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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
Church records are the main source for identifying people prior to 1837 when civil registration began. It is also a main source after 1837 in conjunction with civil registration. The Church of England was formed in 1536, after King Henry VIII severed all ties to the church in Rome. Each local parish was responsible to register all marriages, baptisms and burials starting in 1538. The governing of each parish created a group of records known as [[Parish Chest Records|parish chest records]]. The Church of England has dominated the religious scene in England; therefore it is likely that this is where you will find your ancestors. As time passes other religions began to organize and keep their own records. Those that did not belong to the Church of England were referred to as [[England Church Records#Nonconformist_Church_Records|nonconformists or dissenters]]. The main influence of nonconformism was in larger towns and cities. | Church records are the main source for identifying people prior to 1837 when civil registration began. It is also a main source after 1837 in conjunction with civil registration. The Church of England was formed in 1536, after King Henry VIII severed all ties to the church in Rome. Each local parish was responsible to register all marriages, baptisms and burials starting in 1538. The governing of each parish created a group of records known as [[Parish Chest Records|parish chest records]]. The Church of England has dominated the religious scene in England; therefore it is likely that this is where you will find your ancestors. As time passes other religions began to organize and keep their own records. Those that did not belong to the Church of England were referred to as [[England Church Records#Nonconformist_Church_Records|nonconformists or dissenters]]. The main influence of nonconformism was in larger towns and cities. [To find more information and online resources about each parish place-name, visit the county and click the subject of interest in the left margin.] | ||
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 for that area and these copies are known as Bishop’s Transcripts or BTs. For Lincolnshire and Norfolk, many Bishop's transcripts began as early as 1561. Archdeacon transcripts exist for Kent as well; some as early as 1560. | 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 for that area and these copies are known as Bishop’s Transcripts or BTs. For Lincolnshire and Norfolk, many Bishop's transcripts began as early as 1561. Archdeacon transcripts exist for Kent as well; some as early as 1560. | ||
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'''Chapelry.''' A small parochial division of a large, populated parish. Most chapels or chapelries kept their own registers of baptisms and burials, and where authorization was granted, marriages were performed and registers kept. Occasional parishes throughout England, but especially most of Lancashire's 60-plus parishes, and many in Cheshire were comprised of numerous chapelries, i.e. Parish of Prestbury, Cheshire--many chapels of ancient origin and with 24 chapels overall by 1850 (see Lewis' [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.aspx?pubid=445 ''Topographical Dictionary of England''] for pre-1848 and, for post-1848 chapelries--see the [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/index.jsp ''Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales''] for even more). To view all those chapelries attached to and lying within Lancashire's largest parishes, see the "[[Comprehensive Lists of Lancashire's Chapelries in Its Largest Cities and Township Parishes]]" under the names of each of its large parishes, here. | '''Chapelry.''' A small parochial division of a large, populated parish. Most chapels or chapelries kept their own registers of baptisms and burials, and where authorization was granted, marriages were performed and registers kept. Occasional parishes throughout England, but especially most of Lancashire's 60-plus parishes, and many in Cheshire were comprised of numerous chapelries, i.e. Parish of Prestbury, Cheshire--many chapels of ancient origin and with 24 chapels overall by 1850 (see Lewis' [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.aspx?pubid=445 ''Topographical Dictionary of England''] for pre-1848 and, for post-1848 chapelries--see the [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/index.jsp ''Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales''] for even more). To view all those chapelries attached to and lying within Lancashire's largest parishes, see the "[[Comprehensive Lists of Lancashire's Chapelries in Its Largest Cities and Township Parishes]]" under the names of each of its large parishes, here. | ||
'''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. | '''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. | ||
== Church of England Records == | == Church of England Records == | ||