Page 162 - Dictionary of Heraldry and Related Subjects

Non-Parochial
and from Protestant- Non-Conforrnist
Registers
Records - The Non-Parochial Churches, but not al1 such churches
Registers and Records formerly in kept their own Registers and many
the General Register Office were of their members and adherents had
transferred in 1961 to the Public their births. marriages and deaths
Record Office, where they may be recorded in the Parish Registers:
inspected without charge by the the few Roman Catholic Registers
holders of Readers' Tickets. Tem- come mainly from the North of
porary Readers' Tickets and copies England : there are no Jewish
of Information for Readers will be Registers : with the exception of the
sent on request.
For persons unable to make a per- (Quakers) there are virtually no mar-
sonal search the Public Record riage registers: few of the Registers
Office can provide the names and are of more recent date than 1837.
addresses
two
of
independent
There is no general index to the
Record Agents who might be pre- Non-Parochial Registers and no
par& to undertake a search. The search can be undertaken without
Public Record Office accepts no knowing the location and preferably
arrangements also the denomination of the church
for
responsibility
made between such agents and tl~eir at which the birth, baptism, mar-
clients, nor can it supply informa- riage, death or burial is likely to
have been recorded. For larger
tion as to the scales of charges of
such agents or offer any opinion of
towns searches can be undertaken
the probable cost of any particular only when the precise narne of the
search undertaken by them.
church can be given. For London
Alternatively the Public Record and its environs there are the Regis-
Office js prepared, for a fee of
ters from over two hundred
£3 Os. Od. (£3 5s. Od. for correspon- churches and institutions; search
dents overseas) per search, to search will not be undertaken in these
over a period of five years and in up unless the applicant can specify a
to three registers for an entry relat- particular church or the Registers
ing to the birth (or baptism), rnar- of births ejther from Dr. WiJliarus'
relating
riage or death (or burial) of a parti- Library (1742-1837,
10
Independents and
cular person,'and. if successful, to Presbyterians,
supply a copy of the record or par- Baptists) or from the Wesleyan
ticulars of the information contained Methodist Metropolitan Registry
therein.
(1818-1837).
There can be no guarantee thac an
A list of the two main classes of Registers of the Society of Friends
Non-Parochial Registers - Lists of entry relating to a particular person
Non-Parochial Registers and wjll be located. The Public Record
Records in the Cusfody of the Regis- Office reserves the right to decline to
trar General (London, H.M.S.O., make a search. When a search has
1859) - may be available ar or been made the fee will be retained,
through a public library. Persons whether or not any positive result
unable to consult tbis list before has been obtained.
applying for searches should bear Applications for searches should
the following in mind: The Non- be made on the appropriate form.
Parochial Registers relate only to Payments should be made in ster-
England and Wales and they do not ling, and for the exact sum specified,
include Parish Registers of the by postal order, or by a cheque
Church of England. Almost al1 are drawn on an English account or by