Parish registers
The parish registers contain key local information.
Key dates
- 1538
Thomas Cromwell’s injunction establishing the registration of baptisms, marriages and burials.
- 1598
Entries are to be written into parchment registers and copies (Bishops transcripts) to be deposited with the Diocesan Registrar.
- 1653
Civil registration of births, marriages and deaths during the Commonwealth begins.
- 1678
The Burial in Woollen Act, stating that corpses had to be buried in shrouds of pure wool only. Repealed 1814.
- 1754
Hardwicke’s Act, to prevent secret marriages. Introduced printed marriage registers.
- 1812
Rose’s Act. Introduced printed register for baptisms and burials.
- 1837
Civil registration of birth, marriages and deaths. A new form of marriage register issued.
Information contained in registers
Baptisms
Most registers all periods
Date of baptism; child’s name [sometimes: parents’ names; father’s occupation; date of birth].
Additionally from 1813
Parents’ names; father’s occupation (mother’s if the child is illegitimate); abode [sometimes: date of birth].
Burials
Most registers all periods
Date of burial; name of deceased [sometimes: age; occupation (in the case of a child) names of parents; cause of death; marital status; biographical details].
Additionally from 1813
Abode; age [sometimes: cause of death].
Marriages
Most registers all periods
Date of marriage; names of parties [sometimes: whether the marriage was by licence or banns; name of parish, if one party was from another parish].
Additionally 1754-1812
Parish of both parties; whether the marriage was by licence or banns; signatures or marks of the parties; signatures or marks
1754-1812 of the witnesses; signature of the minister officiating [sometimes: whether the parties are bachelor or spinster; that the marriage is with the consent of parents or guardians].
Additionally from 1837
Age (sometimes only “full” or “minor”); condition (bachelor or spinster); occupation of parties; names and occupations of fathers.
This page was last updated on 11 October 2007
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