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Ireland Presbyterian Church Records: Difference between revisions
Ireland Presbyterian Church Records (view source)
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''[[Ireland]] [[Ireland Church Records]]'' | |||
[[Image:Presbyterian Church in Ireland 1.jpg|thumb|right| | [[Image:Presbyterian Church in Ireland 1.jpg|thumb|right|177x253px]] | ||
== Introduction == | |||
In 1605 Scottish Presbyterians began a massive migration into Northern Ireland. In the 1700s and early 1800s several groups split off from the Presbyterian Church. These congregations kept their own records. Most congregations started keeping records in the early 1800s. | |||
In the 1700s and early 1800s several groups split off from the Presbyterian church. Seceding, non-subscribing, and reformed congregations were formed in many areas of Northern Ireland. These congregations kept their own records. In 1840 most of these congregations rejoined the main body of Irish Presbyterians. For a discussion and the names of the seceding, non-subscribing, and reformed Presbyterian congregations in Ireland, see the following book: | In the 1700s and early 1800s several groups split off from the Presbyterian church. Seceding, non-subscribing, and reformed congregations were formed in many areas of Northern Ireland. These congregations kept their own records. In 1840 most of these congregations rejoined the main body of Irish Presbyterians. For a discussion and the names of the seceding, non-subscribing, and reformed Presbyterian congregations in Ireland, see the following book: | ||
Stewart, David. ''The Seceders in Ireland.'' Belfast, Ireland: Presbyterian Historical Society, 1950. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=941.5+K2ste book 941.5 K2ste].) | *Stewart, David. ''The Seceders in Ireland.'' Belfast, Ireland: Presbyterian Historical Society, 1950. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=941.5+K2ste book 941.5 K2ste].) | ||
The following book lists Presbyterian congregations in Ireland and their ministers: | The following book lists Presbyterian congregations in Ireland and their ministers: | ||
''A History of Congregations in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 1610-1982.'' Belfast, Ireland: Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland, 1982. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=941.5+K2h book 941.5 K2h].) A more current list of Presbyterian congregations can be found online at: [http://www.presbyterianireland.org/congregations/index.html '''http://www.presbyterianireland.org/congregations/index.html'''] . | *''A History of Congregations in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 1610-1982.'' Belfast, Ireland: Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland, 1982. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=941.5+K2h book 941.5 K2h].) A more current list of Presbyterian congregations can be found online at: [http://www.presbyterianireland.org/congregations/index.html '''http://www.presbyterianireland.org/congregations/index.html'''] . | ||
Records kept by Presbyterian ministers include birth, baptism, and marriage records. These records are similar in content to Church of Ireland records except that mothers' maiden names are often given in the birth and baptism records. | Records kept by Presbyterian ministers include birth, baptism, and marriage records. These records are similar in content to Church of Ireland records except that mothers' maiden names are often given in the birth and baptism records. | ||
== Key Historical Dates == | |||
*1559 John Knox brings to Scotland the teachings of the Protestant Reformation started by Martin Luther and developed by John Calvin. | *1559 John Knox brings to Scotland the teachings of the Protestant Reformation started by Martin Luther and developed by John Calvin. | ||
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*1850’s Presbyterians in Ireland number 650,000 with 433 congregations. | *1850’s Presbyterians in Ireland number 650,000 with 433 congregations. | ||
=== Baptism Records === | == Records == | ||
The following records provide the most vital information. | |||
==== Baptism Records ==== | |||
These give the name of child, names of parents, usually the mother’s maiden name, date of birth, names of sponsors and the address (townland) of the parents. In the Presbyterian Church, the baptisms did not always closely follow the birth. This may have been due to a lack of diligence on the part of the minister or it may have reflected a lack of money to have the ceremony performed. | These give the name of child, names of parents, usually the mother’s maiden name, date of birth, names of sponsors and the address (townland) of the parents. In the Presbyterian Church, the baptisms did not always closely follow the birth. This may have been due to a lack of diligence on the part of the minister or it may have reflected a lack of money to have the ceremony performed. | ||
=== Marriage Records === | ==== Marriage Records ==== | ||
These list the name of the bride and groom, usually at least the father of the bride and sometimes the groom, date of marriage. After 1819, the names of two witnesses and the congregation of residence for the bride and groom were also required. The Presbyterian Church required prior notice of the intended marriage so some record of the event may appear in the Kirk Session Minute book even though the marriage registers may not exist. Although all marriages were to be performed in the church, it was common practice among the Presbyterians to marry in the bride’s home with the payment of a fee to the minister. Marriage in the home may have also generated a Marriage License Bond, the indexes of which still exist. Researchers should also check the Church of Ireland registers prior to 1782 on in instances where a Presbyterian married a member of the Church of Ireland prior to 1845. After the Marriage Act of 1844, marriages were to be performed with “open doors” before a district registrar. The completeness of the marriage records greatly increases. | These list the name of the bride and groom, usually at least the father of the bride and sometimes the groom, date of marriage. After 1819, the names of two witnesses and the congregation of residence for the bride and groom were also required. The Presbyterian Church required prior notice of the intended marriage so some record of the event may appear in the Kirk Session Minute book even though the marriage registers may not exist. Although all marriages were to be performed in the church, it was common practice among the Presbyterians to marry in the bride’s home with the payment of a fee to the minister. Marriage in the home may have also generated a Marriage License Bond, the indexes of which still exist. Researchers should also check the Church of Ireland registers prior to 1782 on in instances where a Presbyterian married a member of the Church of Ireland prior to 1845. After the Marriage Act of 1844, marriages were to be performed with “open doors” before a district registrar. The completeness of the marriage records greatly increases. | ||
=== Burial Records === | ==== Burial Records ==== | ||
These usually list only the name of the deceased and sometimes an age are recorded. In the more complete registers you may find the names of parents for a child and/or a townland of residence and occupation. Many Presbyterians are buried in Church of Ireland graveyards since the laws prevented non Church of Ireland conger-gations from maintaining their own graveyards. Prior to the 19th century, dissenting ministers were not allowed to perform burials unless a Church of Ireland rector was present.<br> | These usually list only the name of the deceased and sometimes an age are recorded. In the more complete registers you may find the names of parents for a child and/or a townland of residence and occupation. Many Presbyterians are buried in Church of Ireland graveyards since the laws prevented non Church of Ireland conger-gations from maintaining their own graveyards. Prior to the 19th century, dissenting ministers were not allowed to perform burials unless a Church of Ireland rector was present.<br> | ||
== Other Presbyterian Church Records == | |||
'''Session Minutes''' | '''Session Minutes''' | ||
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There are a number of lists of individuals who received communion at each Sabbath meeting. In some instances, remarks about births, marriages, or deaths may be included. | There are a number of lists of individuals who received communion at each Sabbath meeting. In some instances, remarks about births, marriages, or deaths may be included. | ||
== '''Locating Presbyterian Records''' == | |||
Presbyterian ministers have custody of original Presbyterian records. See: | Presbyterian ministers have custody of original Presbyterian records. See: | ||
Ryan, James G. ''Irish Records: Sources for Family & Local History''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry Publishing, 1988. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=941.5+D23r book Ref 941.5 D23r].) This book lists the Presbyterian records in local custody. | *Ryan, James G. ''Irish Records: Sources for Family & Local History''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry Publishing, 1988. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=941.5+D23r book Ref 941.5 D23r].) This book lists the Presbyterian records in local custody. | ||
The jurisdictions and addresses of local ministers can be found in: | |||
* ''The Presbyterian Church in Ireland: Directory and Statistics.'' (FHL [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=941.5+K24pr book 941.5 K24pr].) | |||
The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland at http://www.proni.gov.uk/ has microfilm or paper copies of most of the Presbyterian registers for Northern Ireland and for the counties of Donegal, Cavan, and Monaghan. For a list of the office's Presbyterian records, see James G. Ryan, ed., ''Irish Church Records'' referenced above. Further, if you get a permission letter from the local minister, the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland will make a copy of the film for you for a reasonable cost. See [http://www.proni.gov.uk/index_to_presbyterian_records-2.pdf '''http://www.proni.gov.uk/index_to_presbyterian_records-2.pdf'''] . This is only available for Presbyterian parish films at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. | The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland at http://www.proni.gov.uk/ has microfilm or paper copies of most of the Presbyterian registers for Northern Ireland and for the counties of Donegal, Cavan, and Monaghan. For a list of the office's Presbyterian records, see James G. Ryan, ed., ''Irish Church Records'' referenced above. Further, if you get a permission letter from the local minister, the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland will make a copy of the film for you for a reasonable cost. See [http://www.proni.gov.uk/index_to_presbyterian_records-2.pdf '''http://www.proni.gov.uk/index_to_presbyterian_records-2.pdf'''] . This is only available for Presbyterian parish films at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. | ||
The Presbyterian Historical Society has copies of some of the Presbyterian and seceding Presbyterian records for Northern Ireland. The society's holdings are not complete. To determine which records the society possesses, contact the society | The [http://www.presbyterianireland.org/phsi/ Presbyterian Historical Society] has copies of some of the Presbyterian and seceding Presbyterian records for Northern Ireland. The society's holdings are not complete. To determine which records the society possesses, contact the society. | ||
The Family History Library has only a few Presbyterian Church records. | |||
#Go to [http://www.familysearch.org/ www.familysearch.org '''Family History Library Catalog'''] | |||
#Click on '''Place Search'''. | |||
#Type the name of a parish and click '''Search'''. | |||
#Select the name that matches your request. | |||
#Scroll down and select the topic '''Church''''''Records'''. | |||
#Select a title. | |||
#Click '''View Film Notes''' to find the film numbers. | |||
=== '''Selected Bibliography''' === | === '''Selected Bibliography''' === | ||
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*http://www.irishgenealogy.ie/csi/csi_main.cfm | *http://www.irishgenealogy.ie/csi/csi_main.cfm | ||
[[Category:Ireland]] | [[Category:Ireland]] | ||