presiding council) minutes which can mention appointments of parish officers, parish newcomers, etc.
  • Poor law records containing information regarding the care of the poor including payments made to the poor, bastardy bonds, taxes assessed to meet welfare needs, and possibly include the names of the "Overseers of the Poor" along with minutes, accounts, rates, and workhouse accounts.
For more details on poor law records, see England and Wales Poor Law Records Pre-1834 and England and Wales Poor Law Records 1834-1948.
  • Churchwardens who were responsible to the bishop or magistrate to present any wrongdoings at quarter sessions, including failure to provide for the poor, failure to attend church, drunkenness, or other undesirable behaviour.
  • Settlement and removal records which relate to a person's legal place of settlement as determined by a set of rules. These records include responsibility for the care of old-age family members; as well as, the orders directing the constable to remove (transport) the family back to the parish where their petition for welfare settlement originated.
Read more in the Settlement and Removal Records article.
  • Apprenticeship records often list the apprentice’s father, his master, the length of the apprenticeship, and the occupation. A child’s father often arranged the apprenticeship, but the parish "put out" many pauper children, since it was cheaper to pay for an apprenticeship than to raise a child. The child’s name may also be in vestry minutes when the vestry decided to put the child out as an apprentice. You may also find apprenticeships in other sources.
Read more in the Occupations article.
  • Militia certificates
  • Detailed information on individuals and families


For further information on parish chest material, see:

Rectors and Vicars

List of rectors, vicars, canons, deans, archdeacons, bishops, and others roles, with their years and locations where they served, extracted from alumni records of Oxford and Cambridge Universities and other sources: https://www.ourfamtree.org/records/religion.php


Search Strategies and Tips

As you search church records, use the following strategies:

  • Search both Church of England parish registers and bishops’ transcripts, as either may contain entries missing from the other.
  • Note all entries, including burials, in the parish registers for the surname of interest unless the name is very common.
  • Note gaps or missing pages in the record. This may suggest that you should search alternative records for that time period.
  • If the church records do not contain enough information, search for hints (residence, occupation, and so on) that suggest other records to search.
  • If you find little or no mention of your family in Church of England parish records, search neighboring parishes and nonconformist records. However before 1837 non-Anglicans were supposed to marry in the Church of England, the only exception being Jews and Quakers.
  • If a marriage record indicates the marriage was by license, it can be very worthwhile to find the marriage license.
  • Remember that baptism was not always a few days after birth, and could occur when the child was several years old. When siblings are baptized together, this does not mean they were born together.
  • Older records may use handwriting styles that are difficult to read, and therefore take a lot of practice and learning to successfully decipher.
  • Naming traditions were often used to name children. The most common and best followed is that the oldest son is named after the father's father.
  • The fathers of illegitimate children are often unknown, yet alone recorded.
  • Women will be referred to by their married surnames. Only a small proportion of baptism records will record the mother's maiden name.
  • It was traditional to marry in the residence of the bride. However Banns still had to be posted in every parish both parties had resided in recently.

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Related Web Pages

  1. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Protestation Returns of 1641–1642" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestation_Returns_of_1641%E2%80%931642 accessed 18 Mar 2024
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