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: | Births, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Chris Newhall's Family History |
| Link: | http://www.wildot.co.uk/famhist.htm |
| Description: | Chris Newhall's Family History |
| Extra Info: | Includes NEWHALL, BAILEY, BEECH, CATLEY and many other surnames. |
| Classification: | Banns, Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, One Place Study, Parish Records, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Debenham - One Place Study |
| Link: | http://debenham-ops.org.uk/ |
| Description: | Debenham - One Place Study |
| Extra Info: | A website for all things relating to the Genealogy and Family History of the village of Debenham in Suffolk. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records, War Memorials & Other Memorials |
| Title: | Elmswell Millenium History Group |
| Link: | https://www.elmswell-history.org.uk/ |
| Description: | The History of Elmswell, Suffolk |
| 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, Census, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Haverhill Family History Group |
| Link: | http://www.haverhill-uk.com/pages/genealogy-pages-... |
| Description: | Haverhill Family History Group Web Site with some 1891 census data. |
| 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: | 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: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records, Pedigrees, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Parish of Fincham, Norfolk - Historical Notices and Records |
| Link: | https://archive.org/details/historicalnotic00fincg... |
| Description: | Parish of Fincham, Norfolk - Historical Notices and Records |
| Extra Info: | Online book, including extracts from the parish registers. Also pedigrees and wills of the FINCHAM name of Norfolk and Suffolk. |
| 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: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Register Transcriptions |
| Link: | http://web.archive.org/web/20120302095016/http://w... |
| Description: | Transcription and Extracts Index for Berkshire, Kent, Somerset and Suffolk |
| Extra Info: | This is a copy of an archived site. Most information seems to be available. May take a few moments to load. |
| Classification: | Banns, Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Register Transcripts and Other Miscellaneous Records |
| Link: | http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~pbtyc/genealogy/PR_... |
| Description: | Parish Register Transcripts and Other Miscellaneous Records |
| Extra Info: | Extracts of parish records for Somerset, Berkshire, Kent and Suffolk. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers for Dorset and Suffolk |
| Link: | http://sites.rootsweb.com/~engdorse/Dorset.html |
| Description: | Parish Registers for Dorset and Suffolk |
| Extra Info: | Transcriptions of some parish registers. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Bramefiede (Bramfield), Suffolk |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/registriebookeo00bramgo... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Bramefiede (Bramfield), Suffolk |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Covers 1539-1596 and 1693-1899. Names index at the end of the book. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Brundish, Suffolk |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/parishregisterso00brun |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Brundish, Suffolk |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Baptisms 1562-1765, marriages 1563-1749, burials 1563-1764, then baptisms and burials 1765-1785. Names Index at end of book. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Bury St. Edmunds - St. James |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/burystedmundsstj01bury |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Bury St. Edmunds - St. James |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Baptism register for 1558-1800. Includes some baptism extracts 1801-1812. |
| Classification: | Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Bury St. Edmunds - St. James, Suffolk |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/burystedmunds00stja |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Bury St. Edmunds - St. James, Suffolk |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Marriages 1562-1800. With index. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Denham, Suffolk |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/denhamparishreg00hervgo... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Denham, Suffolk |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Registers 1539-1850, with historical notes, including memorial inscriptions of the church and churchyard, some wills and post mortems and inquistions. Published 1904. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Frostenden, Suffolk |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/parishregisterso00fros |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Frostenden, Suffolk |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Baptisms 1539-1791, marriages 1538-1754 and burials 1538-1791. Published 1887. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Great Whelnetham and Little Whelnetham, Suffolk |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/greatwhelnethamp15whel |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Great Whelnetham and Little Whelnetham, Suffolk |
| Extra Info: | Online book.Great Whelnetham registers 1561-1850 and Little Whelnetham registers 1557-1850. Also wills and monumental inscriptions from the churches and churchyards. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Hollesley, Suffolk |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/parishregisterso82holl |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Hollesley, Suffolk |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Baptisms 1623-1812, marriages 1623-1812, burials 1637-1812. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Horringer, Suffolk |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/horringerparishr00horr |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Horringer, Suffolk |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Baptisms, marriages, and burials 1558-1850, with appendixes and biographical notes. Published 1900. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Ickworth, Suffolk |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/ickworthparishr00hervgo... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Ickworth, Suffolk |
| Extra Info: | Online book, published 1894. Registers 1566-1890. Also includes monumental inscriptions of the church and churchyard. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Ingham, Suffolk |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/parishregisterof00ingh |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Ingham, Suffolk |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Baptisms 1538-1804, marriages 1539-1787 and burials 1538-1811. Published 1909. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Ipswich - St. Nicholas |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/registersofstnic00ipsw |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Ipswich - St. Nicholas |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Baptisms 1539-1709, burials 1551-1710, marriages 1539-1710. Published 1897. |
| Classification: | Banns, Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Monks Soham, Suffolk |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/registersofparis00monkr... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Monks Soham, Suffolk |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Baptisms 1712-1877, burials 1713-1813, marriages 1713-1837. Some events up to 1919. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Sutton, Suffolk |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/parishregisterso82holl |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Sutton, Suffolk |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Within the parish register book for Hollesley are some entries for Sutton for 1691-1692. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Thorington, Suffolk |
| Link: | Parish Registers of Thorington , Suffolk |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Thorington, Suffolk (Ancestry) |
| Extra Info: | Registers 1561-1882. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of West Stow and Wordwell, Suffolk |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/weststowparishre00hervu... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of West Stow and Wordwell, Suffolk |
| Extra Info: | Online book. West Stow 1558-1850 and Wordwell 1580-1850. Published 1903. |
| 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, Census, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Romany References and Records |
| Link: | http://web.archive.org/web/20091026134802/http://g... |
| Description: | Romany References and Records |
| Extra Info: | This is an archived copy of a site that is no longer active, although most information still seems to be available. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Parish Records, War Memorials & Other Memorials, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Selected Genealogical Records |
| Link: | http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~mwi/filessection/ |
| Description: | Selected Genealogical Records |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Suffolk County Data from Ancestry |
| Link: | Suffolk County Data from Ancestry |
| Description: | Suffolk County Data Collection from Ancestry |
| Extra Info: | Includes parish register extracts; Returns From the Census of Religious Worship of 1851; Various wills; and more. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Various English Parish Records |
| Link: | https://www.obliquity.com/family/parish/ |
| Description: | Various English Parish Records |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Deaths, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records |
| Title: | Woodbridge Beaumont Baptist and Quay URC Records |
| Link: | https://www.thequay.org.uk/ |
| Description: | Woodbridge Beaumont Baptist Church and Quay United Reformed Church Records |
| Extra Info: | Click About Us, Our History and then for each individual church scroll down to the records. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records |
| Title: | Woodbridge Non-conformist Church Records |
| Link: | https://www.thequay.org.uk/records |
| Description: | Woodbridge Non-conformist Church Records |
| Extra Info: | Comprising of Beaumont Baptist Church and Quay United Reformed Church Records. |
If you know of any web sites for BMD data not listed here, please let us know via the Contact Us page.