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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. | 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. | ||
'''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 | '''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. | ||
'''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 | 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. | ||
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 | 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). | ||
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. | 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. | ||
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Starting 1 July 1837, the beginning of government 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. | Starting 1 July 1837, the beginning of government 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. | ||
Couples usually married in the bride’s parish. Typically, the English married in their | Couples usually married in the bride’s parish. Typically, the English married in their twenties. | ||
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. | 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. | ||
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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: | 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: | ||
ENGLAND, [COUNTY NAME], [PARISH NAME] - CHURCH RECORDS | |||
'''By License.''' A couple applied to the proper church authority, usually the bishop, for a license when: | '''By License.''' A couple applied to the proper church authority, usually the bishop, for a license when: | ||
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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: | 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: | ||
ENGLAND, [COUNTY NAME] - CHURCH RECORDS<br> | |||
=== Indexes to marriages. === | === Indexes to marriages. === | ||
Boyd, Percival. | 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 in paper form. Look in the Author/Title Search of the Family History Library Catalogue for library call numbers. | ||
You can find an explanation of this series in: | You can find an explanation of this series in: | ||
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A few marriage indexes are on film at the Family History Library; look in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under: | A few marriage indexes are on film at the Family History Library; look in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalogue under: | ||
ENGLAND, [COUNTY NAME] - CHURCH RECORDS - INDEXES | |||
=== Burials === | === Burials === | ||
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Tate, W. E. ''The Parish Chest''. Third Edition. Chichester, Sussex, England: Phillimore, 1969. (FHL book 942 K2t.) <!--{12082014397340} --> | Tate, W. E. ''The Parish Chest''. Third Edition. Chichester, Sussex, England: Phillimore, 1969. (FHL book 942 K2t.) <!--{12082014397340} --> | ||
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== Nonconformist Church Records == | == Nonconformist Church Records == | ||