CHURCH RECORDS
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Nature of the records
Burials:
Unlike their Catholic counterparts, the majority of Church of Ireland clergymen recorded burials as well as baptisms and marriages. These burial registers are often also of interest for families of other denominations; the sectarian divide appears to have narrowed a little after death. The information given for burials was rarely more than the name, age and townland, making definite family connections difficult to establish in most cases. However, since early burials generally record the deaths of those born well before the start of the register, they can often be the only evidence on which to base a picture of preceding generations, and are particularly valuable because of this.
[Ballymodan baptisms: Click for larger image] |
Baptisms:
Church of Ireland baptismal records almost always supply only:
- the child's name;
- the father's name;
- the mother's Christian name;
- the name of the officiating clergyman.
Quite often, the address is also given, but this is by no means as frequent as in the case of Catholic registers. The omission of the mother's maiden name can be an obstacle to further research. From about 1820, the father's occupation is supplied in many cases.
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Marriages:
Since the Church of Ireland was the Established Church, the only legally valid marriages, in theory at least, were those performed under its aegis.
In practice, of course, de facto recognition was given to marriages of some other denominations. Nonetheless, the legal standing of the Church of Ireland meant that many marriages, of members of other Protestant churches in particular, are recorded in Church of Ireland registers. The information given is not extensive, however, consisting usually of the names of the parties marrying and the name of the officiating clergyman. Even addresses are not usual, unless one of the people is from another parish. More comprehensive material is included in records of marriage banns, where these exist - although it was obligatory for notification of the intention to marry to be given in church on three consecutive Sundays, written records of these are relatively rare. After 1845, when marriages other than Catholic ones, were registered by the State, the marriage registers record all the information contained in state records, including occupations, addresses and fathers' names.
Marriage Licence Bonds:
As an alternative to marriage banns, members of the Church of Ireland could take out a Marriage Licence Bond. The parties lodged a sum of money with the diocese to indemnify the Church against there being an obstacle to the marriage; in effect the system allowed the better-off to purchase privacy. The original Bonds were all destroyed in 1922, but the original indexes are available at the National Archives. The Dublin diocesan index was published as part of the Index to Dublin Will and Grant Books, RDKPRI 26, 1895 (1270-1800) and RDKPRI 30 1899 (1800-1858). The Genealogical Office holds abstracts of Prerogative Marriage Licence Bonds from 1630 to 1858 (GO 605-607), as well as Marriages recorded in Prerogative Wills (GO255-6). For an explanation of the Prerogative Court see Wills.
Other Information:
As well as straightforward information on baptisms, marriages and burials, Church of Ireland parish records very often include vestry books. These contain the minutes of the vestry meetings of the local parish, which can supply detailed information on the parts played by individuals in the life of the parish. These are not generally with the parish registers in the National Archives, but the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland and the Representative Church Body Library in Dublin have extensive collections. Click here for a full listing of RCBL vestry minutes.
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