Enrollment options
Optional Print Course Material: English: Parish Registers
*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.
The course provides a significant overview of what is involved when researching English Parish Records. Given that every person in England was assigned to a particular parish regardless of their religious denomination, it is crucial to develop a greater understanding of how the record keeping system was established and developed. This will greatly enhance your ability in tracking down desired documentation. The course material will cover the main categories of birth, christening, marriage, death and burial; but will also go far beyond to include a variety of other record sources as well. A great deal of emphasis will be placed on examples in order to introduce you to the text and flavour of the contemporary language used in record keeping. Lastly, an ability to find information must be consistent with an ability to organise and make use of that information. To this end, numerous techniques, tips, and ideas will be shared which you can adopt and adapt as you develop your own organization style.
Course Length: 7 weeksMODULE 1
INTRODUCTION
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
History Affecting Parish Registers
Old Style & New Style
Julian & Gregorian Calendars & the Lost 11 Days
Victorian Population Explosion
History in Action
Royal Events
CHURCH OF ENGLAND PARISH REGISTERS
Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions
Provinces, Dioceses, Archdeaconries & Deaneries
Parishes, Peculiars, Liberties & Extra-Parochial Places
Structure of Records
Spelling
Phonetic Spellings
Handwriting
Latin & Greek
Terminology & Abbreviations
General Registers
Dade Registers
Christenings
Burials
Printed Registers
Non-Parochial Anglican Records
Bishops Transcripts
Modern Transcripts
Events Abroad
MODULE 2
CHRISTENING/BAPTISM
The Records
Meanings of Terms
Churching & Chrisoms
Godparents
Age at Baptism
Adult Baptisms
First Born Children
Same Name Children
Record Family Sizes
Foundlings
Illegitimacy
Duplicate Christenings
Multiple Christenings
Christenings Abroad
MODULE 3
CONFIRMATION RECORDS
MARRIAGE RECORDS
Marriage Banns
The Banns Certificate
Banns & Marriage Records Different
Marriage Licences
Marriage Allegations
Marriage Bonds
Finding Marriage Licence Records
Espousal Books
Marriage Registers
Prohibited Degrees for Marriage
Information on Post 1754 Marriage Record
Marriage Announcements
Marriage in the Bride’s Parish
Remarriage
Chapelries of Mother Parish
Marriage Transcripts
Marriages Abroad
Annulment & Divorce
Ecclesiastical Divorce
Practical Solutions for Average People
Civil Divorce
MODULE 4
BURIAL RECORDS
Where Buried
When Did He or She Die?
Certificate of Registry of Death
Burials Abroad
Information in Church Records
Unknown Persons
Death Date & Place
Burial Date & Place
Sexton’s Grave Books
Burial Plot Deeds & Records
Ages
Children
Residence
Non-Parishioners
Relationships
Occupation
Status
Character Testimonials
Cause of Death
Inquests & Coroners
Violent Deaths
Anglican Rites
Burial in Woollen
Entries with No Affidavit
Burials with No Shroud
Burial Taxes
Funeral Accounts
Resurrection Men
Some Odd Burials
Duplicate Burials
Monumental Inscriptions
MODULE 5
OTHER ITEMS IN REGISTERS
Affidavits
Briefs
Charitable Donations
Churchwardens Presentments
Comments on the Parishioners
Correspondence with the Vicar
Customary Fees
Glebe Terriers
Historical Announcements
Lists of Churchwardens
List of Excommunicated & Absolved
Local Agriculture & Economy Notes
Militia Lists
Perambulations of the Parish Bounds
Purchase & Condition of the Registers
Receipts
Relevant Acts of Parliament
Renovations of Church Buildings
Repair of Local Roads
Severe Weather
Signatures of Churchwardens
Tithes
Efficient Use of Others’ Films
MODULE 6
INDEXES
The IGI
Boyd’s Indexes
The Pallot Marriage and Baptism Indexes
County CMB Indexes
Online Parish Clerks
GRO Indexes of CMB
Marriage Licence Allegation Indexes
National Burial Index
Monumental Inscription Indexes
Other Indexes
Scotlands People
Finding the Records
Transcripts
Banns Books & Marriage Licences
Finding the Right Parish
Lists of Ancestral Names & Places
Ordering the Right Microform
Searching the Records
Efficient Reading of Church Records
Parish Registers on the Welsh Border
Effective Recording Techniques
Photocopying Ancestral Items
Photography
RELIABILITY OF INFORMATION
Errors in Parish Registers
Omissions from Parish Registers
Forgery in Parish Registers
Errors in Reading
Events in Chapelries & Other Parishes
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES & FURTHER READING