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: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | Bisley History and Genealogy |
| Link: | http://sites.rootsweb.com/~engsurry/bisley/ |
| Description: | Bisley History and Genealogy |
| Classification: | Burials / Cremations, Parish Records |
| Title: | Burials and Deaths Records for Some London Churches |
| Link: | Burials and Deaths Records for Some London Churches |
| Description: | Burials and Deaths Records for Some London Churches |
| Extra Info: | Includes Brentford, Uxbridge, Fetter Lane, Chiddingfold, Chipstead and Croydon. 1813-2003 |
| 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: | 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: | Banns, Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Epsom and Ewell History Explorer |
| Link: | https://eehe.org.uk/ |
| Description: | Epsom and Ewell History Explorer |
| Extra Info: | Look under People for baptism transcriptions. Includes parish register transcripts for Epsom, Ewell and Kingswood. Some burials listed under Health and welfare section. |
| 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, 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, Census, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Normandy Parish Website, Surrey |
| Link: | https://normandyhistorians.co.uk/ |
| Description: | Normandy Parish Website, Surrey |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, One Place Study, Parish Records, War Memorials & Other Memorials, Wills / Probate |
| Title: | One Place Study of Puttenham and Wanborough |
| Link: | https://anglersrest.net/genealogical-research/putt... |
| Description: | One Place Study of Puttenham and Wanborough |
| 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 Bermondsey - A History |
| Link: | https://archive.org/details/historyandantiq00philg... |
| Description: | Parish of Bermondsey - A History |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Includes some details of burials, extracts from the burial registers and monumental inscriptions. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish of Camberwell - A Brief Account and its History |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/yparishofcamerwe00blanu... |
| Description: | Parish of Camberwell - A Brief Account and its History |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Includes some extracts of the parish registers. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish of Wimbledon - A History |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/historyandantiq00bartgo... |
| Description: | Parish of Wimbledon - A History |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Includes a few extracts from the early registers. |
| 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 Marriage Search |
| Link: | https://ukga.org/browse.php |
| Description: | Marriage Search of Parish Registers for Various Counties |
| Extra Info: | Scroll down for a scan of some Phillimore marriage transcriptions, scroll further down for searchable parish registers. |
| Classification: | Banns, Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Addington, Surrey |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/publicationssur01socigo... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Addington, Surrey |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Registers 1559-1812. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Banstead, Surrey |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/registersofbanst01bans |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Banstead, Surrey |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Covers the period 1547-1789. Also includes monumental inscriptions from the church and churchyard. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Farleigh, Surrey |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/publicationssur08socigo... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Farleigh, Surrey |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Covers the period 1678-1812. |
| Classification: | Banns, Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Gatton, Surrey |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/publications34socigoog |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Gatton, Surrey |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Covers the period 1599-1812. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Godalming, Surrey |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/publicationssur07socigo... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Godalming, Surrey |
| Extra Info: | Online book. The three volumes of registers 1582-1626, 1626-1654 and 1653-1688 have been brought together in this one book. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Haslemere,Surrey |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/registersofhasle57hasl |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Haslemere,Surrey |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Baptisms 1594-1812, marriages 1573-1812, burials 1573-1812. Published 1906. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Merstham, Surrey |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/registersofmerst42mers |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Merstham Surrey |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Covers the period 1538-1812. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Morden, Surrey |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/registersofmorde37mord |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Morden, Surrey |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Covers 1634-1812. Includes monumental inscriptions. Includes a names index. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Ockley, Surrey - Parish Accounts |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/churchregistersp00ockl |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Ockley, Surrey - Parish Accounts |
| Extra Info: | Some extracts of parish registers contained with the accounts. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Richmond, Surrey |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/publicationssur03socigo... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Richmond, Surrey |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Covers the period 1720-1780. Includes a names index. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Richmond, Surrey |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/publications62socigoog |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Richmond, Surrey |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Covers the period 1583-1720. |
| Classification: | Banns, Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Sanderstead, Surrey |
| Link: | https://archive.org/details/b24882380 |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Sanderstead, Surrey |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Parish Registers 1565-1812. Includes a names index. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Stoke d'Abernon, Surrey |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/theparishregiste00stok |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Stoke d'Abernon, Surrey |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Covers the period 1619-1812. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Sutton, Surrey |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/parishregisterso74sutt |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Sutton, Surrey |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Covers 1636-1837. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Wanborough, Surrey |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/publicationssur08socigo... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Wanborough, Surrey |
| Extra Info: | Online book. After the registers for Farleigh, on page 116 are the registers for Wanborough. Covers baptisms 1561-1774, marriages 1561-1668 and burials 1591-1786, some gaps. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Wandsworth, Surrey |
| Link: | Parish Registers of Wandsworth, Surrey |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Wandsworth, Surrey (Ancestry) |
| Extra Info: | Covers the period 1603-1787. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Wandsworth, Surrey |
| Link: | http://archive.org/details/registersofparis00wandu... |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Wandsworth, Surrey |
| Extra Info: | Online book. Registers 1603-1787. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers of Windlesham, Surrey |
| Link: | Parish Registers of Windlesham |
| Description: | Parish Registers of Windlesham, Surrey (Ancestry) |
| Extra Info: | Registers 1677 - 1783. |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Census, Marriages, Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Records |
| Title: | Parish Registers on Sue Froud's Family History Pages |
| Link: | https://web.archive.org/web/20160327062213/http://... |
| Description: | Parish Registers on Sue Froud's Family History Pages |
| Extra Info: | An archived copy of a site that is no longer live. Most information still seems to be available. Scroll down for counties. Selected parish records and more for several counties. |
| 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, Obituaries, Parish Records |
| Title: | Patricia Hamilton's Family History Site |
| Link: | http://web.archive.org/web/20180214004212/http://w... |
| Description: | Patricia Hamilton's Family History Site |
| Extra Info: | An archived copy of this site. Most information is still available to view. Includes the names Hamilton, Croswell, Blacks, Field, Foster, Payne, Dann, Sharp, Wilcox and Moake. |
| 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, 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, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Surrey County Data from Ancestry |
| Link: | Surrey County Data from Ancestry |
| Description: | Surrey County Data Collection from Ancestry |
| Extra Info: | Includes parish register extracts; Registers of Wandsworth, (1603-1787); Registers of Windlesham, 1677 to 1783 |
| Classification: | Baptisms, Burials / Cremations, Marriages, Parish Records |
| Title: | Surrey History Centre Collection 1538-1987 |
| Link: | Ancestry.co.uk's Surrey Parish Records 1538-1987 |
| Description: | Surrey History Centre Collection 1538-1987 |
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