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Church records are the main source for identifying people prior to 1837 when [[England Civil Registration|civil registration]] began. It is also a main source after 1837 in conjunction with civil registration. Christenings, marriages, and burials are recorded in church registers. The governing of each parish created a group of records known as [[ | Church records are the main source for identifying people prior to 1837 when [[England Civil Registration|civil registration]] began. It is also a main source after 1837 in conjunction with civil registration. Christenings, marriages, and burials are recorded in church registers. The governing of each parish created a group of records known as [[Parish Chest Records|parish chest records]]. In the 1530s King Henry VIII severed ties with the Pope and declared himself the head of the Church of England. It is known as the Established or Anglican Church. The Church of England has dominated the religious scene in England; therefore it is likely that this is where you will find your ancestors. As time passes other religions began to organize and create records. Those that did not belong to the Church of England were referred to as [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/England_Church_Records#Nonconformist_Church_Records nonconformists or dissenters.] The main influence of the nonconformist was in larger towns and cities. | ||
= Church of England Records = | |||
The Church of England was the government-sponsored and predominant religion to which the vast majority of England's populace belonged. Created in 1536, after King Henry VIII severed all ties to the church in Rome, he directed that each local parish be responsible to register all marriages, baptisms and burials. These records are the primary source for family history research in England for the period prior to 1st July 1837 when Civil Registration began. | The Church of England was the government-sponsored and predominant religion to which the vast majority of England's populace belonged. Created in 1536, after King Henry VIII severed all ties to the church in Rome, he directed that each local parish be responsible to register all marriages, baptisms and burials. These records are the primary source for family history research in England for the period prior to 1st July 1837 when Civil Registration began. | ||
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. | 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. | ||
'''Parish. '''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 district churches or chapels of ease, which often keep their own records. | '''Parish. '''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 district churches or chapels of ease, which often keep their own records. | ||
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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, marriage registers were also kept. Many parishes throughout Lancashire, Cheshire, and several other counties comprised of numerous chapelries, i.e. Prestbury, Cheshire--some of them of ancient origin with 32 chapels. | '''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, marriage registers were also kept. Many parishes throughout Lancashire, Cheshire, and several other counties comprised of numerous chapelries, i.e. Prestbury, Cheshire--some of them of ancient origin with 32 chapels. | ||
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. | 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. | ||
== Parish Registers == | |||
The registers kept by the parish record christenings, marriages, and burials performed in that parish. The parish was also used by the government for taking care of the poor, the physical well-being of the parish, law enforcement, taxation and military conscription during the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. These functions required that the parish keep other records beside the registers. These other records are often called ''parish chest records'' (see the subheading Parish Chest Records in this article). | The registers kept by the parish record christenings, marriages, and burials performed in that parish. The parish was also used by the government for taking care of the poor, the physical well-being of the parish, law enforcement, taxation and military conscription during the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. These functions required that the parish keep other records beside the registers. These other records are often called ''parish chest records'' (see the subheading Parish Chest Records in this article). | ||
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Steel, Donald J. ''Sources for Nonconformist Genealogy and Family History''. London, England: Phillimore, 1973. (FHL book 942 V26ste, vol. 2.) | Steel, Donald J. ''Sources for Nonconformist Genealogy and Family History''. London, England: Phillimore, 1973. (FHL book 942 V26ste, vol. 2.) | ||
''Sources for Roman Catholic and Jewish Genealogy and Family History''. London, England: Phillimore, 1974. (FHL book 942 V26ste, vol. 3.) | ''Sources for Roman Catholic and Jewish Genealogy and Family History''. London, England: Phillimore, 1974. (FHL book 942 V26ste, vol. 3.) | ||
== Locating Church Records == | == Locating Church Records == | ||
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<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">The Church’s Family History Library has been providing classes to patrons for many years. In the past, a patron would have to travel to the Library to take advantage of these classes, but no longer. The Library will begin testing different methods of exporting these classes to patrons who reside outside of the Salt Lake City area. The first method to be tested is a set of five lessons in a classroom setting in a video format. These lessons are now available on [http://www.familysearch.org/ www.familysearch.org] and cover the basics of getting started with family history research in England. Go to FamilySearch and select Education under the Family History Library menu. The five lessons are called:</span> | <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">The Church’s Family History Library has been providing classes to patrons for many years. In the past, a patron would have to travel to the Library to take advantage of these classes, but no longer. The Library will begin testing different methods of exporting these classes to patrons who reside outside of the Salt Lake City area. The first method to be tested is a set of five lessons in a classroom setting in a video format. These lessons are now available on [http://www.familysearch.org/ www.familysearch.org] and cover the basics of getting started with family history research in England. Go to FamilySearch and select Education under the Family History Library menu. The five lessons are called:</span> | ||
<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"></span>'''<span | <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"></span>'''<span style="font-family: Arial;" class="Apple-style-span">[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/Education/frameset_education.asp?PAGE=education_research_series_online.asp%3FActiveTab=2 Family History Research Series Online]</span>''' | ||
<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Lesson 1: Research Overview</span> | <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Lesson 1: Research Overview</span> | ||