Parish Chest –

records relating to ecclesiastical administration of parish prior to establishment of local government and cover period from 1500 up to present day. Traditionally held in wooden locked chest specifically made to hold the parish records.

Church Wardens Records –

oldest set of records, relate to maintenance of parish church, church land and parish arms. May contain details of tenancies of church properties, rents received for church land, payments made for services provided to church such as carpentry, glazing, decorating, building – naming local tradesmen and widows.

Vestry Meetings –

often include Church Wardens records. Minutes of vestry meetings held to discuss parish business, usually 18^th C onwards. May contain information on fire engines, poor house, settlement issues and health matters in 19^th century.

Overseers of Poor Accounts –

appointed in 1570s with responsibility for poor within parish, records usually date from 1700s showing money collected in from poor rates within parish (rate set annually at Easter vestry meeting – see above) and money disbursed to poor, either as cash payment or in kind. Superceded by Poor Law Amendment Act 1834 and Union Workhouse system. By 19^th C separate Poor Rate Books were in use which can usefully link in with census returns, trade directories and Tithe maps.

Settlement Papers –

usually catalogued separately but may still be found in parish chest. From 1662 Settlement Act need to prove entitlement to poor relief by settlement – where unable to provide evidence, Overseers of Poor had power to have pauper examined by local JP and removed back to parish of settlement. Records include Examinations and Removals. Where settlement granted, could apply for Settlement Certificate to enable you to work and settle outside home parish. Unmarried mothers whose bastard child(ren) deemed liable to be chargeable to parish rates could be examined as to father and, if named, he could be persuaded to maintain child(ren) with bastardy bond. Poor law apprenticeship papers for pauper children from age of 7 years upwards.

Militia Lists –

occasionally found in parish chest. Responsibility of parish constable along with church wardens to have list of men liable for militia service.

Scrap Books –

some incumbents or their clerks kept notebooks or scrap books usually 19^th century period. Some refer to the character of the parishioners, others contain newspaper cuttings or copied letters, some refer to weather, epidemics and harvests.

Odds and Ends –

early census return listings kept by the parish constable, copies of the tithe map and apportionment, copies of taxation returns, confirmation lists, parish magazines, Queen Anne’s Bounty mortgages, maps and parish plans, tithing lists, beating the bounds …

GOLDEN RULE –

check the parish catalogue to see what is listed and be prepared to settle down for a long read. You may not find what you originally wanted but should gain some additional local knowledge!