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[[England|'''England''']]''' ''' | [[England Civil Registration|'''Civil Registration''']] | [[England Census|'''Census''']] | [[England Probate Records|'''Probate''']] |[[England|England]]<br> | [[England|'''England''']]''' ''' | [[England Civil Registration|'''Civil Registration''']] | [[England Census|'''Census''']] | [[England Probate Records|'''Probate''']] |[[England|England]]<br> | ||
== 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 created in 1536, after King Henry VIII severed all ties to the church in Rome, he directed that each local parish be responsible to register all marriages, baptisms and burials. The governing of each parish created a group of records known as [[Parish Chest Records|parish chest records]]. The Church of England has dominated the religious scene in England; therefore it is likely that this is where you will find your ancestors. As time passes other religions began to organize and create records. Those that did not belong to the Church of England were referred to as [[England Church Records#Nonconformist_Church_Records|nonconformists or dissenters]]. The main influence of the nonconformist was in larger towns and cities. | |||
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. For Lincolnshire, many Bishop's transcripts began as early as 1561. Archdeacon transcripts exist for many Kent County as well; some as early 1560. | 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. For Lincolnshire, many Bishop's transcripts began as early as 1561. Archdeacon transcripts exist for many Kent County as well; some as early 1560. | ||
There is a [http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/mainpage.htm Norfolk Churches ]site that is worthwhile looking at to see photos, etc. | There is a [http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/mainpage.htm Norfolk Churches ]site that is worthwhile looking at to see photos, etc. | ||
'''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, 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 == | ||
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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. | A burial usually took place in the deceased’s parish a few days after the death. Pre-1813 burial records list the deceased’s name and burial date and sometimes mention the age, place of residence, cause of death, or occupation. The husband’s name is sometimes given on the wife’s burial entry. The father’s name may be on the record for a deceased child. After 1813 the forms called for the name, age, abode, burial date, and minister’s signature. | ||
Burial registers may mention infant children who were not christened including stillbirths. Christening records never record stillbirths. | Burial registers may mention infant children who were not christened including stillbirths. Christening records never record stillbirths. | ||
=== Bishop's Transcripts<br> === | === Bishop's Transcripts<br> === | ||
'''Bishop’s Transcripts (BT's)'''. Beginning in 1598 each parish was supposed to send a copy of its registers to the bishop of its diocese. Most parishes complied. Bishop's transcripts should be an exact copy of the parish register but they often are not. This may be because: | '''Bishop’s Transcripts (BT's)'''. Beginning in 1598 each parish was supposed to send a copy of its registers to the bishop of its diocese. Most parishes complied. Bishop's transcripts should be an exact copy of the parish register but they often are not. This may be because: | ||
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Many bishop’s transcripts are on film at the Family History Library, listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under: | Many bishop’s transcripts are on film at the Family History Library, listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under: | ||
England, [county name], [parish name] - Church records<br> | England, [county name], [parish name] - Church records<br> | ||
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: | 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: | ||
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Archdeacon transcripts exist for many Kent County parishes--some as early as 1560. | Archdeacon transcripts exist for many Kent County parishes--some as early as 1560. | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
=== Parish Chest Records === | === Parish Chest Records === | ||
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[[Image:The Parish Chest.jpg|thumb|right]] | [[Image:The Parish Chest.jpg|thumb|right]] | ||
Church records were kept in a chest (or strongbox) known as the [[Parish Chest Records|"parish chest." ]]Records other than the parish registers were called "parish chest records." Some of these records still exist from the 16th century, but many do not begin until the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century. <br> | Church records were kept in a chest (or strongbox) known as the [[Parish Chest Records|"parish chest." ]]Records other than the parish registers were called "parish chest records." Some of these records still exist from the 16th century, but many do not begin until the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century. <br> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
=== Watch a Video Presentation on Church Records === | === Watch a Video Presentation on Church Records === | ||
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To watch a video presentation on Church Records created by the staff at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, click [https://learning.familysearch.org/researchcourses here]. | To watch a video presentation on Church Records created by the staff at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, click [https://learning.familysearch.org/researchcourses here]. | ||
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== Indexes to Church Records == | == Indexes to Church Records == | ||
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Some county record offices and other repositories have indexes to church records, some of which are on film at the Family History Library. Read the [[England Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]] article for additional information, including addresses. | Some county record offices and other repositories have indexes to church records, some of which are on film at the Family History Library. Read the [[England Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]] article for additional information, including addresses. | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
== Archives == | == Archives == | ||
== [[Image:Lambeth Palace.jpg|thumb|right]] == | == [[Image:Lambeth Palace.jpg|thumb|right]] == | ||
=== Lambeth Palace Library === | === Lambeth Palace Library === | ||
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For further information on the Library’s collections and services, please see its website: http://www.lambethpalacelibrary.org/ | For further information on the Library’s collections and services, please see its website: http://www.lambethpalacelibrary.org/ | ||
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=== County Record Offices === | === County Record Offices === | ||
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Most of the Church of England parish registers and Bishop's transcript copies of same, 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. | Most of the Church of England parish registers and Bishop's transcript copies of same, 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 web site by which you can learn more about their services, the records and their availability, and online offerings. | These record offices are open to the public and all have a web site by which you can learn more about their services, the records and their availability, and online offerings. | ||
== Locating Church Records of England == | == Locating Church Records of England == | ||
For this section, please click [[Locating Church Records of England|here]]. | For this section, please click [[Locating Church Records of England|here]]. | ||
== Nonconformist Church Records == | == Nonconformist Church Records == | ||
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[[England Bristol Church of England Parish Registers and Bishops’ Transcripts (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | [[England Bristol Church of England Parish Registers and Bishops’ Transcripts (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
[[Category:England | [[Category:England]] | ||