The quality of the original document was, in parts, poor. This was especially so at some page edges such that either the first name or the date was sometimes difficult to read. The section from 1643 onwards was particularly poor with whole sections being illegible. No records were legible for 1649. Where I have made an educated guess at a name or word I have included this in [Smith]. Where I have been unable to decipher a word or name I have recorded this as [ ]. I have made every effort to ensure the transcription is accurate but, as with all transcriptions, errors may have been made. The original document should always be checked to verify the data given. Bishops Transcripts are available for some years and I have used these to verify the data given. Where extra or different information is provided in the BTs I have given this in red. No data was recorded for 1625 but BTs were. Hence all data for this year is given in red. The index is just that and extra information will be available in the transcription. It is worth noting that the spellings of both first and surnames were variable, and sometimes a shorthand version was used, eg Coup, Cowp or Cowper for Cooper. Therefore in using the index it is worth searching all names which start with the same letter you are researching to see if variants exist. Also search names beginning with H if the name you are searching starts with a vowel. Similarly if the name you are researching begins with an H try searching for variants starting with the second letter, eg Umphrey for Humphrey. The year given in the index is the year in which the event was recorded and is not necessarily the year in which the event took place. Also events were not always recorded chronologically. In general events were not recorded separately but recorded in roughly the order they occurred. It is worth noting that throughout this period the first of the year was recognised as March 25, hence events recorded from January 1 to March 24 would be the year previous to what we would use today. For example February 17 1600 would be regarded as in 1601 today.
This is not a transcription such that a copy has been made of the original document. Baptisms, marriages and burials have simply been extracted and presented in, hopefully, a readily searchable form. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information. However no guarantee is given as to its accuracy and it is therefore necessary to check the original records to verify any information given.
This document covers two Parish Register books, 1700-1722 and 1722-1742. The earlier Register was written in English with various uses of shorthand for many names, both Christian and surnames. I have used the Christian names as recorded in the Register. Similarly I have used the surnames as written unless two variations are given for the same event, for example John Barker son of John Barkr. In these cases I have used the fullest version given, i.e. in this case Barker. The later Register is in Latin. I have translated the names into English.
The document has been split into four sections:
Section 1 is the extraction of baptisms, alphabetically firstly by surname, then first name of the person baptised, then first name of the father, if given.
Section 2 is the extraction of marriages. Section 2a is presented alphabetically firstly by the groom’s surname, then his first name, then the bride’s surname. Section 2b is presented alphabetically by the bride’s surname, then her first name, then the groom’s surname.
Section 3 is the extraction of burials, as with the baptisms, alphabetically firstly by surname, then first name of the person buried, then first name of the father or husband, if given. Where a name is given in the Father/Husband column this refers to the father unless Wife is stated in the Comments column.
Section 4 is for entries where it was impossible to determine the event because of the poor quality of the document.
It is important to remember that until 1752 New Years Day was recognised as March 25. Hence all dates between January 1 and March 24 will be recorded in the same year as the previous December 31. However, I have indicated this by using, for example, 1716/7 for dates between January 1 and March 24 for those years affected.
Where I have been unsure of a name, word or date I have given an educated guess in [ ] brackets. If I have been unable to interpret the name, word of date for any reason I have left a space enclosed by [ ] brackets.
At this time the spelling of names was not an exact science. Depending on the incumbent many spelling variations were found. It is also very easy to misread a name especially when the writing is faded or the script is particularly difficult. Most are obvious but some are more obscure.
Section 1 is the extraction of baptisms, alphabetically firstly by surname, then first name of the person baptised, then first name of the father, if given
Section 2 is the extraction of marriages. Since a separate marriage register was required from 1754, and only a small number of marriages were recorded from this Register, these have been left in date order.
Section 3 is the extraction of burials, as with the baptisms, alphabetically firstly by surname, then first name of the person buried, then first name of the father or husband, if given.
Section 4 is a full transcription of the Register.
It is important to remember that until 1752 New Years Day was recognised as March 25. Hence prior to 1752 all dates between January 1 and March 24 will be recorded in the same year as the previous December 31. See the full transcription for clarification. However, I have indicated this in the indices by using, for example, 1746/7 for dates between January 1 and March 24 for those years affected.
No event was given for two entries, dated 28 July 1745 and 23 April 1769. In these cases I have included the entries in both the extraction of baptisms and the extraction of burials. This has been indicated in the Comments column in each case.
An entry with Poor against it in the Comments column refers to the tax levied on baptisms, marriages and burials from 1 October 1783 until about 1794. These persons were exempt from the tax owing to their financial status.
At this time the spelling of names was not an exact science. Depending on the incumbent many spelling variations were found. It is also very easy to misread a name especially when the writing is faded or the script is particularly difficult.