Genealogy Chat

Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

Welcome to the Genes Reunited community boards!

  • The Genes Reunited community is made up of millions of people with similar interests. Discover your family history and make life long friends along the way.
  • You will find a close knit but welcoming group of keen genealogists all prepared to offer advice and help to new members.
  • And it's not all serious business. The boards are often a place to relax and be entertained by all kinds of subjects.
  • The Genes community will go out of their way to help you, so don’t be shy about asking for help.

Boards

Quick Search

Single word search

Tools

Findmypast DNA Banner

Icons

  • New posts
  • No new posts
  • Thread closed
  • Stickied, new posts
  • Stickied, no new posts

How do you look at Parish records?

Login to Add Reply Watch This
ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Smiley

Smiley Report 24 Jun 2004 15:49

Most of my lot are just bordering the pre 1837 point and I was wondering about parish records.

Smiley

Smiley Report 24 Jun 2004 15:49

Do you literally travel to where the BMD took place to view these records? Is this done on spec, or do you get in touch first? Are they kept in churches? Where are you getting your basic info from so that you know which parish the event took place? For instance my first one I would like to take further was in Northleigh Oxford, named Richard Merry aged 65 on 1841 census, Is that enough to go on? This is new territory for me, hence the interrogation We have ways of making you talk ;) Any help or advice would be great. Sam

Guinevere

Guinevere Report 24 Jun 2004 16:05

Hi, Parish records (that survive) over 100 years old should be held by the county record office. They will have been copied onto microfiche or film so you need to book a reader in advance. Despite the regulations some churches retain them and you have to make an appointment to view them. There is a standard charge for this. Some records have been lost so you need to check that they still exist. The LDS have filmed many records and you can order their films at any LDS centre for a small charge. Check the catalogue on the LDS site to see what they have. Gwynne

Researching:
Lowestoft and North Suffolk, Monmouthshire, Breconshire, Somerset

Seasons

Seasons Report 24 Jun 2004 16:07

If you live in the local area then a trip to the local records office or central library (phone first) should have OPR records. Alternatively what I am going to have to do is go to the local LDS Family History Centre. I've just phoned up and they told me to go to the LDS site and check in the catalogue what records they hold for the area (microfilm I believe). Look in the phone book for the local LDS phone number, if not try this number 0121 384 2028 who'll be able to tell you the local centre and phone number (hope she doesn't mind especially if hundreds phone her up!!)

Janice

Janice Report 24 Jun 2004 16:21

Check the Society of Genealogists website and see what parish records they hold. You might be able to find everything you want without going all over the country. Janice

Joy

Joy Report 24 Jun 2004 16:46

Also you can join family history society/ies / subscribe to rootsweb mailing lists / message boards for the relevant areas. Joy

Smiley

Smiley Report 24 Jun 2004 17:46

Thank you for your ideas and suggestions, I didn't know that libraries may have parish records. You are all very helpful Sam

Liberty64

Liberty64 Report 30 Jul 2005 01:30

nudge for Christina!