Parish Registers were instigated by Thomas Cromwell from 1538 in the reign of Henry VIII, recording every wedding, baptism and burial. There are gaps in the records for a variety of reasons, such as the civil war, but these records are a prime source for building family trees. From 1597 a copy of the records had to be made and sent to the Bishop. Sometimes the Bishops' Transcript may contain more information than the original, so it can often be worthwhile tracking down both. For more information on Parish Registers there is a brief history on the Wikipedia Parish Register page.
After 1837 Civil Registration was introduced and the Local BMD and GRO BMD records become the primary source.
| Classification: | GRO BMD, Births, Deaths, Marriages, National, Parish Records, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates - BMD Index |
| Link: |  |
| Description: | Complete GRO indexes online & Non-Parochial BMDs service. Includes overseas BMD's for armed forces. |
| Extra Info: | Includes Pre-1837 Non-Conformist BMDs |
| Classification: | GRO BMD, Baptisms, Births, Burials / Cremations, Deaths, Marriages, National, Parish Records, War Memorials & Other Memorials |
| Title: | Find My Past - BMD's, Parish Records and More |
| Link: | |
| Description: | Find My Past - BMD's, Parish Records and More |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | A Romany Gypsy & Traveller Heritage Project |
| Link: | https://www.romaheritage.co.uk/ |
| Description: | Romani Parish and Census records |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Parish Records |
| Title: | Baptisms - England and Wales Christening Records |
| Link: | England & Wales Christening Records, 1530-1980 |
| Description: | England and Wales Christening Records, 1530-1980 |
| Extra Info: | Not complete. |
| Classification: | Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records |
| Title: | Christine Uphill's Home Page |
| Link: | http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~chrisu/genealogy/ |
| Description: | Cemeteries, Parish Records, Born Cornwall died... |
| Extra Info: | Also MI's from Dublin. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Cornwall County Data from Ancestry |
| Link: | Cornwall County Data from Ancestry |
| Description: | Cornwall County Data Collection from Ancestry |
| Extra Info: | Includes parish register extracts; Calendars of wills and administrations relating to the counties of Devon and Cornwall |
| Classification: | Banns, Baptisms, Births, Burials / Cremations, Deaths, Marriages, On-line Parish Clerks, Parish Records |
| Title: | Cornwall Online Parish Clerk |
| Link: | https://www.opc-cornwall.org/ |
| Description: | Cornwall Online Parish Clerk |
| Classification: | Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Derbyshire and Cornwall Records |
| Link: | http://www.connorsgenealogy.com/ |
| Description: | Derbyshire and Cornwall Records |
| Extra Info: | Click on England/Wales in the menu bar at the top |
| Classification: | GRO BMD, Census, Parish Records, Pedigrees, Visitations |
| Title: | England Data from Ancestry |
| Link: | England Data from Ancestry |
| Description: | England Data Collection from Ancestry |
| Extra Info: | Includes 1861-1901 Censuses; 1837-2005 GRO BMD; visitations and other records. |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | English Clandestine Marriages |
| Link: | https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/england-clandestine-marriages |
| Description: | English Clandestine Marriages from 1667 to 1775. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Family History Books via Family Search |
| Link: |  |
| Description: | Family History Books via Family Search |
| Extra Info: | More than 40,000 digitized genealogy and family history publications from the archives of some of the most important family history libraries in the world. Read online for free. Includes some parish register transcripts. |
| Classification: | Parish Records |
| Title: | Family Search - Maps |
| Link: | |
| Description: | Family Search - Maps |
| Extra Info: | Maps showing where parish boundaries are, when registers were first started. Not complete coverage. Click on map in the map screen to view road names. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Bishops Transcripts, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Family Search Records Collection - England |
| Link: | |
| Description: | Family Search Records Collection - England |
| Extra Info: | An increasing number of records, including census and parish records. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Family Search Records Collection - Worldwide |
| Link: | |
| Description: | Family Search Records Collection - Worldwide |
| Extra Info: | Includes the England and Wales 1841 & 1861 Census, and foreign records, such as the American census that contains Britons who were aboard. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, National, Parish Records |
| Title: | FreeReg Project |
| Link: |  |
| Description: | Transcriptions for Parish Registers |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Gwithian Records |
| Link: | http://webs.lanset.com/azazella/gwithian_page.html |
| Description: | Gwithian Records |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records |
| Title: | Internet Archive |
| Link: | http://archive.org/ |
| Description: | Internet Archive |
| Extra Info: | Has many scanned books, including some parish registers. Click on texts and then search the archive. Note baptism and baptisms give different results. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records, War Memorials & Other Memorials, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Lelant Online Resources |
| Link: | http://lelant.info/ |
| Description: | Lelant Online Resources |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Marriages - England and Wales |
| Link: | England & Wales Marriages, 1538-1988 |
| Description: | England and Wales Marriages, 1538-1988 |
| Extra Info: | Not complete. |
| Classification: | Banns, Baptisms, Births, Burials / Cremations, Deaths, Marriages, National, Parish Records |
| Title: | Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial BMDs |
| Link: | https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/affiliate/?affid=... |
| Description: | Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial BMDs from the National Archive, hosted by The Genealogist |
| Extra Info: | They include the birth records at Dr Williams' Library in London, hospital records of maternity, overseas registrations for British citizens and those on board ships. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Nonconformist Register - Northowram of Coley Register |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/nonconformistreg00byuhe... |
| Description: | Nonconformist Register - Northowram or Coley Register 1644-1752 |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Parish Registers 1584-1620. Index of surnames and place names at end of book. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Open Library |
| Link: | http://openlibrary.org/ |
| Description: | Open Library - Scanned Books Online |
| Extra Info: | Includes full images of many books of transcribed parish registers. Use the search facility and select e books only. Can also search within book text easily. |
| Classification: | Burials / Cremations, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish of St Illogan |
| Link: | https://www.saint-illogan.org.uk/records/ |
| Description: | Parish of St Illogan |
| Extra Info: | Parish church burial ground records from 1895. Click on Churches link. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Bishops Transcripts, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, On-line Parish Clerks, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish of St Stithians, Cornwall |
| Link: | http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~stithiansopc/geneal... |
| Description: | Parish of St Stithians, Cornwall |
| Extra Info: | Baptisms 1676-1900, marriages 1614-1900, burials1676-1900. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Parish of St. Austell - An Account of its History |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/acornishparishb00hammgo... |
| Description: | Parish of St. Austell - An Account of its History |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Includes some extracts of the very early parish registers (1560's), from about page 159 and an index to some early wills. |
| Classification: | Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish of St. Austell - Marriages and Treverbyn Burials |
| Link: | http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~marcie/kernow/auste... |
| Description: | Parish of St. Austell - Marriages and Treverbyn Burials |
| Extra Info: | St. Austell marriages 1564-1571 and burials for Treverbyn 1798-1835 for selected surnames. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Births, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish of St. Austell, Cornwall |
| Link: | http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~staustell/genealogy... |
| Description: | Parish of St. Austell, Cornwall |
| Extra Info: | Click on genealogy for information. Includes St. Peter's, Treverbyn and St. Paul's, Charlestown, also census transcriptions from the local workhouse. |
| Classification: | Census, Marriages, Parish Records, War Memorials & Other Memorials, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Parish Records of Sancreed |
| Link: | https://sancreed.tripod.com/ |
| Description: | Parish Records of Sancreed and Other Information |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Bishops Transcripts, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Records of Towednack , Cornwall |
| Link: | https://towednackrecords.tripod.com/ |
| Description: | Parish Records of Towednack , Cornwall and Other Information |
| Classification: | Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Register - William Bradock's Guide 1910 |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/parishregister00braduof... |
| Description: | Parish Register - William Bradock's Guide 1910 |
| Extra Info: | Online book. It explains that start of parish registers and other associated items, such as Phillimore marriages, Hardwicke's marriage act, banns, explanation of register entries, foundlings, as well as some interesting register extracts. |
| Classification: | Banns, Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Register Index for Cornwall |
| Link: | https://www.cornwalleng.com/ |
| Description: | Cornwall Parish Register Index Databases |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Parish Register Scans |
| Link: | https://ukga.org/browse.php?action=loadDB&DB=1... |
| Description: | Parish Register Scans for Various Counties |
| Extra Info: | Scans of books with parish register transcriptions. Free to browse. |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore (1) |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/cornwallparishr00taylgo... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore - Marriages Vol 1 |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Marriages. Advent, St. Breward, St. Clether, Davidstow, Forrabury, St. Juliot, Lanteglos by Camelford, Lesnewth, Michaelstow, Minster, Otterham, St. Teath and Trevalga. |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore (10) |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/cornwallparishr01rowego... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore - Marriages Vol 10 |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Marriages. St. Ewe 1560-1812, St. Stephens in Brannel 1681-1812, St. Winnow 1622-1812, Lanlivery 1600-1812 and Menheniot 1554-1812. |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore (11) |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/cornwallparishre11phil |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore - Marriages Vol 11 |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Marriages. Bodmin 1559-1812, St. Wenn 1678-1812, Lezant 1539-1812 and St. Goran 1668-1812. |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore (12) |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/cornwallparishre12phil |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore - Marriages Vol 12 |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Marriages. Madron with Penzance 1674-1812, Morvah 1617-1772 (1772-1812 in the Madron register), Gulval (see book for details of dates) and Gwinear 1560-1812. |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore (13) |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/cornwallparishr02rowego... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore - Marriages Vol 13 |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Marriages. Budock 1653-1812, St Gluvias 1599-1812 and St. Colan 1665-1812. |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore (15) |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/cornwallparishre15phil |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore - Marriages Vol 15 |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Marriages. Wendron 1560-1812, Constantine 1571-1812, St. Martin in Meneage 1571-1812 and Perranuthnoe 1589-1812. |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore (17) |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/cornwallparishre17phil |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore - Marriages Vol 17 |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Marriages. Boyton, Linkinhorne, St. Mellion, Morwinstow, South Petherwyn, Pillaton and Roche. |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore (2) |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/cornwallparishr00rowego... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore - Marriages Vol 2 |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Marriages. Lanivet, Tintagel, St. Tudy, St. Mabyn, Laneast, Egloskerry, Tremaine and Phillack. |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore (24) |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/cornwallparishre24phil |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore - Marriages Vol 24 |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Marriages. Launceston (St. Mary Magdalene) 1559-1812 and St. Keverne 1608-1812. |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore (3) |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/cornwallparishr02stepgo... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore - Marriages Vol 3 |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Marriages. St. Just-in-Penwith 1599-1812, St. Buryan 1654-1812, St. Sennan 1699-1812, St. Levan 1694-1812, Gwithian 1560-1812 and Towednack 1676-1812. |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore (4) |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/cornwallparishr04rowego... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore - Marriages Vol 4 |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Marriages. Sheviocke, Blisland, Cardynham, Endellion, Helland, Lanhydrock, St. Merryn, St. Minver and Warleggan. |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore (5) |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/cornwallparishr00blaggo... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore - Marriages Vol 5 |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Marriages. St. Breage 1559-1812, St. Germoe 1674-1812, Ludgvan 1563-1812 and Sancreed 1559-1812. |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore (6) |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/cornwallparishr05rowego... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore - Marriages Vol 6 |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Marriages. Egloshayle 1600-1812, St. Kew 1564-1812, Padstow 1599-1812, Warleggan 5147-1718, Withiel 1568-1812 and St. Sanmpson/ Golant 1568-1812. |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore (7) |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/cornwallparishr00stepgo... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore - Marriages Vol 7 |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Marriages. Mawnan 1553-1812, Mylor 1673-1812, Perranarworthal 1684-1812, St. Sithney 1654-1812, Stythians 1654-1812 and Manaccan 1633-1812. |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore (8) |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/cornwallparishre08phil |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore - Marriages Vol 8 |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Marriages. Fowey 1568-1812, Tywardreath 1642-1812, Lostwithiel 1609-1812, Luxulyan 1594-1812 and St. Cleer 1678-1812. |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore (9) |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/cornwallparishr03stepgo... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Cornwall - Phillimore - Marriages Vol 9 |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Marriages. Lelant 1679-1812, Paul 1595-1812, Zennor 1617-1812 and St. Hilary 1676-1812. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Madron, Cornwall |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/firstbookofparis00madr |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Madron, Cornwall |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Baptisms 1592-1725, marriages 1577-1678 and burials 1577-1681. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Parkham, Cornwall |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/registersparkha00dredgo... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Parkham, Cornwall |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Contains marriages baptisms, and burials from 1 to 1812. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Redruth, Cornwall |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/parishregisters00petego... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Redruth, Cornwall |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Contains marriages, baptisms, and burials from 1560-1716. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of St. Columb Major, Cornwall |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/registersofparis00stco |
| Description: | Parish Registers of St. Columb Major, Cornwall |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Registers 1539-1780. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Parish Records, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Parish Registers of St. Erth, Cornwall |
| Link: | http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~sterth/genealogy/ |
| Description: | Parish Registers of St. Erth, Cornwall |
| Extra Info: | Baptisms 1563-1900, marriages 1563-1960, burials 1565-1960 and wills 1690-1859. |
| Classification: | Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of St. Hilary, Cornwall |
| Link: | https://sthilaryrecords.tripod.com/ |
| Description: | Parish Registers of St. Hilary, Cornwall |
| Extra Info: | The parish of St Hilary is in the West of Cornwall. Up until 1865 the parish included Marazion (Town) and St Michael's Mount (Mount). |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records, War Memorials & Other Memorials |
| Title: | Parishes of Mevagissey, St Goran, Caerhays and St Ewe |
| Link: | http://gorran-haven.org |
| Description: | Family History of Mevagissey, St Goran, Caerhays and St Ewe Parishes |
| Extra Info: | May not work correctly in all browsers. |
| Classification: | Parish Records |
| Title: | Parishmouse Family History Guides |
| Link: | https://www.parishmouse.co.uk/ |
| Description: | Parish Registers, Parish Records and Historical Directories. |
| Extra Info: | Each parish page provides a list of adjacent parishes, historical descriptions of the parish, links to free parish registers and records. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Romany Genes 2 Website |
| Link: | https://web.archive.org/web/20210423045021/http://... |
| Description: | Romany Genes 2 Website |
| Extra Info: | An archived copy of a site that is no longer active. Most information is still available to view. Maybe slow to load. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, On-line Parish Clerks, Parish Records, War Memorials & Other Memorials, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Sennen Online Parish Clerk |
| Link: | https://sennencornwall.tripod.com/contents.htm |
| Description: | Sennen Online Parish Clerk |
| Extra Info: | The site aims to provide information, from an historical viewpoint, on Sennen, Cornwall, the most westerly parish in the United Kingdom. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, On-line Parish Clerks, Parish Records, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | St Allen Online Parish Clerk |
| Link: | http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~blanchec/genealogy/... |
| Description: | St Allen Online Parish Clerk |
| Extra Info: | Online Parish Clerk, including parish records. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records, War Memorials & Other Memorials |
| Title: | St Keverne Local History Site |
| Link: | http://www.st-keverne.com/History/ |
| Description: | St Keverne Local History Site |
| Extra Info: | A wealth of parish information and history. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Census, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | St Mabyn Village Website |
| Link: | http://www.stmabyncornwall.co.uk/ |
| Description: | St Mabyn Village Website |
| Extra Info: | Includes 1841, 1881 and 1891 census extracts, baptisms 1717-1844 and marriages 1562-1812. |
| Classification: | One Place Study, Parish Records |
| Title: | Wesley Johnston's St. Blazey Families Introduction Page |
| Link: | https://wwjohnston.net/famhist/st-blazey-families.... |
| Description: | Wesley Johnston's St. Blazey Families Introduction Page |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records |
| Title: | West Cornwall Genealogical Information |
| Link: | https://www.west-penwith.org.uk |
| Description: | West Cornwall Genealogical Information |
| Classification: | Banns, Baptisms, Bishops Transcripts, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Parish Records, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | West Country Genealogy |
| Link: | http://www.westcountrygenealogy.com/ |
| Description: | West Country Genealogy - Somerset, Dorset and Cornwall |
| Extra Info: | Parish registers, census and more. |
If you know of any web sites for BMD data not listed here, please let us know via the Contact Us page.