What are they?

Parish registers began following a mandate issued by Thomas Cromwell in 1538 to the effect that records were to be kept of all baptisms, marriages and burials and stored in a 'secure coffer' (the parish chest). These records were often kept on loose sheets.
In 1598 a royal edict signed by Elizabeth 1 required all the details from loose sheets to be copied into bound volumes. In some parishes this was only done from the beginning of her reign and so some registers only begin in 1558.

What information might they give?

The information given is almost always very much more limited than that available on statutory certificates. In the early years there was little uniformity in the way records were kept and often only names and dates were recorded. Baptismal records often consisted only of the name of the child and that of the father. Before 1813, burial records usually give only a name and an age but may sometimes name the parents (in the case of a child) or the surviving spouse (in case of an adult).

Following an Act of Parliament in 1754 (Hardwicke's Act) marriage records had to be kept separately and were usually in printed volumes. From that date, entries usually recorded the name of the groom and the bride, whether they were bachelor, spinster or widowed, whether married by banns or by licence and the names of at least two witnesses.

Following a further Act of Parliament in 1813, standard printed volumes were used for recording births and burials, records became more standardised and are easier to search. Baptismal records subsequently include the abode of the family and the father's occupation as well as the name of the child and both parents. Burial records give the age of the deceased but do not always name the parents (in the case of a child) and it is not always recorded whether an adult was single, married or widowed.
You may see entries of 'private' baptisms. These were baptisms which took place at home, usually when a child was not expected to live. Illegitimate children were variously referred to as bastards, base born or natural children.

Where can I find them?
Parish registers are now almost always held in local records (archives) offices though it is always wise to check availability before a visit. They are usually on fiche or microfilm. The Society of Genealogists' Library in London holds a collection from across the whole country.

The main finding aid for parish register entries is the IGI (International Genealogical Index) which has been compiled by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS or Mormons). However, not all parishes are covered and not all entries are accurate. Family History Centres, run by the LDS, are able to order microfilms of many parish registers for a small fee, which are then available to view at the centres. This allows you to check the original entries, which may sometimes also contain additional information.

Although availability is extremely patchy, some registers have been transcribed, there are some written indexes and some are on CD. Some records are available online, on freeREG and on some pay sites. Some record offices are willing to sell microfiche copies of individual registers. Availability is constantly changing and it is always worth checking the website of the local family history society to see what records are currently available.

Older indexes include Phillimore's marriage indexes, Boyd's marriage index and Pallot's baptism and marriage indexes. Phillimore's marriage registers consist of transcripts from parish registers done in the late 18th and early 19th century. They are available on CD and some are online at The Genealogist: Search Online Census, Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Record Indexes and Directories. Pallot's indexes are available on Genealogy, Family Trees and Family History and cover the years 1780-1837. They are most useful for the London area. Boyd's marriage index has entries between 1538 and 1840 and is available on origins.net - Genealogy Research online specializing in British & Irish genealogy search.

There is a National Burials Index, which can be helpful, although coverage is patchy. It is available on CD and online at www.findmypast.com and FamilyHistoryOnline - searchable databases for family history & genealogy in England, Wales & Australia. Don't forget - If you are having difficulty locating possible records; ask for help on Ancestry Aid's 'Request Help' forum.


Uses and limitations

Parish registers are the main source of information for family historians before statutory registration began and census information became available. Searching them can be exciting as well as frustrating. You may be lucky and find a parish where records were good and extra information was recorded. You may see your ancestor's signature on marriage records.

Inevitably some records are missing or damaged. Human error occurred then, as now, at all stages of the process. Early records in particular may be very difficult to read. Baptism, marriage and burial records are often recorded in the same book and may be intermingled on the same page, making them difficult to search.

In the majority of cases, only the date of baptism is recorded, not the date of birth. Some baptisms took place long after the birth. It is not uncommon for several children from the same family to be baptised at the same time. The baptism records of illegitimate children may include the name of the father, but more often do not.

If there is no index available and you do not know the name of the parish where the event occurred, you may face a long and possibly unsuccessful search. Sometimes there are several entries of the same name in the same parish at around the same time, without any clue as to which is your ancestor.

Written By Ancestry Aid Member: Gillian

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